were created by Good King Omund’s wizard Vitae to be the

ANCESTRIES perfect knights, dispensing justice throughout the lands.

But the same sorceries that grant self-awareness also
Fantastic peoples inhabit the worlds of Draw Steel. Among grant independence. Agency. And though they enjoyed
them are devils, dwarves, elves, time raiders—even thirty years of peace and justice, eventually the dragon
humans with their ability to sense the supernatural. knights were betrayed by one of their own, seduced by the
power offered by Ajax.
Your hero is one of these folks! The fantastic ancestry you
choose bestows benefits that come from your anatomy The law of unintended consequences applies to the just
and physiology. This choice doesn’t grant you cultural and the unjust alike.
benefits, like crafting or lore skills. While many game
Usually when some powerful being tries to create an
settings have cultures made of mostly one ancestry, other
intelligent species, it’s for less than virtuous reasons. The
cultures and worlds have a cosmopolitan mix of peoples.
synliroi are responsible for several intelligent species in
Ancestry describes how you were born. Culture (in the
the timescape, each an attempt to create a perfectly
next chapter) describes how you grew up. If you want to
obedient servitor species. The most notorious example are
be a wode elf who was raised in a forest among other
the kuran’zoi, the time raiders who rebelled almost
wode elves, you can do that! If you want to play a wode elf
immediately and carry a burning hate for the voiceless
who was raised in a underground city of dwarves, humans,
talkers to this day.
and orcs, you can do that too!
A perhaps less egregious use of this power is called
ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES quickening. Used when a powerful mage lives in and
amongst some clever species just on the cusp of self-
Orden is a fantasy world. It works on principles similar to awareness. These instances, which are much more
those many people throughout history believed governed numerous than creating a new species from whole cloth,
the real world. “I dunno, a god did it probably.” are more like the concept of uplifting found in science
fiction. The mage or witch or shaman didn’t create
Humans, elves, orcs, dwarves, dragons, all have creator anything. They just gave these cute, clever, frog-things a
gods—the elder gods, four of whom made the world for little boost. A little nudge. And suddenly there are
some reason. Maybe they were bored. angualotls walking around having conversations with each
The fashion among those gods for creating new, intelligent, other, wondering when someone will invent a fabric that
species petered out after the orcs. Once humans came doesn’t get moldy in the swamp.
along and invented war, it stopped being fun. This also carries serious ethical repercussions! “You didn’t
It may be all species were created by gods. That’s certainly create angulotls! You screwed up some perfectly good
what a lot of people throughout our own history assumed. frogs! Look at them, you gave them anxiety!”
Orden has no Darwin and probably won’t ever. There’s This is only how it works on Orden. You may have
still inheritance. People expect children to look like their completely different explanations for why there are
parents, but there aren’t evolutionary pressures except on several different intelligent species walking around in
a very local scale. your world. Or no explanation! Or competing and
And in a world where powerful, world-altering magics are irreconcilable theories on the matter! Use whatever
available, mortals sometimes try to recreate the gods' inspires you.
efforts. Some succeed, and new intelligent, speaking At the end of the day, if you throw out all of this and
peoples are born. replace it with something you made up, it will be better.
However, mortals are not gods and lack their ineffable Because it’s yours!
wisdom. They are, in fact, very effable. Many have sought
the power to create. It is available to any sorcerer of near-
godlike power with the right rituals, though these days
MEASUREMENTS
that power is very obscure. Creating new intelligent How tall is a polder? How long does a dwarf live? The
species was easier for mortal wizards back in the youth of Ancestry Measurements table provides the average adult
the world when magic was friskier. height and weight ranges and life expectancy for each of
the ancestries in this chapter. These measurements are
In every instance in recorded history, attempts by mortals just average, and many folks in the world exist outside of
to make obedient servitor species backfire. The steel them, so your hero can too!
dwarves worked marvels with valiar, the truemetal, and
the miracle mineral iridoss, known as prismacore, that Revenants are not on the table, since they live until
grants objects a semblance of life. Eventually their science destroyed or moving on after completing their unfinished
and magics produced the omnivok, machines that were business and their height and weight is based on their
self-aware. Perhaps uniquely, when the dwarves realized previous ancestry.
they had created beings equal to themselves they stopped
their work and gave their creation full rights and Humans have the potential to live a little longer on Orden
than they do in the real world thanks to the presence of
independence, preferring to work with them rather than
magic.
attempt, and inevitably fail, to be their masters.
Normally, it doesn’t work out that nicely. Even with the
best of intentions, things go awry. The Dragon Phalanx

17
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
 ANCESTRY MEASUREMENTS Those devils who join “the trade,” as their civil service is
Ancestry Height in Weight in Life Expectancy called, spend their days in bureaucratic service hoping or
Feet/Inches Pounds in Years scheming for promotion. Devils looking for a quick path up
Devil 5’0’’–6’0’’ 120–250 70–120 the bureaucratic ladder sign up for the Exchange, whereby
Dragon Knight 6’0’’–7’0’’ 200–350 50–90 mortals in the mundane world who perform the right
Dwarf 4’0’’–4’6’’ 500- 700–1,500 rituals can summon a devil, who bargains with the
1,000B supplicant on behalf of their archdevil. Archdevils can
Wode Elf 5’6’’–6’6’’ 100–150 1,200–3,000 grant temporary worldly power in exchange for a
High Elf 5’6’’–6’6’’ 100–150 1,200–3,000 supplicant’s soul, with the summoned devil acting as the
broker.
Hakaan 7’6’’–8’6’’ 1,000– 300–500
2,000 On rare occasions, though, the summoning goes wrong
Human 5’0’’–6’0’’ 100–300 70–120 and the supplicant dies before the deal can be struck,
Memonek 5’0’’–6’0’’ 50–100 70–120 stranding the summoned devil on Orden permanently.
Orc 5’6’’–6’6’’ 150–300 50–90 Some stranded devils seek to return to Hell, but most
Polder 3’0’’–3’6’’ 20–50 50–90 prefer life in Orden, where the phrase “stabbed in the back
Time Raider 5’0’’–6’0’’ 120–250 50–90 by a colleague” is usually a metaphor.
The majority of devils in Orden are not from, nor have
ever been to, the Seven Cities. They are descendants of
STARTING SIZE AND SPEED devils who were stranded in the mundane world decades,
centuries, even millennia ago.
Unless otherwise noted, a character from any of these
ancestries is size 1M and has
0.
and a stability of
ON DEVILS
Where an ancestry provides you with an ability, see Adelard scuttled across the floor of his basement, a heavy
Abilities for details of the ability format. tome clutched in one hand, his index finger marking a page.
Occasionally he would stop, open the book, consult a

ANCESTRY TRAIT diagram, look at the chalk markings he’d made on the floor,
tilt his head, then bend down and refine or rub out an
Each ancestry has at least one signature trait, which your esoteric symbol.
hero gets for free if they take the ancestry. This is a One of the red candles suddenly guttered out, making the
defining feature that other heroes of your ancestry also small room noticeably darker. “Damn and blast!” he hissed.
possess. Then he relit it from another candle.
There are also purchased traits. You don’t get every Stepping back to admire his handiwork, Adelard crossed
purchased trait your ancestry has to offer. Instead, your his arms and nodded. He’d spent his last coppers on the
ancestry details a budget of ancestry points you can use to candles—they weren’t cheap. And he feared the skull
purchase traits. Each trait has a point cost that you pay to might be fake, but did it matter? The book just said a
grant the benefit to your hero. skull—it didn’t even specify a human skull! Did it matter if
For example, the devil ancestry has the signature trait it was real? It was probably real. What kind of market was
Silver Tongue and 3 ancestry points to spend on seven there for replica skulls? But it was awfully cheap. Anyway,
different traits. A player creating a devil hero could buy did it matter? How would the ritual know if the skull was
Barbed Tail, Big Horns, and Glowing Eyes, which each cost real?
1 ancestry point, or they could buy one of those traits and He was wittering, putting off the inevitable. He pulled
purchase Beast Legs or Wings, which each cost 2 points. himself together. It was either going to work, or it wasn’t,
They couldn’t buy both Beast Legs and Wings, since their and wittering wasn’t going to help. He opened the book
combined cost is 4, which is over the ancestry points and turned the page—then began to speak the ritual.
budget for the devil.
Moments later, the candles flared, there was a burst of

DEVIL flame, and acrid brimstone filled his nostrils. When the
smoke cleared … there was a devil standing in his
“Go to hell!” basement—dark purple skin, horns, even a twitching tail.

“You know, I have a rather interesting story about that …” “Aha! Yes, finally.” It rubbed its hands together. “It’s about
time,” the creature said, pulling on the bottom of his
The native ancestry of the Seven Cities of Hell, devils are waistcoat to straighten it. “Now then! How does it go? Oh,
humanoids with red or blue skin expressed in a wide yes.” He cleared his throat. “On behalf of my lord, his grace
variety of hues, from bright crimson to deep purple. Each Archduke Dispater, Lord of Dis, I am empowered to offer
devil is born with some hellmark—horns, a tail, cloven you …” But his speech fell on deaf ears.
hooves, a forked tongue, fanged incisors, or even wings.
“It worked!” Adelard said, holding his clenched fists up.
Hell is dominated by the Seven Cities of Hell, each ruled by “Ahahaha! It worked! Finally, after years! I will have my
a different archdevil who constantly plots and schemes revenge! Hahaha … !” *cough* *cough* Adelard was
against the others in the hope of ascending to the Throne suddenly gripped by a coughing fit, but he kept crowing.
of Hell.

18
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
“Dismiss me from service, will they?! *cough* Old and “And that’s how I ended up here!” Riyalkin toasted his
useless … am I?! I’ll show them!” He coughed again, dinner companion. “Now, after years of obscurity, a
fighting to breathe now. “I will hex them and torture them legendary hero!”
until they …”
“Legendarily vain,” his dinner guest teased with a smile.
He stopped cavorting and capering, and his eyes went
“Simply playing my part, darling. People expect a certain
wide. “Until they … until …” He clutched his chest.
amount of vanity in a troubadour, don’t they?”
“Uh-oh,” the devil said, genuinely worried.
She laughed. “Riyalkin the Red Pen is every bit as
“HNNG!” Adelard grunted. Then he collapsed to the ground, advertised.”
curled into a fetal position, obviously in immense pain.
“Thank you. And besides, accusations of vanity are a bit
“Nono. Nurse!” the devil called out. “Doctor!? Is anyone … rich coming from my leading lady.”
you should lie down. Well, you are lying down. Do some …
“Not all actors are vain.” She took offense beautifully. “Just
some deep-breathing exercises. Have a cup of tea! That
the good ones.” She sipped her drink.
always …”
“Well then, you must be very vain indeed,” the devil said.
Adelard gasped one last time and uncurled, muscles
“Anyway, does that answer your question?”
relaxed. Eyes open but unseeing.
“Mostly. Do they speak Caelian in hell?”
“… calms me down,” the devil said quietly.
“What a good question. Unless it’s very old, the ritual
Suddenly, the candles were extinguished as one, plunging
usually grants knowledge of the summoner’s language. I
the room into pitch-blackness. The devil’s hellsight meant
gather in the bad old days, we used to just show up in a
this was only a minor inconvenience for him. “Um,” he said
cloud of brimstone and gabble at people. I’m sure it was
to the empty room. “Uh-oh.”
impressive, but what did it achieve? Not very professional,
He poked the tip of his boot at the chalk symbol I can tell you that.”
surrounding him on the floor. Nothing happened. He
“No cloud of brimstone now?” she teased.
stepped on it. Nothing happened. He put his weight on that
foot. No alarms went off. He waggled his eyebrows. “Style counts for something.”
He walked out of the circle. Nothing happened. No one, it “But wait, that was …” She did some quick mental math.
seemed, cared. “Fifteen years ago?”
A few moments later, the door to a small home, little more “Well, I was an accountant here in Capital for several years
than a wooden shack, on the outskirts of a small village in between.”
opened. A well-dressed devil peeked out and then slowly
emerged, stepping onto the dirt road that led through the “An accountant!”
center of the village. A keep stood atop a hill in the Riyalkin shrugged. “It’s what I did before. I’m moderately
distance. good at it.”
“Ah,” the devil said. “And how does one go from being an alien accountant to a
A wide woman dressed in wool, carrying a pile of clean famous troubadour?”
clothes, saw him and stopped in her tracks, her mouth “Well …” Riyalkin seemed uncomfortable suddenly. “It’s
open. just that … the thing is, accountancy in the Seven Cities is
“Oh! Good day to you madam, I wonder if you could tell just so much more interesting than it is here. Plotting and
me…” scheming, always on the lookout for an assassin, people
constantly trying to claw their way up the ladder, usually
“AAAHHHHH!!!” she screamed. For quite a long time. Then over your dead body. And I guess I just … missed the
she dropped her laundry and ran. excitement.”
“Ah. Um. Hmm.” “The excitement of being an accountant.”
A young man in a low, stone building saw this exchange, “The excitement of being an accountant in Hell,” Riyalkin
grabbed what looked like a long iron poker, and ran out to said. “In any event, enough about me and the thrill of
confront the new arrival. double-entry bookkeeping. Perhaps you can enlighten me.
Why is it, in spite of my impeccable taste and the
“Have at you, devil!” he said, assuming something like a
outrageous sums I spend looking good, I always feel
dueling pose.
underdressed in your presence? Do you employ sorcery?
“I say! Steady on!” The devil raised his hands. Or is it that any outfit is improved by your unearthly
beauty?”
The two of them stood there, frozen in the middle of the
street for a few moments. She blushed in spite of herself and raised her own glass in
a toast.
Then the devil turned and ran away as quickly as he could.
“You silver-tongued devil.”
•

