3rd Edition Core Rulebook

by Walter Ciechanowski w ith Chad Bowser and Scott Rhymer

 VICTORIANA

ContentS


Vocations
Childhood Experience
Breeding
72
79
82
The Faces of Sapiency 86
Introduction 9 Attributes 94
A Role-Playing Game of High Adventure... 9 Derived Attributes 97
in a Fantastical World of Sorcery and Steam 10 Skills 98
Being an Adventurer 11 Skills and Attributes 100
What You Need to Play 12 Class Modifiers 100
The Organisation of this Edition 13 Languages 101
A Glossary of Terms 13 Skills Descriptions 101
Build Points 113

BOOK I:

Talents
Privileges
113
119
The Encyclopaedia Victoriana 15 Assets 123
Science and Sorcery in an Industrial Age 16 Complications 127
Sir Richard Arkwright 16 Weapons, Commodities and Lifestyle 138
The Dying Embers 18 The Monetary System 138
On the Origin of Sapiency 18 Goods and Services 139
Aether for the Masses 19 Weapons 141
Conquering the Oceans 20 Character Sheet Summary 150
The End of the Wyvern Age? 21 Pre-generated Character 152
A Luddites Perspective on the Iron Horse 22 Weapon Tables and Charts 154
New Prime Movers 23
Means of Communication 24
The Secret Society of the Telegraph 24 BOOK III:
An Analytical Engine: Bringing Order to Entropy 25 Cogs and Wheels: The Prime Mover 159
War Veterans Get New Limbs 26 Heresy Engine Basics 160
The Poor State of Medicine 27 Combat 164
The Growing Storm of Industry 28 Initiative 164
Religion 28 Time and Actions 165
Many Archons, Two Forces 28 Combat Basics 165
Aluminat 29 General Difficulty Modifiers 167
Sons of David 31 Armour 167
Followers of the Word 32 Damaging Objects 168
Paynimry 33 Defensive Actions 168
The Pale 36 Special Melee Combat Situations 169
Society 37 Other Special Melee Manoeuvres 170
The Upper Class 38 Ranged Combat Complications 171
The Middle Class 39 Other Special Ranged Manoeuvres 172
The Lower Class 40 Damage and Injury 174
Etiquette & Fashion 40 Dramatic Systems 178
Vice 42 The Passing of Time 178
Pocket Gazetteer of the World 43 The Environment 178
Europe 43 Medicine & Recovering 184
World Map 44 Fate Pool and Scripting Dice 186
The Orient 54 The Celestial Engine 188
The Dark Continent 58 Reputation 190
The New World 61 Experience 193

BOOK II: BOOK IV:

Ones Full Measure: Adventurer Creation 67 Sorcery and Steam 199
Association 68 The Elements of Magical Practice 200
Background 71 The Forms of Magic 202

2
 VICTORIANA

The Rules of Magic 203

Performing Magic
Magnetism
Clairvoyance
203
205
206
CreditS
Spiritualism 207 Line Developer: Walt Ciechanowski
Goeticism 208
Creative Director: Dominic McDowall
Empirical Thaumaturgy 210
Art Director: Jon Hodgson
Hermetic Operations 211
Third Edition writing: Walt Ciechanowski, Chad Bowser
Petty Conjuring 215
Creating Enchantments 216 and Scott Rhymer
Enchantments 217 Cover Art: Jon Hodgson
Sigil Magic 221 Interior Art: Josh Dahle, Andy Hepworth, Brandon Leach,
Sigil Inscription 221 Pat Loboyko, Eric Lofgren, Rich Longmore, Patrick McEvoy,
Sigil Activation 222 Scott Neil, Scott Purdy, Michela Da Sacco and David A Wright
Sigil Destruction 222 Layout and Graphic Design: Paul Bourne
Sample Sigil Alphabets 222 Editing: Lynne Hardy and Walt Ciechanowski
The Maleficium 224 Proofreading: Lynne Hardy and Nick Robinson
Demonology 224
Introductory Fiction: Walt Ciechanowski
Demonic Corruption 226
Second Edition writing: Kristian Bjorkelo, Andrew Peregrine,
Demonic Invocations 227
Scott Rhymer, Ian Sturrock, and John Tuckey
Necromancy 230
The Undead 230 First Edition writing: John Tuckey, Richard Nunn, and Scott Rhymer
Nocturnal Power 231 Heresy Engine system design: Ian Sturrock, Andrew Peregrine,
Necromantic Corruption 231 and Walt Ciechanowski
Necromantic Operations 232 Publisher: Dominic McDowall
Relics 236
The Engines of Industry 238
Using Marvels 239 Special thanks to John Arcadian for his invaluable assistance
Marvels List 240 with the Latin terminology.
Clockwork Limbs 249
Modifications 250
Attachments 253
Clockwork Complications 253
Published by Cubicle 7 Entertainment Ltd
Riverside House, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0ES, UK
BOOK V: Reg. no 6036414
Trials and Tribulations 254 2013 Cubicle 7 Entertainment Ltd.
Running the Game 255
Adventures by Association 255
Atmosphere 259
Scripting an Adventure 262
The Big Fight! 269
The Supporting Cast 279
Designing Supporting Characters 279
Supporting Cast 284
Creatures and Monsters 292
Sample Monsters and Creatures 296
The Bestiary 309 Any unauthorised use of copyrighted material is illegal.
Any trademarked names are used in a historical or fictional manner;
no infringement is intended.
Afterword 312
Find out more about Victoriana 3rd Edition and
Character Sheet 313 our other games at www.cubicle7.co.uk

Index 315 Printed in the USA

3
VICTORIANA

4
 C H A PTER CIII.
The Professors Revenge The Sinking Leviathan A Desperate Escape The Final Confrontation

W
ith the Leviathan anchored to the bottom in his boots kept him anchored to the floor, but he moved
of the North Atlantic, Sir William Maisey slowly and awkwardly through the dense water. Sir
donned a deep sea suit and dropped through William could see between the columns now and noticed
the lower hatch. He landed on the sea floor and followed Dr Hartmann standing in front of an altar. Two of Lord
the glowing balls of aetheric energy that preceded Lord Clovers men scraped away the barnacles with fascine
Clover as he lead his party toward the crumbling, barnacle knives as the Gnome frantically gestured to them to be
encrusted remains of an ancient temple. careful lest they damage the stone. Dr Hartmans concern
confused the British agent as he settled down behind a
In spite of what he was here to do, Sir William couldnt fallen column resting on the ocean floor; could the doctor
help but notice the amazingly colourful scenery. The actually be in league with Lord Clover?
sands beneath his feet were various hues of yellow, red,
and clear crystal. Large, multi-coloured plants towered Sir William cast his doubt aside as he steadied his harpoon
over him as they swayed in the currents. Various fish, gun. There were six sapients around the altar, but with
crustaceans and cephalopods, many of which Sir William only one harpoon the British agent needed to target Lord
could not identify, fled through the water or ducked Clover or, unfortunately, Dr Hartmann. A stray thought
beneath ancient pottery shards to escape the sweeping occurred to him when hed taken the deep sea suit,
lamplights of the submersible. he noticed an Ogre-sized suit was missing. Now, as he
studied the six sapients, he noted that all of them were
Ahead of him, the enigmatic Irishman known only as human-sized save Dr Hartmann. Where was the Ogre?
Lord Clover led Dr Arno Hartmann, one of the pre-
eminent experts on antiquities, inside the temple. The His answer suddenly hoisted him from the sea floor in a
German Gnome was also a suspected member of the crushing grip. As he kicked about in the sand the outline
Thulian Order, a secret society dedicated to finding the of a large powerful frame became evident; Lord Clover
sunken continent of Thulia. Scotland Yard discovered must have rendered the Ogre invisible! Sir William cursed
that Lord Clover kidnapped Dr Hartmanns daughter himself for not anticipating that possibility and keeping his
to force the Gnome to help him uncover an antediluvian eye out for footprints. Now it was too late all he could do
weapon that Lord Clover hoped to use against the was watch as Dr Hartmann made ceremonial gestures over
Empire. In furtherance of this endeavour, Lord Clover the altar. His only consolation was that the Ogre hadnt run
had also appropriated the Leviathan, an experimental him through or torn away his breathing apparatus.
French submersible built with the finest that sorcery and
steam had to offer. And then the ground shook.

Sir Williams mission was to infiltrate the Leviathan This was obviously unanticipated, as Dr Hartmann
and put an end to Lord Clovers scheme. He surmised gestured frantically and Lord Clover flailed his arms
that a well-placed shot could satisfy his objective but, at the Gnome demanding an explanation. The ground
unfortunately, he wasnt quite certain how to operate the shook again, this time more violently, as colossal greenish-
harpoon gun, currently his only effective weapon. He also brown tendrils burst from the sea floor and moved toward
wondered if he could get close enough for accuracy, as the Leviathan! The ground erupted beneath the Ogre,
the gun was designed to ward off sharks, not to snipe at causing him to stumble and lose his grip. Sir William
enemies across the sea bed. was not in a chivalric mood; he quickly unsheathed his
boot knife and buried it in the Ogres neck. The British
Moving out of the submersibles light, Sir William agent turned in time to see Lord Clover order his men
carefully made his way across the sea floor. The weights to shoot Dr Hartmann, which they did with murderous
precision. Obviously, whatever was happening now was Williams left sleeve was torn and stained with blood. The
not according to Lord Clovers plan. ship lurched and shook violently once again as the British
agents now-wounded attacker fell back into another
Sir William ran quickly toward the Leviathan as doorway and Sir William took the opportunity.
sparks of aetheric energy prevented the tendrils from
wrapping themselves around the submersible. He was no Theres little time for discussion, he said, turning to Eva.
hermeticist, but Sir William surmised that the aetheric If we dont get moving, your late father will also be your
cocoon wouldnt last much longer. He considered himself executioner!
lucky that the cocoon was not designed to prevent sapients
from entering the vessel. Eva wiped the tears from her face as a cracking sound,
followed by the smashing of the glass in the porthole of
* * * her cell and the resulting gushing seawater, prompted her
to follow Sir William as quickly as possible. He pointed
Eva Hartmann braced herself uncomfortably in her cell as her towards a spiral staircase in the centre of the corridor
the Leviathan violently shook. A week ago, she had been as a door opened at the other end of the passageway
kidnapped and imprisoned in this vessel. Shed presumed and two more sailors emerged, pepperboxes blazing. Sir
it was for ransom after all, her father had quite a bit of William squeezed off his last three rounds, hitting at least
money but she quickly learned that her confinement one of them before following Eva upwards.
was to guarantee her fathers continued co-operation.
Shed guessed that Thulia was involved; everything her Once in the upper room, Sir William slammed the hatch
father did that mattered had to do with that Host-forsaken behind him and fished out a small stone from his pocket.
place. As he placed it on the hatch covering Eva noticed a rune
etched into it. Sir William uttered Eoh and the hatch cover
Suddenly, she heard a muffled voice call to her from immediately warped, tightly lodging itself in its frame.
outside the door in English-accented German.
There, that should have bought us a few minutes, Sir
If youre near the door, get back! William said. Have we surfaced yet?

No sooner had Eva rushed to the opposite side of her He turned to see Eva glaring at him whilst holding a small
cell than two small explosions dropped the door with its pistol that she retrieved from an emergency holster by the
hinges smoking. Standing in its place was a man that Eva exit hatch. It only had a single barrel, but at this distance
didnt recognise. He wore a crewmans uniform with a she only needed one.
tube case strapped to his back. He was certainly not Irish,
and the recent bruises on his face indicated that his ruse We really dont have time for this, Miss Hartmann, he
was discovered. said. Another loud cracking sound and violent lurching
accentuated his point, but to her credit Eva managed to
Who are you? she demanded in German-accented remain standing and her pistol pointed at him.
English. Where is my father?
Quiet! she snapped. Ill be asking the questions now!
We dont have time for proper introductions, Miss What happened to my Father?
Hartmann, but I am Sir William Maisey of the Order of
the Bath, he answered, and I bear the heavy burden of Sir William held up his hands. I presume you know that
telling you that your father is dead. Im sorry. the master of this vessel is Lord Clover, an Irish terrorist
of some repute. I also presume that you are well aware of
What? Tears streamed down her cheeks. How? your fathers association with the Thulian Order.

Sir William didnt answer straight away, instinctively I dont Eva started, but Sir William kept speaking.
ducking as a bullet slammed into the door frame. He
returned fire with his six barrelled Allen & Thurber Apparently, your father discovered something that piqued
pepperbox pistol. Eva noticed that he was wounded; Sir Lord Clovers interest. He kidnapped you both in the
hopes of finding a weapon that he could use against the Eva dropped to her hands and knees, certain that the
Empire. It appears that your father instead sprang a trap mighty winds and sheets of rain would drive her off it. Sir
and Lord Clover killed him for it. Lord Clover now wishes William gently but firmly grabbed her by the forearm to
for us to share his fate. focus her attention.

He nodded toward the hatch, where much cursing and The rug will respond to your commands. Youll have to
tapping could be heard against the magically held hatch. keep them simple: stop, go, go faster, turn right, et cetera.
Keep your pistol; you may be followed.
So what can we do? she asked.
I dont know, I
I have a way off this boat, Sir William smiled as he
unslung his case. The Leviathan shuddered as it finally Go! he hissed as the sound of something pounding the
surfaced but Sir William noted that water was still inner hatch door echoed over the deck. Eva ordered the
pounding the portholes; a torrential rain was pouring rug to go. It launched gently forward, carrying her out
outside. Eva dropped her arm and shook her head. over the roiling sea. Sir William nodded in satisfaction as
the inner hatch door exploded and Lord Clover emerged,
Father meant to kill me too, she said softly. the remnants of blue aetheric energy still twisting around
his hand. He stepped out onto the deck, his remaining
Lord Clover likely wouldnt have let either of you go. He crewmen filling the entrance room behind him.
stood and turned the wheel of the exterior hatch. Perhaps
your father thought it best to destroy him in spite of the I would know who you are before you die! Lord Clover
cost. The British agent deemed it better left unsaid that demanded. He was wearing his usual green military
those were his orders as well. uniform, complete with sabre, although Sir William
doubted that hed ever officially served in any navy.
They ran out onto the main deck, where the lurching of
the Leviathan and the driving rain threatened to fling Would you? Sir William replied as the ship lurched
them into the unforgiving Atlantic. Eva screamed as an again. He managed to grip the rail as the sea washed over
immense tendril burst through the waters surface and the deck. Fancy that coming from a man with a nom de
smashed into the deck, cracking the hull before retreating plume!
back into the sea. Sir William quickly opened the case
and pulled out an ornate rug about the size of a Followers Lord Clover stepped forward just as another colossal
prayer mat. tendril crashed down on the entrance room, squashing all
those inside and leaving the two men alone on the deck.
Were going to flee the ship on a Persian rug? Eva asked Lord Clover gripped the rail as the tendril slowly dragged
incredulously. the Leviathan back into the sea. Cursing Neptune, he
pulled his sabre from its scabbard with his free hand.
Its not Persian, its Moroccan, he corrected her. You can
tell by the reds. And we arent going to flee; you are. All you Your accent marks you as English. That is enough, the
need to do is hop on and, he paused to fish out a compass Irishman spat as he carefully made his way across the
and pointed to the northeast, head in that direction. There deck. Such a pity you lack a weapon; Id enjoy one last
will be a British freighter waiting for you. dance before our deaths.

You arent coming? Eva asked as she futilely wiped wet Sir William carefully moved backwards, knowing that
strands of hair from her face. soon hed have nowhere left to go. Out of quintessence,
then? he asked, having expected Lord Clover to hurl an
My business is with Lord Clover, he said grimly, now aetheric bolt at him. I suppose its of little importance,
get on! given the circumstances.

