Benefits

Character benefits are perks that include many areas of character development including physical traits, education, fighting styles and magical training. Some of your most powerful abilities will often be unlocked with Character Benefits.

Character Benefit List

Benefit Name	Rank	Prerequisites	Description
Improved Background	1-2	CC	Rank 1 grants 2 points among Status, Fame, Income, Equipment, or Language with a 1 Rank maximum. Rank 2 grants 2 additional points among the listed benefits with a 2 Rank maximum.
Perfect Memory	2	CC	You have a perfect memory and may recall things with photographic clarity.
Giant	2	CC	+1 Health, -1 Dodge (may not be reduced below 1)
Improved Speed	1-2		+1/+2 Speed
Improved Initiative	1-2		+1/+2 Initiative
Toughness	1-3	Constitution 3	Retain consciousness until -1, -2, -3.
Armor Training	1-2		Improve maximum Dodge and reduce Speed penalties for Medium or Heavy armor by 1 or 2 points.
Weapon Finesse	1		Allow use of Dexterity instead of Strength for Large weapons such as Longswords. Small and Light weapons gain this feature automatically, and weapons larger than Large size may not gain this feature.
Meditation	1		Recover mana through meditation even without a restful sleep. Normal fatigue penalties apply to rolls.
Language	1-2	Intelligence 3	Rank 1: Read/Speak language, Rank 2: Fluent
Quick Draw	1	Dexterity 2	Draw a weapon as a free action.
Ritual: Template Focus	1-5	Non-Adept Template	Attunes you to a magical focus which provides casting bonuses.
Ritual: Familiar	2	Sorcerer Template, Seed: Summon 1	Conduct a 10 minute Ritual to permanently bind a Rank 1 Outsider from your chosen plane
Ritual: Planar Gate	2	Sorcerer Template, Any Seed 4	Conduct a 10 minute ritual to create a portal to your chosen plane. The location in the plane the portal appears is determined at random.
Ritual: Conceal Object	1	Sorcerer Template, Conceal 2	Conduct a ritual to magically conceal an object from detection spells, and prevents it from radiating magical auras. The duration is indefinite until dispelled however only one such object may be concealed at a time.
Rapid Animation	2	Sorcerer Template, Animate Dead 3	Caster may now cast Animate Dead as a Standard Action.
Planar Possession	2	Sorcerer Template, Animate Dead 3, Compel 3	Caster may possess targets with planar spirits.
Ritual: Transform Spirit	2	Shaman Template	Caster may conduct a ritual to transform an imbue spirit to a manifest spirit or vice versa. If the spirit is an improved variant, it becomes an improved variant of the new type. This ritual may be performed at any time, but takes 1 hour to complete and may only be performed once per week.
Spirit Sight	1	Shaman Template	Caster no longer requires hallucinogens or deep meditation to view the Spirit World. They may voluntarily open themselves to the Spirit World as a Full Round action.
Fighting Style: One Hand & Shield	1-5	Melee Weapons 2	Defensive style focused on preventing damage and protecting nearby companions.
Fighting Style: Dual Wield	1-5	Dexterity 3, Melee Weapons 3	Offensive style focused on dealing maximum damage to a single target.
Fighting Style: Assassination	1-5	Stealth 3	Offensive style focused on dealing a single killing blow.
Fighting Style: Two-Handed Weapons	1-5	Strength 3	Offensive style focused on dealing damage to multiple targets.
Fighting Style: Ranged Weapons	1-5	Ranged Weapons 3	Offensive style focused on improving ranged combat.
Fighting Style: Thrown Weapons	1-5	Thrown Weapons 3	Offensive style focused on improving thrown weapons.
Fighting Style: Spellsword	1-5	Race: Elf/Faerie, Template: Mage, Dexterity 3, Melee Weapons 3	Balanced style focused on merging magical prowess and bladework together.
Favored Template	2	CC	You gain access to a Template not traditionally associated with your race.
Bonus Template	4		Gain a bonus Template with a single Rank 1 power. This template is not required to be from your race’s Favored Templates.

Character Benefit Descriptions

Bonus Template

Your character gains access to another character template. The new template gains only a single Rank 1 power.