19
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
 or wyrmwights—is obscure and supremely difficult for
DEVIL TRAITS even an experienced sorcerer to master. Small populations
Devil heroes have access to following traits. of draconians in Khemhara, Higara, and Khorshir attest to
this. Descendants of original generations created millennia
SIGNATURE TRAIT: SILVER TONGUE ago by powerful wizards, they have never been numerous.
A typical clutch yields only a single egg. After only a few
Your innate magic allows you to twist how your words are generations, these draconians begin to show new
perceived to get a better read on people and convince adaptations like feathers or frilled ridges.
them to see things your way. You gain an interpersonal
skill of your choice, and you have an edge when The largest extant population of draconians is the
attempting to discover an NPC’s motivations and pitfalls remnants of the Dragon Phalanx in Vasloria. Created by
during negotiations (see Negotiation). Good King Omund’s wizard Vitae, the Dragon Phalanx once
numbered several thousand of the king’s greatest knights,
PURCHASED DEVIL TRAITS ensuring the rule of law across the land.
You have 3 ancestry points to spend on the following traits. Knighthood was a title carried by every member of that
(Quick Build: Beast Legs, Impressive Horns) first generation of dragon knights. Within the Dragon
Phalanx were shadows, censors, tacticians, and
BARBED TAIL (COSTS 1 POINT)
elementalists. Members of virtually every heroic vocation
Your pointy tail allows you to punctuate all your actions.
could be found in one of the eight dragonflights that made
Once per round, you can deal extra damage equal to your up the phalanx. For over thirty years, these heroes were
highest characteristic score on a melee strike. symbols of justice, protecting the weak from the strong,
BEAST LEGS (COSTS 1 POINTS) and standing between the common folk and those who
Your powerful legs improve your speed. Your speed sought power over others. Those who grew up in that
becomes 6. place and time could never have imagined any other way
of life.
GLOWING EYES (COSTS 1 POINT) Then Ajax came.
Your eyes are a solid, vibrant color that flares to show
your excitement or rage. Whenever you take damage from
a creature, you can use a triggered action to curse that
ON THE DRAGON KNIGHTS
creature for daring to do you harm. The creature takes The cloaked figure at the back of the inn stood up. As they
1d10 + your level psychic damage. did so, their hood slipped down, revealing their head and
HELLSIGHT (COSTS 1 POINT) face. A susurration rippled through the crowd. One man
Your eyes let you see through the dark, fog, and other standing near the bar dropped his jaw, followed by his
types of concealment. You don’t take a bane on strikes flagon of mead.
against concealed, unhidden creatures. A tall, broad draconian stepped into the light. He was old,
his scales battle-scarred. He rested one clawed hand on
IMPRESSIVE HORNS (COSTS 2 POINT) the pommel of a mace that hung from a loop on his belt,
Your cherished horns are larger than the average devil and while the other carried his shield by a strap. His flat,
a hardened representation of your force of will, allowing expressionless look was more terrifying than any
threatening glower.
PREHENSILE TAIL (COSTS 2 POINTS) The three human bandits took a step back. One of the
Your prehensile tail allows you to challenge foes on all dwarves just sneered—then, sensing his human
sides. You can’t be flanked. compatriot’s reluctance, turned to look at them. “What’s
this?” the lead dwarf growled.
WINGS (COSTS 2 POINTS)
You possess wings powerful enough to take you airborne. “Don’t be cowards now!” the other dwarf said, a hint of joy
While using your wings to fly, you can stay aloft for a in his voice. “Look what a prize we have caught!”
number of rounds equal to your Might (minimum of 1
“We didn’t …” one bandit said, shaking. “We didn’t know …”
round) before you fall prone. While using your wings to fly
Looking at the dragon knight, the other bandit added
quickly, “We didn’t know there was one of you here.”

DRAGON KNIGHT The draconian didn’t move. Didn’t give any indication he
heard the man. Just stared unblinking at the lead dwarf.
“I thought the dragon knights would save us, but even they “Think of the bounty,” the dwarf hissed to the humans, but
couldn’t stop Ajax. Now the roads aren’t safe. People are he kept his eye on the draconian. “We’ll all be rich.”
taken from their homes without cause or warning, never to
return. I don’t know what’s going to happen now, except “I don’t …” One of the bandits dropped her sword and held
everyone’s afraid all the time. her hands up as she backed away from the group toward
the exit. “I don’t need it that bad,” she said. Then she
“I think things are going to get a lot worse before they get turned and ran out the door. Her human compatriots
better.” followed.
The Ritual of Dracogenesis that grants the power to create
a generation of dragon knights—also known as draconians
20
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
The two dwarves surveyed the tavern. The people were The draconian sniffed, released John’s hand, and looked at
now all facing them. A few had stood up. They weren’t the three peasants. “Why do you people need me? You’re
afraid anymore. in the company of Sir John, Commander of the Fifth …”
“We’ll be back,” the lead dwarf said, and the two of them “Just John,” Sir John said, holding a hand up. “The new
backed out of the inn, sheathing their shortswords before baron stripped me of my title. My lands.”
they turned and left.
“I didn’t know that.” The draconian’s voice softened. “I’m
As one, the people in the tavern turned to look with sorry.”
undisguised awe at the dragon knight. He noticed this,
“I’ll be fine. But these people …” John said, gesturing to the
ducked his head to avoid their gaze. “Show’s over,” he
three older peasants. Vaantikalisax waved him to silence.
growled, then he turned to go back to his seat in the rear.
“Sure,” he said. “But why me?”
“Thank you,” the woman behind the bar said. “Thank you
for …” She stopped when she saw the draconian was “Thought maybe you’d like to get back in the game.”
ignoring her.
“The game.”
A short, doughty, middle-aged man stood up, and two
equally doughty women at the same table stood up with “Yeah.” Sir John smiled. “The hero game.”
him. “Excuse me, sir knight,” the man said as the dragon Vaantikalisax said nothing. The inn had mostly gone back
knight walked past their table. to its business but the three peasants watched intently.
The knight moved on, ignoring them. The man reached out Eventually the dragon knight spoke again, his voice low.
and grabbed the massive draconian’s arm. The knight “I owe you a lot, John—but not everything.”
wheeled on the peasant, looming over him.
“I’m not asking everything.”
The man bowed his head and touched his forelock. The
two women with him curtseyed and tried to avoid making “No, that’s not how it starts. But I have this feeling that’s
eye contact. how it’ll end.”

“Begging your pardon, sir, but we been lookin’ for you.” “What does your oath say? ‘Even should the sun stop in the
sky, even should the night—’ ”
The dragon knight sneered and bared a set of sharp teeth.
“Look for someone else,” he growled as he pulled his arm “John,” the dragon knight said, his voice suddenly sad.
away. Exasperated. “You don’t want to quote my oath to me. You
really don’t. I liked serving with you. I have fond memories
The man scurried around to stand in front of the of that time—of you. Don’t spoil it.” He looked at his friend,
draconian, blocking his way. He took off his worn cap and the three peasants, then shook his head and turned to
held it over his breast. “I’m sorry sir, but there ain’t no one leave the inn.
else. And there’s this new tax, you see, from the new baron.
And a priest says he’s of Saint Ajax.” “Vaant,” Sir John said, following. “Sir Vaantikalisax, by your
oath!”
The knight bared his impressive teeth, ready to scare Jago
and the other two away—when someone else spoke. The dragon knight stopped and spun around. Everyone in
the inn was watching the show again. Act two.
“You might want to hear ’em out, Vaant,” said a voice from
the table the three peasants had been sitting at. “The people need leadership,” John said as he looked at all
the folk watching.
The dragon knight turned sharply to look at the man
who’d spoken. His back was to the draconian, but the voice Vaantikalisax’s reptile eyes flashed in anger. “They had it!
gave him away. Thirty years, and what did it amount to?! I watched Ajax …
I watched him …” The dragon knight’s eyes flinched. His
“John?” clawed hands tightened on his mace and shield. “I watched
The man turned to look up. the oath … fail.”

“Hi Vaant,” he said, smiling. He rose from the table. He was “Vaant … Vaant, the Dragon Phalanx didn’t fail. You were
middle-aged, fit. Black hair hung down to his shoulders. He betrayed. It was Mandrake! One of your own, don’t you get
was armed with many weapons, looked like a captain of it? You’re just as fallible as the rest of us. You were never
the guard. “Folks,” he said, “this is Vaantikalisax, Knight of ‘incorruptible.’ It’s just what we wanted to believe. You’re
King Omund in the Thunder Phalanx. He may be the last of just people—like the rest of us.”
the Storm Knights.” The dragon knight looked at the people around him, at the
The man held out his hand. The dragon knight looked at it three peasants desperate for someone, anyone, to help
for a moment before reaching out slowly to grasp it. “What them. Then he looked back to his friend.
are you doing out here?” Vaantikalisax asked. “Exactly,” Vaantikalisax said. Then he turned and left the
“These people need help. I said I’d find it. Heard a rumor inn.
someone matching your description was holed up here
having a drinking contest with Mr. John Barleycorn.” DRAGON KNIGHT TRAITS
Dragon knight heroes have access to the following traits.

21
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
SIGNATURE TRAIT: WYRMPLATE DRAGON BREATH (COSTS 2 POINTS)
Your hardened scales grant you immunity equal to your You can use the following signature ability.
level to one of the following damage types: acid, cold, DRAGON BREATH
corruption, fire, lightning, or poison. You can change your
damage immunity type when you finish a respite. You expel energy to damage your foes.
Keywords: Area, Magic Type: Action
PURCHASED DRAGON KNIGHT TRAITS Distance: 3 cube within 1 Target: All enemies
Power Roll + Might or Presence:
You have 3 ancestry points to spend on the following traits.
(Quick Build: Prismatic Scales, Dragon Breath) 11 or lower: 2 damage
12–16: 4 damage
DRACONIAN GUARD (COSTS 1 POINT) 17+: 6 damage
When you or a creature adjacent to you takes damage Effect: You choose the ability’s damage type from acid,
from a strike, you can use a triggered action to swing your cold, corruption, fire, lightning, or poison.
wings around and guard against the blow, reducing the
any damage from the strike by an amount equal to your WINGS (COSTS 2 POINTS)
level. You possess wings powerful enough to take you airborne.
While using your wings to fly, you can stay aloft for a
PRISMATIC SCALES (COSTS 1 POINT) number of rounds equal to your Might (minimum of 1
Select one damage immunity granted by your Wyrmplate round) before you fall prone. While using your wings to fly
trait. You always have this immunity from your trait in
addition to the one it normally grants.

