This reference card will help you better understand the information provided for each bane.

Description

This section provides a general idea of what the bane could look like in the story.

Duration

A bane typically remains in effect until the target resists it using a resist action, hence most banes have a duration of "resist ends". If a target fails three resist rolls against a bane, the bane can no longer be resisted. It persists for an extended duration indicated in parentheses.

Power Level

This number indicates the required attribute score needed to inflict the bane. If multiple power levels are listed (such as 2 / 4 / 6), then the bane can be inflicted at multiple tiers of power. The Persistent Damage bane, for example, deals increased damage as you inflict it at higher power levels.

Attack Attributes

This is a list of the attribute or attributes that can be used to inflict the bane. As long as you possess at least one of the listed attributes at a score greater than or equal to the Power Level, then you can inflict the bane.

Attack

This list indicates what type of attack roll to make when inflicting the bane. Each entry consists of an attribute that the attacking player should roll and the defense score targeted by the attack. If the attacker's roll equals or exceeds the target's defense score, then the bane is inflicted.

Effect

This entry indicates the mechanical effects of the bane on the rules of the game.

Special (optional)

This optional entry describes any effects that fall out of the normal rule set.

Description

You blind your foe with anything from a massive explosion, to a handful of sand, to an arctic blast, to a dazzling flash of light. Pirates, snipers, rogues, and necromancers often make use of this bane in combat.

Duration

Resist ends (Fail x 3 = 1 minute)

Power Level

5

Attack Attributes

Agility Creation Energy Entropy

Attack

Agility vs. Guard
Creation vs. Guard
Energy vs. Guard
Entropy vs. Toughness

Effect

The target cannot see as long as the effect persists. The target automatically fails any Perception rolls based solely on normal sight. Attack rolls and Perception rolls based partially on sight that can be supplemented by another sense suffer disadvantage 5. The target's Guard defense is reduced by 3.

Description

Charms are one of the great banes of legend, wielded by powerful enchantresses like Circe (of Homer's The Odyssey), nymphs, psychics, and other characters who control the will of others, not through total domination, but through a magical spell of love or friendship.

Duration

Resist ends (special) (Fail x 3 = 24 hours)

Power Level

3 4 6

Attack Attributes

Influence

Attack

Influence vs. Resolve

Effect

The charmed bane can only be inflicted via a bane attack. Damaging attacks that trigger banes cannot trigger this bane. The charmed bane manifests at two levels: minor and major. Minor Charm - The target is mentally compelled to become more friendly, only changing their attitude toward you moderately. If they are about to strike you, they will restrain themselves - still angry and hostile, but no longer violent. If they want to help you and are leaning toward trusting you, but have some hesitation because you've just met, then that hesitation goes away. Major Charm - The attacker chooses whether the major charm is platonic or romantic. If platonic, the bane causes the target to consider the attacker their best friend and one of the most trustworthy and noble people they have met in all their lives. Alternatively, the attacker can choose for this trust and admiration to manifest as romantic love. The target is unable to do anything to plot against the one who afflicted them, and will (at the earliest possible opportunity) tell their charmer of any rumored harm or danger coming their way. The afflicted character becomes immediately suspicious of anyone who speaks ill of their attacker. The target is mentally compelled to like and trust you more, depending on the power level of the bane when invoked.

• Power Level 3 - You can Minor Charm creatures of animal level intelligence or lower.
• Power Level 4 - You can Minor Charm creatures of humanoid intelligence. You can Major Charm creatures of animal level intelligence or lower.
• Power Level 6 - You can Major Charm creatures of humanoid intelligence.

Special

While most banes last until the target actively attempts to resist it, this bane prevents the target from being aware of their affliction and thus prevents them from actively attempting to break free. However, the target's true mind is magically suppressed but fights to regain control. As such, at the end of each of its turns, the target receives a resist roll as a free action to break free from the effect. When your target succeeds at a resist roll against this bane, they become immune to all subsequent attempts by you to inflict the bane for the next 24 hours.