Eva stepped onto it as Sir William tugged on a tassel. The At least I shall have the pleasure of killing you first! Lord
rug levitated several feet in the air as a soggy, exasperated Clover hissed as he lunged forward. Only the sudden tilt
of the sinking ship stopped him short as he grabbed the You have no one whom you can trust. Sir William
railing again. caught Lord Clovers blade and flicked it into the
churning sea, following it with a punch to the face with
I fear you shall have to work for that pleasure, Lord his free hand. Stunned, Lord Clover fell backwards
Clover, Sir William said as he backed up to the bow of and rolled down the deck. Both men now saw the large
the ship and produced a small cylinder from his pocket. creature flapping its wings as it slowed above Sir Williams
With a flick of his wrist, the cylinder expanded to a length head. But it was no creature it was a machine!
of four feet. Sir William rubbed his thumb against the
engraved Enochian sigil at the base, transforming the stick Goodbye, Lord Clover, Sir William said as he collapsed
instantly into a backsword. his sword and tucked the cylinder back into his pocket.
Her Majesty sends her regards!
With tricks like that you must certainly be working for
Her Most Wretched Majesty! Lord Clover exclaimed as Will you just grab the axle already! the Dwarf pilot
he darted forward once more, his clumsy thrust easily exclaimed. Im not pulling you out of the sea because you
parried by Sir William. Another tendril crashed across the feel the need to quip. He sighed and then added: again.
deck, forcing the two foes to steady themselves before re-
engaging in a flurry of parries and blows. Have you no sense of occasion, Jones? Sir William asked,
although he soon realised that his flippancy had got the
If I were you, Lord Clover, Id be less worried about Her better of him.
Majesty and more about Davey Jones!
Lying prone on the slick, warped deck, Lord Clover
We shall meet him together! Lord Clover snarled, produced a Derringer and pointed it at the Englishman.
swinging high. Sir William barely parried him in time. Give my regards to Davey Jones!
The British agent allowed himself the slightest of smiles
as a bolt of lightning illuminated the cloudy sky, revealing Sir William waited for the bullet but it never came.
a faint bird-like silhouette moving toward the doomed Instead, a giant tendril slammed down, crumpling the
submersible. remainder of the deck and obliterating his foe.

I think not, Lord Clover, as you are by all accounts a You first, the British agent said with a certain degree
villain, and there is an inherent problem with villainy! Sir of schadenfreude. He jumped up from the sinking deck
William exclaimed as he watched the tendril behind the and tightly gripped the axle. Jones made the ornithopters
Irishman slowly lift up from the deck. wings flap hard to carry them away as the Leviathan sank
beneath the stormy sea. It was another successful mission
And what is that, pray tell? Lord Clover demanded. for the Star Chamber.
 introduction

IntroductioN
Welcome to a Victorian world that is both familiar yet more
fantastical than our own. It is an age of sorcery and steam, A R ole -P laying G ame of
where Eldren magicians walk the streets alongside Dwarf
engineers, and wyverns fly alongside airships. Explorers
H igh A dventure
map the globe, uncovering ancient secrets often best left Victoriana is a role-playing game set in a fantastical 19th
forgotten. It is a world of high adventure for those with the century. You take on the role of an intrepid adventurer who
curiosity and constitution to seek their fortunes. breaks free from the conventions of society to right the evils
of the world. Thankfully, your adventurer doesnt have to
The year is 1856. The Crimean War is in full swing, with do this alone; he or she is part of a league of like-minded
Russian magicians proving that, whilst waning, the age individuals who understand that its often useful to have
of magic is not yet over. India suffers under corporate someone watching your back when you confront dastardly
rule. A fractured America teeters on the edge of civil war. villains!
Spiritualists contact the spirits of the dead, while angels
war in Heaven. Of course, it is entirely possible that youre wondering
just what a role-playing game is. Unlike traditional
This is a world of high adventure, where danger lurks in boardgames with game boards and playing pieces, a role-
shadowy alleys and brightly lit parlours. Aetheric energies playing game primarily takes place in your imagination.
fuel monstrous engines, and ancient mysteries lie buried
beneath concrete and steel. Empires expand and many Your playing piece is an adventurer, a fictional character
parts of the map are still marked unknown. It is a world in you design by making choices and recording them on a piece
need of adventurers. of paper, known as an adventurer sheet. You determine
her social class, her background, her skills, her talents, and
Welcome to Victoriana. Weve been waiting for you. even her mode of dress and the articles she carries.

9
 VICTORIANA

During the course of an evenings play, you determine sharing their world with a number of others, including
what actions your adventurer takes; your choices are only aristocratic Eldren, industrious Dwarves and muscular
limited by your imagination. You typically have other Ogres.
players at the table as well, each playing an adventurer in
this fantastical Victorian world. Unlike in many fantasy worlds, however, these subspecies
are fully integrated into Victorianas nations and societies.
Unlike traditional games, you dont play against each other. Whilst it is indeed true that the Eldren tend to be in the
Instead, one of the players, the Gamesmaster, creates the highest stations while the Beastfolk barely scrape by at the
adventure and presents it to the rest of the group. She also bottom, you would be hard-pressed to find such a thing
takes on the roles of any other characters that appear in as a Dwarf Nation or Gnome Association. A person
the adventure. You and the other players work together to is primarily defined by her social class rather than her
accomplish the goals that the Gamesmaster has set before ancestry.
you. The trials and tribulations are different each time,
and your adventurers story grows with each adventure, Second: Victoriana is a world of magic. While the great
whether she succeeds or fails. age of sorcery is over, there are many that still tap into
the aether. Clairvoyants read auras and predict the future.
Now, whats a game without rules? You hold in your hand Conjurers brew potions and enchant clothing. Hermeticists
all of the guidelines necessary to play a game of Victoriana. throw bolts of aetheric energy and heal with a touch.
It may seem a bit daunting at first but dont worry, most of Demonologists summon dark powers for personal gain.
what youll need is in the adventurer generation section.
Youll also have the guiding hand of the Gamesmaster and, Third: Victoriana is a world of steam. As magic wanes,
perhaps, other experienced players to help you along. science rises to take its place. The industrial revolution is
in full swing. Scientists and engineers create new marvels
Hopefully, by the time youve generated your first that emulate the magic of old and redefine the way people
adventurer, youll discover that she is more than a collection work and live. Perhaps ironically, magic helps to fuel many
of lists and numbers. Shell have a name, a personality, and of these new wonders, empowering engineers to build ever
a place in the world, all determined by you and the choices more complex and wondrous machines.
you make for her.
Fourth: Victoriana is a world of horror. While technology
The rest of the game is dedicated to the challenges shell reshapes the globe, occult horrors still lurk just beyond
face. There are rules for navigating society functions, the gaslights. Necromancers create undead armies whilst
fighting ruffians, using magic, building machines and calling on the power of forgotten gods. Dangerous beasts
racing across rooftops. Dont worry about absorbing all of lurk in the sewers and the countryside. Some of these
this information to start with; these sections are tools for creatures have adapted to the new world, combining
the Gamesmaster in helping you bring your adventures preternatural abilities with clockwork and steam.
to life!
Finally, and most importantly, Victoriana is a world of
fantastical adventure. Someone needs to protect the world
in a F antastical W orld of from horrors magical, scientific and mundane. Someone
S orcery and S team needs to ensure that ancient, powerful artefacts dont fall
into the wrong hands. Someone needs to bring justice to
From a respectable distance, Victoriana presents our mid- those who arent able to protect themselves.
19th century in broad strokes. Europe is embroiled in the
Crimean War, the United States of America expands across That someone is the adventurer, who is unafraid of the
the continent, and Japan opens trade with the West. London challenges that await her. Luckily, she is usually able to find
is the centre of the world and the sun never sets on the like-minded associates to aid her in her causes. Perhaps,
British Empire. in the end, the odds are still stacked against her, but she
wouldnt have it any other way.
That aside, Victoriana is much more than a mere copy of
our own historical Victorian era. For starters, the Humans
of Victoriana are merely one subspecies amongst many,

10
 introduction

Th e D istorted L ooking G lass of H istory

Of all the changes between this edition of Victoriana and its predecessors, the one likely to garner the most attention is
the resetting of the game year to 1856. This is not a change that was made lightly and we weighed the pros and cons for
quite some time, before ultimately deciding that the world of Victoriana belongs in the mid-1850s rather than 1867.

In many ways, this change is a natural evolution. The First Edition firmly set Victoriana in a fantasy world which
resembled our own, but collapsed together many events that took place throughout the Victorian era, planting them in
a fictional 1867. The Second Edition took a harder approach to actual history but left the original anachronisms intact.
With the Third Edition, we wanted to pay homage to both previous versions; we wanted to present the world that the
First Edition gave us while strengthening its ties to actual history.

Now, being a world of sorcery and steam, some historical deviation is to be expected. While most of the major dates
and events in history are as we remember, some of the details have changed. For this weve taken the conceit that the
fantastic magic and science of Victoriana tend to balance themselves as far as the overall flow of history is concerned;
the changes remind us that this is still a fantasy world and anything can happen.

We hope that this conceit makes it easier for Gamesmasters to do research for their campaigns and insert key historical
figures and events into them. We also hope that it aids the players immersion in the game, as they wont have to adjust
their perceptions of the time period according to Victorianas historical deviations.

If you are a long-time fan of Victoriana and prefer the fantasy 1867 of the previous editions, then by all means
continue to use it! You may have to adjust the odd date here and there in the new supplements, but for the most part
there will be little substantive difference, as the previous editions present maps pretty well with the current world of
the Third Edition.

This change should have little to no impact on previously published support products.

B eing an A dventurer may work for Her Majesty, ferreting out threats to the
Crown and destroying the steam-driven monstrosities that
Adventurers are a breed apart - they arent afraid to step would-be rulers and revolutionaries create.
outside their social roles and expectations to do what needs
to be done. Realising that there is only so much each can While united in purpose, the adventurers who comprise each
do alone, adventurers often band together in associations association are varied in their individual capabilities. Some
to combat specific types of threats. adventurers wield ancient and powerful magics, enchanting
talismans or manipulating aetheric energies. Other
Your association may be a society of explorers, travelling adventurers are master craftsmen and engineers, designing
the world in search of new lands, forgotten treasures and building machines on the cutting edge of technology.
and ancient evils. Or it may revolve around a private Still others move through society circles, using their charm
investigation firm, solving potentially scandalous cases and and wits to discover secrets and uncover conspiracies.
ensuring that the guilty go to trial while the often-framed Finally, there are those adventurers who can simply be relied
innocent remain free. upon to lend a strong hand or a steady aim while always
maintaining a stiff upper lip, no matter what the danger.
Then again, it may track down demonologists, necromancers
and other practitioners of the Maleficium, facing demons In short, there are an endless number of ways in which your
and other vile creatures from the Pale. Or your association adventurer can make her mark in Victoriana.

11
 VICTORIANA

W hat Y ou N eed to P lay one to represent black dice (more on those later). While
you could play with as little as one die, we recommend
In order to properly enjoy a game of Victoriana youre at least 12 normal dice and 12 black dice. Normally, you
going to need a few things besides this volume. The first, of roll a die and count a 1 or 6 as a success. Notations
course, are a few friends and a healthy dose of imagination. of xD mean that you roll x dice and add the pips
together.
With that sorted, the list of other requirements is mercifully
short: Unless you plan to play via the internet, you need a
place to play. A table and chairs is the traditional
Each player needs an adventurer sheet in either digital setting for role-playing games, but any comfortable
or physical form. There is a blank adventurer sheet arrangement will do.
included in this volume; it may either be photocopied or
printed out. Youll also find a downloadable adventurer The Gamesmaster needs an immense imagination
sheet on Cubicle 7s website (www.cubicle7.co.uk). and perhaps a few notes to facilitate play. Cubicle 7
publishes several full adventures, such as Streets of
If using physical paper, each player also needs a pencil Shadow, that the Gamesmaster can adapt to her needs.
and scrap paper for jotting down notes or amending
the adventurer sheet. While not strictly necessary, you may want to use
music and props. Miniatures on a map board can aid in
You also need several dice. Victoriana uses standard visualising a scene, while appropriate music can set a
six-sided (cube) dice and its even better if you have mood. If you can light your room via dim lighting then
two colours of them, one to represent normal rolls and so much the better!

R ace , R eligion a n d S ex in V ictoria na

Victoriana takes place in an era where bigotry and prejudice against various groups of people are overt. These can be
quite sensitive topics for some gaming groups (as they are to us!) and should always be handled with care. Victorianas
unique spin on history influences these themes as well.

In Victoriana, there is one sentient species but various subspecies, all of whom are genetically compatible. Ones
breeding (a combination of social class and subspecies) is very important in Victoriana society, more-so than the
colour of ones skin. This is not to say that racism doesnt exist, but an English visitor to America would likely be more
horrified to see an enslaved African Eldren working in the fields than an Ogre or Orc, even if she disapproves (as she
should!) of slavery in general.

Religion also takes a different form. Given that Victoriana makes certain suppositions about the true nature of the
universe, we felt it appropriate to create new religions that echo those of the real world rather than modify the existing
ones. It cannot be stressed enough, for example, that the Aluminat is not Christianity and that the Followers of the Word
is not Islam; they are fantasy religions that simply borrow familiar elements. Ultimately, each religion in Victoriana gets
some universal truths correct; no one religion is right.

Finally, Victoriana treats female adventurers with much more respect than would normally be afforded them in the
Victorian era. Players should be able to fully participate in Victoriana adventures regardless of their adventurers gender.
This is not to say that a female adventurer wont raise eyebrows when she steps outside of traditional expectations, but
this should be handled as role-playing flavour to enhance a scene.

12
 introduction

T he O rganisation of this E dition find the rules for using skills, combat and other dramatic
systems. The fourth book, Sorcery and Steam, details how
The Third Edition of Victoriana is divided into five books. to handle magic use and technological inventions.
The first book, the Encyclopaedia Victoriana, introduces
the setting and is written in character. Here we detail the The final book, Trials and Tribulations, is a guide for
society, religion and technology of our alternative 1856. The the Gamesmaster. It contains valuable advice on running
second book, Ones Full Measure, illustrates how to design Victoriana campaigns, as well as including a supporting
an adventurer to partake in this exciting world. The third cast of generic characters, creatures and monsters for you to
book, Cogs and Wheels, is the meat of the rules. Here youll insert into your adventures.

A G lossary of T erms
Every role-playing game has its own language and Black Dice
Victoriana is no different. Here are a few commonly used Dice that represent the difficulty of a task. Each success
terms in Victoriana. on a black die negates a success on the task roll.

Action Campaign or Shilling Shocker

Anything that an adventurer says or does is considered an A series of adventures linked together with a common
action. theme, overarching plot, or simply the presence of the
same adventurers. In short, if the effects of a previous
Action Roll adventure can influence the next one (however minor),
Also simply roll, this is a number of dice (and black then they are part of a campaign.
dice) rolled to determine the outcome of an action.
Character
Adventure or Penny Dreadful A being controlled by a gamer. Typically, player-
A discrete scenario that has a clear objective. Depending controlled characters are distinguished as adventurers
on the complexity of the adventure and the length of and Gamesmaster-controlled characters are supporting
a game session, an adventure may take one session or characters.
several to complete.
Combat Skill
Adventurer Any skill that involves physical damage to an opponent.
A character that is controlled by a player during a
game. An adventurer is a fictional persona with her own Conflict
abilities, strengths and weaknesses. A player tries to get A challenge that needs to be overcome either tactically
into the mind of her adventurer, making choices based (rolling dice) or dramatically (through role-play).
on that adventurers personality whilst keeping in mind
the goals of the adventure and campaign. Dice Pool
The number of dice rolled for a task, usually equal to
Association Attribute + Skill.
The glue that binds adventurers together. Whether a large
organisation or simply a group of adventurers in similar Dice Pool Modifier
circumstances, an association highlights the types of Some task s are easier than average due to circumstances. A
challenges the adventurers are expected to overcome. dice pool modifier adds dice to a dice pool for such task s.

13
VICTORIANA

Difficulty Party
The ease or hardship involved in performing a task. The term used for adventurers that share an adventure
together.
Foul Failure
If you have any black dice remaining after your successes Player
in a task have been negated, then you suffer a particularly A player controls a single adventurer (or more, if there
bad failure. are very few players) within a game session.

Game Session Role-play

Also simply session, a game session is the amount of Generally, all actions taken by a player for her character
gaming that the Gamesmaster and players partake in, in a is role-play, but sometimes this term is used to denote
single sitting. While some sessions may be a few minutes acting ones way through a scene rather than relying on
or an entire weekend, most game sessions take place in dice rolls.
the span of a few hours.
Round
Game Time A period of game time, loosely 3 seconds. When a combat
The amount of time that passes for the adventurers, situation occurs, the action is organised in rounds.
rather than the players. Sometimes game time moves
faster than real time (for example, hand-waving the hours Run
in which the adventurers sleep or take a locomotive from When a Gamesmaster decides to take the players through
one place to the next) and sometimes game time can run one or more game sessions, then she is considered to be
slower than real time (such as determining what to do running a game.
during a round). There are also times in which game
time can match real time, such as during a social scene. Scene
A part of an adventure that usually takes place in a single
Gamer location and involves at least one conflict.
Anyone participating in a game session; this includes the
Gamesmaster and the players. Social Skill
Any skill that involves influencing an opponent.
Gamesmaster
The person at the gaming session that runs the players Supporting Cast
through an adventure. The Gamesmaster often creates This is any character controlled by the Gamesmaster. It
the adventures herself, but may also use a published may be a shopkeeper, villain, preternatural beast, or even
adventure. an animal.