REMEMBER YOUR OATH (COSTS 1 POINTS) DWARF

As a maneuver, you can recite the following oath. If you do,
you succeed on saving throws when you roll a 4 or higher “Remember, we are dwarves. Our strength is the strength of
until the start of your next turn: the earth. The strength of the marble column that rises to
the heavens. The strength of the granite foundation that
Even should the sun stop in the sky reaches deep into the ground. But what is the value of
strength if it is not used in service of justice?”
Even should the night last a thousand years
—Zarok the Lawgiver, Hero, Dwarves 232
I will stand forever
Possessed of a strength that belies their size, dwarves
I shall not yield
have flesh infused with stone—a silico-organic hybrid
Those who suffer and yearn for justice making them physically denser than other humanoids.
They enjoy a reputation in Orden as savvy engineers and
I am your sword and shield technologists thanks to the lore they inherited from their
I will yield no ground elder siblings, the long-extinct steel dwarves.

I will speak no lies Dwarves are the children of the elder god Ord, and a
common phrase among dwarves is “Ord made the
I will stand against all tyrants world”—their way of saying, “What will be, will be.” They
Until the last villain dies take great pride in knowing that along with Aan, Eth, and
Kul, their god created the mundane world, and many
DRACONIAN PRIDE (COSTS 2 POINTS) dwarves leave their homes to see the world and seek glory
You can use the following signature ability. in Ord’s name.

DRACONIAN PRIDE ON DWARVES

You let loose a mighty roar to shake your foes’ spirits.
Keywords: Area, Magic Type: Action There’s nothing a team of dwarves can’t do! Five dwarves
Distance: 1 burst Target: All enemies alone can easily kill a dragon. Ten dragons! 1 Why, Vorka
Power Roll + Might or Presence: the Fell-Handed alone slew five dragons at the Siege of Var
11 or lower: 2 damage Loska before succumbing to her wounds. One dwarf!
12–16: 5 damage; push 1 Think what a small, dedicated party of dwarves could do!
17+: 7 damage; push 2 There aren’t many of the great dragons left, alas, so we
must … I mean, dwarves must content themselves with
fighting lesser evils. Necromancers, tyrants. Folks who
cheat at dice.

1 This is what happens when you let a dwarf

troubadour write the dwarf entry.

22
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
Dwarves take the long view. Well, so do elves, but elves remember, you are a dwarf. You have it in you to work
seem more interested in preserving things. Dwarves want marvels. To change the world, be you a holy conduit of
to make things! Improve the world! “The world is fine the Valak-koth the Seeker, one of the talented Mind Masters of
way it is …” Shut up! No it’s not! The world is full of pain, the White Gem, a beastheart of the Darkdivers seeking
misery, injustice. We cannot make a perfect world, but we through the World Below for deep knowledge, or a master
can strive to improve the one we’ve got! tactician of the Imperial War College in Capital. You will
make a better world.
Anyway. Humans make too much of this so-called rivalry
between dwarves and elves. Yes, it was an elf army that You are young yet, but already those who work evil deeds
slew the last steel dwarves in the War Against Night, but should fear you. You are a dwarf. You have a great destiny
that was tens of thousands of years ago. And anyway, ahead.
those were the shadow elves, long banished to the World
Below. And none now live who remember those days. DWARF TRAITS
The steel dwarves—the greatest of us—are dead now, and Dwarf heroes have access to the following traits.
our cousins the fire dwarves left this world for
Quintessence long ago. There they built Alloy, the City of SIGNATURE TRAIT: RUNIC CARVING
Brass, the City at the Center of the Timescape. A marvel!
Not so large as Capital, perhaps, but not so … fragrant You can carve a rune onto your skin and the magic within
either. your body activates it. The rune you carve determines the
benefit you receive. You can change or remove this rune
It is left to us, the stone dwarves, the Last Children of Ord, with 10 minutes of work while not engaged in combat.
to work stone, create great marvels with it. Our greatest
days are not behind us! Who speaks thus!? Have we not Detection: Pick a specific type of creature, such as
been to the Hanging City of Kal Kalavar together? Will you “goblins” or “humans” or an object, such as “magic
ever forget that place? I will not should I live to be a swords” or “potions.” Your rune glows softly when you
thousand, and neither will you. And it was finished in my are within 20 squares of a chosen creature or object,
lifetime. Only three hundred years ago! It’s brand new! regardless of line of effect. You can change the type of
creature as a maneuver.
Elf rivalry. Pagh! Did we not name the most precious metal Light: Your skin sheds light for 10 squares. You can turn
in the earth “valiar” after their god Val? Val is a noble god, this on and off as a maneuver.
a worthy patron of the elves. He seeks justice and glory in Voice: As a maneuver, you can communicate
his own way, we deem. Were one to choose the path of the telepathically with another willing creature you have
conduit, you could pick worse gods than Val to serve. met before whose name you name, who can speak and
It is the humans who make so much of rivalries between understand a language you know, and is within 1 mile of
the ancestries. It was the humans who called us “dwarves.” you. You and the creature can respond to one another as
We do not know the significance of this word in their if having a normal conversation. You can change the
tongue, but we accept it. Their speech is crude, true, but person you communicate with by changing the rune.
they are a young species after all. We must not judge them
too harshly. “Elemental” would be a faithful translation of PURCHASED DWARF TRAITS
our word for ourselves into the Caelian tongue. You have 3 ancestry points to spend on the following traits.
Ah, the record of dwarf achievement is long … too long to (Quick Build: Grounded, Spark Off Your Skin)
tell in so short a space. And it is not seemly to compare
GROUNDED (COSTS 1 POINT)
ourselves so. This entry spends many words on elves and
Your heavy stone body and connection to the earth makes
men as though we were competitors, but who says it? Why
it difficult for others to move you. Your stability increases
should it be thus? Was it a dwarf who slew Baalorak the
by 1.
Griefbringer? No! It was the Crown of Nine Stars! That
legendary company of heroes who counted three dwarves STAND TOUGH (COSTS 1 POINT)
among their number, but also elves and orcs and humans. Your body is made to withstand the blows of your enemies.
Like the great cosmopolitan city of Alloy, we are stronger Your Might counts as 1 higher for resisting potencies.
together.
STONE SINGER (COSTS 1 POINT)
Look you again at the Hanging City. Yes, your eyes well
with tears from the magnificence of it, but see it clearly. Is You have a magic connection to the earth. You can spend 1
it a dwarf city? Everyone calls it thus, but do you know uninterrupted hour singing and reshape any unworked,
how many humans live there? Thousands. And orcs. And mundane stone within 3 squares of you. You can’t destroy
elves! Of course! How else should it be? this stone, but you can move each square of it anywhere
within 3 squares of you, piling it off to one side to dig a
Some say the greatest ages of the world are behind us, but hole or building it all up to create a wall.
this is not so. Not so. While there is yet will in the world,
there is greatness. You will see. The elves, the orcs. GREAT FORTITUDE (COSTS 2 POINTS)
Humans and dwarves. All the speaking peoples have Your hearty constitution prevents you from losing
wonder in them yet. Our greatest days are ahead. Did not strength. You can’t be weakened.
Ord make the world?
None of us ask to come into this world, and apart from the
Hakaan, none of us know how we will leave it. But
23
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
SPARK OFF YOUR SKIN (COSTS 2 POINTS) “Admittedly, though, most terrans regret the experience.”
Your stone skin affords you potent protection. Your The voice they had heard called out again—from above.
Stamina increases by 6 at 1st level, then increases by an The children looked up and now saw a wode elf with long,
additional 3 each time you gain a new level. furry, twisting ears and nut-brown skin smiling down at
them. They were wearing a brightly colored outfit. The

ELF, WODE children watched the elf leap lightly from branch to lower
branch until finally landing with a flourish on the forest
See you the wood so dark and deep, floor before them.
Where runs the fox and hare? “Consort!” An elf before them spoke in Yllyric as he stood
You know now why your mother weeps. from his crouch and bowed. “We have been tracking these
Your father’s bones lie there. since they entered the wode.”
See you the river clear and sweet Meliora, who understood the words, whispered to the
So beautiful and fair? others. “They called that one ‘consort!’ ”
Follow it in and you may meet
The Queen of Dark and Air Llyander smiled, looking from Meliora to the elf who had
just addressed them with a See? I told you! look on their
Children of the sylvan celestials and masters of the elf- face.
haunted forests called wodes, wode elves see all forests as
their domain by birthright. They know and enjoy their The tall, swashbuckling elf bowed to the children. “I am
reputation among humans for snatching children who Llyander, the Lightning Strike, Consort to Queen Imyrr.”
wander too far into the woods. Humans should fear the They indicated the elf who had spoken. “This is my cousin,
trees. Rhythylthin.”

The wode elves’ natural ability to mask their presence, “How did you know we were here?” Jeremy asked. Dade
called glamor, complements their guerilla style of fighting, stood just behind him, with an arrow now nocked.
letting them strike quickly from cover and then meld back The one called Rhythylthin reached out while Dade was
into the underbrush. These traits also make the relatively turned, looking at the queen’s consort, and deftly plucked
few wode elves who dwell in cities naturally adept at the arrow from the young man’s bow.
urban warfare.
“Nothing happens within the wode without our
ON WODE ELVES knowledge,” the elf said. Dade spun on him and nocked
another arrow. “And approval,” Rhythylthin added, closing
“I’m scared,” Wenna said. “We should go back.” The forest his hand and snapping the arrow in it.
felt as if it was closing in on them.
“You come bearing a gift for our queen—the Codex
“We’re not going back,” Jeremy said. Normally, such a Dryadalis.” Llyander nodded at the heavy scroll Meliora
statement would be the end of the discussion, but they carried. “My cousin Rhythylthin here was sent to capture
were alone and far from home. you and escort you to the Orchid Court. But I am the
queen’s consort, and have my own thoughts on the matter.”
“What if we’re going in circles?”
The elf smiled at the children. “But have no fear,” they said.
“Then we keep going in circles!” Dade said from Their Vaslorian was perfect, their voice a song. “You are
somewhere up ahead. “Until we find the elves.” safe … now.” The pause before “now” spoke volumes.
“The elves have found you!” a clear, bright voice called out. “Are you a … a … boy or a girl?” Wenna asked.
The children froze. They scanned the wood, but there were
no signs of the speaker. Llyander smiled gaily. “I am a song! I contain melodies and
harmonies alike,” they said. Wenna smiled.
Then, only a few feet from them, a half-dozen figures
melded out of the background, as if the trees and bushes Rhythylthin rolled his eyes. Llyander noticed this and
and grass had been painted on them to perfectly match the winked at him. “Fashions change. My cousin here wears
wode. They wore light armor covered in leaves, moss, and the new trends.” They gestured at the other wode elf’s
vines, and they bristled with weapons. garb and masculine appearance. “Me? I’m old fashioned.”
They gestured to their own outfit and appearance. “Grace
“Black gods!” Meliora gasped. Credan frowned, and Wenna never goes out of style.”
hushed her for swearing. Dade was ushered back toward
them by two more wode elves, his bow in hand. The Llyander turned to Rhythylthin and the rest of the wode
children huddled together, Credan’s hand on the symbol of elf band. “Their gift goes to Lord Tear, methinks. I will
Saint Gryffyn around his neck, and Jeremy’s hand on the escort them.” Then, suddenly imperious, they added, “You
hilt of his sword. may go.”
The elves were tall, taller than an adult human, but In spite of his previous skepticism toward the queen’s
seemed always to crouch as soon as they stopped moving. consort, Rhythylthin straightened and bowed. As one, the
Their eyes were unsettling, widely spaced and huge. But it elves turned and flowed into the wode. In only a few steps,
was their ears, long and tall and twisting and set with they melded into the trees and undergrowth.
great scoops to catch all sound, that marked them as elves
“How did they do that?” Meliora demanded, spinning to
of the wode.
confront their benefactor.

24
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
“Hmm? Do what?” Llyander asked, looking after the elves, REVISIT MEMORY (COSTS 1 POINT)
wondering what Meliora meant. Accessing memories is as easy as living in the present for
“Just … disappear like that!” you. You have an edge on all tests made to recall lore.

