Player’s Guide

Sample file

f a d i n g s u n s r e v i s e d e d i t i o n c o r e r u l e b o o k Credits Fading Suns Player’s Guide™ r e v i s e d e d i t i o n c o r e r u l e b o o k

Fading Suns Revised Edition Credits Line Developer: Todd Bogenrief Writing and Development: Todd Bogenrief, Vidar Edland, Chris Wiese Editing and Additional Development: Richard Ashley, Thomas Baroli, Brandon Van Buren, Phil Cameron, Tristan Lhomme, Rubén Ramos, Mark Stout, James Sutton, Dennis Watson Playtesting: John Carnathan, Patrick Carnathan, Jay Puckett, Betty Starcher, Susanne Johnson, Ken Leach, Jason Frey, with help from Alexandra, who taught me how to sign “Cookie please!” Product Director: James Sutton Administration: Dawn Sutton Layout: Dawn Sutton, James Sutton Cover Artwork: Simon Powell, Dawn Sutton Interior Artwork: John Bridges, Mitch Byrd, Tim Callendar, Darryl Elliott, Jason Felix, Sam Inabinet, Mark Jackson, Jack Keefer, Andrew Kudelka, Brian LeBlanc, Larry MacDougall, Alex Sheikman, Ron Spencer, Ken Spera,Sample Joshua Gabriel fileTimbrook, Jason Waltrip, John Waltrip Fading Suns Second Edition Credits Game Design: Bill Bridges, Andrew Greenberg Additional Design: John Bridges, Ken Lightner, Ed Pike Writing: Bill Bridges, Brian Campbell, Andrew Greenberg, Robert Hatch, Jennifer Hartshorn, Chris Howard, Sam Inabinet, Ian Lemke, Jim Moore, Rustin Quaide Playtesting: Emrey Barnes, Forest Black, Milo Blue, John Bridges, Bernie Clark, Ian Cooke, Neal Sainte Crosse, Suzanne Sainte Crosse, Gary Deariso, Rick Denning, Brad Freeman, Amelia G, Stephen Gilliam, Garner Halloran, Andy Harmon, Jennifer Hartshorn, Debbie Hoppe, Chris Howard, Daniel Landers, Ian Lemke, Ken Lightner, Jim Miller, James Moore, Bonnie Moore, Matt Moses, Bryce Nakagawa, Dave Parrish, Ed Pike, Todd Shaughnessy, Stephen E. Smith, Joshua Gabriel Timbrook, Chris Wiese Internet: www.fasagames.com Contact: [email protected] Edition: August 2012 Fading Suns, Noble Armada, and Fading Suns Player’s Guide are trademarks of Holistic Design, Inc. Fading Suns Second Edition Edition material copyright © 1999–2012 Holistic Design, Inc. FASA and the FASA logo are trademarks of FASA Corporation, and are used under license. Published by FASA Games, Inc. under license from Holistic Design, Inc.—Made in the USA. Copyright © 2012 Holistic Design, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the express written permission of the publisher. Contents

Prologue: Hospitality 51 Dice 85 Alustro’s Quest 7 Duels 51 Time 85 The Emperor 52 Measurement 86 Chapter 1: Introduction 13 The Imperial Eye 53 Trait Ratings 86 Roleplaying Explained 13 The Universal Church of the Actions 86 How To Roleplay 14 Celestial Sun 53 Initiative 87 Tools 15 Sects and Orders 54 Goal Roll 87 A Futuristic Passion Play 15 Urth Orthodox 54 Effects of Success 88 Church Stereotypes 55 Excessive Goal Numbers 88 Chapter 2: Universe 16 Brother Battle 56 Complex Action Rules 89 Prehistory 16 Eskatonic Order 57 Critical Success 89 The First Republic 17 Temple Avesti (Avestites) 58 Critical Failure 89 The Jumpgate 18 Sanctuary Aeon (Amaltheans) 60 Automatic Success and Diaspora 19 Mendicant Monks Failure 90 The Prophet and His Church 19 (Hesychasts) 60 Contested Actions 90 The Virtuous Disciples 20 Sectarian Conflicts 61 Complementary Actions Timeline 21 The Synecullum 61 and Skills 91 First Contact: The Shantor 22 The Kalinthi 62 Multiple Characters and The Vau 23 The Inquisition 62 Complementary Actions 91 The Ukar War 24 The Merchant League 63 Quick Complementary Order From Chaos 25 The Guilds 65 Skills 91 Second Republic 26 Charioteers 65 Sustained Actions 92 Divestiture 27 Guild Stereotypes 65 Second Tries 92 The New Dark Ages 28 The Supreme Order of Untrained Skills and Goal Barbarian Invasions 28 Engineers 66 Numbers 93 Vladimir Unites the Stars 30 Scravers 68 Characteristics 93 Symbiot Wars 31 The Muster (Chainers) 68 Body Characteristics 93 The Emperor Wars 32 The Reeves (Gray Faces) 70 Strength 93 Expansion 34 The Lesser Guilds 70 Dexterity 93 Society 35 Independents 71 Endurance 93 Life Among the Fading Suns 35 Guild Territoriality 71 Mind Characteristics 94 Time 35 Academy Interatta 72 Wits 94 The Nobility 36 SampleGuild Safe Houses file 72 Perception 94 The Houses 38 Piracy 73 Tech 94 Hawkwood 38 Aliens 74 Spirit Characteristics 94 The Decados 39 Known Worlds Races 74 Presence 94 Noble Stereotypes 39 The Children of the Ur 75 Will 94 The Hazat 40 Ur-Obun 76 Faith 94 Li Halan 41 Ur-Ukar 76 Tapping the Spirit 95 Al‑Malik 42 Vorox 77 Inciting Passion (Faith) 95 The Minor Houses 43 Other Races 78 Inspiring Aura (Presence) 96 Inside the Noble Mind 43 Xenophobia 79 Steady Hand (Will) 96 Alba 44 Racism 79 Tapping the Spirit and Juandaastas 44 Alliances 80 Second Tries 97 Justinian 44 Beyond the Borders 80 Occult Characteristics 97 Keddah 45 The Vau 80 Psi and Urge 97 Masseri 45 Symbiots 81 Theurgy and Hubris 97 Shelit 46 Myths and Legends 82 Defense 97 Thana 47 The Fading Suns 82 Movement 97 Torenson 47 The Reborn Sun 82 Wyrd 98 Trusnikron 48 Warlocks 83 Vitality 98 Van Gelder 48 Void Krakens 83 Critical Vitality 98 Xanthippe 48 The Final Act 83 “’Til No Blood Flows Extinct Houses 49 Through My Veins!” 98 The Entourage 49 Chapter 3: Rules 84 Damage 99 Noble Etiquette 50 Interpreting the Rules 84 Effect Dice and Wounds 99 Courtly Love 50 When Not to Use the Rules 85 4 • Fading Suns Player’s Guide