Description

You deafen your foe with a crash of thunder, a deft strike to their ears, or a dark energy that disables their hearing. This bane is common to storm mages, mad scientists, and assassins.

Duration

Resist ends (Fail x 3 = 1 minute)

Power Level

4

Attack Attributes

Agility Energy Entropy

Attack

Agility vs. Guard
Energy vs. Toughness
Entropy vs. Toughness

Effect

The target cannot hear as long as the effect persists. The target automatically fails any Perception rolls based solely on hearing. Perception rolls based partially on hearing that can be supplemented by another sense suffer disadvantage 3.

Description

Using your quick wit, intimidating presence, or even a strong display of magical power, you cause your enemies to doubt themselves. A berserker might achieve this effect by foaming at the mouth while a swashbuckling space captain might dishearten his foes simply with intimidating words.

Duration

Resist (minor) ends (Fail x 3 = 1 minute)

Power Level

3 6 8

Attack Attributes

Agility Energy Entropy Influence Might Persuasion Presence

Attack

Agility vs. Resolve
Energy vs. Resolve
Entropy vs. Resolve
Influence vs. Resolve
Might vs. Resolve
Persuasion vs. Resolve
Presence vs. Resolve

Effect

The affected target has disadvantage on all action rolls.

• Power Level 3 - Disadvantage 1.
• Power Level 6 - Disadvantage 2.
• Power Level 8 - Disadvantage 3.

Special

Resisting this bane is a minor action. When inflicting this bane using Agility or Might, you may determine range using the Non-Physical Attack Range table (see Chapter 7: Combat).

Description

You force an opponent to lose control of an object they are holding, whether through brute force, mental compulsion, a skillful parry, heating the item to unbearable temperatures, shooting it from their hands, or some other means.

Duration

Instantaneous

Power Level

3 6

Attack Attributes

Agility Alteration Energy Entropy Influence Might Movement

Attack

Agility vs. Guard
Alteration vs. Guard
Energy vs. Guard
Entropy vs. Toughness
Influence vs. Resolve
Might vs. Guard
Movement vs. Guard

Effect

• Power Level 3 - The target drops an object they are holding in a space of your choosing within 15' of the target.
• Power Level 6 - As an alternative to moving the item, you can choose to assume control of it. If you do, you are now the wielder. For the wielder to regain control, they can react with a Disarmed bane of their own to counter the effect or make an attribute roll (typically Might) with a Challenge Rating equal to 10 + 2 x the attribute score you used to disarm the item.

Description

Though rare, domination is seen from time to time in legendary tales, often wielded by vampires, and sometimes by the most powerful of sorcerers or mad scientists who command legions of mindless zombies, completely enslaved to their will.

Duration

Special

Power Level

3 5 9

Attack Attributes

Influence

Attack

Influence vs. Resolve

Effect

The dominated bane manifests at two levels: lesser and greater. Lesser Domination - The target obeys a one word command until the end of their next turn, at which time the bane immediately ends. Greater Domination - The target's every action and move is under your control. Unlike the charmed bane, characters under the effect of domination lose control of their actions. Their minds, however, struggle to regain control of their own body. They cannot take actions of any kind (except thought) unless it is ordered by you. Every action which the attacker orders the afflicted character to perform which is in extreme violation of their nature gives the target a resist roll as a free action to end the effect. The attacker does not gain special access to the target's mind and so can only order the character to perform actions that they think the character is capable of. Lastly, each mental order that the attacker gives to the target is a major action. However, the order can be a series of verbal commands, such “Attack enemy X unless someone comes through the door, in which case flee”. The dominated creature will continue to obey the last mental command they were given until you give a new command. Only one such command can be active at a given time. Greater Domination has a duration of Resist ends (Fail x 3 = 1 hour).