Llyander looked at the other children with a combination SWIFT (COSTS 1 POINT)
of wonder and annoyance. “Do terran children not play Your speed is 6.
hiding games?”
OTHERWORLDLY GRACE (COSTS 2 POINTS)
“Well …” Jeremy looked at Dade, who was no help. “We do, Your elf body and mind can’t be contained for long. You
but …” .
Llyander made a theatrical, dismissive gesture with one THE WODE DEFENDS (COSTS 2 POINTS)
arm. “Well, it is the same thing, then. But for our people, it You have the following signature ability.
is a game we practice all our lives! We would be poor
protectors of the wode if we could not conceal ourselves THE WODE DEFENDS
within it.” Thorny vines erupt into existence and attempt to bind your
“But that was …” Meliora was frustrated at the elf’s foe.
seeming evasion. “That was magic!” Keywords: Magic, Ranged, Strike Type: Action
Distance: Ranged 10 Target: 1 creature
“You say? Well,” Llyander mused, “terrans are a part and
apart, it is said. It is your blessing and your curse methinks. Power Roll + Might or Agility:
Perhaps someday you can explain it to me!” The elf’s eyes 11 or lower: 2 + M or A damage; A < [weak] slowed
twinkled at Meliora’s frustration. (save ends)
12–16: 3 + M or A damage; A < [average] slowed
Llyander turned and marched off. “Come!” they called. The (save ends)
children ran to catch up. 17+: 5 + M or A damage; A < [strong] restrained
“Where are we going?” Wenna asked. (save ends)

“I enjoy the favor of Lord Tear,” Llyander said. “We are old
friends. With me as your guide, he will treat you well— ELF, HIGH
likely bestow favor upon you! You should be in “Ajax has a kind of crude style, perhaps, but no taste. I have
anticipation of great treasure.” They smiled. no objection to a villain, you understand. The world is a tale,
The elf stopped suddenly and spun toward them, serious but a tale is only as good as its villain. And Ajax is so …
but kindly. They pointed to each of the children in turn. artless. We deserve a better villain.”

“I will instruct you on the proper etiquette, but remember Children of the solar celestials created to tend their
this: Lord Tear will test us. Some tests for you and some libraries and attend to the true elves as heralds, the high
for me. The high elves and the wode elves are but distant elves remember a better age, before the coming of humans
cousins. You will hear much that is polite, much that is and war. A time when the celestials were still in the world,
flattering, but it is all another kind of glamor. It hides deep and all that mattered was art and beauty.
tensions, recently exacerbated by the treaty with Ajax.” In the millennia since their creators retired to Arcadia, the
The children nodded. The elf, satisfied, marched off and high elves built a civilization for themselves, primarily
they followed. living in and among the fallen celestial sky cities. With no
creators left to please, the elves continue as they did
Jeremy turned to Dade. “I feel like we’re in a dream,” he before—collecting lore and knowledge, worshiping art,
whispered. and turning more inward and distrusting of outsiders with
each generation.
“You are!” their escort called out. “The wode is a dream!
With a little luck, one you may soon wake safely from.”
ON HIGH ELVES
WODE ELF TRAITS “They’re so beautiful,” Wenna said. “It’s hard to imagine
we’re in danger.”
Wode elf heroes have access to the following traits.
“It’s not that hard,” Dade said darkly.
SIGNATURE TRAIT: WODE ELF GLAMOR
The five children stood alone in the center of a large
You can magically alter your appearance to better blend in circular courtyard open to the sky, their wode elf escort
with your surroundings. You gain an edge on Agility tests Llyander at their side. Lord Tear, King of the High Elves,
made to hide and sneak, and tests made to find you while sat on a marble throne, holding the scroll of the Codex
you are hidden take a bane. Dryadalis in his lap. He had not spoken since Llyander
PURCHASED WODE ELF TRAITS made their speech and handed the codex over. The
members of the court, nobles and courtiers and learned
You have 3 ancestry points to spend on the following traits. sages, gathered to watch. Implacable warriors in golden
plate with fine filigree etched into the metal stood guard
FOREST WALK (COSTS 1 POINT) around the perimeter. They bristled with weapons.
You can shift into difficult terrain.
“They seem like …” Meliora said, searching for the words.
25
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
“Like the lords of all the world,” Wenna said with awe and sake, but beauty first and above all other things. And the
wonder. truth, to us, is a kind of beauty. Thus do we find knowledge
beautiful.
“And we are their prisoners,” Jeremy said, looking at his
brother Dade and Credan beside him. “You have returned something not only of enormous
worldpower, but at the same time, a work of art my
“You’re not prisoners,” Llyander said quietly. “You are mother labored over for many of your centuries. It is
guests. You’re safer here than you would be even in your something of a miracle that it is returned to me now. I will
own homes.” not forget this. You have made an ally of the lord of the
“Yes,” Jeremy said, looking at the nearest guards with their high elves. And though you lead brief lives, while you live,
longspears and swords. “We feel very safe.” you shall have the favor of the elves.” He turned to hand
the scroll over to a sage and confer with his herald.
“Who are you kidding?” Dade said. “Everyone knows how
much elves hate humans.” “He seems wise,” Credan said.

At this, Lord Tear exchanged a look with Llyander, consort “And smart,” Meliora said.
to Queen Imyrr. It was a knowing look, full of sadness and “I’m surprised how kind he is,” Jeremy said. “He seems a
melancholy. Then he broke his silence. good king.”
“Show me an elf who hates humans,” he said, his voice Llyander chuckled. Wenna noticed. She didn’t say anything
deep and sonorous, “and I will show you an elf who loved a at first, but eventually she couldn’t resist. “What?”
human and watched them grow old and die.” He looked at
the children for the first time and smiled a melancholy Llyander raised an eyebrow, then walked in front of the
smile. “Love is like sunlight for us, you see. We love children so that as the wode elf spoke, their back was to
completely but rarely. The loss of it means an eternity of the king.
grief for us.”
“Do you remember when my cousin’s soldiers hid in the
The king tapped the scroll against his lap, seeming to have wode?” they said, their voice low. “How astonished you
reached a decision. were?”
“Well done, consort. Young humans, your escort here Wenna and Meliora nodded. Llyander nodded to the
seeks to shame me. For they know well they could have guards and guests. “This is their glamor. Whatever you
taken this prize to their queen and earned her favor. find pleasant and attractive in another? That is what you
Instead, Llyander brought it to me in the hopes that by see in them. If you value good humor, they are jesters. If
doing so, they deliver me the power necessary to throw off you value beauty, they are breathtaking. If you find
the yoke of Ajax’s rule. Long has Llyander resented the intelligence attractive, they are sages. It is not just an effect
decision I made and sought to change it …”—he looked at of appearance, though it is also that. It is one of demeanor.”
Llyander—“… by changing my mind.”
“But how do they do …”
Llyander nodded deferentially, silently congratulating the
Llyander put a finger to their lips, silencing young Meliora.
king on his insight.
“It is not a thing they do. It is an effect in your mind.”
“Alas, your escort’s efforts are for naught.” Then the king’s
“You mean they don’t even know they’re doing it?” Meliora
face became softer. He held up the heavy scroll. “But this is
asked.
not nothing,” he said. “We made a treaty with Ajax to
deliver unto him any artifacts our search teams discover “Then what do they really look like?” Wenna asked.
from the ruins of this city. He benefits from this bargain
more than we. But this, methinks, will stay with us. It was Llyander shrugged. “What does anyone really look like?”
written by my mother in the youth of the world, and there And while the other children chalked this up to their
are some things which must be denied the Iron Saint, even escort’s normally abstruse mode of communication,
should they violate the treaty.” Meliora caught a glimpse of understanding somewhere in
her mind.
Llyander turned to the children and smiled brilliantly,
eyebrows waggling in a show of glee. Wenna and Credan The king turned back to them. “Should any of you seek
couldn’t help but smile. “Well, you see children?” Llyander hidden lore or deep wisdom, please allow me to serve you
said. “We only have more to do, not everything to do.” first. But you, young woman, the human child who learned
our language, I name thee elf friend. And my naming
The king stood up and a herald beside the throne carries power. You will find the learning of our lore will
announced, “Gather ye, and attend! The Lord of Fallen come more quickly to you, and all those who still revere
Irranys, Morning Dew On a Single Leaf Like a Tear from the elves will give you safe passage in their lands.”
the Sun, speaks. And know his word is law!”
Llyander put their hands on their hips and regarded the
Lord Tear glided down the steps until he was standing, as children. “Not bad for your second quest. What shall you
tall as Llyander, before the children. His face was noble do for an encore?”
and beautiful. Wisps of silver-like strands of smoke spread
across his golden skin. He seemed at once eternal and HIGH ELF TRAITS
youthful.
High elf heroes have access to the following traits.
“You have heard many things about my people, but this
above all you should know. We do not value lore for lore’s
26
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
SIGNATURE TRAIT: HIGH ELF GLAMOR rescued during the Society’s recent battle with the
Academy. 2
A magic glamor makes others perceive you as interesting
and engaging, granting you an edge on Presence tests “Not exactly,” the Pillar said as she concentrated on her art.
using the Flirt or Persuade skills. This glamor makes you “Not when. More sort of …” She looked away from her
look and sound slightly different to each creature you sculpture and looked out the window, thinking. “How.
meet, since what is engaging to one might be different for Why. I am told there is a sense of …” she looked at the
another. However, you never appear to be anyone other young man, a teenager, only recently recruited to the
than yourself. Society. “Anticipation. Eagerness when the time is nigh. So,”
she took in a deep breath, which was an impressive sight
PURCHASED HIGH ELF TRAITS to see in a 9-foot-tall woman, and let it out, smiling at the
You have 3 ancestry points to spend on the following traits. young man. “Not anytime soon.” Her smile was like a
(Quick Build: High Senese, Otherworldly Grace) sunrise.
Though he had lived with fear most of his young life,
GRACEFUL RETREAT (COSTS 1 POINT)
mortality was not something that plagued the Arrow’s
When you take the Disengage move action, you can shift 1 mind. He had a hard time grasping it. “That must be …
additional square as part of the move action. awful.”
HIGH SENSES (COSTS 1 POINT) “Oh no,” she went back to her work. “No it’s … I do not
You have senses that are keen and perceptive. You have an know how to say it in Caelian. It is a blessing. I have seen
edge on Intuition tests that use the Awareness skill. people die for no reason. Be taken from their loved ones
without warning, without … without purpose. There are
REVISIT MEMORY (COSTS 1 POINT) unjust deaths. They destroy families. Communities.
Accessing memories is as easy as living in the present for
you. You have an edge on all tests made to recall lore. “But the doomsight only comes in time of great need.
People forget Holkatya is also the goddess of luck, and
OTHERWORLDLY GRACE (COSTS 2 POINTS) those who beat luck—under … underdogs, as you say. She
Your elf body and mind can’t be contained for long. You gave more than she stole, I sometimes think.
.
“I do not know how long I have. No one does, but I know
UNSTOPPABLE MIND (COSTS 2 POINTS) my death will have meaning. I know it, do you understand?
Your mind allows you to maintain your focus in any I know it like I know my own name. Often I feel …” Her
situation. You can’t be dazed. great hands clenched and unclenched, as though she were
trying to grasp something just out of reach. “I yearn for it. I
HAKAAN want it to happen. What greater end can there be than
fulfilling one’s destiny?” She looked at the mostly-finished
Defending the Society’s flank, the Pillar stood alone against sculpture. “It gives everything I do a sense of purpose.” She
the Bloodstone Legion. The Arrow was awestruck and afraid. went back to work.
She was a different person in a fight. “My people are a serene and peaceful lot. We do not seek
“COME FORTH, SONS OF ORD!” the hakaan metamorph glory like the folk of Vanigar. But, in battle sometimes,
bellowed as Ajax’s dwarf legion advanced. “AND MEET A knowing I am getting closer to my wyrd, my destiny, I
BETTER WOMAN THAN THEE!!” think I know how they feel. Something comes over me,
some enormous sense of … of rightness.” She smiled again
“You … you know when you’re going to die?” at the young man. “It scares my friends sometimes, I know.”
The Pillar, dressed in her civilian clothing—a simple The Arrow had seen it, and enthusiastically agreed.
pleated dress cinched at the waist that left her bare arms “You’re not from the Barrow Hills,” he said.
free to work—dipped her hand in the pail of water. It
immediately sprang to life, the water sizzled and danced The Pillar shook her head, “No, I do not wot of your hills. I
as her fingers cooled. She pulled her hand out, shook off am from the hills north of the Blue Cloud Mountains in far
the water, and went back to sculpting the granite. Vanigar.” She turned and looked down at the Arrow with
some pride. “My people are descended from the original
The hard, tough stone melded like clay under her fingers. Haka’an tribe.” She went back to work. “Though I am sure
Whatever she was doing, it generated enormous heat in the Barrow Men, as you call them, are a fine people. We’re
her fingertips, hence the pails of water beside her. The all related, you see.”
Arrow couldn’t tell if this was her talent manifest, or
something her people could do, or neither. As he watched, “Is that why you joined the Society?”
he realized he recognized the bust. It was the girl they “Oh yes,” the Pillar said. “I had only left home a fortnight
previous when Memory came to Vanigar to recruit me. I

2 See last ish. -MC.

27
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
had a sense my wyrd lay in some distant land, but I did not am the painter. And if only I could turn my head a little
know the world was so big.” ways to the left or right, I would see my friends there,
fighting with me. I like to think mine is a great sacrifice,
“Did she look like herself?” the Arrow asked, smiling. made so my friends can escape some overwhelming evil. It
Enjoying a moment of shared experience with the giant is a common theme among the fated I am told.”
woman.
“What about the bee? What happened to the bee?”
The Pillar chuckled, and the Arrow’s chest vibrated with
the force of it. “No, she looked like an agéd wise woman of “Oh, feeling sorry for it, I placed my finger gently on the
Vanigar. I think only in fabled Alloy could the Memory of a ground, and you must see,” she held up her pinky, “even
Sunset at Dawn walk the streets without ‘scaring the my little finger is like a mighty wall for the bee. I sought
horses,’ as they say.” only to protect it from the ants, but it quickly scrambled
onto my finger, and after I stood up, it cleaned itself and
“Alloy?” flew away.”
The Pillar looked at the Arrow out of the corner of her eye. “It could fly!” the Arrow said, suddenly full of youthful
“You’ll see,” she said with some glee. exuberance. “It could fly the entire time! It was just
“You were following your vision, you said.” waiting … for someone else to come along.”