Falling, Impact, and Upbringing 116 Early Career 127 Collisions 100 High-Court 116 Tours of Duty 127 Heat, Fire, and Plasma 100 Rural Estate 117 Vorox 127 Asphyxiation and Landless 117 Upbringing 127 Decompression 100 Apprenticeship 118 Apprenticeship 127 Radiation Poisoning 101 Military 118 Early Career 127 Treating Radiation Diplomacy/Intrigue 118 Tours of Duty 128 Poisoning 102 Leisure 118 Extra Stages 128 Damage to Materials 102 Study 119 Tour of Duty 128 Healing 103 Early Career 119 Another Tour of Duty 128 Occult Powers and Rituals 103 Military Command 119 Imperial Tours 128 Defending Against Occult Court 119 Questing Knight Tour of Powers 103 Questing 119 Duty 129 Stigma 104 Tour of Duty 119 Cohort Tour of Duty 129 Experience 104 Church Stages 119 Occult Powers 129 Basic Experience 105 Upbringing 119 Psychic Awakening 129 Extra Experience 105 Imperial Characters 119 Theurgic Calling 129 Session-based Experience 105 Environment 120 Cybernetics 129 Spending Experience Points 106 Class 120 Tweaked 129 Final Words 106 Brother Battle Warrior Loaded-for-Bear 129 Monk 120 Lifepath Worldly Benefits 129 Chapter 4: Characters 107 Apprenticeship 120 Final Touches 129 Characteristics 107 Cathedral 120 Lifepath System Points 129 Natural Skills 107 Parish 121 Skill Families 130 Lifepath System 107 Monastery 121 Custom Creation System 130 Character Concept 110 Brother Battle Warrior Extra Point Costs Chart 131 Character Roles 111 Monk 122 Character Creation Example 131 Those Who Rule: Nobles 112 Early Career 122 Age and Character House Hawkwood 112 Preacher/Pastor 122 Generation 132 House Decados 112 Monk 122 Younger Characters 132 House Hazat 112 Missionary 122 Lifepath System Example 132 House Li Halan 112 Healer 122 Aging Characters 133 House al-Malik 112 Inquisitor 122 Examples of Maturing Minor House 112 Brother Battle Warrior Characters in Popular Blessings and Curses, by Monk 122 Fiction 133 Minor House 112 Tours ofSample Duty file122 Custom Creation System Those Who Pray: Priests 113 Merchant Stages 122 Example 134 Urth Orthodox 113 Upbringing 122 Sample Characters 136 Brother Battle 113 Apprenticeship 122 Eskatonic Order 113 Academy 122 Chapter 5: Traits 138 Temple Avesti (Avestites) 113 Guildhall 123 Blessings and Curses 138 Sanctuary Aeon The Streets 123 Appearance 138 (Amaltheans) 113 Early Career 124 Behavior 138 Mendicant Monks The Market 124 Blessings 139 (Hesychasts) 114 Starship Duty 124 Injuries 139 Those Who Trade: Mercenary 125 Knacks 140 Merchants 114 Scholar/Scientist 125 Reputation 140 Charioteers 114 Seedy/Illegal Activities 125 Size 141 Engineers 114 Tour of Duty 125 Benefices and Afflictions 141 Scravers 114 Ur-Obun 125 Background 141 The Muster (Chainers) 114 Upbringing 125 Community 144 Reeves (Gray Faces) 114 The Society of Vagabonds 125 Possessions 145 Yeoman (Freelancer) 114 Ur-Obun Metaphysics—The Artifacts and Relics 145 Those Who Differ: Aliens 115 Lore (Kelanti) Skill 126 Ancient Technology 146 Languages 115 Apprenticeship 126 Church Relics 146 Ur-Obun 115 Early Career 126 Riches 146 Ur-Ukar 115 Tours of Duty 126 Cash 146 Vorox 115 Ur-Ukar 126 Assets 146 Character Histories 116 Upbringing 126 Sources of Wealth 147 Noble Stages 116 Apprenticeship 127 Spaceships 148 Contents • 5

Status 149 Dealing With the Devil 199 Knockout 233 Fighting Styles 151 Gaining Urge 200 Ranged Combat Actions 233 Martial Combat Styles 151 Losing Urge 200 Shoot 234 Graa 151 Throw 234 Jox Kai Von (Jox Boxing) 151 Chapter 8: Theurgy 202 Reload 235 Koto 151 Church Cosmology 203 Aim 235 Mantok 151 Astrology 204 Short Burst (3 rounds) 236 Iron Heel 152 Non-Church Theurgy 204 Long Burst (6 rounds) 236 Shaidan 152 Geomancy 205 Empty Clip 236 Fencing and Melee Styles 152 The Nature of Theurgy 205 Suppressing Fire 236 Florentine 152 Miracles 205 Burst Recoil 236 Kraxi Knife 153 Sacraments 205 Movement in Combat 237 Serpentis 153 Sacraments of the Universal Charge 237 Torero 153 Church 206 Kneel/Stand/Prone 237 Ranged Combat Styles 153 Theurgic Workings 207 Move 237 Phoenix Rifle Corps Trait and Skill 207 Run 237 Training 153 Components 207 Split Move 237 Pistola 153 Range and Duration 207 Combat Modifiers 238 Vestments 207 Off-Hand 238 Chapter 6: Skills 154 Relics 207 Attack From a Moving Analytical Skills 154 Church Rituals 208 Platform 238 Combat Skills 158 Casting Multiple Rituals 208 Draw Weapon 238 Control Skills 159 Orthodox Rituals 211 Called Shot 238 Creative Skills 160 Brother Battle Rituals 213 Using Cover 238 Lore Skills 162 Eskatonic Order Rituals 214 Advanced Combat Actions Malefaction Skills 163 Temple Avesti Rituals 218 and Fighting Styles 239 Physical Skills 165 Sanctuary Aeon Rituals 219 Martial Advanced Combat Science Skills 167 Group Rites 221 Actions 240 Social Skills 169 Hubris 222 Fencing and Melee Advanced Technical Skills 171 Hubris Powers 222 Combat Actions 241 Gaining Hubris 223 Ranged Advanced Combat Chapter 7: Psi 173 Losing Hubris 223 Actions 243 History of Psychism 177 Miracles 225 Combat Example 243 Church Penitents 177 The Dramatic Version 243 Psychic Covens 180 Chapter 9: Combat 226 The Rules Version 244 The Dervishes 180 OrderSample of Combat file 226 Dervish Traditions 181 Surprise 227 Chapter 10: Technology 248 Dervish Hierarchy 183 Stances 228 Technology 250 Psychic Powers 183 Aggressive Stance 228 Tech Level Chart 250 Paths 183 Neutral (Default) Stance 228 The Privilege of Martyrs 251 Trait and Skill 183 Defensive Stance 228 Money 252 Multiple Targets 183 Full Defense Stance 228 Rogue Coinage 253 Range 183 Fighting Stances 228 Barter 253 Duration 184 Making Combat Less Deadly 228 The Purchasing Power of Wyrd Cost 184 Initiative 229 the Firebird 253 Effectiveness 184 Holding an Action 229 Technology and Living 254 Modifying Powers after Defense 229 Tech Interfacing/Coding 262 Activation 184 Tracking Defense 230 Equipment and Services 263 FarHand 185 Defense Against Multiple Food and Lodging 263 Omen 187 Attackers 230 Dress and Fashion 264 Psyche 188 Defense When Firing into Smart Clothes 264 Sixth Sense 190 Close-Quarter Combat 230 Fashion Rating 265 Auras Chart 191 Recovering Defense 230 Decoration 265 Soma 192 Combat Actions 230 Precious Metals and Other Sympathy 193 Close-Quarter Combat Materials 265 Vis Craft 195 Actions 231 Medical Gear 266 Group Psi Powers 198 Strike 231 Raw Materials and Bulk Other Psychic Paths 198 Grapple 231 Wares 266 Urge 198 Knockdown 233 More Effective Elixir 267 Urge Powers 199 Disarm 233 6 • Fading Suns Player’s Guide