• Power Level 3 - You can target creatures of subhuman intelligence (animals, some elementals, certain undead, etc.) with Lesser Domination.
• Power Level 5 - You can target creatures of human intelligence or better with Lesser Domination. You can target creatures of subhuman intelligence (animals, some elementals, etc.) with Greater Domination.
• Power Level 9 - You can target creatures of human intelligence or greater with Greater Domination.

Special

While most banes last until the target actively attempts to resist it, this bane prevents the target from being aware of their affliction and thus prevents them from actively attempting to break free. However, the target's true mind is suppressed but fights to regain control. As such, at the end of each of its turns, the target receives a resist roll as a free action to break free from the effect. When your target succeeds at a resist roll against this bane, they become immune to all subsequent attempts by you to inflict the bane for the next 24 hours.

Description

With a forceful blow, magical gust of wind, or telekinetic push, you move your target against its will. This bane is favored among ogres, telekinetisists, wind mages, super soldiers, and other characters built to reshape the battlefield to their advantage.

Duration

Instantaneous

Power Level

2 4 6 8

Attack Attributes

Agility Energy Might Movement

Attack

Agility vs. Guard
Energy vs. Guard
Might vs. Guard
Movement vs. Guard

Effect

The target is moved a distance against their will, as determined by the bane's power level. The ending location is chosen by the attacker.

• Power Level 2 - The target is moved 5'.
• Power Level 4 - The target is moved 10'.
• Power Level 6 - The target is moved 15'.
• Power Level 8 - The target is moved 20'.

Description

Whether through grappling, a precise nerve strike, entangling vines, mental compulsion, or a bone-numbing blast of cold, you render your foe incapable of movement. This bane is typical among martial artists, special ops agents, enchanters, and wrestlers.

Duration

Resist ends (special) (Fail x 3 = 1 minute)

Power Level

1

Attack Attributes

Agility Alteration Creation Energy Entropy Influence Might Movement

Attack

Agility vs. Guard
Alteration vs. Guard
Creation vs. Toughness
Energy vs. Toughness
Entropy vs. Toughness
Influence vs. Resolve
Might vs. Guard
Movement vs. Guard

Effect

Your target cannot move from its current space. If you invoked the bane with a Might roll and are within 5' of the target, then both you and the target are immobile in your current space for the duration of the bane (locked in a grapple). While grappling in this manner, you can attempt to inflict this bane again upon the target. If successful, you can move your speed and take the target with you. If this attack fails, you can only move by first releasing the target and ending the bane. If you invoked the bane with any attribute other than Might, you can move freely while the target remains affected. You can choose to release the target as a free action, immediately ending the bane.

Special

When an affected target succeeds at a resist roll to end this effect, they can move 15' as a free action.

Description

Whether via a thunderous blow from a great axe, an earth shattering bolt of supernatural energy, or a well aimed shove in a direction where the enemy's balance is weak, you knock the target off their feet. Knockdown is a favorite of hulking brutes, telekinetisists, martial artists, and earth elementalists.

Duration

Instantaneous

Power Level

1

Attack Attributes

Agility Energy Might Movement

Attack

Agility vs. Guard
Energy vs. Guard
Might vs. Guard
Movement vs. Guard

Effect

The target falls prone. Prone targets have disadvantage 1 on all attacks they make. Characters that are prone due to the knockdown bane (or any other reason) get +2 to Guard versus Ranged attacks and -2 Guard versus Melee attacks. Standing up from prone requires a move action and costs a character half (round down) of their speed for the round.

Description

Whether by setting the target ablaze, covering them in acid, slicing an artery, or cursing them with a wasting disease, you inflict your foe with a lasting and recurring source of damage. Persistent damage is a favorite among assassins, mad scientists, and elementalists.

Duration

Resist ends (Fail x 3 = 1 minute)

Power Level

2 4 6 8 9

Attack Attributes

Agility Energy Entropy

Attack

Agility vs. Guard
Energy vs. Guard
Entropy vs. Toughness

Effect

At the beginning of the target's turn, before they take any actions, they suffer damage determined by the power level of the bane. This damage automatically bypasses the afflicted character's defenses but it can be reduced by any resistance to damage of a certain type (see the resistance boon). Like all dice rolls, these dice explode.