“Yes, my wyrd as the Vanigair call it.” The Arrow stared, wide-eyed at the Pillar. Even before the
young man spoke, the hakaan talent’s eyes widened in
“What did you see?” realization. “My vision …” she said.
“Oh,” she smiled and blushed, “it is not meet to say.” “Wasn’t over!” the Arrow said, his joy impossible to hide.
“It’s bad luck?”
HAKAAN TRAITS
“Mmmm … you would say maybe. I think … rude is closer,
but the doomsight is rarely clear in any event. It is full of Hakaan heroes have access to the following traits.
symbolism and metaphor. My father is the shaa'er of our
tribe. The skald as the Vanigair call it. He thought the SIGNATURE TRAIT: BIG!
symbolism was a kind of protection. So that I might know Your size is 1L.
with certainty the meaning, but be unable to clearly
convey it to others.” She nodded. “I think he is right.” PURCHASED HAKAAN TRAITS
“Is it like a dream or a nightmare?” The Arrow wasn’t sure You have 3 ancestry points to spend on the following traits.
how much it was okay to ask. (Quick Build: Forceful, Doomsight)
“No, it was not a dream, it was a thing that happened.” She ALL IS A FEATHER (COSTS 1 POINT)
turned to face the Arrow and leaned her massive arms on You are exceptionally strong and have an edge made on
her legs. “I know not how it is for other doomseekers, but tests that use the Lift skill.
this is how it was for me. I was collecting flecks of jasper, a
… a mineral we add to our food. I was picking flakes of FORCEFUL (COSTS 1 POINT)
rock up off the ground when I saw a bee that could not fly When you force move a creature or object, you can
and a horde of ants all around, one with wings. In that increase the distance moved by 1.
moment, that was all that I could see. It was like the rest of
the world fell away, and the bee and the ants filled my STAND TOUGH (COSTS 1 POINT)
sight. Though the bee was surrounded and the ants Your body is made to withstand the blows of your enemies.
seemed to go on forever, I could see the ants were afraid. Your Might score counts as 1 higher for resisting potencies.
There were dozens of dead ants on the ground.”
GREAT FORTITUDE (COSTS 2 POINTS)
“What did you do?” Your hearty constitution prevents you from losing
“Mm?” The Pillar was lost for a moment, remembering the strength. You can’t be weakened.
moment. DOOMSIGHT (COSTS 2 POINTS)
“What happened next?” Working with your Director, you can predetermine an
encounter in which you will die. When that encounter
The Pillar shrugged, giant muscles in her shoulders begins, you become doomed. While doomed, you
rippling. “That was the end of my vision. At that moment, I automatically get tier 3 results on tests and ability power
knew I had to leave home.” rolls, and you don’t die no matter how low your Stamina
“Wow.” falls. You then die immediately at the end of the encounter.

“Indeed. Its meaning is clear to me. I stand alone against If you don’t predetermine your death encounter, you can
the endless horde. In my heart, they are Ajax’s war dogs. I choose to become doomed while you are dying with the
think I know this, but …” She shrugged again. director’s approval (no action required). Doing so should
be reserved for encounters in which you are dying as a
“But how come you’re alone? Where am I? Where’s the result of suitable heroism, such as making a last stand
Society?” against a boss or saving civilians, or when the
consequences of your actions have finally caught up to
“Who knows?” she smiled. “When the vision comes upon
you, it is all you can see. Maybe it is like a painting, and I
28
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
you—not because you’re playing a one-shot and have That refusal to yield to death … to death … is what drives
nothing to lose, Hacaarl. you, I think. Drives you to leave the world better than you
found it. Causes ruined people to rebuild great city.
Additionally, when your Stamina equals the negative of
your winded value and you are not doomed, you turn to We studied human history in this room. Did you feel that
rubble instead of experiencing death. You are unaware of those great ancestors of yours were perhaps made of finer
your surroundings in this state. After 12 hours, you regain stuff than you? Do not think thus. I knew them, and I know
Stamina equal to your Recovery value. you, and your future is greater. I sometimes think each
human generation greater than the last—more
HUMAN courageous, more generous. Quicker to forgive.
Today, Ajax’s name is on everyone’s tongue, but I have
“Humans,” the dwarf said with a combination of seen many great evils arise in the world. I was teaching in
exasperation and awe. “Their only virtue seems to be this classroom when the Pharaoh Khorsekef, desperate,
believing in impossible things.” his power failing, opened the Great Tet and drank of the
“Humans belong to the world in a way the other speaking time stored there, becoming the Ultralich. He was defeated,
peoples do not. You can sense the presence of magic—that and now rules the Necropolitan Ruin in the Abyssal Waste.
… oily smell in the air, as I’ve heard it described. And the
I was alive, though not yet a professor, when Cthrion
presence of deathless causes the hairs on the back of your
Uroniziir tried to reduce the timescape into one singular
neck to stand up. Or why do you think graveyards affect
universe, wiping out reality as we know it. She was
you so? Whatever magic is, its grip on you is light.
defeated, and we see her cage every day. 3
Whatever drives the deathless, your nature rebels against
it. Each of these great evils was defeated by a coalition. The
armies and heroes of many speaking peoples. And all of
“No one knows why this should be. We elves have no such
them—all of them—were led … by humans. That’s a fact.
senses. Nor do the elementals or the kanin … the dwarves
That’s history. You can look it up.
and the orcs as you say. What is it that sets humans apart?
I am an historian, not a physician. I cannot say. Perhaps Is there some rare trait that makes you uniquely qualified
some of you will one day find out and teach us all the to lead disparate peoples, bring them together to achieve
reason.” great things? I think … there must be.
Those great humans, your ancestors, did not focus on
ON HUMANS differences. They did not weigh different people and grade
So, we arrive here at the end of your first semester of them based on arbitrary traits deemed virtues and flaws.
Human Culture. I hope to see you next year in the Caelian That is what Ajax does. No, those humans focused on the
Empire course, and though it may be hard to believe now, I future. On making a better world … for all of us. A world
often see former students’ names in our textbooks years many of them knew they would not live to see. That is a
later. Perhaps that will be some of you. sacrifice … I can scarcely imagine.

I will now answer the one question I am asked most often, The people who stand against Ajax and tyrants like him
and which I save answering until the last day of class. will be just like you—normal people. Priests and scholars
What do I think of humans? and merchants and farmers. Maybe even teachers.

I am a high elf, as you deem it in your tongue. A child of the Stopping Ajax will require you to become something else.
solar celestials. And I have taught this class, mostly to You must become heroes. Conduits of saints, warmasters
young humans, since the Caelian emperors founded this of great armies. Censors and shadows. That may seem
city. I was asked to join the faculty by the first chancellor. I unlikely now, but the future has a way of surprising us.
have seen generations of your people come through this Some of your names, I will see written in future textbooks.
classroom, and that alone would well qualify me to answer
this question. But some of your names, I will see written in the stars.

What do I think of humans? Well, I will tell you. HUMAN TRAITS

I was here, teaching this class during the fire of
Enlightenment 373. The fire leveled this city. Can you Human heroes have access to the following traits.
imagine that? Can you imagine the heat, the death,
destruction that such a thing causes?
Six months after the Great Fire, your ancestors had rebuilt
… everything. I have seen many miracles in my life.
Witnessing that feat might be chief among them.
Liches are almost always humans. Did you know that? I
think I know why. Your lives are so short—almost as soon
as you’re born, you’re thinking about dying, and you refuse
to yield.

3 Professor Cilliarwn did not elaborate on this.

29
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
SIGNATURE TRAIT: DETECT THE SUPERNATURAL a sickness comes over them—an uncontrollable sensation
called emotion.
As a maneuver, you open your awareness to detect
supernatural creatures and phenomena. Until the end of
your next turn, you know the location of any supernatural
ON MEMONEK
object, undead, construct, or creature from another plane “You want to tell me what just happened?” Sir John asked.
Count Revile avoided his gaze, then turned and stamped
line of effect to them. You know if you’re detecting an item away across the bloody battlefield.
or a creature, and you know if a creature is undead, a
construct, or from another plane of existence. “I’m fine!” Revile shouted, all evidence to the contrary.