Radiation Poisoning Mines 313 Chapter 14: Starships 346 Remedies 268 Armor 315 Starship Traits 348 Apothecary Prices for Medical Stacking Armor 315 Class 348 Treatments 269 Energy Shields 319 Crew 348 Drugs and Poisons 270 Energy Shield Burnout 319 Astronomical Units 348 Stingers 270 Energy Shield Overload 320 Noble Armada 348 Services and Labor Costs 270 Alternative Energy Shield Passengers 349 Pastime and Entertainment 271 Rules 320 Cargo 349 Communications 272 Stacking Impact Threshold Supplies 349 Lighting 273 with Armor 320 Vitality 350 Outdoor Equipment/Survival Negative Defense 320 Speed 351 Gear 274 Restoring Energy Shields 321 Distance Traveled 351 Tools 275 Anti-Shield Devices 321 Sensors 352 Apparatus and Instruments 276 Leaking Through Energy Transmissions 352 Security Systems 277 Shields 321 What Sensors Do 352 Restraints 278 Shields 353 Think Machines 278 Chapter 12: Transport 322 Armament 354 Programming Computers 280 Commercial Transportation 324 Direct Fire 354 Vehicles 324 Indirect Fire 354 Chapter 11: Armory 282 Beastcraft 324 Other Ship Systems 355 Melee Weapons 283 Landcraft 325 Think Machines 355 Weapon/Armor Properties 283 Aircraft 327 Escape Pods 355 Reading Weaponry Charts 285 Watercraft 328 Building and Modifying Melee Weapon Accessories 288 Mounts and Beasts of Ships 356 Artifact Melee Weapons 289 Burden 328 Starship Combat 357 Ranged Weapons 289 Detection 358 Thrown Weapons 289 Chapter 13: Cybernetics 331 Pursuit 358 Bows 290 Building Cyberdevices 332 Combat 359 Crossbows 290 What Does the Device Do? Starship Combat Actions 360 Drawing a Bow 290 (Function) 332 Direct Fire Weapons 361 Arrowheads 291 How is it Attached? 339 Indirect Fire Weapons 361 Bows Chart 291 How is it Powered? 339 Starship Damage and Slug Guns 292 Implantation 340 System Failure 362 Autofeeds 292 What Does it Look Like Damage Effects 363 Manfeeds 293 (Form) and What is it Made Repairing Damage 367 Revolvers 293 of (Material)?Sample file340 Example of Space Combat 367 Other Categories 293 First, How Noticeable is Making Space Combat Slug Guns of the Phoenix the Device? 340 Interesting For Everyone 368 Empire 294 Second, What Materials Went Passage Costs 369 Firearms Ammunition 301 Into its Construction? 341 Jumpgates 370 Firearms Accessories 303 How Well is it Made Jumpgate Reset 371 Energy Weapons 304 (Quality)? 341 Pursuit Through a Laser Weapons 304 How Does it Work? 342 Jumpgate 371 Non-Universal Ammunition 304 How Easy is it to Use? 342 Blaster Weapons 306 How Compatible with the Index 372 Exotic Energy Weapons 308 Body and Mind is it? 342 Artifact Energy Weapons 309 What is the Tech Level of Character Sheet 379 Heavy Weapons 310 the Device? 343 Fusion Cells 311 How Much Does it Cost? 343 Ship Sheet 382 Energy Support Weapons 313 Cybernetic Devices 343 Grenades and Explosives 313 Prologue: Alustro’s Quest

To Archbishop Marcus Aurelius Palamon, Cathe- have been gifted with dreams and visions lead- dral of Saint Maya, Holy City, Galatea, Byzan- ing me toward an uncertain but important future. tium Secundus I wrote of the Gargoyle of Nowhere in my last letter, that monolithic relic left behind by the Anun- Dearest Uncle, naki, they who wrought the jumpgates and tamed It has been long since I last wrote you. I apol- the heavens before our kind was raised from the ogize for not doing so sooner, but the dangers muck by the hand of the Pancreator. The vision involved were too great. I’m sure you will scoff it gifted us then—the maddeningly vague clues at such a remark, but I tell you it is true. How which lead us from world to world in search of dangerous, I hear you ask, to write to the Arch- ever more clues—only now begins to take shape. bishop of Byzantium Secundus? No one would To explain this shape, I must first explain where dare delay delivery of such a missive, and none we have been and what we have seen. The Known would dare break its seal to read it. Worlds are huge, sprawling across the nightscape As you know, trusts and confidences can be of the dimming stars forty worlds strong. While betrayed under intact seals. My liege, Erian Li this is a paltrey sum compared to the hundreds of Halan, has many enemies, not the least of which worlds once known to the Second Republic, it is is her brother, a hateful man bent on destroying still a testament to humankind’s unity that even so her. To that end, he has enflamed many of his many worlds as these have stayed together, con- allies against her, some of whom are involved nected through the jumpweb now under the rule in the highest levels of information gathering. I of Emperor Alexius. could not risk even a letter to you, lest it reveal I have been to many of these worlds—nearly our whereabouts before we had moved on. all of them, in fact. How many people can claim Such cloak and dagger lives disgust you, I know. that? Most never leave their hovels, let alone their I wish I could live otherwise. I yearn for the life provinces—and to leave one’s very planet is a of simple contemplation I left behind on Mid- momentous step indeed. From there to travel to ian when I eagerly joined Erian on her mission more than three worlds is a jaunt even most Char- to the stars. My hunger for new sitesSample and expe- ioteerfile star-pilots never achieve. But to travel like