Template Focus

Focuses are the alternative to weapon styles, available for casters or other roles that don't leverage a weapon style in their character.

Only one Focus may exist at a time for any one character, who is attuned to that Focus, and the abilities of that Focus are dependant on the Benefit rank obtained.

If the Focus is ever lost, either separation by planar magic or by the Focus's destruction (voluntarily or otherwise), the character may re-create the Focus. Recreation takes 1 day for each rank previously purchased. During recreation, all mana is consumed each day and not available for any other purpose, and no break in creation is permitted. If the character desires, he can recreate the Focus at a lower rank than previously obtained, however future rank increases must be paid at full cost. During recreation, the character may change any previous choices made for the prior Focus, if applicable.

Sorcerer Focus

req. Template Sorcerer

Rank	Name	Description
1	Planar Shielding	Your magic defense against Sorcery increases by +1. Note: This does not apply to constructs, summons, or conjured weapons created by Sorcery.
2	Basic Focus	The focus now provides a Focus bonus to all spells from this template when wielded. The bonus is +1 (Rank 2), +2 (Rank 3-4), +3 (Rank 5). The magic imbued in this device is not compatible with enhancement bonuses, so a weapon turned into a focus could not also be enchanted with an enhancement bonus.
3	Life Tap	You may voluntarily reduce your current and maximum health by 1 to regain Mana equal to your Magic score. Your maximum returns to normal after a full night's rest.
4	Planar Power	Once per day you may grant 9-again to a spell.
5	Chaos Guard	When a spell results in Backlash dice, you reduce the pool by 1.

Shaman Focus

Req. Template Shaman

Rank	Name	Description
1	Spirit Guard	You gain +1 Defense against Spirits physical attacks. This bonus does not apply to shamanism spells granted by spirits. Additionally, your manifested spirits gain a +1 Defense.
2	Basic Focus	Choose either Spells or Manifestation. Gain a +1 focus bonus on either all spells from this template when wielded OR your manifested spirits physical attacks. This bonus increases to +2 at Rank 3, and +3 at Rank 5. The magic imbued in this device is not compatible with enhancement bonuses, so a weapon turned into a focus could not also be enchanted with an enhancement bonus.
3	Repair Spirit	As a standard action the caster may heal a manifested spirit for Intelligence + Shamanism + Manifested Spirit Rank. This effect costs 1 mana.
4	Spirit Tap	As a standard action the caster may reduce a manifested spirit's current and maximum health by 1 to gain 1 mana. This continues for each round they concentrate on the effect.
5	Channel Spell	Your manifested spirits may cast one spell they provide up to one rank below their rank(to a maximum of Rank 3) as a standard action. The mana for the spell is drawn from the caster's pool.

Mage Focus

A Mage's focus is core to a mage's persona and presence for mages and wizards across endless stories and worlds. Some manifest as a staff, some as a wand, though there are other possibilities such as orbs. Not all Mages may choose to make a focus, however those that do will realize benefits to their casting. Mage staves, wands, and orbs are unique and personal. They may take many shapes and designs, have diverse colors and carvings, and be formed of a wide variety of metals, woods, or minerals. They are anything but ordinary.

Req. Template Mage

Rank	Name	Description
1	Mage Light	The mage may cause the focus, or part of the focus, to glow with light at the strength of normal torch light. This light may be any color chosen by the mage when this rank is obtained, and may not be changed afterwards. Any magical aura lit by this ability is visible to the mage as per Detect Magic.
2	Basic Focus	The focus now provides a Focus bonus to all spells from this template when wielded. The bonus is +1 (Rank 1-2), +2 (Rank 3-4), +3 (Rank 5). The magic imbued in this device is not compatible with enhancement bonuses, so a weapon turned into a focus could not also be enchanted with an enhancement bonus.
3	Mana Focus	The mage may transfer mana into the focus that may be used at a later time. The maximum permitted mana storage is equal to the mage’s Magic score. This mana storage has no expiration. This mana is not accessible to any other creature or power, including mana drain effects. The mage must be in physical contact with the focus to use the stored mana.
4	Extension Focus	Magecraft spells cast through the focus may have their casting attributes modified depending on what type of focus is used. Staff: Deliver Touch spells (functions as Reach), and ranged AoE spells may be altered to become point blank AoE centered on the caster but excluding the caster from the effect. Wand: Deliver Touch spells (normal melee distance), and any AoE effect may have it’s width reduced by half to double it’s length, extending away from the mage. Sphere: Maintain the concentration of a sight, sense, illusion, or divination spell for the mage (only one such spell at a time) freeing the mage from the concentration requirement.
5	Chromatic Focus	Magecraft spells requiring multiple spheres cast through the focus have their cost reduced by 1 to a minimum of 1 mana.