PURCHASED HUMAN TRAITS “I know what I saw,” John said as he followed his friend.
“You went into a bloodlust. And it’s not the first time.
You have 3 ancestry points to spend on the following traits. Whether you like it or not, whether I like it or not, I’m in
(Quick Build: Perseverance, Staying Power) charge of this mission. Either you tell me what’s going on,
or I have no choice. I have to conclude you’re a danger to
CAN’T TAKE HOLD (COSTS 1 POINT) the team and cut you loose.”
Your connection to the natural world allows you resist
supernatural effects. You ignore difficult terrain (but not Revile stopped and turned to look at the rest of the party,
other effects) created by magic and psionic abilities. recovering from their wounds. The memonek’s white
Additionally, when you are force moved by a magic or porcelain chest heaved as he tried to calm himself. His
psionic ability, you reduce the forced movement by 1. ceramic skin looked as strong as plate, but John knew it
was brittle, fragile.
PERSEVERANCE (COSTS 1 POINT)
Giving up is for other people. You have an edge on tests Count Revile took a deep breath. “We call it velloparatha,”
that use the Endurance skill and when you are slowed, he said. “In your tongue it would be … world-sick … or
your speed is reduced to 3 instead of 2. world-sickness? It is a thing that happens … to my people
… when they come to your world. It is an illness of … of
RESIST THE UNNATURAL (COSTS 1 POINT) feeling. Emotion.”
Your connection to the natural world protects you from
“Are you going mad?” John asked in a whisper.
unnatural forces. When you take damage that isn’t
untyped, you can use your triggered action to half the The memonek smiled ruefully. “It feels that way
damage. sometimes. I spent an hour this morning staring at an
insect that landed on my finger—a grasshopper, the
DETERMINATION (COSTS 2 POINTS) polder called it. I thought I had never seen a thing so
Your anatomical tolerance for pain allows you to push perfect and beautiful. That was awe. As powerful as I have
through difficult situations. If you are frightened, slowed, ever felt. In the battle today, anger—just as powerful.
or weakened, you can use a maneuver to immediately end
the condition. “I thought I could resist it. When I arrived here and felt no
different, I thought perhaps world-sickness was a legend.
STAYING POWER (COSTS 2 POINTS) But it is a slow process, this illness, these insidious
Your human anatomy allows you to fight, run, and stay emotions.”
awake longer than others. Increase your number of
Recoveries by 2. “No emotions where you’re from?”
Count Revile shook his head. “Not like this. We are
MEMONEK creatures of reason, we of Axiom. It is our art, our pride—
our religion sometimes, methinks. We have emotions. Joy,
“This world of yours. Ships of wood and swords of steel. It’s sadness, wonder, grief. Love. But they are … a fashion.
so … primitive. Like a fairy tale.” They do not happen to us. They are something we indulge
in, out of propriety. Here… everything is order and chaos
“Where do you come from, lady, that our world seems a
mixed—even in me. In me.” Revile placed his hand on his
fable? You have no ships and swords?”
chest.
“We have them.” Lady Urusistra cast a hand across the sky.
“In the battle today,” he said. “That anger was not directed
“You see those stars? That is my home—the timescape. Our
at Ajax’s War Dogs. It was directed at myself.”
ships are great star freighters that ply the space lanes. And
among those stars, light hits as hard as steel.” “At yourself? Why? What did you—”
The native denizens of Axiom, the Plane of Uttermost Law, “John,” the memonek said, and now it was his turn to
memonek dwell in a land with lakes and trees and birds whisper. “I was afraid. Afraid of … of being wounded, of
and flowers. But on this alien world, the lakes are seas of failing you, failing my friends … of dying. And out of that
mercury, the birds glitter with wings of glass stretched fear came … enormous anger—at myself. Anger that I was
gossamer thin, and the flowers’ petals are iridescent metal so weak, so … useless. Anger so … strong, so powerful … I
as flexible and fragile as any earthly rose. forgot who I was.”
The minds of memonek are highly ordered. Their reason is John chuckled. “That’s just …” He smiled broadly. “That’s
their great pride. But when descending to the lower planes, normal, man. That’s just normal. We all feel that way.”
including a manifold like Orden where law and chaos mix,
“What? No, you don’t understand—”
30
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
“Oh, I don’t understand? Okay, let me guess—it felt like PURCHASED MEMONEK TRAITS
you were gonna piss yourself.”
You have 4 ancestry points to spend on the following traits.
“Yes!” (Quick Build: Lightning Nimbleness, Nonstop)
“Yeah, happens to all of us.” I AM LAW (COSTS 1 POINT)
“Even you?!” Your lawful nature and quick reflexes give no quarter to
enemies trying to get around you. Enemy creatures can’t
Sir John shrugged. “Are you kidding? Sure. But it doesn’t pass through your space unless you allow them to do so.
help. You still got a job to do. In fact, I’d say that is the job.
Anyone can learn the blade.” He placed his hand on the SYSTEMATIC MIND (COSTS 1 POINT)
pommel of his sword. “Nothing special about that. It’s You have an edge on tests to parse schematics, maps, and
learning to deal with the fear. That’s the job—what other systematic documentation that aren’t inherently
separates the professionals from the amateurs.” chaotic. In addition, you interact with any language you
don’t know as if you know a related language, whether or
Count Revile said nothing, just thinking.
not you actually do.
“Feeling better?”
UNPHASED (COSTS 1 POINT)
Revile nodded. “I always recover afterward, but these Your ordered mind can’t be caught off guard. You can’t be
outbursts come unbidden, like thunder from a clear sky.” surprised.
“Hmm. Yeah. Well, that explains what happened when you USEFUL EMOTION (COSTS 1 POINT)
met Embers.” Velloparatha might hinder, but it also fuels your strikes.
Count Revile did not like being reminded of that. He You know how to turn your pain into something your
looked to the sky and shook his head. “I made a fool of enemies feel. When combat starts, you gain one surge.
myself.”
KEEPER OF ORDER (COSTS 2 POINTS)
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. If you’re trying to seduce Your connection to Axiom, the plane of uttermost law,
our void mage, you made a good start of it. She’s three allows you manage chaos around you. When you or a
thousand years old, I’ve known her since I was fifteen. I creature adjacent to you makes a power roll, you can
don’t think I’ve ever seen her blush. Anyway, now that I remove an edge or a bane on the roll as a free triggered
know what’s going on, now that I know you’re basically a action. You can only use this benefit once per round.
giant teenager with overactive glands, I can relax a little.”
LIGHTNING NIMBLENESS (COSTS 2 POINTS)
Sir John and Count Revile, both tacticians, stood together You can push your body to move at incredible speeds.
on the bloody battlefield, looking at each other. Your speed is 7.
“John, I fear this may get worse before it gets better.” NONSTOP (COSTS 2 POINTS)
“So, just like everything else?” He clapped the memonek on Your connection to Axiom allows you to regulate your
the shoulder. “Don’t worry, we’ll get through it together. movements, even when other creatures would be forced to
I’ll let the others know. Once they understand, they’ll help pause. You can’t be slowed.
too. They’ll probably just take the piss out of you. That’ll
help, you’ll love that.”
ORC
“You’re a good friend, John.”
“Even should an arrow pierce their heart, each kanin
“Heh. Is that you, or the world-sickness talking?” warrior has within them one last act of revenge.”
“Me, I think. The world-sickness would have me say … An anger that cannot be hidden. A fury that drives them in
you’re a bastardly son of a bitch. But you’re my bastardly battle. Orcs are famed throughout the world as
son of a bitch.” Count Revile smiled. consummate warriors—a reputation that the peace-loving
orcs find distasteful.
John laughed and put his arm around his friend as they
headed back to the party. “Funny. The world-sickness The fifth of the speaking peoples, orcs arrived on Orden
sounds a lot like me.” after humans and elves. They made their homes in the
borderlands between those two cultures, preferring the
MEMONEK BENEFITS natural forests and avoiding the elf-haunted wodes. For
generations, this put them directly in the path of humans
Memonek heroes have access to the following traits. who cut down the trees and built roads and farms.

SIGNATURE TRAIT: FALL LIGHTLY Each orc has within them a fire that causes their veins to
glow once blood is drawn. This anger propels them right
Your silicone body is low in density. Whenever you fall, to the edge of death. The dichotomy between their desire
you reduce the distance of the fall by 2 squares. to be left alone and their zeal in battle is summarized in a
dwarf proverb:
SIGNATURE TRAIT: LIGHTWEIGHT
“Be thankful orcs do not hold grudges.”
Your body is light for a creature of your height. Your size is
considered 1S when being force moved by another
creature.
31
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
 Already they make homes in the forests by the elves. Some
ON ORCS little skirmishing over borders, I note. Nothing serious.
What shall you call them?
What a world we have made.
Oh, I do not care for such things. They should be free of
Indeed, what a marvel!
our designs, like the terrans. Let them name themselves.
It is a marvel now, with the dragons and celestials, Oh! They already have! Kanin. It means “the people” in
elementals and terrans. their tongue. I like that. Very democratic. Good for them.
It is unseemly. It was better before things started talking. And will they know you?
And having opinions. About our creation. About us! If they wish. Much as I agreed with…the Father of Men…I
find worship unseemly.
Oh, I don’t know. I thought I agreed, but then look you
what our sibling Ord has made. A fine people, these Agreed.
elementals. They make marvels. Ord made them, and now
Agreed!
they make miracles.
Let me introduce myself, at least.
We make marvels. The world is a miracle, and enough.
Ahem.
Yes. But still. I think I might try my hand at children. It
seems a worthy pursuit. “Hear me, kanin! This world we made is yours, as much as
it is anyone’s. You belong here.
Heed the lesson of our Shamèd Brother. It was better
before the coming of the terrans. Before the coming of war. “Know that you are my children, the children of Kul, he
who put fire within the world. And there is fire in you. And
But war has come. Ord and I are of one mind in this: what
though the world and fate and baser minds may conspire
is done cannot be undone. My children should not seek
to destroy your light, you will survive. And more than
war, but they would excel at it should it come to them.
survive, you will thrive. And in thriving, you will conquer!”
They would be strong, like the elementals. But theirs
would be a strength of spirit. They would never relent,
never give up. Always seeking, always striving. Like life ORC TRAITS
itself.
Orc heroes have access to the following traits.
They should love the forest and green things, like the
children of Val. But they should be at home in the cities the SIGNATURE TRAIT: RELENTLESS
terrans and elementals build. In this world of chaos and When a creature deals damage to you that leaves you
law, they should seek balance. Not quick to anger. But once dying, you can make a free strike against any creature. If
angered? A wildfire. the creature is reduced to 0 Stamina by your strike, you
If they excel at war, the terrans will be jealous. They will can spend a Recovery.
be in constant conflict with each other.
PURCHASED ORC TRAITS
Perhaps. Yes, I think you’re right. It seems to be the great You have 3 ancestry points to spend on the following traits.
tragedy of our creation, war. But the constant threat of it (Quick Build: Grounded, Glowing Recovery)
will bring wisdom. It will take great wisdom to avoid such
conflict, and those possessed of such wisdom will become BLOODFIRE RUSH (COSTS 1 POINT)
great leaders. The magic coursing through your veins makes you run
Would they be lorewise and crafty? faster in the heat of battle. When you take damage, your
speed increases by 2 until the end of the round. You can
Oh, I would leave that to them. It is not meet that children benefit from this feature only once per round.
should be too closely molded by their parents. But you ask,
and my mind goes to Ket. They should lack the pride of GROUNDED (COSTS 1 POINT)
Ket’s children…. The magic in your blood makes it difficult for others to
move you. Your stability increases by 1.
Look where that got him.
PASSIONATE ARTISAN (COSTS 1 POINT)
Hush, you. We should not be too hard on our Brother In
When you are stirred by passion for creation, your
Mourning. He has paid for his hubris. My children would
bloodfire allows you to work longer and harder. Choose
love the world more than lore. That is my answer.
two skills from the crafting skill group. Whenever you
They seem a fine people, if you ask me. make a project roll using these skills, you gain a +2 bonus
to the roll.
And there they are, look at them! Kul, your thoughts made
real! Only in the world a little while, and already growing, GLOWING RECOVERY (COSTS 2 POINTS)
learning. Your bloodfire allows you to regain your strength quicker
Ah! My children! So fierce and unyielding. I see you lead than others. When you can take the Catch Breath
short lives, like the terrans. Perhaps this is good. maneuver, you can spend as many Recoveries as you like
instead of just one.
I see they get along well with Ord’s children. I think this a
good sign.

32
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
NONSTOP (COSTS 2 POINTS) “Well, we’re adorable,” the polder said, and drank some ale.
Your bloodfire supplies you with a constant rush of “They must have been around I guess,” John said. “I
adrenaline. You can’t be slowed. probably just never noticed.”