riences could not be sated, and the cold walls Erian and her entourage—unimaginable. of the monastery seemed a prison. Ironic that it And yet we have done so. We have broken all now seems a warm den of rest and safety, after bonds of place and come and go from hither to yon so many years on the roads between the stars. as birds migrate through the seasons or as leaves But I am not writing for pity or justification. I travel the aether or float along the stream. What’s simply explain my situation so that you under- more—we are not alone. More and more people stand the long years between correspondence. of brave will and good constitution awaken from I wish so much to speak with you in person, to a long night of captivity on their homeworlds to walk the corridors of your great cathedral and escape gravity and go outwards, to worlds once hear you orate the virtues of the Prophet’s disci- known only to their grandparents or more dis- ples again, in your commanding voice that was tant ancestors in the past. The Emperor Wars kept once a pillar of faith for me. It matters little that I everyone penned in, trapped behind enemy lines betrayed your own faith by joining the Eskatonic in their own homes. Order rather than the Orthodoxy—the words of But that dark time is over at last. Alexius is ascen- the Prophet are shared by both our sects. dant and the jumproads are open once more. I digress. I must put aside reflection and state The cage is broken and the beasts have slipped the matter about which I write. My liege readies through the bars. to travel again, this time on a new path, one full Yes, I mean beasts. For every man and woman of of possibility and danger. I am to go with her, for good heart and purpose who now travel between our fates are one. I am her confessor, and spiri- the worlds of the Empire, two or three scoundrels tual guide besides. No longer is this role just in of black heart and base desire also go forth. For her service, however—it is also in mine, for I this reason, only a fool travels alone, and those 8 • Fading Suns Player’s Guide of good intent are best served by their own kind. caverns of her clan, have only strengthened her I do not follow Erian because feudal duties alone bravery. While she is as yet largely ignorant of decree it—I do so because in her service I am scripture, I have made a pact with her—for every among others of good heart, some with strong legend she tells me of Ukari culture, I read to her arm and hand to defend us bodily from the harm verse from the Omega Gospels. In such a way others intend. I can attempt to sooth a soul with does understanding between two different peo- words of scripture, or even seal a wound with ples grow. It is just such an interchange that must prayer, but I can do little to prevent injury in the take place on a galactic scale, to overcome the face of evil. centuries of ignorance and hate fostered between Cardanzo, Erian’s bodyguard, is a capable man fiefs and territories. and goodly tactician. Of even greater might is The Church teaches us of the good in our souls, Onggangarak, our Vorox friend who has elected and yet acts as if people are mean and evil unless us members of his angerak—his blood pack. No taught otherwise. The rod of rulership must fall better soldiers could one ask in the quest for right. heavily on humanity and its alien brethren lest And no better pilot than Julia Abrams. Although they rise up to do evil. Or so the widespread her demeanor is caustic, her heart is strong and belief—justification—goes. I know otherwise. deeply tied to ours. She is the engine of our escape I know that even the most oppressed men will and a hearty companion on the road—a true fol- share their only foodstores with suffering strangers, lower of the first disciple, Paulus the Traveler, he even if such strangers be from strange locales and who guided the Prophet on his sojourns. other worlds. Yes, distrust and suspicion is ram- In your response to my last letter, you warned pant, and some are more likely to be greeted by me against associating too closely with the Ur- a lynch mob than an invitation to dinner, but this Ukar aliens, whom you, like many, distrust for their is by no means as universal as we are all taught. seemingly primitive, clannish ways. I have learned Perhaps during the Emperor Wars and its after- to look beyond the expected, and seen the truth math, distrust was the lot of humankind. But with that lies in people’s hearts. Sanjuk oj Kaval is a each new starship that comes from afar bring- woman of supreme courage. Her travails on her ing goods undreamed of before; with each new harsh homeworld of Kordeth, in the subterranean person who comes bearing news of distant and

Sample file Prologue: Alustro’s Quest • 9 long-forgotten family on other worlds; with each no saint. But I can try to be. I can muster all my new knight that comes from the Emperor bring- will and faith toward walking as one who can ing law to the lawless regions, understanding and make a difference, one who can change fate for hope grows. the better. When men have hope, they begin to cherish Worry not that the Inquisition will hunt us for their dreams once more. No matter how dark such hubris; they already have. I have dodged more the suns may fade, the light of hope cannot be flameguns and brown-robed fanatics over the past fully extinguished. years than I thought could possibly exist. There The fading suns. I have tried often to forget them, are so very many who desire to punish others for for their dimming light fails to show the way for- reaping benefits they themselves fear to ask for. ward, only the way back. I no longer want to We have surely sinned in that we travel in a look back. I