Hand-waving Task
Glossing over a chunk of game time in which the Also known as a roll; this is an action that requires a dice
adventurers are passively engaged. roll (often Attribute + Skill) to determine success.

14
BOOK I
 VICTORIANA

Book I
T h e E n c y c l o pa e d i a V i c t o r i a n a
and Selected Articles

C ou n tess L yon esse s D iary state of the world. So much of the scholarly debate as to
- 1 January 1856 - the way the Celestial Engine runs is between magicians
and technologists, and I would be remiss not to take such
After toasting the New Year last night and reading Mr discourse into consideration for my memoirs. I have also
Sheffields article on Sir Richard this morning, I feel clipped a few entries on religion, as one cannot speak about
compelled to finally write and publish my memoirs. While my the Celestial Engine without it.
peers keep telling me that Im still in the prime of my life I
celebrate 75 this year I feel that I have already spent a It is fortuitous that I have received a request from a dear
lifetime with my beloved Charlie before he re-joined the aether friend in America to chaperone his daughter for the coming
last February and that my best years are behind me. season in London. It has given me a chance to refresh
myself on our society and customs; I have placed a copy of
That said, my dear friend Naomi (perhaps the greatest my guide in this collection as well who knows where this
magnetist in London) assured me that 1856 would prove to year will find me, and etiquette and fashion seem to change
be one of the most adventurous years of my life. I have no with the seasons.
reason to doubt her or to ignore the hint of sadness I saw in
her eyes as she felt my fate. I pray it was over a trifle, but Finally, Ive included the highlights of my pocket gazetteer
I have known Naomi too long. Perhaps my breeding may to round out this compilation. Im sure it will be a well-
overtake me; perhaps it is something worse. In any event, I thumbed reference before my memoir-writing is over.
should like my testimonial recorded.
With the blessing of the Heavenly Host, I pray that I
To begin, I have collected some of my favourite articles, shall toast the end of 1856 with a copy of my memoirs
letters, and diary entries to refresh myself on the current and my sanity intact.

~ S cience and S orcery ~

In spite of his breeding Sir Richard was a man of modest
means, his family lacking the blessings normally afforded
in an I ndustrial A ge to those of Eldren stock. His father being in the textile trade,
Sir Richard went about improving his lot in life. I lacked that
aetheric connection common amongst my peers and I had
Sir Richard Arkwright, no aptitude for magic whatsoever, Sir Richard explained,
Father of the Industrial Revolution but Ive always enjoyed puzzles and clockworks. Clocks
By Jonathan Sheffield - Daily Chronicle 1 January 1856 in particular; they had a magic all their own that didnt
require an aetheric spark to run. I wondered if I could apply
As the celebrations end in honour of the coming of the that commercially and turn a profit.
New Year, we turn our attention to the year of the Second
Great Exhibition, celebrating twelve decades of industrial Indeed he did. Sir Richard met James Hargreaves in
and scientific progress. No sapient better personifies this 1764 and helped him market his Spinning Jenny, which
exciting new age than Sir Richard Arkwright, who very revolutionised the textile industry in 1764 as well as
kindly assented to an interview with me on his estate at providing him with his first wife, Susanna Hargreaves. It
Willersley Castle. also aroused the ire of local yarn workers in Blackburn upset

16
 book I

by the falling prices for yarn. These Luddite precursors the entire land, making both city and countryside easily
attempted to destroy the machinery but Sir Richard stood accessible and creating towns and villages in places
his ground, at least until his leg was broken. previously considered unsuitable for habitation. Steamships
are freed from currents and winds as they carry goods from
I dont know what I was thinking, Sir Richard recalls. port to port. Indeed, I travelled to this interview aboard a
Perhaps I thought that my heritage would keep them locomotive powered by an Arkwright engine.
at bay, but porcelain skin provides poor armour. My leg
never did heal properly. In any event it was fortuitous; my My final query involved the aerostat, or Arkwrights Folly
injury was enough to rouse the reluctant constabulary to as it is still sometimes known. I half-expected to be shown
get involved and we didnt have any problems after that. the door, but to his credit Sir Richard merely laughed and
offered me another drink. Clearly ones mistakes are more
Sir Richard, as is his wont, was being modest. The profit palatable when ones successes far exceed ones failures.
he made from his looms enabled him to expand his empire
throughout England and allowed him to invest in a number Id conquered the land and sea with steam; why not
of ventures, including Scotsman James Watts steam engine. the air? I fear that the Heavenly Host had had enough
of me taunting them. There was simply no way to build
Mr Watt could be quite stubborn at times, but what does an aerostat of the size necessary for commercial travel
one expect from a Dwarf? Sir Richard chuckles. He simply without magical assistance. In spite of what my critics say,
refused Guild assistance in his designs, feeling that it the aerostat is more science than magic, but unfortunately
cheapened them and mocked his deep Aluminat faith. Of the magical components are simply too expensive to allow
course I understood him completely, but I also understood for affordable ticket prices and until that changes, aerostat
that there was a market for powerful steam engines and one travel will remain a luxury of the rich. There are some
that technology was simply not ready to fulfil. Perhaps the small operations that are making a go of it but mark my
Heavenly Host would forsake me, but I was going to make words: they do so at a loss and make it up through other
money on these machines! ventures.

Celestial approval notwithstanding, no one can argue At Her Majestys behest Sir Richard will offer several
that Sir Richards plan was not successful. The Arkwright lectures at the Second Great Exhibition. The Daily Chronicle
Companys engines reshaped not only industry, but also will of course provide Exhibition schedules as they are
the landscape itself. Railroad tracks would soon crisscross circulated and modified throughout the year.

17
 VICTORIANA

who despoil the land for raw materials. I am no seer but,

The Dying Embers left unchecked, I have little doubt that, a mere fifty years
By Sir Arthur Dee - London Guild Quarterly from now, Europe will become choked by this new art.
Autumn 1815
So where does this leave us, the hermeticists of the Guild?
War has once again burned through our continent, altering My friends and colleagues, I believe these wars have
the course of magic forever. It has left its mark with the shown us that magic has not been dealt a serious blow, but
hermeticists killed on the fields of battle and resonates in a mortal one. Even the operations of the most powerful
every Guildhouse in Europe and beyond. Nothing will ever of us are mere parlour tricks to what was possible in the
be the same. past. Perhaps, in due course, all Guild mages will become
artificers, as the power of magic increasingly relies on the
I remember the last time war exploded in Europe; it not only crutch of technology to produce truly marvellous effects.
reshaped the relationship between magic and religion, but Let us hope that the dying embers of the once-bright aether
also dealt the magical arts a serious blow. The Thirty Years left to us do not burn out completely.
War thinned our ranks and much magical knowledge
was lost to fire, witch hunters, angry crowds, and fellow
sorcerers who just happened to be on the other side of the
battle lines. When the Aluminat Conclave declared that the While Master Dee had a tendency towards the
age of magic was over, it was not hyperbole. melodramatic, I must admit his views are shared to some
Students of history may recall that the Peace of Geneva
degree by many in society. Aristocrats, especially those
established the Consortium of Hermetic Guilds, which of Eldren stock, are envious of the magical conveniences
agreed to be subject to the oversight of the Aluminat
enjoyed by their grandfathers while they watch their
Church. What the history books wont tell you is that, for
our magical brethren, it was an act of survival. Wed lost so lessers enjoy those same conveniences through the
much in the Thirty Years War that we needed to reorganise medium of science. Indeed, it is often considered an
and recapture as much as we could. Our acceptance of the
Church merely kept the hounds of the Inquisition at bay. insult and a sign of low breeding for an aristocrat to
bring mundane gadgetry to a social function.
Wed hoped that, in time, thaumaturgic knowledge and
practice would regain what it had lost. I suppose such
hopes were folly, as the magic of our age never compared
to that of the antediluvian golden age or even the sorcerers
of the Roman Empire. Perhaps the prohibition on magic On the Origin of Sapiency
by the Prophets of Order can be better understood as By Charles Darwin - Natural Science Weekly
foreshadowing: the aether is leaving this world. 13 August 1854

This has already been witnessed in society as a whole. I have been asked on many occasions, both professional
Without powerful magics at their beck and call, the and private, as to my views on the origins of Homo sapiens,
legitimacy of the aristocracy is increasingly questioned. namely whether all subspecies were created at the same
If weve learned anything from the American and French time by the Heavenly Host or whether, as my previous
Revolutions its that, without the threat of magic to works suggest, one subspecies may have evolved from
keep order, the commoners will insist in a larger say in another. Quite understandably there are many who would
government and society. The nouveau riche increasingly bristle at such a question, as the answer may challenge the
looks to science, rather than magic, for assistance. social order and, indeed, ones place in the universe.

Nowhere do I believe this to be more true than on the Perhaps more at issue is my insistence on using the term
battlefields of this war, now just mercifully ended. Magic subspecies rather than race or species when speaking
still played its usual role, but the marvels moving across the about the variances amongst intelligent creatures. At times
fields owed more to science than our ancient skills. These these differences dominate the discussion; what can a
monstrosities of brass and steel are the work of madmen fragile Gnome have in common with the mighty Ogre, or

18
 book I

why do the Huldufolk live for 50 years on average while

the Eldren live four times as long? Why do the Beastfolk so
Aether for the Masses
By Analise LaFayette - London Guild Quarterly
resemble the lesser animals?
Winter 1855
While these are legitimate questions, they overlook the
obvious: the various subspecies are not that different from I write this after spending a leisurely afternoon staring
each other. Each is bipedal with similar muscles, sense- down at the gorgeous view of the French Alps from the deck
organs, hair, bones, and reproductive organs. Each shows of the AS Reine de Montagne, on my voyage back to Paris
similar variances when exposed to particular natural from Geneva. I was joined by several other passengers, all
conditions for generations. Most importantly, albeit with just as riveted by the rocky, snow-covered slopes as I. When
varying outcomes, the subspecies can interbreed. It is this I caught sight of a wyvern and rider below us snaking
latter point that makes the various races of humanity a through the valleys, I was immediately inspired to write
single species. If anything, my observation that collections this article.
of dominant traits result in similar children should call into
question whether the various groups of Homo sapiens are Man has been able to manipulate the aether at least as long
separate subspecies at all or simply members of one species: as he has harnessed fire. For most of history, such aetheric
Sapient. manipulation has been the jealously guarded province of
the few. The earliest hermeticists set themselves up as gods
Conflating this is the disguising of subspecies as distinct, and kings; distrust and suspicion soon relegated them to
when there are really several variations within a single cautious advisors, performing magic in the service of a
subspecies. The Beastfolk are by far the best example: noble in return for protection against the superstitious
a Dogman shares less cosmetic commonalities with a masses, superstitions that were reinforced by the policies of
Boarman or a Ratman than a Dwarf with a Human, but the early Aluminat Church.
civilised folk have always considered Beastfolk to be only
one distinct group. Similarly, while most Eldren have a While there are stories of an antediluvian world where
connection to the aether, they divide into two distinct magical airships sailed across the sky, and rituals that could
classes, one predisposed to Clairvoyance and one to transport a Roman legion from one end of the empire to the
Spiritualism, to say nothing of the Eldren that lack any other, such capabilities are far beyond the modern magician.
connection at all. Clearly, the Eldren are the result of two While there certainly have been animated carriages and
separate subspecies that have so mingled over time that flying carpets, the quintessence required to power these
they consider themselves as a single group. devices has kept magicians from mass-producing them,
or from animating larger devices that could carry more
As of yet, I draw no conclusions but simply note than a handful of people. Leonardo da Vinci made several
my observations. While I realise there is a common promising plans, but most were deemed impracticable
perception that the Eldren, and perhaps the closely beyond amusing diversions.
related Steppegoblin, were amongst the first created by
the Heavenly Host (given their connection to the aether), Similarly, just as the horse has remained the dominant
I offer that there have been numerous members of other form of land travel, the wyvern is still the primary mode
subspecies that manifest the same connection that is, at of transport through the skies. Thus, while magic has been
times, stronger. One could construct a counter-argument available since time immemorial, most people have had
that it was the Beastfolk that came first, evolving from the to do without or rely on the limited expertise of a local
lower animals in some cataclysmic burst of intelligence. enchanter.
Or, as revolutionary Maxim Bolshev is keen to suggest, all
subspecies are Beastfolk; those without an animal analogue While science is often seen as the opposite of magic, it is
are simply orphaned by their now-extinct animal forebears. perhaps ironic that it is science that is bringing magic to
the masses. While it takes a lot of quintessence to animate
I hope to draw better conclusions for my upcoming treatise, a puppet or a flying carpet, it takes considerably less to
tentatively titled The Descent or Origin of Sapiency. boil water or wind a spring. Thus, improved technology
For now, I am content to share future observations and is enabling less magic to do more, which in turn makes
modifications with you in this publication as I discover aetherically-powered devices more accessible and available
them. to the common man.

19
 VICTORIANA

For its part, magic enhances technology as well. This ships can still outpace steamships; the Sovereign of the Seas
aerostat, for example, is primarily driven by a steam engine set the current record for transatlantic travel last year at
and held aloft with helium, but is still too heavy for lift thirteen days and thirteen and a half hours.
and propulsion. Magic provides the answer, with carefully
placed sigils forming an aetheric web around the hull to As technology marches on, increasing numbers of
lessen its weight. As the aerostat carrying me flew closer to steam-powered vessels are available and many top-of-
Paris, I could see the web of railroad tracks criss-crossing the-line luxury liners and paddleboats use enchanted
the fields and the factories pumping smoke up into the paddle-wheels or screw propellers. Most military ships
sky. How many of those locomotives or machines were use such technologies, which increase their speed and
using aetheric engines, or at least incorporated a sigil or manoeuvrability, but keep their masts and sails for back-up
enchantment into their designs? power.

Yes, industry moves forward and has completely Dwarf engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel is credited with
transformed our society with steam and steel. What is completing the first vessel, the SS Great Britain, with both
equally certain, however, is that industry has also increased a metal hull and a screw propeller in 1843, crossing the
the use of magic by leaps and bounds, if a bit more subtly Atlantic Ocean in two weeks. His design was also noted
than the flashy sorcerer of old. In short, science has indeed for incorporating magic only in the luxuries rather than
brought magic to the masses. the ships operation. Against the wisdom of the Guild and
his peers in engineering, Brunel has also just launched the
largest ocean-going steam vessel ever built, the SS Great
Conquering the Oceans Eastern.
By Hiram Findley - London Guild Quarterly
Autumn 1855 Although plagued by delays, the long anticipated
opening of the Suez Canal later this year hopes to
Until aerostats can be made more affordable, the only revolutionise Oriental trade by allowing cargo ships to
effective method of intercontinental freight transport is bypass the African continent, reducing a trip that could
by sea. Most ships are still sail craft, and clipper ships still take two to six months to around three weeks. Travellers
transport tea and opium to and from the Orient. Tea needs to and from India should find their voyage reduced
to be speedily delivered to England from China so that it by about a week, as there will no longer be a need to
is at its most fragrant; skippers could lose as much as 10 disembark in Egypt and take rail or aerostat to the Red
shillings per crate if the tea was bad. As a result, there are Sea. Similar passages are being considered in Central
races between the clippers from Hong Kong to London, America, possibly through Nicaragua or the isthmus in
and bets are placed upon the outcome. The fastest clipper northwestern Columbia.

BRU N EL TO BUILD CHAN N EL TU N N EL

The Times - 11 September 1845
Impressed with the continued convenience of the Thames Tunnel, Parliament, in cooperation with France, has
contracted the Brunel Corporation to build an underwater tunnel across the English Channel from Dover to Calais. This
is to be a much grander project than the Thames Tunnel; in addition to its increased length, the current proposal calls
for the tunnel to accommodate two lines of railway track s.

