TM TM Swasshbuccklliing andd Sorrccerry Piirraccy andd Expllorrattiion Esspiionage andd Inttrriigue Wellccome tto tthe New Worrlldd 7th Sea is a game of action and high adventure in a world of musketeers, pirates, secret societies and political intrigue. Players take the roles of heroes bent on thwarting the plots of knaves and villains, exploring ancient ruins and plundering the treasure fleets of tyrants. Everything a player needs is included in the pages of this book. • Eassy tto gett ssttarrttedd:: The book opens with a Quick-Start Guide so you can start playing within minutes. • A Compllette New Worrlldd:: Players will find almost one hundred pages devoted to Théah, the world of 7th Sea. • Fllexiiblle rrulless:: 7th Sea uses a unique bidding system, giving players and Game Masters control over the mechanics of the game. • Addviicce fforr Noviicce andd Experriienccedd Pllayerrss:: If you’ve never played a roleplaying game before, or if you’re an “old school” veteran, you’ll find tons of hints and advice to help you act and interact within the world of 7th Sea. The iinddiisspenssiiblle guiidde fforr pllayerrss off tthe 7tth Seea Rolleepllayiing Gamee.. $29.95 U.S.A. AEG 7001 Political Boundaries of Théah - 1668 Trade Routes and Major Roads 7th Sea, Avalon, Castille, Eisen, Inismore, Highland Marches, Montaigne, Ussura, Vodacce, Vendel, Vestenmannavnjar, Knights of the Rose and Cross, Invisible College, Rilasciare, Vaticine Church of the Prophets, Explorer’s Society, die Kreuzritter, El Vago and all other related marks are © and ™ 1999–2000 by Alderac Entertainment Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Credits Created by Interior Art Art Director/Lead Writer Jim Callahan, Cris Dornaus, Paul (“Prof”) Herbert, Thomas Gianni, Jennifer Wick & John Wick Scott James, Patrick Kochakji, Raven Mimura, Michael Phillippi, Ramon Perez, Tim Peterson, R.E. Snyder Co-Design and Writing Théah Map Kevin Wilson Craig Zipse Additional Design and Writing Action Maps Marcelo Figueroa, Patrick Kapera, Jim Pinto, Ree Soesbee, Eric Vaubel Rob Vaux, Dave Williams “The Griffon” Diagram & Design Based on a Game System Designed by Kevin Sanborn Dave Williams and John Wick Editors Cover Art D.J. Trindle, Janice Sellers, Scott Gearin, Jim Pinto and Rob Vaux William O’Connor Line Developer Color Plates Rob Vaux Terese Nielsen Graphic Design Cris Dornaus and Steve Hough Playtesters Don Barrett, Duncan Barrow, Mitch Berthelson, Alexander Black, Brian Bogel, Rob Bowes, Brent Burdine, Bill Byrne, Jim Callahan, Nick Cuaresma, Erik Devlin, CJ Dunnigan, Ron Edens, Dewayne Forest, James Forest, Lenny Freibott, Barney James, Mike James, Dominic Johnson, Mark Johnson, Leisa Le, Mike Leader, Chun Lin, David Margowsky, David May, John McLaughlin, David Molinar, Sam Ortiz, Stephen Rill, Evan Schackmann, Jeff Smorey, Paul Thomsen, Omar Topete, David Trusk, Robert Verdoliva, Derron Whitaker Second printing, February, 2000. Printed in U.S.A. 4 Table of Contents Action Dice & Initiative . 20 . 8 Primer Attack and Defense Knacks . 20 Part One . 10 Damage Values . 20 What is 7th Sea? . 13 Wounds . 21 Swashbuckling and Sorcery . 13 Dramatic Wounds . 21 Piracy and Adventure . 13 NPC Wounds . 22 Diplomacy and Intrigue . 13 Drama Dice . 22 Archæology and Exploration . 13 The End? . 23 What is an RPG? . 14 The Players . 14 . 24 The Game Master . 14 Théah The Rules . 14 Part Two . 26 Who Wins? . 14 History . 28 How to Use This Primer . 14 Current Events . 32 Théah . 15 The Nations . 34 Nations . 15 Avalon . 34 Secret Societies . 16 Castille . 37 Hero . 16 Eisen . 39 Introduction . 16 Montaigne . 40 The Hero Sheet . 16 Ussura . 42 Wounds . 17 Vendel/Vestenmannavnjar . 45 Drama . 17 Vodacce . 46 Dice . 17 The Nations Color Inserts . 49 Actions . 18 Théan Culture . 64 The Two Rolls . 18 Calendar . 64 Trait + Knack . 19 The Seven Seas . 64 Raises . 19 Théah’s Courts . 65 Rounds and Phases . 20 Honor . 66 5 7th Sea A Gentleman’s Word . 67 The Nations and Their Faiths . 91 The Duel . 67 Syrne Ruins in Théah . 92 Reputation . 68 The Sites . 92 A Woman’s Honor . 68 Théah’s Monsters . 95 Knowledge . 68 The Bestiary . 96 Pirates and Privateers . 70 Monsters as the Seven Sins . 97 What is a Sailor? . 71 Types of Sailors . 72 . 98 The Ship’s Crew . 72 Hero A Pirate Ship’s Crew . 74 Part Three . 100 Superstitions . 74 Introduction . 102 Pirates of Théah . 77 Hero Concept . 102 Secret Societies . 79 The Game of 20 Questions . 102 The Explorer’s Society . 80 Six Steps . 105 The Invisible College . 80 How to Read Your Character Sheet . 106 Knightly Order of the Rose and Cross . 81 Character Creation Step-by-Step . 108 Die Kreuzritter . 82 Step One: Sorcery . 109 Los Vagos . 82 Step Two: Swordsmen . 109 The Rilasciare . 83 Step Three: Traits . 109 Sophia’s Daughters . 83 Step Four: Advantages . 110 The Vaticine Church of the Prophets . 84 Step Five: Skills . 111 The Message and the Messenger . 85 A Short Skill List . 113 Credo (“What I Believe”) . 85 Step Six: Finishing Touches . 115 Organization . 86 Final Details . 119 Rituals . 87 Swordsman Schools . 123 Church Philosophy . 88 Aldana (Castille) . 124 The Inquisition . 89 Ambrogia (Vodacce) . 124 The Objectionist Reform . 90 Donovan (Avalon) . 125 6 Table of Contents Eisenfaust (Eisen) . 126 Experience . 191 Leegstra (Vendel) . 127 The Repartee System . 192 Valroux (Montaigne) . 128 Ship Design . 194 Swordsman Knacks . 129 Sorcery . 200 Advantage List . 130 Glamour (Avalon) . 200 Skill List . 138 Lærdom (Vendel) . 203 Civil Skills . 138 Porté (Montaigne) . 212 Martial Skills . ..