want only to go forward, to solve the starship. Is not this the sort of technology they dilemma of our impending ruin, to reignite the stars spew sermons against? I am not ignorant of the that have for so long only portended our doom. dangers of such tech, for the Second Republic Heresy? To hope to change what the Pancreator proved what science without faith can produce, has wrought? But you yourself preach that it is and its mewling horrors are not easily forgotten. not the Pancreator that darkens the day, but the But I will not stand against all technology because demons who haunt us and hover before the light, some of it was misused. casting their mournful shadows over our stars. I digress again. I meant to tell you of our travels, Why not act against them? Why simply sit and of the sights I have seen since last I wrote. I have wait for the end, assured that judgment will come sent you in separate letters copies of my journals swift to all. What if that judgement depends on our of the past three years. While they tell of my deep- acting? If we fail in this, how will we be judged est thoughts and our entourage’s trials on many then? worlds, I want here to tell of the things I could Go back to the Prophet’s words and read them not enter into those journals, because the hectic afresh. I believe with the deepest sincerity that pace of our lives prevented it. I want to impress he was not speaking for the people then, but for upon you what I found, how things are not as now. He spoke of a “dark between the stars,” and we are told, and why I seek to go even farther. the demons that dwell therein. He spoke of the My thoughts first turn to Malignatius, that frozen evil which would descend on us and the ways hell of a world, gulag for so many suffering under that we might fight it. Yet when he said these the whim of House Decados. No better served things, were not the stars shining bright? Did not were the people, however, when House Li Halan humankind have its greatest momentsSample yet before ruledfile the world before the Emperor Wars. I know it, in the founding of the Second Republic that the Li Halan well, having lived in their service all was to come? my life, and I believe I can thus see their faults Then why was he so ill at ease and dark of heart? clearly. Never are the common folk under them Why in an Age of Miracles did he alone see dan- allowed to rise, no matter how they prove them- ger? I tell you he did not see with the eyes of the selves otherwise. But the virtue of the Li Halan is present but with the future—to our present, to our that neither do they mistreat their charges, unlike time and its rising darkness. He set down words the Decados. While surely even the lowliest Deca- which we would need now to survive against the dos peasant may rise to better status for commit- chill end of time. ting any number of heinous deeds that please their All his deeds, all his acts and words that enriched lords, most are trampled under foot. us, did so in the hope that we would not simply This world is renowned for its religious schisms look to them as artifacts of a better past, but as and the many charismatics who have risen to examples of a greater future. It is for us now to guide people onto often bizarre spiritual paths. become as his disciples and follow their steps Such loud men and women have branded the toward the stars, to Quest, Defend the Faith, Right world fanatic, and this is surely how the Ortho- Wrongs, Seek Justice, Heal the Injured, Aid the doxy sees it. But what if I were to tell you that, Needy, Seek Wisdom and Look Within. hidden in the ice caves under the surface, there If Paulus could do so, why not we? If Mantius are many monks of astonishing enlightenment? and Lextius, Maya, Amalthea, Hombor, Horace I met one, a Friar Ged, who treated me to such a and Ven Lohji—why not we? dialogue of scriptural questioning that I had not I know your answer. Heresy. We are not saints, had since my first exposure to Magister Tarsus, and we dare not elect ourselves so. I agree. I am my Eskatonic examiner. I came to realize that 10 • Fading Suns Player’s Guide no matter the political situation in a place or the foretell that future, and ancient prophecies given tenure of its people as a whole, there are always to them by the Anunnaki. Who can say for sure? unique individuals worthy of encountering. They remain removed from humankind, protected And there are wonders, too, visions of beauty by their superior technology. and natural awe. I can never forget my undersea The Ur-Obun also seemed to favor my leige, and swim on the world of Madoc, a planet whose believe she is destined for something, although surface is mainly ocean and achepeligo. Using Julia opines that they were simply “sucking up” to breathing suits provided us by a wealthy guilds- a human noble. Our stay on Velisimil was short, woman—technology of which I’m sure many in but most relaxing. While Erian made alliance the Church disaprove—our entourage swam deep with many Umo’rin members, I spent a medita- down to examine the ruins of that planet’s pre- tion retreat in a humble Voavenlohjun temple. I vious culture, a civilization that had fallen even was the only human, but they welcomed me as before humans left Holy Terra. if I were one of their own. They do not separate Off in the far distance, fearful to come near involvement in the Church into sects as we do; all us, I saw shadowy figures flit in and out of the who follow the Prophet’s teachings are sacred to coral ruins, watching us with their large eyes. One them. Of course, they see all religious system as wore sparkling armor of sea shells and another sacred in a way, although they certainly do not bore a luminous