Such a tunnel would make it possible for one to board a locomotive in London, or even Edinburgh, and travel to Paris,
Madrid, Berlin, Venice and even Constantinople, without ever having to leave it. In addition to the obvious benefit
to British subjects, this project is also spurring Continental nations to invest in the laying of more track s. If all goes
according to plan, the Channel Tunnel should be completed during the warmer months of 1856.

20
 book I

military aerostats saw action during the Napoleonic Wars,

albeit in a limited capacity. By the late 1840s, air travel had
Captain Wheeler,
been established to most capital cities.
It has recently come to our attention that a slave ship
Aerostat travel is slow, luxurious and most certainly a
of Brazilian design, the Baleia Branca, is utilising a
privilege of the rich. Aerostats are limited in number, with
demonically-powered engine. Furthermore, we believe
the majority in commercial service. The graceful craft are
that it has consumed all hands aboard, both crewman
used as opulent pleasure liners, constantly touring a circuit
and slave, and is currently scouring the Atlantic for
of European cities. These aerostats can cover 200 miles in a
more victims. Two Spanish vessels and a Dutch vessel
24-hour period, and make frequent stops at the major and
that left the Canary Islands have been reported missing;
fashionable metropolises, typically running a two days
its possible they are the Baleia Brancas latest victims.
airborne, two days in dock cycle.
Please use caution when approaching this vessel, as
your wyverns are subject to demonic manipulation. If
the demon inhabiting that vessel is consuming victims,
then it is gathering quintessence for a powerful ritual,
possibly to complete its earthly manifestation.

I have full faith in the Harrier Squadron. Good luck!

Lord Mace

The End of the Wyvern Age?

By Ronaldo Esteban Gomez Blanco - London Guild Quarterly
Winter 1856

Since the dawn of man the skies have been the province
of the living, from birds to dragons to sorcerers. Mundane
mankind first took to the skies on the backs of some of
these creatures and, even today, most civilised nations
boast a few squadrons of griffin, roc and wyvern riders.
Occasionally an enchanted chariot or flying carpet would
launch skyward as well, but these were the luxuries of the
wealthy few.

While there were certainly flying machines before the

Flood, none seem to have survived, save for the occasional
debatable reference in ancient history. Certainly until Aerostats are generally too expensive and have severe cargo
modern times the only flying machine used with any limitations for commercial haulage, but they are fast for
regularity was the glider, which relied on a magician for customers willing to pay a premium for small shipments,
initial thrust and elevation. especially from hard to reach areas. They are also obviously
less subject to piracy.
The first true aerostats were built in France under the
guidance of the Parisian Guild during the 1780s. These Several nations are experimenting with military aerostats,
early, partially aetherically powered, aerostats helped although no nation currently fields more than a half-dozen
many aristocrats escape the guillotine a few years later at once. These armoured dreadnoughts, or iron dragons,
during the French Revolution. Within short order, most are expensive to operate as they require magical assistance
major nations were improving on the design, and the first to lift themselves into the sky. In spite of their obvious

21
 VICTORIANA

aerial advantage, aerostats rarely affect a battlefield other being choked with black smoke, and city streets made
than as a troop transport. This is starting to change with the practically impassable by suffocating yellow vapours. Even
introduction of explosive weaponry. the application of magic does little to ameliorate it, as there
are far more factories and machines than magicians, and
In addition, several nations are also experimenting with the too few willing to pay the premium for aetheric support.
ornithopter, which is more of a wyvern replacement than This will only get worse with time and I fear for a future
the oversized aerostat. An ornithopter works by mimicking where our children will know only grey, sunless skies and
wyvern flight with flapping wings, although they still need barren lands, stripped of their vegetation in order to mine
aetheric steam engines for lift. They are very difficult to coal and iron.
produce and fly, but, like their flesh-and-blood counterparts,
they are extremely graceful and manoeuvrable in flight. Thus far no engine has done more to destroy the past
The first ornithopter was displayed at the Great Exhibition than the locomotive, which is greatly expanding the size
in 1851. The ornithopters reputation is currently being of cities and creating new villages and towns. These iron
tarnished by its poor performance in the Crimean War, horses can only go where the tracks lead them, covering
where Russian wyvern riders easily shredded a British more and more land with wooden planks and iron rails.
ornithopter squadron. Masses of people huddle together in crowded cars, which
can be quite uncomfortable and unsanitary at times.
Once aboard, one is at the mercy of the machine and can
A Luddites Perspective on the Iron Horse disembark only when and where the locomotive engineer
By Aiden Finnegan - London Guild Quarterly deems it worthwhile.
Summer 1853
The railroad is sucking the life out of local villages, as their
With apologies to my English Guild brothers, I deem able-bodied workers hop the trains to the cities to seek
myself a Luddite only in the romantic sense, a desire for employment as dockworkers, factory labourers, or navvies.
the pastoral over the increased mechanisation of the ever- Farms lie fallow or, worse, are now tended to by machines,
growing urban society. I weep at the pristine countryside and those who remain in a village become appendages to
being divided by tracks of wood and steel, cloudless skies the railroad, offering services to travellers stopping on their

J ou rna l of C apta in M arion L eeds have tasked me with finding the vessel which I believed to be
an aerostat of some sort although, given its age, it is probably
- 8 September 1855 - more magical than industrial in construction. Ive even dubbed
the vessel the Laputa (for obvious reasons), although my crew
Success! persists in using the local sobriquet.
Its been two weeks since our post-monsoon launch in search Today, however, we managed to rescue a life boat from the
of the Flying Dutchman, and thus far weve had as much Saint Patrick, an East Indiaman from Belfast. According
luck as we did last spring namely nothing. I was beginning to the survivors, theyd fallen asleep and awoke aboard their
to wonder if we truly were chasing a ghost. Not that we life boat, a trick commonly attributed to the Laputa. Luckily,
havent encountered acts of piracy, but since we started our I have a clairvoyant on board who was able to determine
patrols through the East Indies in March weve seen nothing that the ship had been attacked from above by an invisible
to indicate anything out of the ordinary. The VOC has been aerial vessel.
rather tight-lipped about the possibility of one of its own going
We are currently heading to the Saint Patricks last known
rogue, but thats hardly surprising given my former association
with the East India Company. location with all great haste in the hope of discovering more
clues as to the nature and whereabouts of the Laputa.
For over half a century, this mysterious vessel has been Hopefully this small breakthrough will be enough to convince
marauding against European vessels and Indian allies, our sponsors for a bit more support in this endeavour, as the
although its avoided attacking any Dutch ships. My sponsors Ghost Hunter is in desperate need of new supplies.

22
 book I

way elsewhere. In more urban locales, the construction of traditional means of transport. The horse and carriage is
a railroad station destroys respectable neighbourhoods, as still the primary mode of travel, as railroads do not wind
the working class moves in to be closer to it. through every city street, nor do they connect every village.
In spite of Britain being perhaps the most densely networked
Another problem of the railroad is redundancy. The railroad nation in Europe, there are still many rural areas that have
business is a private affair, and multiple companies lay yet to be choked with rails. This is even more the case in
rails going to and from the same locations, smothering the Europe, where railroads only connect the major cities.
countryside with parallel tracks and forcing some towns to
have multiple stations. With all of the locomotives passing
through and stopping at local villages, the smoke associated New Prime Movers
with the city is now plaguing the village as well. America By Regina Pembrooke - London Guild Quarterly
seems particularly fascinated with covering its vast territory Summer 1855
with rails, although this is hardly a purely American
indulgence. Governor-General of India Lord Dalhousie is With this century little more than half over, the degree of
now spreading this iron and steam poison throughout the scientific progress weve seen over the last few decades
subcontinent, with Australia and Canada following suit. is astounding. Previously, the main forces of machinery
were muscle, water, wind, clockwork and aether, with the
latter two working in tandem to create complex, and often
prohibitively expensive, machines. The secrets of their

MOB KILLS Two Police Officers creation were jealously guarded and often died with their
creators.
Several dozen labourers, navvies, and other working class folk, or
the proletariat as they fashion themselves, milled onto Rotten Row Today there are several new prime movers, or engines,
and harassed riders, many of them young women, hurling insults and that operate ever-increasingly complex machinery. This
threatening unsavoury activities. When local policemen attempted to piece will not discuss the various new types of magical
intervene, one of the mob members hurled a stick of blasting powder engines (that is a subject for another article), but rather the
at them, killing two police officers and wounding three more. The new mundane technologies that are gaining prominence
mob only dispersed when a couple of Her Majestys London Aerial amongst technologists.
Lancers swooped down on their wyverns.
The most ubiquitous new prime mover in todays society is
Scotland Yard has linked this mob to the Bolshevists, a growing steam. The idea of using boiling water to drive engines is not
movement of anarchists and communists who follow Russian new, as many a Guild hermeticist can attest, although early
expatriate Maxim Bolshev, who teaches that violence is the only engines simply (!) bound elementals inside them to generate
way to replace a current government with one more suited to their power. Today, steam has become the symbol of Empire.
persuasion. Similar mobs have been springing up all over Europe and Railroad tracks criss-cross and stretch across continents like
Scotland Yard warns that, considering the heavy toll of the Crimean ever-growing webs, carrying cargo and passengers from
War and the Conscription Bill, there will certainly be more Bolshevist one end of a nation to the other. Steamships have freed sea-
demonstrations. going vessels from relying on winds and currents, while
steam-powered aerostats now allow ordinary citizens to
take to the skies, albeit at considerable cost.

Not content with marring the countryside, Britain seems Another new prime mover is electricity. It is still a matter
keen on destroying its capital city as well. London is now of debate whether electricity is a natural or magical force.
home to the nascent Underground, a folly that Sir Charles American inventor John Wellington Starr discovered this
Pearson managed to push through Parliament, with Guild the hard way when he tried to sell his incandescent light
assistance, in 1846. The Guild thought theyd be fielding bulb and found himself in court, as the Cincinnati Guild
aetheric engines through the new tunnels, but of course charged him with practicing magic without a licence.
a cheaper solution was resolved upon and implemented Fortunately, his defence noted that Samuel Morse did not
utilising steam boilers. To think that Sir Charles received need a licence for the telegraph, which utilised exactly
a knighthood for this horror astonishes me to this day. the same force. Only now, however, are the first electric
Thankfully, all is not lost for those of us who prefer streetlights starting to appear.

23
 VICTORIANA

The final new prime mover is internal combustion. In the City, or three hours in greater London. Indeed, it is quite
1760s, French Eldren monk Andre Fleur wrote a treatise, possible to send a correspondence and receive a reply within
Les Principes de la Combustion, which posited a scientific a single day!
engine that could replace a bound fire elemental, as he
believed the binding of elementals to be unethical. While
primarily rooted in theory as opposed to experimentation,
Les Principes is a seminal work amongst technologists. What a difference a decade makes! Since this article has
been published there are now plans to run a transatlantic
Currently, internal combustion is primarily used in weapons
technology (for example, propelling rockets), but a number
cable utilising the recently launched Great Eastern. Also,
of technologists are working on internal combustion engine the Royal Mail has incredibly improved its service, so that
prototypes to replace steam engines. Londoners can receive mail every hour! Pillar boxes are also
being set up around the city so that, rather than dropping
Means of Communication off a letter at the local post office, one merely needs to drop
By Nathaniel Portence - London Guild Quarterly
Winter 1845
it off in a protected pillar box, where a postman periodically
retrieves it and takes it to the post office himself!
In the past, correspondence was an individual process:
one either delivered a message personally, sent a servant,
or hired a courier. Couriers either delivered messages
personally or used animals; many a cunning woman made
a good living using familiars, and hermeticists could also The Secret Society of the Telegraph
effectively network with each other using the proper spells By Nathaniel Portence - London Guild Quarterly
and rituals, although this is looked down upon as work by Spring 1855
genteel Guildsmen. Today, most correspondence is sent via
telegraph or by post. No matter which nation they call home, Guild hermeticists
have a unique culture of their own that unites them and
A telegram is sent by wire to the receiving telegraph office can seem curious, or even mystifying, to outsiders. We
a process that usually takes mere minutes. It is then either greet each other in Latin, we speak about esoteric topics
hand-delivered by the telegraph companys employees as casually as a carpenter may speak about building a
or left for the receiver to pick up, depending upon the house or a barrister about the finer points of law, and we
specification of the sender. Telegraph offices can be found even have distinct manners of dress and etiquette. We like
in any town, with several in major cities; occasionally there to pretend that weve conjured all this up to confuse our
will be an office for rural districts as well. peers, but in truth it is simply the result of an old society
passing down old traditions and incorporating new ones to
Today, telegraph wires connect most urban areas of fit within those boundaries. I daresay that if I invited a non-
England, and telegrams may be sent to any mainland hermeticist into a Guild gathering hed be quite perplexed
city. Major cities, such as London, have many telegraph as to what we were discussing, even though he and I share
offices in the various districts. Telegraph cables have also the same language and culture.
been laid across the English Channel to enable telegram
communication with the other European nations. London As the bias in my written articles show, I have a particular
is also connected to Ottawa, Calcutta and Sydney via Guild interest in the new technologies and techniques of
artefacts which transmit telegraph signals to each other. communication; I simply find them fascinating. Imagine
This is very expensive, however, so most intercontinental my surprise when, upon observing the simple act of
communication is still via courier or post. transmitting and receiving messages, I discovered that the
telegraph operator has a culture just as unique as our own!
The Royal Mail is perhaps the more amazing invention
and it doesnt require any engines or magic. Via a pre-paid Telegraph signals weaken as they travel through the lines,
stamp, a person can write a letter, send it to the post office, necessitating that they be copied and re-sent at telegraph
and have it delivered within an hour and a half within the stations between the initial transmission and the desired

24
 book I

end point. This makes an individual telegraph operator

privy to a great deal of information. I was quite taken aback
in some of my interviews with just how much a telegraph
operator knew not only of the locals, but of people and
events many miles away.

Telegraph operators often communicate with each

other as a way to pass the time when they arent
relaying messages. They have their own shorthand
that is easily understood by fellow operators but
quite incomprehensible to others. Seasoned telegraph
operators can even identify each other by the way they
tap their messages. As it is possible for someone to
transmit messages by using a telegraph key to tap into
a line, a seasoned telegraph operator will know that
the message did not originate from the operator at the
previous station. I tested this ability myself by magically
sending a message through a telegraph line, only to have
the operator at the next station inquire about the health
of the operator of the station in which I was standing. Its
all quite remarkable, really.

An Analytical Engine: Bringing Order to Entropy

By Ada Lovelace - London Guild Quarterly
Winter 1856

Sir Charles Babbage is due to release his latest invention,

an analytical engine, at the Second Great Exhibition this Primarily funded by the London Guild, the analytical
year. While ostensibly showcasing international industrial engine should be able to ascertain whether weve been
progress, the focus is clearly on British achievements in classifying the properties of magic incorrectly. When Sir
light of the setbacks in the Crimean War. If anything can lift Charles unveiled his difference engine at the first Great
the spirits of the British people, it is Babbages new engine. Exhibition, an achievement for which he received his

SECOND GREAT EX HIBITION PROMISES N EW MARVELS

The Times - 25 November 1855
Since Her Majesty used the occasion of the Crown Princes birthday to announce a new Great Exhibition at the Crystal
Palace at Penge, several artificers, engineers, industrialists and inventors have announced grand new inventions with which
to delight the patrons and frighten the Tsarina. Chief amongst these is Sir Charles Babbages new analytical engine, which is
an improvement upon the difference engine he unveiled at the first Great Exhibition, and noted artificer Leonard Quigleys
new human ironclad, a modern suit of armour that can withstand bullets and small cannonballs.

Of most interest is yesterdays announcement that American inventor Dr Richard Jordan Gatling is going to display his new
Gatling gun which, unlike the Mitrailleuse which fires volleys of bullets, fires single bullets in rapid succession. It is claimed
that one Gatling gun could destroy entire squadrons in the span of a few seconds!

25
 VICTORIANA

knighthood, Lord Mace wondered aloud if the chaotic retrieved. Punched cards can be shared between engines,
nature of magic was simply due to the magicians inability allowing each to perform the same calculations without the
to manipulate precise amounts of aether. Surely, he mused, need to start from scratch every time. In short, Sir Charles
a more powerful engine could resolve the issue? analytical engine could reshape the world.