POLDER The polder put his drink down. “Oh, thank you. Thank you
very much. You know, it’s funny. I never have any problem
“Wait, where’d he go? Where’d that little son of a bitch go? noticing you big assholes. One of you makes about as much
AAAAGGH!” noise as a cow, which … I don’t even know how you
manage that.”
After humans, polder are the most numerous and diverse
ancestry in Orden. They are not humans, but they live in “You’re talking just … my voice is just as loud as yours!”
and amongst humans and share their gods and culture. “I mean the way you walk around. Just the way you move,
Almost every human culture in Orden has a polder saint or the way you stand up and sit down. You make so much
a human saint venerated by polder. goddamn noise.”
Short, averaging three and a half feet tall, their origins are Jago, Sarah, and Beth all smiled at the exchange.
obscure. They are a young species who, like humans, have
no single patron god. Their ability to shadowmeld means “Humans are loud, yes,” Embers agreed.
they enjoy a reputation as excellent spies and thieves.
“Do we have to … can we talk about something else,
Many polder consider this a base slander and point out
please?”
they’re also famed as chefs, though polder can be found in
every profession, especially in cities. “I just …” The polder wouldn’t let it go. “You seriously
never … you never been to an inn? Cavall’s teeth, I can’t
ON POLDERS count how many inns and taverns I’ve been to run by
polders, got polders in the kitchen or waiting tables. One
The three peasants—Jago, his wife Sarah, and his sister of the only two things we’re good at, I think.”
Beth—sat together watching the three heroes talk in the
crowded common room of the inn. Well, Jackson Bootblack “Yeah?” John asked. “What’s the other one?”
seemed to be doing most of the talking. The little man smiled. “Getting into places we ain’t
“This kind of shit doesn’t work if it’s just a bunch of supposed to be.”
ratcatchers like us,” the polder said. “You need the people “Now we’re talking,” Sir John said. “You were saying we
to rise up. Been fifteen years since Omund died—fifteen need the people behind us. I agree.”
years of fighting wolves and bandits and worse. The
people welcome a tyrant after that. They like order, you “Yeah, okay. To business: How to rally the people.” The
know? They adapt.” polder took the question seriously. “It’s not hard. First, we
need someone they’ll rally around. I could make someone
“If you stand on the grass long enough, it learns to lie flat,” up, invent a local folk hero, but if we can find the real
A Mist Coils Around Dying Embers said. “But what do you thing? They just need to look the part, that’s all. I’ll take
say?” care of the rest.”
“Eh?” the polder asked her. But he glanced at Sir John “I’m working on that,” John said. “But it’s … slower going
staring at him. than I thought. I’m betting on a long shot.”
“You say the people have no stomach for rebellion,” “What’s the holdup?”
Embers said. “But what about you?”
John thought about how to put what he knew into words.
“Oh,” the polder said, “I say it doesn’t matter much what I “You know,” he shrugged. “Some people can only be
say. Why’s he looking at me like that?” the polder asked heroes if they think they’re better than everyone else.
the high elf and pointed at Sir John. Realizing he was being Some people can only be heroes once they realize they’re
rude, John shook his head to clear it. “Sorry, I just … I not. And some people …”
never met a polder before,” he said.
He looked at his drink, at the expensive clear glass the
“Are you kidding me?” Jackson said. innkeep had given him because he recognized Sir John. He
“No! Sorry, I just …” turned the glass slowly on the table and now he was
mostly talking to himself. “Some people still have to figure
“What are you, from the moon? Where you from that you that out.”
never met a polder before? There’s polder in every fucking
village and town from here to the sea.” “Which is best?” Jackson asked, and Embers could tell the
little man was testing John.
“Really? That’s weird. I’m from Tor, I’ve been all over—
just never met a polder before.” John took a deep breath and came back to reality. “Well. If
we could be picky, we wouldn’t need a hero,” he said.
Jackson looked at his friend, the high elf void mage. “Am I
crazy?” The polder looked at the high elf and nodded, impressed.
Test passed.
“You’re not crazy.” Embers smiled. She was enjoying
watching two of her friends get to know each other. “Okay. Well, if you’ve already got a candidate, I could get
“John’s just never run into one, it seems.” things started. The other half is: we need a good story—
short, punchy. Something that’ll catch on, needs to be easy
33
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
to relate to, but bigger than life. A tax. A toll! Bridge toll, “I, uh …” Vaantikalisax said. The tall, broad draconian
classic. An ogre … no, three ogres. Yeah, three is better. looked from John to the three peasants. Jago, Sarah, and
Three ogres in Ajax’s livery. A lone figure standing against Beth were beaming with even more joy than John, if that
them. See? Easy.” were possible.
“Where are we going to find three ogres?” John asked. The knight stared at them for a moment, then turned back
to his friend.
“What do you mean?” Now it was the polder’s turn to be
confused. “Maybe you’re right,” the dragon knight said.
“What do you mean, ‘What do I mean?’” John said.
POLDER TRAITS
“I’m not … we don’t need real ogres.” Jackson looked at the
elf. “Is he for real?” Polder heroes have access to the following traits.
“Trust me,” the void mage said. SIGNATURE TRAIT: SHADOWMELD
“You mean you’re going to make it up?!” John exclaimed. You gain the following ability.
“I…” Jackson looked with incredulity at the high elf void SHADOWMELD
mage, then back at the human. “Yes, I do mean that. Does You become an actual shadow.
he know what I do?” he asked the elf.
Keywords: Magic Type: Maneuver
“He’ll learn.” Embers smiled. Distance: Self Target: Self
The polder turned back to Sir John. “Hello. I lie for a living. Effect: You flatten yourself into a shadow against a wall or
And I’m really good at it. Sometimes also kill people, but floor you are touching, and become hidden from any
only if lying or running away doesn’t work.” creature you have cover or concealment from or who isn’t
observing you. While in shadow form, you have full
John turned to Embers. “I thought he was a thief.” awareness of your surroundings, attacks against you and
tests made to find you take a bane, and you can’t move or
“I was a thief,” the polder said.
take actions or maneuvers except to exit this form. Any
“You were a thief.” ability or effect that targets more than 1 square affects you
in this form only if it explicitly affects the surface you are
“Yeah, I was with the Clock. Probably still am—they don’t flattened against. You can exit this form as a maneuver.
exactly let you just walk away. We sort of have an
agreement. I agree to do what they tell me and they agree SIGNATURE TRAIT: SMALL!
not to tell me to do anything.”
Your size is 1S.
“Did they kick you out, or did you quit?”
PURCHASED POLDER TRAITS
“Depends on who you ask. I don’t like being told what to
do. It’s sort of a polder thing. Hereditary or ancestral or You have 3 ancestry points to spend on the following traits.
whatever. Everybody wants a polder chef until they start (Quick Build: Corruption Immunity, Fearless)
trying to tell us what to cook.”
CORRUPTION IMMUNITY (COSTS 1 POINT)
“So what are you now?” Your innated shadow magic gives you corruption
immunity equal to your level + 2.
“I’m annoying.”
The elf smiled. “He’s a troubadour—one of the best.”
GRACEFUL RETREAT (COSTS 1 POINT)
When you take the Disengage move action, you can shift 1
Sir John looked at him, nodded. “No lute, I notice. And you additional square as part of the move action.
don’t seem the type to sit by the hearth telling stories.”
POLDER GEIST (COSTS 1 POINT)
The polder grinned. “I ain’t that kind of troubadour. I’m When you start your turn while no creatures have line of
the other kind. I think the best story is the one people tell effect to you, or while you are hidden from or have
each other.” concealment from all enemies with line of effect to you,
“Propaganda,” Sir John said, a grin spreading across his your speed is increased by 3 until the end of your turn.
face. The polder pointed a finger at him and smiled. John
FEARLESS (COSTS 2 POINTS)
heard the door to the inn open behind him. This wasn’t
Courage is all you know. You can’t be frightened.
notable, but the gasp from the customers was.
“Hey,” the polder said, looking past John to the doorway. NIMBLESTEP (COSTS 2 POINTS)
“Hey, I think our folk hero just showed up. Damn, he looks Your light feet allow you to ignore the effects of difficult
the part all right. Or she, I can never tell with these guys.” terrain and move at full speed while you are sneaking.

John turned to see.

Sir Vaantikalisax loomed just inside the doorway, his
scales and armor glowing in the light of the hearth fire. Sir
John shot up out of his chair, a huge smile on his face.

34
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
REVENANT
“Man, there is a difference between, ‘Hey I think we’re
being shadowed,’ and, ‘There’s a deathless copper coming
after us!’ ”
“I will suck the life from your flesh and leave you a withered
corpse!” One of the four thieves opened a vial and dipped his dirk
into the red oil within.
The revenant null flexed his arms and assumed a fighting
pose. He smiled. “What is that gonna do? She’s already dead!” Another
knock at the hidden door. “Forget it. Let her knock. Grab as
“Little late for that.”
many as you can, and we’ll go out the back.”
The dead walk among us. Some of them are happier about
The head thief ran for the door out the back of the safe
it than others.
house. He jerked it open—and the other thieves watched
Unlike the necromantic rituals that produce wights and as a silver flash silently flared across his forehead.
wraiths and zombies, revenants rise from the grave Through the open door, they could see the silhouette of
through a combination of an unjust death and a burning the knight, her open hand held up in front of her.
desire for vengeance. Creatures sustained on pure will, She clenched her hand into a fist and the judgment she had
they have no need of food or water or air—and, unlike
placed on the head cutpurse detonated, hurling him
their zombified cousins, they retain all their memories and
backward. He sprawled across the floor, conscious but
personality from life.
stunned.
These revenants are rare. Many are hunted by ignorant
The gray-skinned knight walked into the room. Metal
villagers who see only their dead flesh and assume the
heels rang out on the wooden floor. She seemed relaxed,
worst. Those who survive the pitchfork brigade either
but her eyes burned with inner fire.
choose a solitary life, often as a wandering soul seeking
out living company yet constantly in fear of it, or they “Boys,” Lady Filliamo said pleasantly. “Busy morning.”
migrate to a metropolis such as Blackbottom or Capital,
“How did you … this is impossible, how did you find us?”
where lost souls gather to make a home.
She looked at the man groaning on the floor. “Your boss
ON REVENANTS didn’t tell you about the vengeance mark?”

“I’m telling you, we are being followed.” “You marked us. Back in Capital. You marked one of us and
just … just walked here.”
“No one knows we’re here. No one even knows this place
exists! We got all day. We stash everything here, and take a “Don’t be stupid. I marked you in Blackbottom. Capital was
sample to …” The head thief pulled a vial out of a crate just normal detective work. I came here by ship.” She
stuffed with straw and looked at it. smiled—black lips on pale gray skin.

“It’s just …” The junior cutpurse spoke nervously. “There “Come on.” The braver of the three remaining thieves
was this lady knight in Blackbottom sniffing around. She drew twin daggers. “She can’t get all of us at—”
seemed serious. I got this weird … chill when I looked at Lady Filliamo made a broad gesture with her right hand
her.” and argent marks flared across the foreheads of all three
“Hey,” the head thief said, his brow furrowed as he looked thieves. A clatter of weapons hitting the floor. Three pairs
at the label on the vial. “Where’d you say you bought this of hands slowly rose in the air.
stuff? You said a ship—a ship from where?” “Good boys. Here, put these on.” She tossed three pairs of
“I dunno, uh … uh, Capital I think.” manacles on the floor.

The head thief looked at the panicking cutpurse. “This lady “Hang on, you can’t arrest us,” one of the thieves, unarmed
knight—she have a red and blue device on her shield?” and still holding his hands up, said. “This isn’t Capital. You
don’t have jurisdiction!”
“Black gods,” one of the other thieves said. “It can’t be Lady
Filliamo, can it?” Lady Filliamo shrugged. “I’m a knight of the church.
Jurisdiction’s for the city watch.” She drew her silver
There was a firm knock at the door to the safe house. A sword a few inches from the scabbard just to show them
door which, from the outside, looked like an unremarkable the blade.
section of wall.
“I deal in steel.”
“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Nonono! How could she … Capital was nine months ago!” REVENANT TRAITS
“She’s a revenant, idiot! She doesn’t even need air. She Revenant heroes have the following traits.
could have walked here! Just … into the water and across
the bottom of the sea! Black gods, why didn’t you say SIGNATURE TRAIT: FORMER LIFE
anything?” Choose the ancestry you were before you died. Your size
“I did! You asshole, I just did! I been trying to tell you for—” equals
other ancestral benefits from your original ancestry.

35
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
SIGNATURE TRAIT: TOUGH BUT WITHERED DETONATE SIGIL
Your undead body grants you cold, corruption, lightning A magical sigil you placed on a creature explodes with
immunity, and poison immunity equal to your level. You energy.
also You can’t suffocate, and you Keywords: Magic, Ranged, Strike Type: Action
don’t need to eat or drink to stay alive. Distance: Ranged 10 Target: 1 creature with your sigil