staff—these were no simple sea honor them equally. They recognize prereflective creatures. They were Oro’ym, the fabled amphib- faith and postreflective grace, fear not. ian sentients of that world. I wished so much I will shock you again with an admission con- to approach them and speak with them, hoping cerning the Ur-Ukar—I have sat in a cavedark they knew our language, but they fled whenever ceremony on Istakhr. It was not a true cave like I drew near. on Kordeth, but a deep basement. Nonetheless, Even more enigmatic than the Oro’ym, however, it was pitchblack. I joined the others, Sanjuk and were the Vau. Ah, I wish I could see the look of her family, in reading the deed carvings of their shock and indignation on your face when I tell ancestors on the wall. I only know a little Ukar- you that I have met a Vau. I even shook its hand, ish, and missed much of what was written, but although it seemed bemused by the gesture. It was Sanjuk’s recitation aided me. on Manitou, that border world where the Church A barbaric practice? How so? It brought them itself treads only lightly for fear of raising the ire together and united them in blood and a shared of the Vau rulers. Here many of the outlaw dregs past. That Sanjuk allowed me to join in was a great of humanity have collected—not its pirates and honor and a sign that she considers me as trust- murderers so much as its thought criminals,Sample those worthy asfile family—a powerful trust for an Ukari. who follow different gods or indulge in pastimes What I found most enlightening about the read- harmful only to themselves but which are punish- ing, however, was the history of the Ukari gods. able by death in the courts of the Known Worlds. While Sanjuk sneers when I mention the com- I will not tell you why we were there, for you mon human belief about the truth of their gods, would greatly disaprove. I will simply say that, I still believe it so. How can any deny, after hear- while wandering the agora and marveling at ing the legends of the Ur-Obun and Ur-Ukar, that the wealth of black market goods, an emissary their deities were any other than the ancient Anun- from the local Vau mandarin approached us. He naki? That this powerful race grandfathered these appeared to be of their worker caste, a lowly posi- younger races in their early days hints that per- tion among his kind but still far and away more haps they did the same for us, on old Urth. prestigious than our serf class. He seemed curi- The xenoarchaeologists of the Second Republic ous about us, but afraid to show it. Nonetheless, thought so. Is this not why they named the Anun- he came up to Erian and smiled, a gesture alien naki after the old gods of Urth? What if these gods to his kind but one which he had obviously prac- of our prereflective ancestors were from the stars? tised for our sake. She greeted him, unsure what And what if they took our ancestors with them to say or do, and I offered my hand. He took it. on their journeys? What would have become of And then he left, as if he had already gone fur- such humans? Do they still exist among the stars? ther than he was allowed. These questions are impossible to answer as yet. I still don’t understand the matter, but I am I hope to do so one day, however. impressed nonetheless. Perhaps my leige is des- But let me not leave out opinions on the Mer- tined for greatness, and the Vau somehow know chant League and noble class. You’d surely be most of this. It is said that they have machines that disgruntled at my omission—if you’ve bothered Prologue: Alustro’s Quest • 11

to read this far. I know you have been to League- while she would not fight herself, she would hand heim, for your disproval of its “Republican sympa- him his weapon and watch for treachery from thies” was most apparent to me even at a young the baron’s opponent. We all gathered to watch, age. But even you were somewhat awed at its and I was ready to mend any wounds taken by spires and cities, one of the few worlds that still either side. resembles the Second Republic atSample its height. I fileIt was a short but vicious fight, with terms of have walked those spires, and ambled the sky surrender alone. Whomever gave in first would lanes from building to building, traveling leagues be the loser. Such a duel between Hazat nobles without ever touching ground. is usually to the death, but the baron’s opponent As I walked, flitters would hover near me with was an al-Malik dandy, Sir Jacob Saladin al-Malik, guildsmembers offering me rides, confused that whom we all doubted would choose death before I would willingly choose to walk when I could honor. He was an expert swordsman, though, and ride for free. But I knew their kind offers were not had first blood on the baron in mere seconds. But truly free, for I would surely be subject to a sales our friend ran him through moments later, thanks pitch of one kind or another should I choose to only to a malfunction in Sir Jacob’s energy shield. ride in their gravity-defying chariots. It is indeed Nobles rely on these shields to protect them true that everything is for sale on Leagueheim, from the worst harm, although they don’t stop including allegiances. relatively harmless blows from landing. It is these How refreshing then, to meet those for whom small wounds which add up over the course of allegiance is a matter of honor, not firebirds. I a duel, however. In this case, the shield failed, mean the Hazat—those nobles of a most mar- and a mortal wound was delivered—or would tial bent whose hot-headed fury has shaken up have been mortal if not for the miracles of faith. the Empire on many occassions. Erian has allies My Eskatonic training allowed me to call upon in the