Those who know Sir Charles would certainly have

anticipated his taking up the challenge. The Gnome engineer War Veterans Get New Limbs
worked tirelessly over the next five years and, when the By Thomas Fordham - London Guild Quarterly
Queen announced a new exhibition last year, proudly and Spring 1854
daringly declared that his new analytical engine would be
ready for display. In my personal correspondence I see no One of the benefits of modern industry is that it makes
reason to doubt him. magic available to the wider public. It wasnt too long ago
that, if one were to lose a limb, a magical replacement would
Perhaps more so than the steam engine, which to be fair cost a small fortune and therefore was only available to the
will drive this new machine, the analytical engine has the wealthiest Englishmen. Most victims of limb loss have had
power to change the world. Complex calculations can be to make do with rather inferior prosthetics.
completed in minutes; information can be stored and easily

Observations on the Filth of the Tha mes

A letter to the Editor of The Times - 7 July 1855
Sir,
I traversed this day by steam-boat the space between London and Hangerford Bridges between half-past one and
two o'clock; it was low water, and I think the tide must have been near the turn. The appearance and the smell of the
water forced themselves at once on my attention. The whole of the river was an opaque pale brown fluid. In order to
test the degree of opacity, I tore up some white cards into pieces, moistened them so as to make them sink easily below
the surface, and then dropped some of these pieces into the water at every pier the boat came to; before they had sunk
an inch below the surface they were indistinguishable, though the sun shone brightly at the time; and when the pieces
fell edgeways the lower part was hidden from sight before the upper part was under water. This happened at St. Paul's
Wharf, Blackfriars Bridge, Temple Wharf, Southwark Bridge, and Hungerford; and I have no doubt would have occurred
further up and down the river. Near the bridges the feculence rolled up in clouds so dense that they were visible at the
surface, even in water of this kind.
The smell was very bad, and common to the whole of the water; it was the same as that which now comes up from the
gully-holes in the streets; the whole river was for the time a real sewer. Having just returned from out of the country air, I
was, perhaps, more affected by it than others; but I do not think I could have gone on to Lambeth or Chelsea, and I was glad
to enter the streets for an atmosphere which, except near the sink-holes, I found much sweeter than that on the river.
I have thought it a duty to record these facts, that they may be brought to the attention of those who exercise power
or have responsibility in relation to the condition of our river; theres nothing figurative in the words I have employed,
or any approach to exaggeration; they are the simple truth. If there be sufficient authority to remove a putrescent pond
from the neighbourhood of a few simple dwellings, surely the river which flows for so many miles through London ought
not to be allowed to become a fermenting sewer. The condition in which I saw the Thames may perhaps be considered as
exceptional, but it ought to be an impossible state, instead of which I fear it is rapidly becoming the general condition. If
we neglect this subject, we cannot expect to do so with impunity; nor ought we to be surprised if, ere many years are over, a
hot season give us sad proof of the folly of our carelessness.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

M. FARADAY.
Royal Institution, 7th of July

26
 book I

For soldiers who have lost limbs in the current war in the woefully primitive compared to the medical wonders
Crimea, aid has come from the East India Company. Using available through hermeticism. Field surgeons can attest to
techniques that its own Guild artificers have used in India, the difficulty in carrying out necessary procedures without
the East India Company has built a factory in Islington that a proper anaesthetic many patients suffer their surgery
is churning out interchangeable parts for clockwork limbs, with nothing more than a bottle of whisky and a leather
as well as offering a training program for surgeons and strap to bite on. Some of the anaesthetics that are available
nurses on how to properly amputate a destroyed limb and are often addictive and can lead to problems in their own
affix the new design. right.

Unfortunately these limbs are not free, but John Company

offers a generous discount to veterans, and Parliament is Florence would have mentioned the effectiveness of
considering a grant for the neediest cases. In any event,
wounded soldiers now have a viable, affordable option for conjuration in addition to hermeticism, but the Guild would
limb replacement thanks to the East India Company. have edited it out of her article.

The Poor State of Medicine In spite of their addictive dangers, anaesthetics are now
By Florence Nightingale - London Guild Quarterly accepted as the best way to perform surgery without
Autumn 1854 magical aid. This is mostly due to the use of chloroform on
Queen Victoria in the delivery of her son Leopold last year
Healthcare without thaumaturgical aid is very poor; in (while hermeticism was certainly available, Her Majesty
fact, the progress of healthcare has been hampered by the did not wish to be beholden to the fickleness of aether).
presence of sorcery. Those with the money obtain magical With the patient unconscious, the surgeon can rely on
cures; the poor make do with medical science, which is technique rather than speed, and medical students can be

STOLEN BODIES DISCOVERED AT CA MBRIDGE

The Times - 3 September 1855
Thank s to the due diligence of Dr Gordon Helmsworth, looking to learn anatomy as well as speedy butchery, there
several bodies recently acquired by St Sauls College of are never enough cadavers for practice. The medical
Cambridge University for the purpose of anatomical and profession, in desperation, chooses to ask few questions of
hermetical research were discovered to have been stolen. the resurrection men who provide the bodies. They make
Upon examining the new bodies in preparation for the the assumption that the corpses are the legally acquired
autumn term, Dr Helmsworth immediately recognised the remains of criminals and those who die in the poorhouse.
scents of particular Oriental perfumes on the remarkably Many people who go missing are found on the dissection
well-preserved bodies. He offered his findings to noted table the next day, and bodies have been looted from
Maleficium scholar Lord Riven, who immediately suggested cemeteries in vast numbers.
he contact Scotland Yard. As it happened, the bodies were
victims of an Egyptian cult recently rooted out by Scotland The trade has so shocked the populace that high railings
Yards Aetheric Branch. The unclaimed bodies were shipped and guards are employed around most cemeteries. An act
to New Potters Field southeast of London and were of Parliament in 1852 called for huge new cemeteries to be
scheduled to have been cremated. Two workers at the field, built far outside the city of London to make it harder for
Thomas Morris and John Finnegan, have been arrested on the urban body snatchers. A dedicated platform at Waterloo,
suspicion of bodysnatching. known as Necropolis Station, serves trains taking their
eternally slumbering cargo out to Brookwood Cemetery
Bodysnatching, long the province of necromancers, has and New Potters Field. Unfortunately, as the crimes in this
recently seen an upturn due to the increasing need for article display, the further fields have not deterred the
bodies in medical research. With more medical students resurrection men.

27
 VICTORIANA

picked for their intellect rather than the ability to hold a amounts of quintessence and a significant time investment.
patient down. In addition to chloroform, other methods of Thus, as more products are automated, the more dirty and
anaesthesia include diethyl ether (not to be confused with mundane they become, hence the prevalence of smokestacks
aether, of course) and nitrous oxide. belching coal smoke over most cities.

Civic health and sanitation are also poor. While it is The second largest downside is the cheapening of labour.
commonly believed that disease is spread by poor air Automated factories require less hands to run them, putting
circulation in narrow streets and courtyards, scientific many workers out in the street and causing the various
medical doctors are only just deducing the link between Luddite movements in the earlier part of this century.
filthy water or open sewers and the spread of disease in Furthermore, the need for expert craftsmen has diminished,
cities. Several epidemics of cholera have blighted London as a factory no longer needs them to produce products once
in recent years and almost wiped out whole communities. the proper templates have been put in place. In some of the
most modern factories, a single minimally skilled worker,
I confess that we should be more advanced in our medical now often a woman or a child (who will accept lower
techniques, but I fear there is little pressure for medical wages), can run several machines at once!
science to move on, as those with money can afford to visit
the Guild. Perhaps that will change in the future, but it
shall only do so slowly if scientific advancement is left to
the occasional dabbler rather than pushed forward through
concerted effort.

The Growing Storm of Industry

By Richard Morton - London Guild Quarterly
Spring 1855
~ R eligion ~
It is no secret that technological innovation, with or without Many Archons, Two Forces
aetheric aid, is rapidly transforming the world and giving By Elaine Hahn - Calcutta Guild Quarterly
the masses access to wonders previously only available Autumn 1855
to aristocrats through magic. One of the key drivers of
this growing storm is mass production, which allows One of the most fascinating elements of Indian culture
technological marvels to be produced at a greater pace. is their archons. I have never seen a more colourful or
beautifully portrayed pantheon of the Divine in any of
The dawn of this century saw the first automated factories, my travels. Each statue, each painting, each tapestry is an
built in Great Britain by Marc Isambard Brunel and in explosion of mystery and wonder. Agni, Devi, Ganesh, Kali,
America by Eli Whitney. In addition to replacement parts, Krishna, Vishnu: all have exciting stories. Every time I visit
these factories could quickly produce multiple versions a Vedic temple or meet a meditating yogi I learn something
of a completed product. This was critical to the allies new about this fascinating religion.
success in the Napoleonic Wars, when mass-produced
weapons and ammunition could quickly replace those It was on one such occasion, when I met Yogini Rituparna
damaged and lost in the field. Indeed, they made the Mitra, that I was enlightened as to the true nature of the
wyvern drops of crates of rifles and ammunition feasible, universe. I mentioned that, in my homeland, we have
allowing an entire village or town to be armed in advance hundreds of archons. Many are tied to the Aluminat, but
of a marching army. just as many obviously support the cunning folk and their
ilk. We also have scores of dark archons, tempting us to do
There are, of course, downsides to automated production. ill. Now that Ive travelled to India, I learn that there are
The first, and most obvious, is the lack of aetheric support. hundreds more archons that Ive never known. How can all
While a factory may be capable of producing, say, steam of these archons exist? Is Heaven that cluttered?
velocipedes at an exponential rate, there is no magical
equivalent of mass production. A conjurer is incapable of Her answer surprised me. Think of each archon as a droplet
enchanting a similar number of velocipedes without large of water on a pane of glass with a crack down the centre.

28
 book I

Now step back. You cannot count the droplets, but you do Aluminat
see a cluster on one side or the other of the crack. This is Aluminat is the main religion of Europe, although treating
our universe; two opposing forces, one of Entropy, one of it as a whole is a bit of a misnomer, as it is actually an
Order, waging battle with each other. Sometimes the pane umbrella of closely related faiths, and is itself one of several
tilts, making some of the droplets cross over. Sometimes the Levantine religions. Aluminat is derived from the Latin
droplets merge or split. Sometimes a droplet disappears; illuminatus, or enlightened. It is an inspired religion, as
sometimes a new droplet falls on the pane. Old archons, the Aluminat teaches that eight archons descended from
new archons in the grand scheme, the eternal struggle, Heaven and chose eight servants to carry their message.
the individual does not matter. It is only the two forces. We Most of these servants were Yehudis, although Xanthus
call their soldiers asuras and devas. You call them angels was Greek and Tamit Egyptian.
and demons.

I asked her what would happen if one side won. What if

Entropy or Order could finally win the day? She answered
me with a shrug. What happens if you put too much weight
on a cracked pane? It shatters.

Since that day my understanding of the Heavenly Host and

the Pale Legion has profoundly changed. The Archons are
less distinct beings and more Celestial sparks that emanate
from two great powers or philosophies, Entropy and Order.
These sparks grow, change, combine, split, and wane over
time. Its even possible for a new spark to rekindle an old
one. Viewed in this light, one can see how the Greek and
Roman archons are mostly the same, or how the Egyptian
Amon-Re was once two archons. Krishna may have been a
mortal prince that ascended to archonhood and, eventually,
subsumed into Vishnu. All that really matters is that there
are Liberators of Entropy and Templars of Order constantly
working against each other; a giant Celestial Engine that
keeps our world alive while simultaneously threatening to
destroy it.

Where I differ from the yogini is the equation of angels and

demons with Order and Entropy. Good and Evil are not
so neatly defined and one can find Templars amongst the
Pale Legion as easily as one might find Liberators within
the Heavenly Host. It is Harmony, the Balance, that must be
achieved, and evil can do it as well as good. We are all part
of this Celestial Engine; like cogs in a machine, Entropy and The Aluminat religion teaches that the only way to achieve
Order influence us and we choose whether to acknowledge Divine Order and a place amongst the Heavenly Host is
one or both. Magic seems to tilt towards Entropy, while through adherence to the Aluminat Codex, a collection of
science sits comfortably with Order. books that include the Yehudi Books of Order and nine

I place this article first because it posits a logical theory behind some of the apparent contradictions amongst old gods and even
angels. Virtually all religions posit a war between two great forces, often construed as good versus evil but, as Dr Hahn notes, is
more properly between Entropy and Order. Even Aluminat theologians are adopting this theory, positing that as archons accept
their true inclination towards Order, they become set in their present form. What that ultimately means I shudder to think.

29
 VICTORIANA

additional texts, each written by one of the Eight Voices and killed, while superior Roman garrisons were constantly
the ninth by an unknown author after the destruction of thwarted by lesser armed farmers and shepherds. Some
Jerusalem in Year 70. Most of the Aluminats teachings rely fleeing soldiers claimed that the rebels had archons on their
on these added books, which reinterpret much of the older side that were stronger than anything the Roman sorcerers
doctrines contained in the Yehudi Codex. could summon. Still, the Roman army was not without its
victories, the most famous of which was Justas and Tamits
The Eight Voices were Jonathan, Justas, Kedron, Matthias, capture and execution. Justas claimed that in eight days
Simon Paul, Tamit, Tecla, and Xanthos. They were all they themselves would become archons. On the eighth day,
inspired on the same day, which the Aluminat marks the two appeared to the other six Voices and continued to
between December 24-December 31 as the Aluminati; this oppose the Romans.
took place in what western civilisation now records as Year
1. Each carried a message to reform the Yehudi religion Similar stories of deaths and resurrections abound for the
and spread it through the rest of the Empire, which had other Voices. It is said that when the Romans finally crushed
become poisoned through sorcery, and more specifically the rebellion around 70CE, the Eight Voices, who were all
Maleficium. They became Pale Riders, travelling from dead by this time, returned to their followers as glorious
place to place, spreading the revised faith while casting out archons and urged them to spread their words throughout
demonologists and necromancers. the Empire. Their followers complied in spite of continued
Roman persecution and by the fourth century Aluminat
The Eight Voices grew very popular in the Levant, but became the official religion of the Empire.
the Roman government grew concerned when they began
implicating Roman governors and officials in the region. The first Aluminat Roman Emperor, Constantine the
The Emperor issued a decree that a Roman could only be Great, recognised that there were several versions of
accused of dark sorcery by another Roman. Unfortunately, the Aluminat Codex floating around the empire and
the Emperor hadnt realised that Simon Paul had Roman established the Council of Nicaea to reconcile them. In
citizenship and the Eight Voices continued their mission. addition to creating the definitive versions of the Eight
Worse, the Emperors act made him implicit; many residents Books, the Council also collected the accounts of various
of the Levant began agitating for independence, a move the followers spreading the faith after the Voices elevation
Eight Voices supported. to archonhood. This Ninth Book also contained the
Aluminats blueprint for an orderly world free of magic.
A Levantine rebellion soon broke out that took half a century Together these books, appended to the end of the Yehudi
to end. Many Roman governors were deposed, some even Codex, became the Aluminat Codex.

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. The family unit is the

The Second Book of Order basis of all stability; Entropy will destroy it.
8. Thou shalt not steal. If everyone were to take what they
Chapter 25:
wanted, there would be anarchy. You must earn what you
The Twelve Commandme nts own.
9. Thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
1. There is only Order or Darkness.Follow the path of Lies create Entropy, and are the tool of the Pale. Lies
Order or be consumed by Darkness. between friends and neighbours create anarchy.
2. Faith is a serious path, and shall not be trod upon lightly 10. Take not more than you need. Order shall sustain the
or with disrespect. Treat faith seriously and do not take faithful. Covet nothing, as faith is all you truly need to
the name of Order in vain. Blasphemy is a crime. live a virtuous life. Do not hoard your wealth; taking
3. All Gods are false Gods.You shall worship no idol. Fol- more than you need deprives others and provokes want
low only the path of Order. and Entropy.
4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. There is 11. Thou shalt not change the natural order ofthings as
one holy day in the week; you rest on it that you may formed in their divine Order. The use of sorcery is for-
contemplate your faith. bidden; thou shalt notseek forbidden knowledge.
5. Honour thy father and mother. Learn from their wisdom; 12. Know thy place: mortal to Earth, angel to Heaven. The
they have followed the path longer than have you. place of mortals is the Earth, the place of angels is the
6. Thou shalt not murder. Sometimes you must kill to Heavens - neither side shall seek to change the right and
preserve Order, but murder creates only Entropy. natural order nor covet a higher station.

