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.

Curse List

Behavior Argumentative The character can be annoying in social situations by their argumentative nature. Bluster When the character gets started retelling his deeds, the tale often gets obviously exaggerated. Brainwashed The character is unlikely to entertain any ideas that conflict with the brainwashed beliefs. Callous The character is often uncaring when asked for aid. Clueless The character often doesn't pick up on social clues. Condescending The character often acts like others are inferior. Delusional The character fervently believes things that aren't true. Disrespectful The character is often rude to authority figures. Greedy The character has trouble saying no to offers involving money. Guilty The character reacts poorly to Church officials. Gullible The character is likely to believe whatever they're told. Haughty The character alienates commoners with their imperious behavior. Impetuous The character acts first, thinks things through later. Righteous The character responds poorly when her judgement is questioned. Mammon The character will often sacrifice the tenets of faith for money. Nosy The character can often be intrusive with their desire to know private details of others' lives. Phobia The character has an irrational fear. He has trouble remaining calm around the source of that fear. Possessive The character often displays jealousy if others use their things, or display interest in close companions. Prideful The character reacts with anger when insulted. Secretive The character has a hard time relating to strangers. Subtle The character has a hard time explaining things as she assumes many things are already understood. Surly The character can often be rude when upset. Uncouth The character often acts rudely at society functions. Unnerving Superstitious people find the character disturbing and sometimes scary. Vain When flattered, the character is often open to others' ideas. Vengeful The character reacts poorly when his honor is impinged and is unlikely to forget a slight. Bad Heart The character has a hard time explaining things as she assumes many things are already understood. Bad Liver The character is susceptible to toxins. Bad Lungs The character has a hard time sustaining athletic tasks. Horrible Scar The character has an ugly burn or scar that affects his appearance when visible. Incurable Disease Please Write. Pain Sensitive When the character takes damage, it's hard to concentrate on anything else. Beast Foe Animals react poorly to the character. Clumsy Actions which require particular agility are especially hard for the character. Mechanically Disinclined The character just doesn't understand mechanical tasks. Poor Liar The character is unconvincing when telling lies. Quasimodo The character is really bad at seduction. Cad The character can come off as a little sleazy.

Reputation Scary The character has a reputation that makes others afraid. Liar The character is a known liar. Anything he says will be viewed with suspicion. Tyrant The character is known for their oppressive behavior towards peasants. Known Criminal The character is a known criminal and will be viewed with suspicion. Combat Lust The character shows too much enthusiasm during combat, which can be disturbing to those that witness it. Bitter A member of an oppressed race, the character is tense around humans. Rebellious The character is visibly uncomfortable when taking orders. Social Disease When it is revealed that the character has this disease, their attempts at seduction are often met with rejection. Physical Limp The character has a limp that affects their rate of movement. Missing Arm The character is missing an arm. Tasks that usually require two hands are extremely difficult. Missing Eye The character is missing an eye, causing poor depth perception and peripheral vision. Missing Leg The character is missing a leg. Moving is extremely difficult. Shaky Hands The character's shaky hands make actions which require fine manipulation difficult. Bad Hearing The character can't hear very well. Bad Vision The character can't see very well. Sterile The character is unable to have children. Dwarf Please Write. Short Please Write.