house, and we have visited them often. the Pancreator’s mercy to heal his wound, thus On one occassion, on Aragon, we were witness saving his life. to that most famous of noble pastimes: the duel. Instead of triumph, the baron was mortified, for Erian was to be Baron Allejandro Campeiro Jus- he had no intention of winning a duel in such a tin de Justus’s second in a fight. This means that, way. Sir Jacob, who had been his enemy at the 12 • Fading Suns Player’s Guide start of the day, became his friend by the end, now in Alexius’s service. We, too, can now Quest for so gracious and generous was Baron Allejan- with the full support of a great lord—our destiny dro to his wronged opponent that he spared no nears completion. The riddles posed years ago expense in making things right. He invited the the Ur can begin to be answered. lord to recuperate at his mansion, in as much I hope that this act of mine pleases you more opulance as he could withstand. For his part, Sir than my previous decisions. My refusal of ortho- Jacob was more than relieved at being brought doxy hurt you, but perhaps my new fealty to the back from death’s door, and he pledged to tithe shining star of your diocese on Byzantium Secun- heavily to my order when next the chance arose. dus will assure that my deeds will from now for- I tell this tale not to impress you that I move in wards be in the name of universal justice and law. the company of nobles, but to mention the odd I know that you did not fully approve of the sense of honor they display. Sometimes, that is; not emperor at first, but his regular appearance in everywhere universally. There are nobles who are your cathedral for services has warmed you to far from honorable, those who shame their very him. I know this because I saw it myself. You and class by becoming tyrants. I speak of Duke Gran- he, his Imperial Eminance, chatting together like zil Hassan Keddah, a lord on Grail who mistreats old friends after the service, surrounded by body- his people terribly. Even the Etyri of his fiefs have guards on all sides. fled, flown on to other territories in high eeries Yes, I saw this, for I was in your cathedral yes- rather than suffer his decrees, even though it is terday, witnessing your service from the high bal- illegal for them to have done so. He has called cony. I so wanted to come down and greet you, a hunt on these avian sentients, but one which to pray in the first pews before you. But I did not has been thankfully ignored by fellow nobles of dare. Too many eyes are upon you, and your reac- his house, who have denied these hunters entry tion to my presence would have alerted Erian’s onto their fiefs. enemies, even if word took time to reach them. And so I come, through long digression, back to My lady prepares a mission of great import and the heart of the matter: the shape of my destiny in I go with her, as always. I know not where or Erian’s company. My lady has taken a great step what our pledge leads us toward, for it is not yet forward and allied herself to the greatest power revealed to us. We leave, however, tonight. I had in the Known Worlds: she has taken pledge as a hoped to visit you in your personal quarters, far Questing Knight, in fealty to the Emperor himself. from prying eyes, but it is too late. I delayed too She now places his needs over those of her own long, and duty pulls me away to another world, house, although we both pray they never come perhaps even to barbarian space, for many Quest- into conflict. By this act of fealty, she is empowSample- ing Knights file have been dispatched there of late. ered to Quest. I will see you again, uncle. I will kiss your hand To such happy news I add this: I, too, have taken in recognition of your high station and because an oath, one which places me in even greater you are my mother’s brother. Fear not for me or fealty to her and her lord. I have become an Impe- my liege. If I should die on the reaches far from rial Cohort, the new office opened by Alexius for home, the Pancreator’s light will still find me and those who wish to aid the Questing Knights but guide me back, as it will all of good heart and for whom such rank is closed themselves. Since I right hand. am not of noble blood or landed rank, this chance Farewell. to aid my lady with the full support of her lord is a welcome opportunity. Cardanzo, Julia and Your nephew, Onggangarak have also pledged themselves as Provost Guissepe Alustro Cohorts, and so we all form a knightly company Chapter 1: Introduction

Once the suns shone brightly, beacons in the paradoxical to fathom. There are even other vast night of space, calling humanity onward. nations of barbarian peoples who kneel before The stars symbolized humanity’s vast potential, a false gods, and seek to gorge themselves on the purpose and destiny revealed in progress, incit- spoils of raiding and war. ing an exodus of unlimited growth to the distant And so it is that the Known Worlds must trans- stars. Once people looked to the heavens with form, where tradition must give way to progress hope and longing in their eyes. and the follies of myth must bend to truth. It is a Then the suns began to fade. time when only a few will question, and fewer It is the beginning of mankind’s sixth millen- still will act. It is in just such a time that men nium and there are those who fear the end times and women of strength and stature must find a are coming. It is five centuries since humanity’s way to break themselves free of lies, deceit, and greatest civilization fell and a new Dark Age has fear and once more seize not only the stars— descended. Where knowledge and hope once but also their destiny. flourished, ignorance and fear grew to domi- nate. For