30
 book I

While wrapped in ritual, the basic tenets of the Aluminat the North follow the Roman Aluminat, while the Scots
are to profess a belief in Order, pray only to the Heavenly primarily follow the Scottish Aluminat. Unlike Roman
Host (who created the world and watch over its people), priests, Anglican priests and Scottish elders may marry,
abandon sorcery and build a united, ordered world, where while the Anglican mass more resembles the Roman mass
everyone has a place in society. The Roman Aluminat is run than a Scottish service.
by the Conclave, a council of Cardinals that meets in Rome.

Unfortunately, many people over the centuries have had Sons of David
different interpretations as to what is the proper path to Sons of David is the common appellation given to the
Order, and this has led to many schisms, religious wars and Yehudi people. Most theologians agree that during the
eventual separation. After the horrors of the Thirty Years middle of the second millennium BCE, the Heavenly
War, the leaders of the various sects came together at the Host began influencing the civilisations around the Fertile
Council of Geneva and established a common set of laws Crescent in the Middle East. On one end was Egypt, where
and principles by which all Aluminat followers must abide, the Heavenly Host influenced an Egyptian pharaoh,
the differences amongst the sects notwithstanding. This Akhenaton, to reject the Egyptian pantheon, while on the
Aluminat Convention assures that when the Maleficium other end eight archons convinced the Persian priesthood,
rear their heads Aluminat forces will work together, no the Avesti, to reject their pantheons as well. In the middle
matter what their sect. were the Yehudiel, eight tribes that accepted the teachings
of Order and created a strong nation in the Levant under
In England, the three primary sects of the Aluminat are the reign of King David.
the Anglican Aluminat, the Roman Aluminat and the
Scottish Aluminat, with the Anglican Aluminat being Where theologians disagree is which of the three original
the official sect of England. Most Irishmen and many in Order religions came first and how each influenced

B ullfinch s C elestialogy , or C lassifications of A rchons

Levantine Angels
Unlike the paynim archons, angels are so glorious that one Metatron
can never look directly at them as their features are too The Voice of Order, Archon of Language. Metatron is
dazzling. Thus, angels are rarely depicted and when done so the foremost of the Ophanim. His song creates Order and
artistically are at the discretion of the artist; one may paint flushes away Entropy.
Gabriel as a human female while another may sculpt him as
an Eldren male. Michael
Archon of Conquest and Just War. Michael is the Marshal of
Anael the Heavenly Host.
Archon of Pleasure. More specifically, Anael brings comfort
and joy to those that are dedicated to Order. Raphael
Archon of Judgment. Raphael alone knows when the final
Barachiel end of the eternal struggle will take place.
Archon of Lightning. A favourite of technologists, Barachiel
is said to share the secrets of advanced weaponry to punish Raziel
those allied with the Pale Court. In war against the Pale Archon of Secrets. Originally the keeper of magic,
Legion, Barachiel is Michaels second-in-command. current Aluminat teaching depicts him as an inspirer of
technologists.
Gabriel
Archon of Communication and Fire. He carries messages to Zadakiel
the faithful and burns sinners Archon of Mercy. Zadakiel grants mercy to those who have
earned it

31
 VICTORIANA

the other. Some argue, for example, that Avram, the Followers of the Word
progenitor of the Yehudiel, was an Avesti priest, while The Followers of the Word comprise the dominant faith
others argue that Yehudiel slaves, taken several centuries of the Middle East and North Africa. Toward the end of
later, influenced their Babylonian masters to create a new the 6th century, the Arabian Peninsula was a patchwork of
religion. A similar chicken-or-egg argument exists for the warring tribes dotted around the desert sands. It was also
Egyptian-Levantine connection. a magnet for archons of the Pale, demons that could exact
any price they wished from struggling desert tribes with
In any event, the new Egyptian faith lasted only a few belligerent neighbours. Some of these demons, inspired
decades and the Avesti religion was dealt an almost mortal by Orders success around the Mediterranean and buoyed
blow by the conquering Greeks, leaving the Yehudiel as the by the partial collapse of the Roman Empire, decided that
strongest representative of Order in the region, ironically the time was right to marshal their forces and purge Order
holding strong in spite of being conquered several times. from the Earth.
By the first century, Yehudiel lands were claimed by Rome.
Many of the Yehudiel took to privately calling themselves
Bene David, or the Sons of David, both as a hope for another
strong and independent kingdom and as a rejection of
Roman authority.

Several revolutionary movements attempted to fulfil that

hope and the rise of the Eight Voices spurred the Sons
of David to action. Aluminat theologians would like to
believe that, had the Eight Voices succeeded and survived,
the Sons of David would have eagerly accepted the new
faith (a claim most Sons vehemently deny). As the Romans
eventually crushed the rebellion, however, most Sons
of David abandoned the message of the Eight Voices,
considering them flawed. After all, they argued, if the Eight
Voices were truly the prophets of Order then how could
they have failed?

Unfortunately, the Ninth Book of the new teachings of the

Aluminat goes a step further, painting the Sons of David
as complicit in the capture and executions of several of the
Eight Voices. Roman persecution led to many Yehudiels
(now more commonly called Yehudi) to leave the Levant
between the 1st and 3rd centuries. Unfortunately the
persecution followed them as the Aluminat spread through
Europe to become the dominant religion, and Yehudi
communities to this day remain relatively small and The Heavenly Host were not blind and recognised the
isolated. They are considered outsiders in their adopted trouble brewing in the desert. They also realised that a few
homelands, no matter how many generations theyve been Pale Riders wouldnt be enough to purge the Maleficium
there. and the Byzantine Empire was too weakened to launch
a crusade into the peninsula, especially with the Persian
While rejecting the Aluminat (a Yehudi would say that Empire looking for opportunities to expand west. Instead,
the reverse is true), the Sons of David still follow Order as the Heavenly Host did what they usually did; they came to
proscribed in the Books of Order. Like the Aluminat, the eight prominent tribal leaders amongst the desert tribes and
Sons of David have added new books and many of their offered them a new path if they could resist the temptations
rituals and practices are a mixture of old and new. Given of the Pale.
their troubled history, the Sons of David have varying
interpretations and applications of these rites and practices Each of these leaders was endowed with the Word, a
spread throughout their communities. distillation of the Order presented in the Aluminat Codex.

32
 book I

This Word offers more clarity and is often more direct

than comparable passages in the Aluminat Codex, which Unfortunately, the strong Aluminat bias and ignorance
rely more on storytelling. This new Word was designed
by the Archons to match the process by which Arabian
in the Encyclopaedia make its entries on the East Oriental
scholars memorised books, as the desert nomadic lifestyle religions rather suspect. I shall endeavour to provide a more
didnt lend itself to written records. The Blessed Eight, as accurate representation later; for now, I shall simply note
they came to be called, were shocked to suddenly share that the Brahmanism practiced in Hindustan posits that all
an Archon gift with traditional rivals and enemies. With
a new understanding, the Blessed Eight united their tribes
beings can be distilled into Entropy and Order whilst ultimately
and drove the demons out of power, uniting the Arabian seeking eternal Harmony. When we die, we either find that
Peninsula politically and religiously. balance or are doomed to return to Earth until we get it
correct. This is measured by the Brahmanist caste system.
The Heavenly Host had hoped that the followers of this
new religion would eventually merge with the Aluminat
into a single faith, as much of its teachings clarified and The Contemplators of the Harmonious Path, or Boddhists
corrected some of the misinterpretations of the Aluminat for short, are derived from a number of magnetic religious
Codex over the centuries. If that was their intent, they leaders (or Enlightened Ones) that reject the Brahmanist
couldnt have been more wrong. The Followers of the
Word believed their Aluminat neighbours to be following
caste system and teach that all beings may attain Harmony
a corrupted version of Order, and the Aluminat treated in their current lives, sometimes before dying.
the Word as heresy. The two faiths became rivals, dividing
the lands surrounding the Mediterranean between them.
Currently, the Aluminat holds sway in Europe, while the
Followers of the Word hold sway in North Africa and the Paynimry
Middle East. Paynimry is the term that the Aluminat places on every
other religion, including the other Levantine religions.
Unlike the Sons of David or the Aluminat, the Nithamiyeen In practice, however, the term is commonly reserved for
(Ones who submit to Order), as the Followers of the Word localised, non-Levantine religions that call upon old gods,
call themselves, do not have a written book. All Nithamiyeen or archons unaffiliated with the Heavenly Host. The official
are expected to memorise the Word and recite its prayers policy of the Aluminat Church is that conjurers, whether
and passages three times a day. To commit the Word to Aluminat or otherwise, call upon such archons to work their
paper is considered blasphemy, which makes it difficult to magic. All such archons are considered agents of Entropy.
argue with a Follower. For the benefit of the disorderly
the Nithamiyeen do allow for scholarly works to represent There is a body of scholarship that claims that all paynims
the Words position on theological and historical matters, ultimately worship an Earth Goddess, or single greater
so long as the actual verses are not printed. archon. Aluminat theologians speculate that the Earth
Goddess is simply a personification of Entropy and that
the paynim gods were simply ancient, even antediluvian
in some cases, Liberators of Entropy. When a paynim prays
The Six Pillars of the Word to one of these Liberators he is really calling upon Entropy.
Many theologians take it a step further: if a paynim is
1. Faith Faith and Order should be the basis of life. praying to the opposite of Order, then he must really be
2. Rejection Do not practice the Maleficium. calling upon the Pale Court.
3. Prayer Pray at three specific times during the day
facing the Holy City. It is important to note, however, that virtually all of the
4. Alms Be charitable to ease the suffering of others. extant paynim religions put a male archon at their head
5. Fasting Observe the times of fasting and denial. and, except for the Oriental religions, are more polytheistic
6. Pilgrimage Make a pilgrimage to the Holy City at in nature. Their gods, or archons, are separate and distinct
least once in your lifetime. individuals with their own agendas. In Great Britain, the
primary paynim religions are Celtic and Anglo-Saxon
(which is heavily influenced by the Norse).

33
 VICTORIANA

B ullfinch s C elestialogy , or C lassifications of A rchons

The Celtic Pantheon
Bridget Lugh
Lady of flowers, maiden of life. Commonly depicted as an The sun king, the long arm; youth and impulsiveness.
Eldren.
Rhiannon
Cerrunnos The white horse, nemesis. Rhiannon represents a lovers
The horned man; the laughter in the woods. Commonly passions and righteous revenge for the wronged.
depicted as a Beastman (goat).
Manannan mac Lir
Dagda Lord of the sea, the clown. Manannan is usually depicted as
Lord of perfect knowledge, Father of all. Commonly a Huldu.
depicted as a well-muscled Eldren or, less commonly, an Orc.
Morrigan
Dana The raven, the war crone. She is commonly depicted as a
The earth mother, the empress; parenthood. Dwarf or Human

Diancecht Nuada
The master smith and technologist. Commonly depicted as The silver hand, of the terrible blade. Nuada is commonly
an Orc. depicted as an Eldren with a clockwork arm.

B ullfinch s C elestialogy , or C lassifications of A rchons

The anglo-saxon Pantheon
Eostre Loki
Archon of the dawn and new beginnings. Her name is used Archon of fire and trickery. Loki was banished to the
by the Aluminat for the Feast of Immortality, honouring the Pale where he became its ruler. Due to his nature, Loki is
Eight Voices ascension to archonhood. portrayed in many sapient forms.

Freya Rheda
Archon of beauty, fertility, and love; usually depicted as an The Cleanser; Archon of Victory. She generally fights
Eldren. alongside Tiw.

Geat Seaxneat
Geat is an ascended warrior-king and considered the first Seaxneat is an ascended warrior-chief and considered the
Goth. He is depicted as an Eldren. first Saxon. He is usually depicted as a Beastman (dog).

Hel Thunor
Archon of Death and Necromancy, daughter of Loki. She is Archon of thunder and storms. Thunor is popular with
the general of the Pale Legion and her name is sometimes the peasantry and is seen as their protector; Thunor is
equated with the Pale. usually portrayed as a Beastman (usually a goat, horse, or
ram). Thunors hammer was a popular holy symbol and was
Ingui appropriated into Aluminat symbology.
Brother of Freya and depicted as an Eldren king, Ingui is
the archon of lordship, prosperity, and virility.

34
 book I

Tiw Woden
Archon of war and justice. The Romans equated him with Chief of the Archons. He is the all-seeing and the archon of
Mars. wisdom.
Wade Wyrd
Archon of the Sea. He is usually depicted as a Huldu. Archon of fate and the Celestial Engine. She is sometimes a
triple archon, representing Entropy, Harmony, and Order
Wayland
Archon of metalworking, usually depicted as a one-eyed Ogre.

B ullfinch s C elestialogy , or C lassifications of A rchons

The classica l Pantheon
Jupiter (Zeus) Vulcan (Hephaestus)
Captain of Gods, Father of heroes and the most unfaithful God of the Forge/Fire. He is usually portrayed as a Dwarf.
husband in all mythology!
Proserpina (Persephone)
Neptune (Poseidon) Unwilling bride of Pluto, Goddess of spring. Must spend half
God of the Sea, patron of sailors. the year with her husband in the underworld.
Pluto (Hades) Bacchus (Dionysos)
God of the Underworld. Stole Persephone, the daughter God of wine, revelry and theatre. Still worshipped by actors,
of Demeter to be his queen. Pluto is usually portrayed as a to calm nerves. Bacchus is usually portrayed as a Huldu.
Beastman (jackal).
Ceres (Demeter)
Juno (Hera) Goddess of earth and Harvest, turns the world to ice
Goddess of Marriage/Queen of the Gods. Wife of Jupiter, so each winter when her daughter leaves her to be with her
patron of scorned wives! husband.
Vesta (Hestia) Trivia (Hecate)
Goddess of the Hearth and Home. She is usually portrayed Goddess of the dark/magic, still called upon in the oldest
as a Huldu. incantations. She is usually portrayed as an Eldren.
Mars (Ares) Discordia (Eris)
God of War. Mars is usually portrayed as a Beastman (ram) Goddess of discord, considered by some to be a disguise of
Paline.
Minerva (Athena)
Goddess of Education and Science. She is usually portrayed Victory (Nike)
as a Gnome, but as Athena she is usually Human or Eldren. Goddess of victory.
Diana (Artemis) Furies (Erinyes)
Goddess of the Hunt/The moon. Deliverers of Justice, a vengeful and dangerous trio of
harpies.
Venus (Aphrodite)
Goddess of Love/Beauty, served by Cupid (Eros). Venus is Nemesis
usually portrayed as an Eldren Goddess of Revenge.
Mercury (Hermes) Morpheus
God of Commerce and Speed, messenger of the Gods. He is God of Dreams. He is usually portrayed as a Beastman (cat)
usually portrayed as a Gnome

35
 VICTORIANA

Naturally I laughed at this as preposterous: Queen

C ou n tess L yon esse s D iary Cleopatra was Eldren; this made it likely that her ancestors
- 9 September 1855 - were of Eldren blood. The Professor conceded this
point but offered that many of the pharaohs unearthed
Today I took luncheon with Professor Yalmaz of as mummies were Beastfolk and that perhaps the recent
Bloomsbury College. I must say he is a most witty and pillaging of pyramids was to cloud this observation. He
knowledgeable man and I felt a bit intimidated by him, further offered that the last complete record of Egyptian
although he is surely my junior by at least two decades. royalty burned in the Library of Alexandria and that
Nevertheless, he was a perfect gentleman and if I should Akhenaton, a human pharaoh, was actually rebelling
have allowed my ignorance to show he certainly didnt against the old social order by replacing the Egyptian gods
embarrass me. Still, there is something not quite right about with the solar beings, which the Aluminat has identified
him; something just beyond my senses as the Heavenly Host. In light of this, he stated that
its worth knowing that most depictions of demons are
One topic he brought up that I found most intriguing was Beastfolk, furthering the propaganda.
the religion of the ancient Egyptians. He asked me if Id
noticed how many of their gods were Beastfolk (I pointed While I remain unconvinced, I do know that the ancient
out that some were bird-men and felt foolish; the Garudi Egyptian faith holds a special place amongst the lower
are an example of an avian-like Beastfolk subspecies: classes, especially for Beastfolk. Many Beastfolk conjurers
why not others)? He claimed that this was because, in turn to Egyptian gods rather than Celtic or English ones for
the ancient Egyptian order, Beastfolk were at the top of their enchantments and wear a cross that resembles an ankh
society. rather than the sword and hammer of the Aluminat.