• Power Level 2 - 1d4 damage per round.
• Power Level 4 - 1d6 damage per round.
• Power Level 6 - 1d8 damage per round.
• Power Level 8 - 1d10 damage per round.
• Power Level 9 - 2d6 damage per round.

Special

Persistent damage comes in a number of different variations: physical damage (bleeding from a vital strike), energy damage (lightning, fire, cold, acid, etc.) and entropic damage (necromantic energy), among others. Each variation has its own cure. When that cure is applied with a major action (either by the afflicted character or another), the target receives a resist roll (as a free action) with advantage 1 to end the effect. The GM has the final word on whether a proposed cure can help a given type of persistent damage, but the following examples can help with arbitration:

• Bleeding damage is cured with a successful roll using Learning, Logic, or Creation.
• Lightning damage is cured by a discharge or grounding of the current.
• Cold damage is countered with warmth, heat, or fire.
• Acid damage is neutralized with alkalizing agents (powder, milk, etc.).
• Fire damage is neutralized with water or smothering.
• Entropic damage is neutralized with extraordinary or magical healing.

This bane may still be resisted in the usual way of using the resist banes action.

Description

You create an illusory manifestation to deceive the senses. Some examples include making a meal taste rotten, altering the data on a screen where a user is logging in, creating the sound of a stampede of horses, hiding allies behind a false wall, or creating an illusion of an intergalactic emperor who can converse intelligibly.

Duration

Special

Power Level

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Attack Attributes

Influence

Attack

Influence vs. Resolve

Effect

You create a phantasm of your choosing. The power level at which you invoke the bane determines which senses you can deceive as well as the maximum size of your illusion, as follows:

• Power Level 1 - Affect Taste. Manifest a 5' x 5' x 5' area phantasm.
• Power Level 2 - Affect Smell, Sound, or Touch.
• Power Level 3 - Affect Sight.
• Power Level 4 - Manifest a 10' x 10' x 10' area phantasm.
• Power Level 5 - Manifest a 15' x 15' x 15' area phantasm.
• Power Level 6 - Affect All Senses.
• Power Level 7 - Manifest a 20' x 20' x 20' area phantasm.
• Power Level 8 - Manifest a 30' x 30' x 30' area phantasm.
• Power Level 9 - Manifest a 50' x 50' x 50' area phantasm.

Until reaching power level 6, you can combine sensory illusions by adding the required power levels together (e.g., mimicking both sight and sound requires power level 5). While the phantasm persists, you can make logical changes to it freely. For example, an illusory person can speak naturally as you direct it and could be made to fall in response to an attack. However, substantial changes to the illusion (such as transforming a human into a goblin) require a new invocation of the illusion.

Special

Unlike other banes, this bane does not work by targeting specific enemies. Instead, your Influence roll for invoking it is compared with the Resolve defense of each character that would perceive the created effect if it were real. If the roll is lower than their Resolve, they perceive none of the phantasm's effects. If the roll is greater than or equal to their Resolve, they perceive the illusory effect you create and react as if it were real. When mimicking a very specific person, place, or thing that the target is very familiar with, the GM should consider increasing the target's Resolve defense for the purpose of that particular phantasm invocation. Characters convinced by the phantasm can roll Resist as normal in order to attempt to shake off the bane. If successful, they are no longer deceived by the effect. In addition, you must spend a minor action to sustain the bane during each of your turns. Failing to do so in a given round causes the bane's effects to cease at the end of your turn. When an affected character succeeds at a resist roll against this bane, they become immune to all subsequent phantasms invoked by you for the next hour.

Description

Through a display of awe-inspiring force, intimidation, or leadership, you command attention as the greatest threat, causing others to fear attacking your allies. Examples include a brute smashing the skull of a lesser foe, a gunslinger hurling insults, or a space captain diving into the middle of a swirling melee with plasma blades flashing.