Channeling Focus

A channeler's Focus is a more direct link with their Patron. It is the holy symbol, the essence of their faith distilled into an object. A channeler's Focus could be take the form of just about anything, as Patrons are many and varied, however all Focuses will be immediately identifiable as a holy symbol of that Patron, and will usually not vary considerably within the followers of a specific Patron.

Req. Template Channeler

Rank	Name	Description
1	Blessing	You gain +1 defense against channeling effects sourced from Patrons that are hostile to your Patron.
2	Basic Focus	The focus now provides a Focus bonus to all spells from this template when wielded. The bonus is +1 (Rank 2), +2 (Rank 3-4), +3 (Rank 5). The magic imbued in this device is not compatible with enhancement bonuses, so a weapon turned into a focus could not also be enchanted with an enhancement bonus.
3	Sacred Conduit	Become a beacon of your Patron's power, energizing your mana stores directly from your Patron and allowing allies to do the same. You and any selected allies within 4 yards may draw mana from your Patron as from a Nexus (1 mana per minute per target). The maximum mana granted among all targets may not exceed an amount equal to twice your highest Domain rank. You maintain concentration and must remain stationary in order to maintain the link. Lasts 1 hour, until the granted mana limit is reached, you move, or you fail to maintain concentration. Only usable once per day. Does not cost mana to activate.
4
5

Fighting Styles

One-Hand & Shield

Req. Melee Weapons 2

Rank 1	Shield Bash	You can bash an opponent with a shield, using it as an off-hand weapon. Damage dealt by a shield bash is (Strength + Melee Weapons)/2 + Base Shield Bonus. Used this way, a shield is a one handed non-lethal weapon. If you perform a Shield Bash, you lose your shield bonus until your next action.
Rank 2	Protect	Character may voluntarily grant some/all of his base shield bonus and AP Reduction to an adjacent ally. If all base shield bonus is granted then all AP Reduction must be granted. An ally gaining this bonus has a penalty on their ranged attacks or aimed spells equal to the bonus granted. This penalty does not impact melee attacks.
Rank 3	Shield Wall	+1 Shield Bonus +1 Armor Penetration Reduction. Additionally grant Parry bonus equal to 4 - Base Shield Bonus to a maximum of Rank.
Rank 4	Improved Protect	Character may grant +1 Shield Bonus, +1 AP Reduction to an adjacent ally without reducing his own shield bonus. A maximum of the characters total shield bonus can be granted to a protected ally. Additionally character gains +1 DR whenever he is granted a shield bonus to defense.
Rank 5	Cover	Character may treat his shield bonus as a cover bonus against Aimed spells. This affects the character or an ally gaining shield bonus via Protect. Any round in which Cover is used, the character or ally has a penalty on attacks or aimed spells equal to the cover bonus granted. Unlike normal Cover penalties, this penalty affects melee attacks.