The Pale contrivance; no demon restricts himself to only one kind

The Pale is a plane of existence bound to Earth through the of sin. Nevertheless, the Aluminat has identified the major
Aether, traditionally but incorrectly associated with the demons of the Pale and have organised them thusly:
centre of the world. Some posit that it is Entropy taken to
its natural extreme, a magnet for souls that have so given Despair Raum, who can take away ones possessions,
themselves to Entropy that they are permanently attached dignity and hope.
to it. Others claim that it is simply the place where all Envy Seere, Palines hated sister. Known for her brilliant
paynim gods reside. Still others claim that it is specifically green eyes.
a prison created by the Heavenly Host to contain the Pale Gluttony Belial, who always gives you more, but only of
Legion. what you already have.
Greed Dantallon, who tells you how little you have, and
All theologians agree that the Pale is the home of demons how much everyone else has.
and devils collectively known as the Pale Archons. Prior Lust Paline, the lady of Subversion.
to the arrival of the Heavenly Host, Pale Archons lived Pride Azazel, Lord of authority, who grants meaningless
amongst the other Archons, but as they corrupted sapients titles.
many Pale Archons soon found themselves in exile. The Sloth Malphas, who gives you all the time you need, in
good Archons being too numerous, they took to corrupting return for some of your lifespan.
souls to increase their numbers and Paline, the best demon Wrath Glasya-Labolas, the ball of rage that lies inside the
(as these Pale Archons came to be called) of subversion heart of every wronged person.
soon became their uncrowned leader.
Generally, the demons serve the force of Entropy. However,
The Heavenly Host has attempted to categorise these demons they dont do so in the same way that the angels serve
based on the sins they prefer to corrupt sapiency with. Of Order. None of them is working to a plan for universal
course, as with the Eight Deadly Sins, this is an Aluminat entropy, and none of them consider themselves servants of

36
 book I

~ S ociety ~
a greater power! What they are looking for is a way to turn
Earth into a paradise of sin, where sapients can indulge
freely under the yoke of their demon masters.

The Pale is also home to devils, or archons that were of the

Heavenly Host but cast out during the Great Flood that Dearest Colette,
destroyed the antediluvian world. Chief amongst these
were Asmodeus, Asteroth, Beelzebub, Dagon, Leviathan, The Season is upon us and I so look forward to chaperoning
Lucifer, Mulciber, and Nergal. These Fallen Archons and you through London society this year. I am quite honoured that
their followers were imprisoned in the Pale, where they
Colonel Grissom is entrusting me to match a suitable English
built a city of brass called Pandemonium. While forsaking
their Celestial kin, the devils never quite abandoned Order
gentleman to his only daughter, a task that should not prove
and have created their own version of it within the Pale.
difficult given your familys success in tobacco farming. I
daresay it shall be quite enjoyable to have a Virginian in London
Feeling threatened, Paline seduced Lucifer in order to society, displaying all of the fine qualities for which Southern
ensure that the newcomers wouldnt challenge the demons women are known.
for dominance, and for millennia the two have been
dancing with each other, enjoying each others company I fear, however, that your breeding, while considerable at home,
while plotting their respective downfalls. may leave you ill-prepared for the particularities of London
society, especially amongst the titled. An aristocratic gentleman
As time marched forward, the Devils have grown as strong will certainly have no qualms about courting a woman of your
if not stronger than the demons, as more and more damned station, but an unintentional faux pas could damage your
souls enter the prison Order created rather than join the
prospects, particularly if you wish to find a suitable match
demons of Entropy.
before this season is over.
Over the centuries the Aluminat has tried to categorise
the devils but devils, like demons, defy easy classification. Fear not! I have written a short primer on the ins and outs of
That hasnt stopped the Aluminat from designating devils English, and especially London, society for you to peruse at
as princes of a particular domain, but it is the Churchs your leisure whilst travelling. The Colonel informed me that
designation, not Pandemoniums. you will be taking the S.S. Baltic from New York to Liverpool - I
can assure you that the accommodations are wonderful. I am
Abbadon Prince of Greed equally thrilled that your father shall be accompanying you on
Asmodeus Prince of Desire the journey. I cannot believe it has been twenty years since we
Astaroth Prince of Sorcery first met in San Francisco!
Balberith Prince of Murder
BeezlebubPrince of Lordship
Yours,
Dagon Prince of War
Gressil Prince of Dirt and Disease
LeviathanPrince of Blasphemy
Countess Lyonesse
Lucifer Prince of Pride
Mulciber Prince of Science
Murmur Prince of Secrets
Sonneillon Prince of Hatred PS One thing you will not find in this primer is a guide to
proper etiquette. It is not because there is none, but rather
because such distinctions are subject to the whim of the
majority and change regularly. Upon your arrival I shall instruct
you in the current rules of society; doubtless they will change
toward the end of the Season.

37
 VICTORIANA

Society in Great Britain and, indeed, most of the Continent Ones race excuse me, subspecies also plays a role in
is much more stratified and immutable than in America, ones breeding. Being an upper class Eldren is certainly
France, or other societies that play at being egalitarian. better than being an upper class Human, and some would
There are three generally recognised classes (upper, say that a middle class Eldren would arrogantly believe
middle and lower), and in theory there is social mobility. himself superior to an upper class Human gentleman. An
It is possible for a poor labourer to come into great wealth upper class Ogre would never be more than grudgingly
or even be titled for some noble act, just as a middle class tolerated in polite society, no matter how many generations
accountant may find himself destitute, or an aristocrat be of her family were noble.
stripped of his rank. Such occurrences tend to be rare in
Britain, because class is more than a measure of wealth or Perhaps the most peculiar element in European society is
title; it is also a matter of breeding. how ingrained ones breeding is and the overall lack of a
desire to change it. Ones breeding makes all of ones life
choices, from his childhood to his occupation or profession
to his friends and associates, to where he may live and
to whom he may marry. There are certainly merits to
belonging to any social class; more than one aristocrat has
longed for the freedom that the lower classes have. Indeed,
members of the lower class often feel that their betters
have more flaws than they do.

The Upper Class

(aka the Aristocracy, the Gentry, the Quality)
In European society, the upper class is typically made up
of the aristocracy. The aristocracy makes the nation work
by providing the funds from their ancestral homes to drive
government, providing officers for the military, filling out
the upper ranks of the church, and sponsoring expeditions
of discovery, as well as our growing industries.

Traditionally, the aristocracy have been landowners with

noble titles. Aristocrats dont work; they make a living from
the rents generated by their land. Indeed, there are many
aristocrats today who feel that any sort of manual labour
is beneath them, from dressing themselves to combing
their own hair I daresay that by the end of the century,
theyll probably have servants spoon-feeding them. A true
measure of an aristocrat can be judged by the number of
servants he has.

As already mentioned, ones level of wealth is not an accurate While a genuine aristocrat does not work, many of them
social indicator. Every class has its own ethics, ideals and occupy themselves with charities or hobbies that could be
etiquette; certain accommodations are made for foreigners, considered occupations, if they applied themselves more
but of course to an Englishmen, they are still foreign. It is and were paid a wage. Aristocrats holding noble titles are
simply not enough to become rich through overseas trade part of the Peerage and sit in the House of Lords. First-born
to open the door into upper class society; you shall always sons are groomed to take over the family estate as heir;
be seen as a middle class person play-acting at being subsequent sons are expected to take a command in the
aristocratic. An impoverished noble, on the other hand, is army, join the clergy, or, if they display the knack, join the
still treated as a noble, regardless of his circumstances. A Guild.
person can easily tell anothers class background by her
manner of speech, dress and mannerisms.

38
 book I

Ironically, while the liberated women of Russia and the The Middle Class (aka the Bourgeoisie)
Guild are melting away the barriers for women in society, Bourgeoisie literally means town dweller and that, in a
most aristocratic women are still stuck playing the role that nutshell, describes the middle class. The middle class has
eligible bachelors desire them to play, mainly being dainty, grown with the cities, where merchants, professionals and
eloquent and polite women with a desire to bear children industrialists enable their families to live respectable lives,
and host parties. Indeed, if it were not for parties and balls, in some cases even more comfortably than some of their
such women would have nothing to do. Those who show social betters. And, because a middle class person has
aetheric aptitude are grateful for the diversion; most fathers to earn his wealth, he has a greater chance of keeping his
would rather their aetherically-gifted daughters learn how fortunes once obtained. Without societal conventions and
to use their gift properly before they burn the house down. expectations, middle class men are better able to weather
and manage the changes brought about by the evolving
In addition to the titled nobility, the upper class also industrial revolution.
includes the gentry. Most of the gentry hold titles as well,
although these are not noble titles and the holder is styled The upper middle class includes the clergy, military officers,
Sir or Dame rather than Lord or Lady. Baronetcies are upper level bureaucrats and educated professionals, such
hereditary, though their holders are not members of the as lawyers and physicians; the gentry is increasingly
Peerage, whilst knighthoods must be earned. In addition, associated with the upper middle class as well. The heart
there is the country squire (an unofficial title). A person of the middle class is made up of those who have a decent
desiring to be a country squire must purchase a large estate education, such as bankers, factory owners, journalists,
near a country village and have the villagers recognise merchants, police inspectors and hermeticists. The lower
him as the most important person in the area. In theory, middle class is primarily made up of clerical workers and
almost anyone can be distinguished as a gentleman or shopkeepers.
gentlewoman if he or she comes from a recognised family,
works in an honourable profession and displays the virtues Women of the middle class are expected to marry and
of the Quality. Non-titled members of an aristocratic family produce an heir as soon as possible, just like those of the
always qualify. upper classes. A woman is also often responsible for the
house and home accounts. Some young women hold
Unlike the nobility, a gentleman (or even an aristocrat who positions as clerks and secretaries, but the common view
has little chance of inheriting a title) can pursue a profession, of the bourgeoisie is that it is brutal to make a woman
although a true gentleman will never stoop to manual work in such a manner. Women find it very hard to be
labour. These distinctions are blurring in our industrialised taken seriously at running their own business, unless
society; engineering is seen as a respectable profession, in it is considered appropriate, such as shop-keeping or
spite of working with your hands most of the time. Partly dressmaking (one major exception is a Guild hermeticist
as a result, the gentry is starting to be viewed as more of an - everyone takes her seriously). However, those who are
upper middle class than as true aristocracy. successful earn the respect they deserve eventually, and
female technologists often surprise their male counterparts
In class-less societies such as America and France, the upper with their ingenuity.
class holds no titles, although its members would certainly
qualify as gentry, if a bit uncouth (by the standards of The opportunities in the colonies attract plenty of the
British society). In such places wealth is the measure of middle classes (both men and women) into a life abroad.
social standing, which is somewhat distasteful here no The power wielded by the highest caste of India is one
insult intended. that could only be dreamed of by the upper classes at

On the whole Eldren are resistant to change and when the new, more restrictive fashions took hold a significant number of
Eldren aristocrats refused to follow. Many of them attended Her Majestys coronation wearing the slimming, arm-bearing
Regency dress rather than the new conical skirts. This caused her newly-crowned Majesty to remark that they presume to be
more fashionable than the Queen? That was the end of the Regency dress.

39
 VICTORIANA

home, and the wealth of these White Brahmins (even put them to work. This expertise, coupled with business
Crown servants) is far in excess of their equivalents at acumen, enables skilled workers to ascend into the middle
home. Freed from some of the social norms they are used class on occasion.
to, and with greater autonomy over their holdings, plenty
of colonial English get a taste for the wealth and power so Rural life is less harsh for the lower classes in some ways;
easily found on foreign soil. there is less crime and vice than in the cities. Unfortunately,
due to the urban population drain, the remaining rural
An increasingly common vocation amongst the lower workforce is frequently stretched to exhaustion. However,
middle classes is missionary work. This is a comparatively the traditional life of the rural lower classes has been
recent phenomenon as, in the earliest days of empire, the changed in many areas due to the discovery of coal upon
administration tended to fund Aluminat churches for the their squires land. The subsequent sale of the land has
colonists and left the natives alone. Often these men and forced migration into the cities (leaving fewer neighbours
women lack secondary education, let alone the higher to help those who remain at harvest time). Many of the
education required for the clergy, yet they willingly former rural people cannot adapt to city life, with its crime,
journey out to the furthest reaches of Asia, Africa and the pollution and over-crowding and, as a result, often seek
Pacific to convert the heathen. They are frequently at odds solace in alcohol or opium. Others are easily exploited by
with the imperial administration, partly through snobbery pimps and organised gangs, as they are less wary than the
about their often humble origin and partly because their streetwise proletariat, and often have no extended family to
evangelism (frequently fanaticism) can stir natives up support them in their new homes.
to the point of revolt, such as in the case of the Taiping
Rebellion.
Etiquette & Fashion
If you absorb nothing else from my advice, remember that
The Lower Class British society, as a whole, is obsessed with etiquette, from
(aka the Working Class, the Proletariat) what you wear to how you greet someone to where you
The lower class makes up over three-quarters of the sit at a table. Breaches of etiquette, even unintended ones,
population in Britain and is the backbone of industry, no can ruin ones reputation. A family would rather ostracise a
matter how much the upper class tries to pretend they dont scandalised member than allow their violation to stain the
exist. Frequently termed the working class, lower class rest of the family.
men and women have little education and generally work
with their hands. Prior to this century, most lower class The aristocracy sets the standards for etiquette and fashion;
people were agricultural workers, servants and soldiers, the bourgeoisie apes them as best they can through the
but the industrial revolution has brought many people to reading of etiquette books and magazine articles. The lower
the cities, cramming the rookeries while they take factory class generally wears what is comfortable and convenient;
work. when they do dress well, they generally lag behind by
purchasing clothes through second and third-hand shops.
These unskilled labourers often barely make enough to
survive, and men put their families to work in order to As much of the upper class is Eldren, fashionable trends
bring in more income. Children old enough to work spend can remain long after theyve become outdated amongst
their days sweeping chimneys, selling wares in the streets, the slower-lived races. At the Bascomb Ball last year, for
or working in factories when they should be getting an example, the Earl of Bascomb wore a rose velvet suit with
education. As the men are more valuable in their younger breeches, which are normally reserved for footmen these
years when they are strongest, they tend to earn less as they days. For such nobles, of course, these unfashionable
get older. Women are recruited into factory work, but are choices are hand-waved its simply considered Eldren
paid less and supplement their meagre incomes through eccentricity.
street vending or prostitution.
The middle class strives hard to copy the upper class,
Skilled artisans and labourers, such as bakers, carpenters, and their balls and parties can be just as extravagant,
dressmakers, nurses, and cunning folk fare somewhat better if not more so, than their betters. When I attended my
and are towards the high end of the lower class, as their first Griffin Ball at East India House, I was surprised not
families could afford to get them an education rather than only at the overall uniformity of dress, but also that the

40
 book I

predominant fashion was quite current. A few of the older and matching cloak. Such attire is rarely suitable for evening
Dwarves and Gnomes still preferred the fashions from a wear, leading to Guild threading, a process in which a tailor
decade or two before, but most had adopted modern dress only loosely stitches coat sleeves at the shoulders, allowing
for fear of sticking out. the hermeticist to easily tear them away, if required.

Finally, you may notice several gentlemen with goggles

Clothing wrapped around their hats and rather ornate and even
Lady Hester Billingsley will almost certainly be mechanical handles on their canes. Straddling the line
remembered by history as the lady who killed fashion between middle and upper class, the gentry, whilst having
while almost getting herself killed. Boarding an aerostat access to magic, dont have the deep pockets of their
two seasons ago, Lady Billingsley was already causing betters and have decided to live in the luxury technology
numerous embarrassing incidents trying to fit her crinoline offers rather than scrape by with the barest enchantment,
dress through the smaller doorways and walking up and no matter how proper society frowns upon it. Many such
down the winding staircases. As potentially scandalous ladies and gentlemen sport their marvels proudly on the
as those were, nothing prepared her for a walk on the street, garnering the envy of the lower classes, while leaving
balcony when a sudden gust of wind blew up her skirt and them at home when attending proper societal functions.
sent the lady flying into the wild blue yonder. Luckily, Sir
Paul Chatham was on hand and flew through the air to
rescue her, so the only thing to die a quick death that day Afternoon Tea
was the crinoline hoop skirt. Never ask; the hostess offers. Ladies should not request
more than one sugar; gentlemen should always have two.
As a result, this season sees a return to the more closely Afternoon tea is considered primarily a female function (as
silhouetted fashions of the early part of this century, with a a man is usually about his business at such times). Most
modern twist. The bustle has put the heft towards the back, males of the period view attending the ritual with dread.
leaving the front and sides more closely draped to the legs. Often, it is the only time in which women (especially
This crinolette is proving quite popular. Evening gowns married women) have the freedom to do as they please. For
are still primarily off the shoulder with short sleeves. Day well-heeled adventurers, it can be a good place to catch up
dresses typically include a short jacket and ladies hat. on society gossip and, more importantly, find out who is
Ladies also generally carry a parasol and fan. doing what to (or with) whom!

