Chapter 11 – Fate and Chance

Fate and Chance

Players and the GM can manipulate fate using two more mechanisms.

The Hand of Fate

At the beginning of each play session, each character and the GM shuffles and secretly draws three cards. Any time a player or the GM flips, he or she can discard a card from the flip and replace it with a card from the Hand of Fate.

If your Hand of Fate has low cards, you can discard one card from the Hand of Fate and your entire flip. Flip a single replacement card that becomes your flip. You can do this again if you have cards left. If two or more players are opposing each other, both can take the opportunity to use cards from the Hand of Fate. If one player uses a card, the other can respond by doing the same after he sees the results.

At the end of a combat encounter, players and the GM can discard one Fate Card and replace it with the top card of their deck.

Refilling the Hand of Fate

You only draw at the beginning of a session. At the end of a session, all cards are discarded. You do not retain them.

Chips

Chips can be used by the GM to reward players for good roleplaying, a funny joke, or anything that makes him feel less evil for a while. Standard poker chips are used. There are three types: white, red, and blue. The ratio should be 5 white, 2 red, and 1 blue per player. These are drawn at random.

Chips are kept from session to session, but you are limited to having 3 at any time. They are discarded when used.

Chips can be “downgraded” and used for the effects of a lesser chip. Blue is the best, then red, and then white.

For the GM, certain NPCs or monsters may have a pool of chips that can only be used by that individual.

Uses of Chips

White Chips (Minor Boon)

  • Gain a (shift+1) after a flip
  • Immediately recover from a Minor Condition as a free action
  • Double a character’s Speed <SPD> for one action

Red Chip (Major Boon)

  • Gain a (flip+1) before or after a flip
  • Gain back one half of your maximum STUN or LETHAL as a free action
  • Immediately recover from a Major Condition as a free action

Blue Chip (Fate Intervenes)

  • Re-flip and entire flip using the same modifiers
  • Adjacent character can gain back one half of maximum STUN or LETHAL as a free action
  • Recover from a Major Condition and all Minor Conditions