Duration

Resist (minor) ends (Fail x 3 = 1 minute)

Power Level

4 5 6 7 8 9

Attack Attributes

Agility Creation Deception Energy Influence Might Persuasion Presence

Attack

Agility vs. Resolve
Creation vs. Resolve
Deception vs. Resolve
Energy vs. Resolve
Influence vs. Resolve
Might vs. Resolve
Persuasion vs. Resolve
Presence vs. Resolve

Effect

Any attacks made by the target that do not include you as a target suffer disadvantage. If the same target is affected by this bane from multiple sources, as long as their attack includes one of those who targeted them, they are not affected by the penalty. Unlike other banes, your damaging attack against one target can trigger this bane in a different target, provided your roll is greater than or equal to their Resolve defense (that is, by striking one foe, you can provoke another).

• Power Level 4 - The target suffers disadvantage 1 on attacks that do not include you.
• Power Level 5 - The target suffers disadvantage 2 on attacks that do not include you.
• Power Level 6 - The target suffers disadvantage 3 on attacks that do not include you.
• Power Level 7 - The target suffers disadvantage 4 on attacks that do not include you.
• Power Level 8 - The target suffers disadvantage 5 on attacks that do not include you.
• Power Level 9 - The target suffers disadvantage 6 on attacks that do not include you.

Special

Resisting this bane is a minor action. When inflicting this bane using Agility or Might, you may determine range using the Non-Physical Attack Range table (see Chapter 7: Combat).

Description

Silence overcomes the target, whether from the warping of sound around the target, or from a physical effect like strangulation or suffocation. The silence bane is a favorite among assassins, sorcerers, engineers, and mad scientists.

Duration

Resist ends (Fail x 3 = 1 minute)

Power Level

2

Attack Attributes

Agility Alteration Entropy Might

Attack

Agility vs. Toughness
Alteration vs. Toughness
Entropy vs. Toughness
Might vs. Toughness

Effect

If Might, Agility, or Entropy is used to inflict this bane, then the character is suffering strangulation and unable to speak. If the bane is inflicted using Alteration, then all sound within 5' of the target is suppressed through extraordinary means, making their footsteps and the usual clank of belongings they are carrying inaudible.

Description

The target's movement is impaired, either by extreme cold, prolonged heat, poison, or injury to one or both legs. This bane is a favored attack among rogues, ice mages, telekinetisists, and gunslingers.

Duration

Resist ends (Fail x 3 = 1 minute)

Power Level

1

Attack Attributes

Agility Energy Entropy Might Movement

Attack

Agility vs. Guard
Energy vs. Guard
Entropy vs. Toughness
Might vs. Guard
Movement vs. Guard

Effect

The afflicted target's speed is reduced to half its current speed, rounded down to the nearest 5' increment. This applies to all movement that is physical (flight, walking, climbing, etc.). If the target is currently under a magical effect that increases speed, the two effects are canceled for the duration that both affect the target.

Description

You disorient the target's senses, causing them to act much less efficiently. Stunning an enemy can be caused by attacks such as a pistol whip to the back of the head, a kick in the groin, and a deafening thunderclap.

Duration

Resist ends (Fail x 3 = 1 minute)

Power Level

4

Attack Attributes

Agility Energy Entropy Might

Attack

Agility vs. Toughness
Energy vs. Toughness
Entropy vs. Toughness
Might vs. Toughness

Effect

During the target's turn, they are limited to either a single major action, a single move action, or a single minor action. Effects that grant additional actions do not circumvent this unless they grant a free action. Note that a target expending its move action to resist this bane will receive the remainder of their usual actions if the resist roll succeeds.

Special

This bane has special rules for boss NPCs (See Chapter 8: Running the Game). A boss is only affected by the stunned bane during its normal initiative turn. It may still take all of its boss actions as usual.