too long, much of humanity lost its way, Roleplaying Explained falling into degeneration and despair—waiting If you’re new to this artform and hobby, this for a slow death as the age-old stars faded and book may seem strange to you. Don’t worry; when the souls of the sinful would be called to it will make more sense the further you read. Final Judgment. Fading Suns is a roleplaying game, a highly But from the ceaseless war and darkening skies, imaginative activity which can provide hours of a new hope has come to kindle the hearts of men. fun and a means of creative expression. An Emperor has taken the long vacant throne of The hobby of roleplaying began in the early the Phoenix Empire; a man of courage and honor, 1970s, growing out of miniature wargaming. Peo- sworn to reunite the Known Worlds together once ple got a bit bored with sending historical armies more. This new Emperor, Alexius, looks to rule against each other’s forces; they wanted to mix with an even hand, seeking to balance the needs it up with elves, orcs and wizards. Fantasy gam- of the people with the demands ofSample the nobility, ingfile was born. Then, some people stretched the Church, and the mercantile guilds. It is a mon- boundaries further, by playing individual heroes umental task and one that has only just begun. rather than whole armies. Wargaming turned But not all believe in this destiny. into roleplaying, where players not only fought Far too many of the Emperor’s citizens have enemies, but acted out the roles of their char- long since given up hope and fallen into the acters, creating dialogue for them and histories ways of the past, content to play serfs to feudal detailing the character’s birthplace, upbringing lords. For these unfortunates, hope seems but a and what her goals in life were. falsehood—and falsehoods lead to nothing but The players of the games collaborated in creat- pain. Better to leave the matters of empire to ing whole worlds, environments for their charac- their masters and commit their souls to the care ters to adventure in, usually inspired by the works of the Universal Church. of J.R.R. Tolkien (“The Lord of the Rings” and Moreover, although many inspired citizens loy- “The Hobbit”) and Robert E. Howard (“Conan” ally stand by the side of the Emperor and his and “Soloman Kane”). Roleplaying game pub- lofty goals, there are those who seek to self- lishers provided premade worlds for gamers to ishly profit from his demise: vain nobles ruling use, and new supplements for the most pop- far-flung worlds, power-hungry priests who seek ular of these worlds were eagerly awaited by dominion over the lives of men, and greedy mer- avid gamers. Eventually, gamers began experi- chants growing rich from humanity’s most basic menting with new genres, such as science fic- needs. And they are not alone. tion, post-apocalypse, superheroes, horror, and Out among the darkening stars, alien races even Westerns. rise against the bonds of age-old slavery, and The hobby has grown over the years to encom- enigmatic alien empires progress agendas too pass a wide variety of gaming methods, from 14 • Fading Suns Player’s Guide hack-and-slash combat with detailed rules for combat resolution, to intensive storytelling with broad rules designed to help move a story for- ward rather than slow it down with dice roll- ing. Different people prefer different methods. Fading Suns is primarily a game about heroes and the dramatic conflicts they encounter, from palace intrigues to cliffhanging combats. It pro- vides a framework for players to create games from any perspective they desire. If they want to play soldiers who fight evil with guns and fists, the rules are here. If they want to play merchants who prefer diplomacy to violence, or priests wres- tling with a metaphysical crisis, rules and helpful dramatic hints are also provided. Fading Suns is whatever the players want it to be.

How To Roleplay Just how do you play a roleplaying game, any- way? First, you get your friends together, because roleplaying games are rarely played alone (it is possible, but requires special rules for solo gam- ing). It takes at least two people, but is usually best with three to six players, including one spe- cial player: the Game Master. One person takes on the task of the Game Mas- ter (GM), devising dramas and challenges for the player characters to overcome. The GM plays all the people the characters meet and introduces the plots that go on around the characters, draw- ing them into dramatic conflict. The Game Mas- ter is like a playwright, an author and a movie director rolled into one. He is the “GreekSample cho- file rus” when necessary, telling the players what’s going on as a narrator reveals a story element. He is also an actor, playing the wheedling infor- mant the players’ characters hook up with on the black market, the vain baron who seeks the characters’ aid in rescuing his daughter, or the jolly innkeeper who is kind enough to extend the characters credit, because he likes their faces. The Game Master creates the plots that move the story forward, but it is the players who decide how their characters will react to the people and machinations active around them. Each player is like an actor taking on a role, but she is also a co-author of the drama, along with the GM and the other characters. She decides who her char- acter is and how that character reacts to the story. Unlike a novel or film, a roleplaying game is a truly interactive experience, created from an inter- play between the Game Master and the players. The GM introduces a conflict, the players react to it as they see fit (within the guidelines of their character concepts and characters’ knowledge),