Warlords Of Kruhl 3e EN:Archetypes

Contents

Archetypes represent the core identity of the character: the niche they fill in the game. The character's first archetype is free: simply choose it, like choosing the character's folk. However, a character can partake of more than one archetype. Each archetype after the first costs 5 character points.

Archer

Archers are experts at inflicting harm while staying wisely out of harm's way. Some archers specialize with a single weapon, such as the longbow, while others master all manner of ranged weaponry. Most archers have Expertise with the Ranged Combat skill, although it's not strictly required for the archetype.

Characters with the archer archetype have the Ranged Lethality gift for free.

Characters with the archer archetype have the Sharpshooter ability.

Sharpshooter

Constant

A character with Sharpshooter is adept at bypassing cover in ranged combat. When a defender has cover, or is prone, they gain a bonus die on their defense roll. A character with the Sharpshooter gift gains a bonus die on their Ranged Combat attack roll when targeting a defender who is prone or has cover.

Bard

Bards are wanderers and performers, historians and entertainers. A bard lives by their wits and their ability to enthrall an audience. Bards typically focus on at least one performing art, whether it is dance, storytelling, song, or a musical instrument. Most bards have Expertise with the Performance skill, although it's not strictly required for the archetype.

Characters with the bard archetype have the Arcane Caster gift for free.

Characters with the bard archetype have the Bardic Lore ability.

Bardic Lore

Free action

A character with Bardic Lore gains a bonus die on all Culture and Performance rolls. Additionally, the first time a character with Bardic Lore encounters a new place, object, or noteworthy person, they may attempt a Culture skill roll to remember a story with relevant useful detailed information.

Druid

Druids are keepers of the old ways, the representatives of the natural world in all of its beauty, innocence, and cruelty. Many Druids honor Horebbin, but the relationship is less that of a god and its worshippers, and more that of a mentor and their students. A particular druid might devote themselves to a specific grove, or to protecting a valley from axe-wielding intruders. Other druids might roam the world, seeking opportunities to restore the balance of nature where it has gone awry. A few druids have a disturbing tendency to sacrifice people they dislike on stone slabs, but most druids recognize that folk are, for better or worse, a part of the natural world, and should be treated with respect, if not affection. Most druids have the Nature and Survival skills, although it's not strictly required for the archetype.

Characters with the druid archetype have the Sacred Caster gift for free.

Characters with the druid archetype have the Unhindered Stride ability.

Unhindered Stride

Move action

Unhindered Stride allows a character to pass through non-magical overgrown terrain (impenetrable brambles, strangling vines, dense thickets, and so on) at their normal pace and without leaving evidence of their passage. Additionally, if the overgrown terrain has thorns, poisonous sap, or poses some other threat, the character with Unhindered Stride is unaffected.

Mage

Mages are students of the arcane forces which permeate the material world. A particular mage might concentrate their studies on the hidden qualities of ordinary material substances, while other mages spend their time deciphering the incomprehensible formulae which define seemingly mundane phenomena. Some mages are reclusive and interested only in theory, while others are adventurous and seek to test their arcane powers in the "laboratory of the world". Most mages have Expertise with the Occult skill, although it's not strictly required for the archetype.

Characters with the mage archetype have the Arcane Caster gift for free.

Characters with the mage archetype have the Mage Sight ability.

Mage Sight

Standard action

A character with Mage Sight can use a standard action to sense the presence of magic and those who can wield it. To perceive a source of magic, the character must succeed at a moderately difficult (DV 3) Perception (Reason) roll. If the target of the mage's attention is another magic-using being, the mage knows their Power Level and the number of magical objects on their person. If the target of the mage's attention is a magical object, the sorcerer learns the general purpose of the object's magic, and has a rough idea of how to activate it.

Mage Sight has other uses, as well. For example, if a character with Mage Sight is being spied upon using a scrying spell, they may use a reaction to attempt a moderately difficult (DV 3) Perception (Reason) roll to notice the fact (a person without Mage Sight does not have the ability to notice when they are being magically spied upon).