Dual Wield

Req. Dexterity 3 Melee Weapons 3

Rank 1	Whirling Blades	Your character uses their offhand weapon to fend off attacks. Convert a number of points of Dodge to Parry bonus equal to 4 - Offhand Base Weapon Dice to a maximum of Rank. (Ex. Offhanding a dagger turns 3 dodge into 3 parry making it immune to reduction from successive attacks.)
Rank 2	Flurry Attack	Your character may attack a single target with both weapons. Your attack is rolled against the opponent’s defense and benefits from Armor Penetration or Ignore Dodge effects on both weapons. The offhand weapon grants bonus dice to the attack equal to [the base offhand weapon bonus] + (([Offhand Weapon Enhancement Bonus] + [Dual Wield Rank]) / 2).
Rank 3	Deflecting Attack	Your character may use a regular attack with their main hand weapon, while defending with the offhand to gain +2 dodge. This may be used in combination with Spring Attack.
Rank 4	Spring Attack	Player may move, attack, and move in one combat action. The player may not divide their actions in this way unless they perform an attack with the required weapon type. This maneuver may be combined with any Dual Wield attack. If combined with Multi Attack, the attacks may be taken separately.
Rank 5	Multi Attack	Your character may attack two targets in melee range in one round. These attacks may be Flurry attacks, but each suffer a -2 penalty.

Assassination

Req. Stealth 3

Rank 1	Sap	Your character may attempt to incapacitate a flat-footed enemy by striking them with a non-lethal blow. This attack gains +50% (round down) dice in addition to ignoring dodge bonuses. Martial weapons count as 1 dice non-lethal weapons for this attack, but do not apply any Armor Piercing bonuses. Instead of applying damage, this effect requires a number of successes equal to the target’s Constitution + current Vigor. If successful the target is incapacitated for 10 minutes, if unsuccessful they take 1 point of non-lethal damage.
Rank 2	Sneak Attack	When attacking a flat-footed enemy with a Light weapon gain +50% (round down) dice to the attack in addition to ignoring dodge bonuses. Small weapons such as daggers gain an additional +1 Armor Piercing on this attack. This maneuver may not be combined with any other maneuvers such as those granted by other Fighting Styles.
Rank 3	Find Weakness	Gain +1 Armor Piercing when using light weapons. Sap attacks now benefit from Armor Piercing.
Rank 4	Ambush	Roll 9-again on sneak attacks with light melee weapons. Additionally your character may now perform Sneak Attacks with Ranged Physical Attacks. (Ex. bows, crossbows, or the Shadow Knives spell) To perform a ranged sneak attack you must first study the target for 3 rounds.
Rank 5	Arcane Piercing	Assassination attacks with a magical weapon penetrate Rank magic armor.

Two-Handed Slashing Weapons

Req. Strength 3

Rank 1	Reach	Attacks with two-handed weapons extend melee range by 1 yard.
Rank 2	Cleave	After making a normal melee attack which incapacitates or kills a target, you may make an immediate second attack on an adjacent target in melee range with full dice.
Rank 3	Sweeping Strike	Take a wide swing hitting Rank targets in melee range. The first two attack rolls suffer a -4 penalty. Additional attacks suffer a -6 penalty. (Ex. -4/-4/-6/-6/-6)
Rank 4	Mighty Cleave	Basic melee attacks with a Two-Handed Weapon gain 9-again. The bonus attack granted by Cleave also gains 9-again
Rank 5	Whirlwind	Your character may move in a straight line up to a maximum of 10 yards or base movement (whichever is lower) while striking Rank -1 targets in melee range along their path. The first two attack rolls suffer a -4 penalty. Additional attacks suffer a -6 penalty. (Ex. -4/-4/-6/-6)

Two-Handed Piercing Weapons

Req. Weaponry Piercing 3

Rank 1	Reach	Attacks with two-handed weapons extend melee range by 1 yard.
Rank 2	Defensive Stance	As a Standard Action, ready an action to defend your threatened area. Any foe entering your threatened space between this readied action and your next turn may be preemptively attacked with a standard melee attack. This attack gains bonus dice equal to your rank in the fighting style.
Rank 3	Phalanx	When wielding a two-handed piercing weapon, and not flat-footed you gain +2 Parry. This bonus increases to +3 at Rank 5. One adjacent ally of your choice may benefit from the same parry bonus. In addition, your movement action for the turn may be taken when an adjacent ally moves.
Rank 4	Improved Defensive Stance	When using Defensive Stance you may attack an additional foe entering your threatened space while the stance is active. This secondary attack does not gain the bonus dice of the first attack, and additionally suffers a -4 penalty to the roll. At Rank 5 a third attack is granted with the same -4 penalty.
Rank 5	Wall of Spears	As a standard action you may make a standard melee attack, for the duration of the turn foes within your threatened area suffer +1 Dodge Reduction for each ally (including you) who threatens them to a maximum of +3 Dodge Reduction. Note that parry will reduce this bonus.