Additionally, when your Stamina equals the negative of Power Roll + Reason, Intuition, or Presence:
your winded value, you become inert instead of dying. You 11 or lower: 3 + R, I, or P damage; slide 1
can continue to observe your surroundings, but you can’t 12–16: 5 + R, I, or P damage; slide 2
speak, take actions, maneuvers, or triggered actions, or 17+: 8 + R, I, or P damage; slide 3
move and you fall prone. If you take any fire damage while Effect: The sigil disappears from the creature.
in this state, your body is destroyed and you die.
Otherwise, after 12 hours, you regain Stamina equal to
your recovery value. TIME RAIDER
“I fear no living thing, but the time raiders.”
PURCHASED REVENANT TRAITS
You have 2 ancestry points to spend on the following traits, —Chief Executive Admiral Lithiri Aswandala
or 3 ancestry points to spend if your size is 1S. (Quick Commander of the HOV First Get Behind Them
Build: Bloodless, plus Undead Influence if size 1S)
Memonek
PREVIOUS LIFE: 1 POINT (COSTS 1 POINT)
The original servitor species of the synliiroi—evil psions
You gain a purchasable trait that costs 1 ancestry point
with near god-like power—the kuran’zoi liberated
from your previous ancestry. You can take this trait
themselves during the First Psychic War. In the centuries
multiple times, selecting a new cost 1 trait from your
since, they built their own culture and civilization as
previous ancestry each time you take this trait.
nomads of the timescape. The exonym “time raiders” was
UNDEAD INFLUENCE (COSTS 1 POINT) given to them by denizens of the lower worlds who, seeing
Your supernatural gifts allow you to influence other the advanced technology they wield, concluded they must
undead. You gain an edge on Reason, Intuition, and be from the future.
Presence tests made to interact with undead creatures. Extraordinarily rare in Orden, the time raiders thrive on
the Sea of Stars, the Sea Between Worlds, where the winds
BLOODLESS (COSTS 2 POINTS)
of limbo roar.
For you, an open wound is indistinguishable from a
scratch. You can’t become bleeding. In place of eyes, kuran'zoi possess crystalline ocular
sensors that grant them high-spectral vision hardened
PREVIOUS LIFE: 2 POINTS (COSTS 2 POINTS) against the extreme radiations encountered in the Sea of
You gain a purchasable trait that costs 2 ancestry points Stars, permitting them to operate freely outside their
from your previous ancestry. vessels with only their portable rebreathers. Time raiders
also have two sets of arms, allowing them to wield melee
VENGEANCE MARK (COSTS 2 POINTS)
weapons at the same time as ranged weapons. A single
As a maneuver, you place a magic sigil on a creature within
well-trained kuran’zoi is like a squad unto themself.
10 squares of you. When you place a sigil, you can decide
where it appears on the creature’s body, and whether the
sigil is visible to only you or to all creatures.
ON TIME RAIDERS
You always know the direction to the exact location of a “You will tell me the location of the ship you came here in.”
creature who bears one of your sigils and is on the same
Taxiarch Lycaon paced outside the ruined church. The
world as you.
four-armed woman with crystal eyes and flaming pink hair
You can have an active number of sigils equal to your level. in a strip down the center of her shaved head sneered at
You can remove a sigil from a creature harmlessly (no him. She was chained to the ruin of a stone column outside
action required). If you are already using your maximum the ruin of a stone church.
number of sigils and place a new one, your oldest sigil
“Is it that your brain is so small you must talk in order to
disappears with no other effect.
think?” The woman’s smile was a sneer.
Additionally, you gain the following signature ability.
Lycaon strode toward the alien, grabbed a length of chain
around her waist and yanked on it, pulling it taut so the
chain around her neck tightened. “You are going to die in
any event,” he said. “If you wish to deny me the pleasure of
hearing you howl and scream for mercy, tell me what I
want to know now and my dogs will kill you quickly.”
Up close she could see the fine stitching along Lycaon’s
cheeks and forehead, the very slight differences in skin
tone that showed his skin was not his own.

36
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
“You seem to be made of bits,” the alien said as she peered wearing a heavy mask with glass circles where the eyes
at Lycaon, her crystalline eyes catching and reflecting should be and some kind of canister over his mouth
prismatic light. “And not the best bits. Leftovers? Is that stepped forward. The long thin brass tube in his hands
what you are? A walking assemblage of cast-off scraps? connected to a large metal tank on his back.
Hahah, I thought the proteans were hideous. Someone
“Shall I let you choose?” the Taxiarch said and drew a
should let them know! There are creatures even more
dagger from his belt. “I will cut off one finger. If you cry out,
foul-seeming and useless in the timescape.”
I kill you. If not, another finger. And if you cry out then …”
The Taxiarch smiled to himself, nodded with respect at the
Slowly everyone assembled could make out the sounds of
woman’s epithets. He placed his foot on a low piece of
a conversation, quiet with a metallic ring to it. The voices
rubble, once part of the wall of the stone church, and
got louder until eventually they could be heard.
leaned his arm on his knee. He was not dressed as the
other war dogs. No black leather for him. He wore a gold “... should be ready for anything,” one voice said, deep,
breastplate with the embossed head of a ram molded into commanding, and images started to form around and
it, a white cape over his back. Gold greaves and red leather between the war dogs, the hawklord, and the Taxiarch.
boots and gloves. The other war dogs only had patches of Like faded images in a manuscript they seemed, gaining
hair but his was long and blonde. pigment and clarity and, eventually, depth as their voices
grew louder and clearer.
He struck a casual, jaunty pose. “Where is your worldship?”
he said in a more reasonable voice. “Or came you here in a “Oh, thank you for the brilliant tactical advice,” another
single-seater starskimmer?” At this, the alien’s crystal eyes voice, high pitched, piped up.
went wide, betraying surprise. “You see?” The Taxiarch
said, impressed with himself. “I am not a primitive like Suddenly, the images became three dimensional, solid, and
these peasants, who hounded you because you are alien,” four heroes stood among them. A human in working battle
he nodded at the folk of the small town watching from the plate. A polder with twin rapiers in his hands. A tall
stables some distance away. “I am Ajax’s elite. Better than willowy high elf with night-black skin and golden hair. And
his chosen. I was made for victory.” Indeed, Taxiarch a Dragon Knight. The people of the town gasped when
Lycaon looked almost fully human. Handsome and fit like a they saw him. Even at a distance, even with the war dogs
statue from Phaedros, which his model had almost between them, they recognized the device of Good King
certainly been inspired by. Unless you looked closely, Omund on the knight’s shield.
there was no sign he was a product of the body banks. “If The war dogs scrambled. For a moment, it seemed they
you agree to lead me to your vessel, I will let you go free.” might flee at this sudden intrusion, but the Taxiarch
The alien sighed. “‘Blaap blaap blaap,’” she said. “You bellowed “Hold fast!” and they held their ground,
should hear yourself. Like barking thrazz, you sound to me. uncertainty over the unknown threat of a band of heroes
Who holds your leash I wonder? For surely a microbrain battling in each of them with the certain fear of their
such as you could not command any more than these commander.
rabble,” she nodded her head at the other twenty or so John immediately read the situation. It was a clear enough
war dogs. picture.
Her taunts worked. Lycaon hauled back and punched the There was something about the war dogs. They loved
alien in the jaw. Her head smashed into the ruined column. Ajax’s cruelty—reveled in it. John had crossed swords with
She was dazed but she shook it off and laughed. other commanders in Ajax’s army before. Ground
“Look how easily this one is goaded!” she said. She spat Commander Vordokov was a professional—could be
out dark blue blood and turned to the peasants gathered. reasoned with, but he was an orc.
“You people! Why do you let yourselves be cowed by these Not the war dogs—they were fanatics.
… bits? Bits of people kludged together? Even the least of
you is worth more than these.” “What’s this?” the Taxiarch called out with a hungry grin.
“Allies of the alien?” He was projecting confidence. Trying
“Perhaps from the air,” Flight Captain Lyria offered, and to muster his wary soldiers.
she stroked the feathers of her giant hawk mount to calm
it. “I could scout the forest around the …” Sir John ignored the war dog, tilted his head toward the
alien. “Embers?”
“No!” Taxiarch Lycaon pointed a finger at the hawklord
and strode toward her. “You are the elite of Ajax’s winged “A kuran’zoi,” the high elf said, and the alien held her head
harriers, I am his chosen brigade commander. We are not up with pride. “A time raider from the upper worlds. What
scavengers! This one,” he stabbed a gloved finger at the the truth is I cannot say, and no people are all one thing.
alien, “will come to heel, or I will give her to my war dogs.” But by reputation? They’re intractable, ungovernable, they
He turned to face the chained alien, who yawned. Lycaon loathe authority, hate tyranny and are totally, utterly
seethed. without fear.”

“They may pull you apart,” he said to her, and at this his John watched the alien. They sneered their approval at
squadron of soldiers, all in black leather and golden Ember’s summary. That was enough for Sir John, they
pauldrons, started making barking sounds. Then they could work out the details later. After everything they’d
laughed at each other. been through before, he trusted Embers implicitly.

“Or I may let my crucibite melt the skin from your bones.” He could see the shape of the next moments play out, all he
At that, a war dog clad in leather from head to foot had to do was take the initiative. If he was right, the whole
37
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC
thing would be over in seconds. There was no time to PURCHASED TIME RAIDER TRAITS
communicate. No time to plan, and everyone, everyone had
to play their part. You have 2 ancestry points to spend on the following traits.
(Quick Build: Beyond Sight, Psychic Scar: Psionic Bolt)
John knew what came next, but he wasn’t an assassin. He
had his own part to play. He took a step forward, away BEYONDSIGHT (COSTS 1 POINT)
from his teammates, and noted the Taxiarch didn’t react. As a maneuver, you can adjust your vision to allow you to
This spoke volumes. He locked eyes with his enemy. see through mundane obstructions that 1 square thick or
less. While your vision is adjusted this way, you can’t see
“She goes free,” John commanded, his voice steel, “or you and don’t have line of effect to any creatures or objects
die here.” He could feel the muscles tightening in his within 1 square of you. You can return your vision to
comrades, the whole company like a steel spring wound normal as a maneuver.
tight.
FORESIGHT (COSTS 1 POINT)
Lycaon cocked his head at Sir John and took a few foolish
Your senses extend past mundane obscuration and the veil
steps toward the tactician. He was just out of reach. But
of the future alike. You instinctively know the location of
close enough.
any concealed creatures who aren’t hidden from you,
“I see you are a man, like Ajax. Why do you lower yourself negating the usual bane on strikes against them.
with these … creatures?” the war dog Taxiarch looked at Additionally, whenever you are targeted with a strike, you
the elf, polder, and dragon knight. “Little more than slimy can use a triggered action to impose a bane on the power
things crawled out of the sea? Join us. Join me. Join Ajax. roll.
It’ll be nice for you,” his voice lowered almost to a whisper,
“to be on the winning side for a change.” PSYCHIC SCAR (COSTS 1 POINT)
Your mind is a formidable layer of defense, granting you
Sir John took a deep breath, his body language changed psychic immunity equal to your level.
and that was enough. Several things then happened at
once, so quickly no one would later be able to say who PSIONIC GIFT (COSTS 2 POINTS)
acted first. You gain one of the following signature abilities.
Ember’s eyes flashed into a starfield. The time raider’s CONCUSSIVE SLAM
chains dissolved into starspace and reappeared around You slam an invisible force down upon the target.
Flight Captain Lyria pinning her arms to her side. She was
Keywords: Psionic, Ranged, Strike Type: Action
giving the hawklord an excuse to sit this one out. Gods,
Distance: Ranged 10 Target: 1 creature or object
John was glad she was with them.
Power Roll + Reason, Intuition, or Presence:
The time raider’s right upper hand shot out, as though 11 or lower: 2 + R, I, or P damage
she’d been waiting for the void mage to do exactly what
12–16: 5 + R, I, or P damage; push 1
she just did, and her meson blaster leapt out of the hands
17+: 7 + R, I, or P damage; push 2; M < [strong] prone
of the war dog who’d chained her. The pistol made of glass
and bronze slammed into her hand and its tip flared with PSIONIC BOLT
prismatic light. You shoot forth a beam of psychic purple force that grips
From the sun’s shadow cast by Taxiarch Lycaon the polder your target.
Jackson Bootblack emerged, a rapier in each hand, and no Keywords: Psionic, Ranged, Strike Type: Action
one had seen him move from where he’d been a moment Distance: Ranged 10 Target: 1 creature or object
before. Power Roll + Reason, Intuition, or Presence:
At the same instant, a call—a horn. From directly behind 11 or lower: 2 + R, I, or P psychic damage; slide 1
John a blast of sound like a chord played by a dozen 12–16: 5 + R, I, or P psychic damage; slide 2
trumpets, and hope sang in John’s heart—the Clarion Call 17+: 7 + R, I, or P psychic damage; slide 3
of the last Storm Knight!
MINOR ACCELERATION
John hadn’t hesitated, he’d already drawn his sword. You fill yourself or an ally with a burst of energy.
“Alright, you patchwork son of a bitch.” He charged Lycaon Keywords: Psionic, Melee Type: Maneuver
who fumbled with the short-sword on his belt. Distance: Self or Melee 1 Target: Self or 1 ally
“Draw steel!” Effect: The target’s speed increases by an amount equal to
your Reason, Intuition, or Presence score (your choice)
TIME RAIDER TRAITS until the start of your next turn.

Time raider heroes have access to the following traits. UNSTOPPABLE MIND (COSTS 2 POINTS)
Your mind allows you to maintain your focus in any
SIGNATURE TRAIT: FOUR ARMS situation. You can’t be dazed.
Your multiple arms let you take on multiple tasks at the
same time. Whenever you use the Grab or Knockback
maneuver against an adjacent creature, you can target an
additional adjacent creature, using the same power roll for
both targets. You can grab up to two creatures at a time.

38
Draw Steel © 2024 MCDM Productions, LLC