Monk

Monks travel a path that anyone can follow, but few want to. Monks devote themselves to aligning their minds and bodies with the universe as it actually is, without illusion or deception. Monks do not seek conflict, or to cause harm: their combat abilities are a result of their intensive physical training, the goal of which is not power, but understanding. Most monks live far away from the distractions of the less enlightened world, but some walk among other folk, either by choice or through misfortune. Most importantly, a monk is always learning, always growing toward acceptance of themselves and their place in the universe. Most monks have the Athletics and Perception skills, although it's not strictly required for the archetype.

Characters with the monk archetype have the Lightning Strike gift for free.

Characters with the monk archetype have the Enlightened Defense ability.

Enlightened Defense

If the character with Enlightened Defense is not wearing armor, they may add their Power Level to their Hand-to-hand Combat defense rolls.

Outlander

"Barbarian" is a pejorative term used by soft city dwellers to refer to those outlanders who embrace brute strength and raw fury. Rather than the honed skills of the warrior or the precision of the monk, the outlander's combat prowess flows from their ferocious nature. Most outlanders have the Hand-to-hand Combat and Survival skills, although it's not strictly required for the archetype.

Characters with the outlander archetype have the Hard Target gift for free.

Characters with the outlander archetype have the Berserker ability.

Berserker

Quick action

A character with Berserker can use a quick action to fly into a terrifying rage. For one minute (ten rounds), the character gains a bonus die on all combat skill rolls and all skill rolls based on Agility, Brawn, or Presence, but they incur a penalty die on all skill rolls based on Reason. After the berserker rage ends, the character incurs a penalty die on all skill rolls for ten minutes.

Paladin

Paladins are the mailed fist of righteousness in a world beset by evil. Most paladins belong to a religious order, serving as the mortal footsoldiers for a deity or a group of associated deities. Some paladins focus on protecting the innocent and the downtrodden, while others focus more on confronting the malign forces that would prey on them. Young paladins are often humourless and judgemental, but older paladins tend to be kinder, and more forgiving toward those who have made poor decisions. Most paladins have the Hand-to-hand Combat and Culture skills, although it's not strictly required for the archetype.

Characters with the paladin archetype have the Reputation gift for free.

Characters with the paladin archetype have the Healing Touch ability.

Healing Touch

Standard action

A character with Healing Touch may attempt a moderately difficult (DV 3) Medicine (Presence) roll to heal the injuries of a person or creature they touch. If the character succeeds at this roll, then 1 Endurance is restored to the victim.

Healing Touch can remove diseases, pathogens, and poisons from the target. The character with Healing Touch may attempt a moderately difficult (DV 3) Medicine (Presence) roll to cure a single disease or purge a single toxin from the victim's system.

Priest

Priests are the representatives of the deities and metaphysical entities that have a proprietary interest in the mortal world. A particular priest might devote themselves to a specific deity, or to a collection of associated deities. Some priests focus entirely on serving their gods, while others place primary importance on the well-being of their deity's worshipers. Most priests have Expertise with the Occult skill, although it's not strictly required for the archetype.

Characters with the priest archetype have the Sacred Caster gift for free.

Characters with the priest archetype have the Repel Undead ability.

Repel Undead

Standard action

Repel Undead allows a character to use a standard action to drive away undead within short range (10 m). Repel Undead requires a successful Occult (Presence) roll against a Magic Resistance (Presence) roll of each undead creature within range. If the priest's roll meets or exceeds the target number for an undead within range, that undead must flee from the priest. The undead will continue to flee from the priest until it is injured or until the end of the scene, whichever happens first.

Any undead which has a Power Level greater than that of the priest is immune to this ability.

Ranger

Rangers are at home in the untamed places of the world, standing as a bulwark between the warm hearth fires of civilization and the threats that prowl the wilderness. Most rangers have the Ranged Combat and Survival skills, although it's not strictly required for the archetype.

Characters with the ranger archetype have the Animal Empathy gift for free.

Characters with the ranger archetype have the Hunter's Mark ability.

Hunter's Mark

Standard action

A character with Hunter's Mark can use a standard action to designate a single person or creature as the objective of their hunt. The ranger gains a bonus die on all noncombat skill rolls that relate to that person or creature. Additionally, the character may ignore one penalty die when attacking their marked person or creature. The character may only mark one person or creature at a time, and a specific person or creature may only be marked by one character at a time. If the character attempts to use Hunter's mark on a target that is already marked, they may choose a different target, or they may abort the attempt and use their standard action for something else.