Archery

Req. Ranged Weapons 3

Rank 1	Fast Reload	Improve reload speed of ranged weapons one step. (full round to move, move to fast)
Rank 2	Steady Shot	Your character may ignore the standard -2 penalty for shooting at a target engaged in melee. Additionally if you spend a Move action aiming the same round you use a bow or crossbow to attack you gain Rank in Ignore Dodge.
Rank 3	Piercing Shot	If a shot incapacitates or kills a target within the first range increment, character may roll a second attack on a target in a direct line behind his original target. This second attack suffers a -2 penalty and gains no bonuses from Steady Shot.
Rank 4	Shot on the Run	Your character may move before and after a regular ranged attack. The total distance moved must not exceed their maximum Speed. This attack may benefit from Steady Shot’s penalty reduction for targets engaged in melee, but not the Ignore Dodge.
Rank 5	Multi-Shot	Your character may attack two separate targets in one round as a Full Round action when using a bow or crossbow to attack. These attacks each suffer a -2 penalty. These attacks may both benefit from Steady Shot’s penalty reduction for targets engaged in melee, but not the Ignore Dodge. Note: Heavy Crossbows do not gain the Maneuver listed above, instead they reduce their reload time another step to a fast action.

Thrown Weapons

Req. Thrown Weapons 3

Rank 1	Practiced Thrower	Draw and wield any thrown weapon as a Free action. This includes any unattended thrown weapons within reach, even if not currently carried. Additionally Thrown weapons gain +8 yards to their range increment.
Rank 2	Deadeye	When attacking with thrown weapons, gain +2 Ignore Dodge and 9-again within one range increment. The Ignore Dodge increases to +3 at Rank 5. When using thrown weapons you suffer no penalty for attacking targets in melee.
Rank 3	Double Throw	Your character may attack two separate targets in one round as a Full Round action when using thrown weapons to attack. These attacks each suffer a -2 penalty. These attacks may both benefit from Deadeye’s penalty reduction for targets engaged in melee, but not the Ignore Dodge.
Rank 4	Running Throw	Your character may move before and after an attack using thrown weapons. The total distance moved must not exceed their maximum Speed.
Rank 5	Fan of Knives	Your character makes a cone shaped attack to your first range increment as a Full Round action. These attacks each suffer a -2 penalty and may hit a number of targets equal to Rank -1.

Spellsword

Req. Template: Mage Magecraft 3 Melee Weapons 3

Rank 1	Spellsword Style	When wielding a one-handed weapon ( and nothing in the other ), your character gains a parry bonus while casting spells. This bonus is equal to half the rank of the primary Sphere of the spell, rounded down.
Rank 2	Arcane Strike	When wielding a one-handed weapon (and nothing in the other), your character may channel magical energy into the weapon, temporarily adding an arcane bonus to the attack roll equal to the highest rank Sphere the character possesses. This stacks with any existing enhancement bonus on the weapon.
Rank 3	Blade Ward	When wielding a one-handed weapon (and nothing in the other) and making a normal melee attack, your character may channel magical energy temporarily granting damage reduction equal to half the rank of the highest Sphere the character possesses, rounded down.
Rank 4	Blade Dance	Your character may move before and after a Arcane Strike. The total distance moved must not exceed their maximum Speed.
Rank 5	Quicken Spell	Once per day your character may cast a spell up to 3rd Rank as a Free action.

Poisons

Req. Dexterity 3, Craft: Poison of equal rank

Rank 1	Basic Poisoner	Grants the ability to apply poisons of rank equal to rank in this style with a successful Dexterity + Craft: Poisons roll. Failing this roll wastes the dose of poison, while a critical failure poisons the player.
Rank 2	Skilled Poisoner	Choose either Injury or Ingested Poisons. Gain a +1 Potency on that form of poison. This bonus increases to +2 at Rank 3, and +3 at Rank 5.
Rank 3	Clever Poisoner	With regular exposure to poisons you can recognize the effects, smells, or look of poisons with a successful Craft: Poison roll. This reveals the type, potency, and effects of the poison, as well as knowledge of any available antidotes or antivenoms. Craft: Poison rolls to create antidotes gain a +Rank bonus.
Rank 4	Rapid Poisoner	With a successful Sleight of Hand roll you may apply an Injury poison to a weapon as a Fast Action. When administering Ingested poisons gain a +4 bonus to the Sleight of Hand roll to avoid being noticed.
Rank 5	Master Poisoner	Either Injury or Ingested Poisons (depending on your selection for Skilled Poisoner) gains +1 Duration. Additionally Craft: Poison checks require one less success.

Natural Weapons

Req. Natural Weapons

Rank 1	x	x
Rank 2	x	x
Rank 3	x	x
Rank 4	x	x
Rank 5	x	x

Mounted Combat

Req.

Rank 1	x	x
Rank 2	x	x
Rank 3	x	x
Rank 4	x	x
Rank 5	x	x

Improved Background

Improved Background offers options for a starting character to have a history of involvement with an organization, financial resources, or improved equipment. This benefit may only be taken at Character Creation. Rank 1 grants 2 points among Status, Fame, Income, Equipment, or Language with a 1 Rank maximum. Rank 2 grants 2 additional points among the listed benefits with a 2 Rank maximum.

Status

Status grants standing in an Organization or group. Status is may be used to influence people (Diplomacy/Intimidate) or Gather Information gaining Rank dice on applicable skill checks. Improved Background points may be spent in multiple Organizations if desired.

Fame

Fame (or Infamy) functions similarly to Status granting bonuses to Social skills where applicable. The higher the Rank of Fame the more widespread the rumors or legends of the character.

Income

Income provides a starting player with higher initial gold (which may be spent on better starting equipment), and a stipend they receive monthly. This income may represent a royalties, allowance, or inheritance, but generally offer the ability to have a character who is more well off financially than other starting characters.

Artifact

This option allows a player to begin play with a minor magical artifact. The exact nature of the artifact is always determined by the DM, and must fit the story. In many cases a DM may deny the use of this starting benefit altogether as access to magical equipment of any kind breaks the intended atmosphere for the campaign. In general one rank in Artifact may grant an item with a single daily use of a Rank 1 power, while two ranks may grant an item with either a single daily use of a Rank 2 power, or 3 daily uses of a Rank 1 power.

Language

Language Ranks are treated the same way as the benefit when purchased otherwise, just at a lower rate.

Planar Possession

req. Template Sorcerer, Rank 3 Seed: Compel, Rank 3 Seed: Animate Dead

This benefit grants a new spell that combines the effects of sorcerous compulsion and animate dead magic to summon a spirit to possess an unwilling host in pursuit of it's masters goal.

Area:	1 Target
Range:	10 Yards x Rank
Duration:	1 Hour
Casting:	Verbal
Casting Time:	1 Full Round
Roll:	Resistance
Effect:	This spell summons a planar spirit capable of possessing an unwilling host, temporarily displacing the host’s own spirit. The caster must have line of sight to his target. If the target fails to resist they are possessed by the spirit. During the casting of the spell the spirit receives the task the caster wants performed. This task must be described in a single sentence. The spirit will find the best way they know how to accomplish the effect desired using the inhabited body. The spirit has access to the body and spells or adept abilities, but not personality or historical knowledge. The host will act as if drugged, singlemindedly pursuing their goal, driven by the inhabiting spirit. If the host body is destroyed, or unable to accomplish the task, the spirit may attempt to possess another nearby body as a Full Round action. The spirit rolls the same dice as the initial casting roll, and may do one such attempt. If both Seed: Compel and Seed: Animate Dead are Rank 5, the spirit may make two such attempts and duration extends to 24 hours. A target who has been possessed suffers from a brief stupor, as they adjust to being returned to their body. They have no memory of actions that occurred during the possession, and have a -2 Penalty to all Skill rolls for 10 minutes.
Push:	+1 Duration