Rogue

Rogues are experts in going where they are unwelcome and obtaining information or objects that others don't want them to have. Some rogues serve as part of a larger organization or in the service of some patron, while others are interested in the pursuit of their profession as an end in itself. Most rogues have the Lockpicking and Sleight Of Hand skills, although it's not strictly required for the archetype.

Characters with the rogue archetype have the Lightning Strike gift for free.

Characters with the rogue archetype have the Sense Danger ability.

Sense Danger

Constant

Sense Danger permits a character to use a free action to sense an imminent attack and avoid being surprised, even if there is no way for the character to see the attack coming. To perceive a source of danger, the character must succeed at a moderately difficult (DV 3) Perception (Reason) roll. If the Sense Danger roll is successful, the character does not incur any penalty dice on their defense roll against the attack, even if the character is at a disadvantage (prone or distracted, for example). Sense Danger is a free action: a character with Sense Danger may attempt to predict as many attacks as they like, as often as they like, but may only attempt to sense each specific attack once.

Shaman

Shamans are able to communicate with the spirit world, and direct the energy of ancestral and elemental spirits into the physical world. Shamans do not see themselves as masters or servants of the spirits, but more as allies. Many shamans serve both the physical and spiritual needs of their community, acting as a physician as well as a counselor. Most shamans use their abilities to help their communities, but some shamans abuse their power and use it for harm. (Sadly, not all spirits are friendly.) Most shamans have the Diplomacy and Medicine skills, although it's not strictly required for the archetype.

Characters with the shaman archetype have the Sacred Caster gift for free.

Characters with the shaman archetype have a Spirit Guide.

Spirit Guide

Constant

A beneficial spirit guide follows and advises the character, helping the character to the best of its ability. Once per day, the character may call upon the spirit guide and request their assistance. This assistance usually has a similar effect to that of spending a plot point, providing the character with a bonus die, an escape, inspiration, a rally, a retcon, or a surge.

Warlock

Warlocks have made a pact with a powerful entity. The warlock's patron might be an infernal power, a capricious faerie prince, or the personification of a place or concept. The warlock might even have contacted a being of the Void, seeking a foothold in our reality. The warlock is granted a fraction of the entity's power, but they will be expected to perform the occasional service for the patron in return. Most warlocks have the Manipulation and Occult skills, although it's not strictly required for the archetype.

Characters with the warlock archetype have the Arcane Caster gift for free.

Characters with the warlock archetype are given a Familiar by their patron.

Familiar

Constant

A character with a familiar has a magical bond with a tiny animal or creature (bats, cats, hawks, rats, and ravens are all typical), which serves the character to the best of its ability.

Having a familiar grants the following abilities:

• The Reason and Presence of the familiar are equal to the character with whom they are bonded.
• The character can mentally communicate with the familiar, as long as it is within medium range (100 m).
• The character can use a standard action to know the location of the familiar as long as it is on the same plane of existence.
• Any spell the character casts on herself can simultaneously be cast on the familiar, as long as it is within medium range (100 m).
• The character can use her turn to perceive through the senses of the familiar (she may take no other actions during that turn).

The familiar will have other abilities, depending on the type of animal or creature it is. If the familiar is killed, it will vanish, but it will reappear the following day.

Warrior

Warriors are experts in the many ways that people have found to hurt one another. A particular warrior might focus on mastering a specific type of weapon, while another might seek to be proficient in every possible form of combat. Some warriors serve as part of a larger unit or in the service of some patron, while others are interested in the martial arts as an end in itself. Most warriors have the Hand-to-hand Combat and Ranged Combat skills, although it's not strictly required for the archetype.

Characters with the warrior archetype have the Hand-to-hand Lethality gift for free.

Characters with the warrior archetype have the Assess Opponent ability.

Assess Opponent

Standard action

A character with Assess Opponent can use a standard action to evaluate the combat prowess of someone they can observe. To evaluate an opponent, the character must succeed at a moderately difficult (DV 3) Perception (Reason) roll. With a successful roll, the soldier knows their opponent's Brawn and Agility, whether the subject has the Hand-to-hand Combat and Ranged Combat skills, and whether the subject has Expertise in either of those skills.