Due to the influence of female soldiers (outside of Russia,

these are usually hermeticists and technologists), Oriental Calling Cards
styles and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (which argued You have a distinct advantage in getting into London
for a more medieval aesthetic), tea gowns and the so-called society as I am making your introduction, otherwise you
artistic dress are becoming respectable outside of the most would have had to leave your card at the door of the first
formal occasions. Women can even get away with trousers available function and pray that the host requested a visit
if safer for their occupation or whilst on expedition, but from you. This is usually in the form of afternoon tea, of
never for social calls. which we shall certainly be hosting and attending our
fair share over the course of the Season! Gentlemen, of
For middle and upper class men, the frock coat and top hat course, tend to make their introductions at an appropriate
remain ubiquitous, although the bowler is winding its way gentlemans club.
up through the lower and middle classes. A walking cane
is a must and many gentlemen augment their canes for self- It is considered a great insult, even scandalous, to be
defence. The working class favour shorter jackets to frock refused at the door of any social gathering. You should
coats, when they wear them at all. Unfortunately for Ogres, have no worries about that, my dear.
second hand clothing in their size is difficult to come by.

Guild dress is popular amongst hermeticists. The shirt is The Marital Institution
looser and with wide sleeves, leaving the arms freer in order Im certain that the Colonel wishes for you to marry an
to better manipulate magic. For daywear, a hermeticist may older gentleman, preferably one with an already furnished
not even wear a jacket at all, preferring a simple waistcoat home that includes all the creature comforts. He should see

41
 VICTORIANA

to your every need, but remember that your dowry, a not Vice
inconsiderable sum, becomes his (I can certainly teach you Your father insisted that I give you a thorough education
a few tricks to maintain control of at least part of it, but on English society and I shall endeavour to fulfil his wishes.
this is not something that we would openly acknowledge). Every society has its entertainments and vices; I am quite
As an Eldren, you have some time to get married; while certain that American society is as diverse and dangerous as
20 is the usual marriageable cut-off date for lesser-lived Englands when it comes to such things. I cant be with you
sapients, it is usually 25 for the longer-lived ones and Ive all the time and, as you make acquaintances here, you shall
known of Eldren women who have waited until almost 30. undoubtedly find it surprising, and at times even shocking,
what is offered to you. Remember that, first and foremost,
We must choose your husband carefully. If you are going scandal is the greatest crime. Most men and women think
to live in English society, then know that divorce is highly nothing of doing enjoyable wrongs so long as they dont get
uncommon and usually scandalous. As your property is caught. I do not wish for you to fall into that trap, dearest
your husbands, he can rightly toss you out into the street Colette, as the social repercussions are often not worth the
unless you can convince a sympathetic judge to break with indulgences.
tradition. If he is unfaithful, it is often better socially to
discreetly take a lover of your own rather than divorce him.
Should your affair be discovered, your husband would risk Drink
scandal if he did not accept any children from your liaisons Alcohol is perhaps the most common vice. It is easily
as his own. obtainable by all the social classes; the middle and upper
classes have at least a few bottles of wine and other spirits
I do not tell you these things to frighten you, Colette; I only in their homes, whilst alcohol is readily available in public
wish for you to be aware of what marriage entails. In any houses, restaurants and clubs. Almost any social affair
event, any potential suitor shall still need the permission of requires the presence of alcohol.
your father my own opinion shall naturally influence his
in order to marry you. Public houses are regulated to only serve alcohol between
11am and 11pm, but you should be aware that these laws
As an Eldren, you should also keep in mind that you may are rarely enforced. Clubs and hotels arent regulated at all,
have a second coming out after your first husband dies given their status as private property.
or, if Eldren, requests an amicable unbonding, by which
you are both free to marry again. This is peculiar to our Women of all classes are as likely to drink as men. For the
breeding; there is no scandal for two married Eldren to upper and middle classes, alcoholism is just as common
choose to unbond after 70 years and starting new marriages in both sexes, although it is usually a very private affair.
with others. Lower class women are as likely to be seen drinking gin in
public houses as their men.

Presentation Balls
You should be pleased to know that I have arranged Drugs
for your participation at the Debutante Ball this year, a Drug abuse is an unregulated and dangerous vice. The
privilege of the upper class. I shall present you to Queen availability of drugs is wide, but their circulation is limited
Victoria and she shall personally grant you her blessing. by expense. By far the most common drug is opium,
As an American, I can tell you that your favourability in imported from the Orient; heroin and cocaine are also quite
finding a suitor will dramatically increase if the Queen readily available to the wealthy. The Chinese quarters of
offers you a favourable comment. Liverpool and London are the most common areas in which
to find opium dens, as foreign ghettoes often have to cater
Of course, I shall also host a presentation ball for you at for vice, since prejudice from native employers makes it
my Chelsea home. Ive arranged for this to take place difficult to find honest work. Medical science is aware of
early in the season, long enough for you to be noticed but the detrimental effects of such drugs, but most objections to
not long enough that the most desirable suitors will have their use derive from moral, rather than scientific, grounds.
been snatched up already. Dont worry, I have prepared a Indeed, non-Guild medical doctors have a tendency to
preliminary list of acceptable candidates, and Ive already prescribe laudanum (an opium derivative) as a magic
ensured that they are aware of your availability. bullet which cures all ills.

42
 book I

Prostitution unrivalled on the continent. Its urban areas are swelling,

Prostitution is the second most common vice after some would say choking, with increasing numbers of
drink; I only mention it to you because it is so prevalent. workers leaving the farms to find work in the factories. In
Commercial sex is incredibly common; many lower class contrast, Russia sits across the continent with hardly any
women, even married ones, support their meagre wages by industrial investment at all; its aristocrats rely on magic and
offering themselves for sale. It is a horrible business, but theres no real middle class.
one that can be quite lucrative if an attractive prostitute
manages to catch the interest of a wealthy gentleman and
graduates to the role of mistress. Also, prostitution is not Great Britain
just the province of women; there are many men willing to Britain, the centre of the most powerful globe-spanning
sell their services as well. empire of 1856, is a small island separated from the
European mainland by a slim stretch of sea known as the
English Channel. Britains position as a world power is
Gambling secured through her monopoly on trade routes to the east
Gambling has strong links with prostitution in Victorian and the might of her naval fleets. The empire is currently
Europe but, even as single-purpose establishments, at war with Russia in the Crimea, a war that threatens to
gambling houses and casinos flourish in all cities. The expand into Asia and consequently British India.
nature of the establishment varies with the local area and
clientele. The proletariat often bet on the outcomes of prize- Britain is a unified kingdom of three countries: England,
fights and animal fights; many also play cards in public Wales and Scotland, and also includes the conquered island
houses that set aside rooms for the purpose. Dedicated of Eire. England and Wales are unified completely; Scotland
casinos are vast, lavish and invariably rigged. Gambling still retains a measure of independence in social and civil
(accompanied by drinking) is without a doubt the primary convention, although they do share the same government
form of entertainment for Europe. and monarchy. The young Queen Victoria rules Britain and
is the very embodiment of all the laws and qualities that
society holds dear dignity, breeding and resolve. Britain
is one of the most class-conscious countries upon the globe;
in Britain, money matters less than class and breeding. It is
better to be poor and aristocratic than it is to be middle class
and rich as far as society is concerned anyway.

Britain is leading the industrial revolution; indeed, the

~ P ocket G azetteer ~ industrial revolution began with the building of the iron

of the W orld
bridge in Staffordshire in 1780. Mr Stephenson built the
first locomotive in 1796 and Mr Brunel has just built and
launched a great steamship, the Great Eastern, from
Bristol. Britains cities are expanding at an exponential
Europe rate, especially Birmingham and Liverpool: the first as an
Europe is the heart of civilisation and at the forefront of important industrial base, the second as a major port for the
industrialisation. It contains the most powerful nations in cotton trade.
the world, and several have empires that span continents.
These dominions are bound together by the Concert of Unfortunately, Britains success in industry has had its
Europe (which is more of a loose understanding than an price. Social and health problems caused by the industrial
actual alliance), and even that has been wounded with the revolution are commonplace. Sickness and disease have
on-going Crimean War and potential German unification. reached unprecedented levels due to the combination of
cramped, unsanitary conditions and the contamination of
While the engines of industry and technology roar loudest drinking water. Pollution has also become a problem; in
in Europe, most of the continent is still rural in character many cities, entire streets are covered with soot and grime
with agriculture its chief industry. Great Britain is the from the chimney stacks of nearby factories. Child deaths
leader of the technological pack, its major cities hubs of are common, especially amongst the poorer sections of the
industry connected together by a growing railway network industrial population. Even the wealthy, who can afford

43
 VICTORIANA

magical protection, cant fully escape the pea souper (a entire division of Scotland Yard is devoted to keeping an
thick, yellow-brown, coal-created smog) that routinely eye on Irish rebels and thwarting their plans.
covers London.
Originally divided into many kingdoms, Ireland fell under
Another effect of the industrial revolution has been to draw English control after one regional King, Diarmait, hired
workers from the countryside into the cities; indeed, the Norman knights in the mid-12th century to help him re-
national census indicates that 50% of the total population establish his authority. One of those knights married
is now urban, and that 20% of the total population of Diarmaits daughter and became heir to the kingdom. This
Britain lives in the capital, London. As a result, many areas disturbed the English King, Henry II, who invaded the
of the agricultural countryside are now in peril of ruin, island, partly to prevent the establishment of a separate
whilst many of the cities disillusioned workers dream of Norman state but also to reunite the Celtic Aluminat with
revolution and returning to the countryside. Consequently, Rome.
the population explosion in the cities, combined with an
underpaid workforce, has led to a mammoth increase in History repeated itself when Henrys son John was declared
crime, alcoholism and drug abuse: in 1830 there were 22,000 King of Ireland upon his fathers death. Fearing his brother
tons of opium imported into Britain; in 1850 this had tripled might declare independence, Geoffrey I reinforced his
to over 66,000 tons per year! authority over English-controlled Ireland. The surrounding
Irish kings applied Geoffreys nickname, the Pale
Many philanthropists have attempted to change the (bestowed due to his almost open disdain for Rome), to all
conditions of life within the cities of modern Britain but Irish lands under direct English control.
their progress is slow, hampered by those in the upper and
middle classes who gain money from the misery. Ironically Over the next few centuries English power waxed and
enough, the sheltered womenfolk of those same upper and waned until Elizabeth I finally annexed all of Ireland under
middle class landlords and factory owners are appalled English rule, partly to keep Spain from using Ireland to
by the stories and reports that they read and constantly replace her with a Roman Aluminat King. The Elizabethan
wonder, Why does someone not do something about it! Lord Lieutenants imposed English law, religion and
custom upon the Irish they even set regulations about
The British character could be summed up as being what clothes should be worn and the length of moustaches!
phlegmatic and stoic or, to an outsider, just as equally
arrogant and patronising. The British have built the greatest Eventually, Roman Aluminat religion was suppressed by
empire the world has ever known they know it, and decrees that Roman Aluminat landowners could not buy
theyre not going to let Johnny Foreigner forget it. Even land, had no rights of governance and had to split their
the working poor, who may have no possessions and be in land between all of their sons (thus creating smaller parcels
danger of being thrown into the workhouse, feel superior to of land with each generation). Scots were settled in the
their continental neighbours and American cousins. northern province of Ulster, where they soon outnumbered
the native Irish.
British citizens have a firm belief in reward through hard
work, knowing your place in society and bringing the light Recent depredations, such as the potato famine of 1849
of British virtue to all corners of the globe. They are mostly (which killed 2 million Irish and forced another million to
tolerant of the faiths and beliefs of other cultures, albeit in a emigrate), have weakened the traditional Irish way of life.
patronising way, as they naturally assume their reasoning Roman Aluminat Irish have only recently (1827) gained
to be right in all matters. This dichotomy tends to present the right to vote, but only if they own property and are not
itself as excusing anothers oddities by saying, Thats lords, lunatics or women! This has led to a growing Irish
alright, theyre foreign - they dont know any better! republican movement.

Despite their often hard life, the Irish people have a

Ireland reputation for being friendly, social, and hospitable, as well
Despite the fact that it is Englands closest and oldest as a taste for strong drink, particularly stout and whiskey
colonial possession, Ireland has always been problematic. (note the different spelling to Scotch whisky), that often
Unrest has been prevalent many times in its history, the leads to carefree and non-malicious brawling. This,
most recent being during the Time of Troubles in 1848. An combined with crushing poverty, has led to the Irish being

46
 book I

sought as soldiers and police officers (over one-third of the revolt. As is often the case, the promises made by aspiring
British army is Irish, whilst many of the police in Chicago politicians have not been kept and, once again, France is
and New York are Irish immigrants). Most Irishmen and beset by revolutionary uprisings. Scattered and sporadic
women find work as labourers, toiling in factories or as they are, the insurrections are a dangerous threat to
building canals and railways. Unfortunately, the Irish are the over-extended French military. President Louis-
always at the bottom of industry in Britain and even at Eugene Cavaignac had hoped that Frances participation
home, prompting many to see their fortunes in America, in the Crimean War would prove a suitable distraction,
Australia, and New Zealand. but the poor performance of the Alliance thus far is only
strengthening calls for yet another revolution.

France has colonies throughout the world, including

Algeria, French Guiana, the Ivory Coast and parts of the
Caribbean and India. Algeria is unique in the colonial
system as it is directly administered from Paris, and has
been substantially colonised by French citizens (who form
almost ten percent of the population). Algeria is home to
the French Foreign Legion, a famous collection of Europes
misfits, who are granted full clemency for past crimes if
they survive a four-year tour. Life in the Legion is extremely
harsh; men join it to forget, and to be forgotten.

France is disturbed by the growing power of Prussia. When

Bonaparte conquered most of the German states and set
France up puppet rulers, he sought greater co-operation with the
Given the prevalence of Eldren in France, one might newly fragmented countries. Many kept the Napoleonic
think that, like Russia, France would be one of the most institutions imposed upon them, as they were a substantial
conservative nations in Europe. How ironic, then, that it is improvement over the previous systems, which dated back
France that evolved into the first strong modern European to the Holy Roman Empire. This dynamic unity is now
republic. The French Revolution of 1789 was the first being used by Prussian envoy Otto von Bismarck to unify
successful major revolution in Europe. In a short year, the the German Confederation under the Prussian banner. This
monarchy was overthrown, most of the Eldren aristocracy would threaten the areas of Alsace and Lorraine in eastern
killed, and a new republican government established. France, both of which have a large German-speaking
Within a decade, however, military setbacks and political minority.
instability enabled General Napoleon Bonaparte to lead a
coup that resulted in him declaring himself Emperor and While the very cosmopolitan capital of Paris is famous
leading France to war in Europe. Under Bonapartes rule, for its art and fashion, the country has also embraced the
France conquered half of the Continent before an eventual industrial revolution. Railways criss-cross the land, and
and final defeat at Waterloo by the allied nations in 1815. the Republican government has funded several projects
to modernize the capital (the cynical say that such projects
After the Napoleonic War, Frances economic power was keep the people employed and widen the boulevards to
spent. In addition, she was forced to sign an international prevent future uprisings).
treaty placing long-term restrictions on her borders and
colonial holdings. Napoleon was exiled to Saint Helena
(where the aging Dwarf still lives to this day) and Louis Spain
VIII, brother to the executed King, took the throne. He ruled Spain is a land torn between conservatism and liberalism,
until 1848, when a second French Revolution forced him to with a monarch vying for each. To many, Isabella II is a
flee to Quebec. pretender to the throne, given her breeding (shes a Huldu)
and the fact that her mother ignored Salic Law in getting her
This last revolution, which established the current Second named heir to the throne. Under Salic Law, the lack of any
Republic, is still sounding chords of dissent from the male heirs meant that the crown should have gone to the
population, who feel that they were manipulated into late Kings brother, Carlos. Thus far, Carlos has instigated

47
 VICTORIANA

two unsuccessful civil wars to acquire the throne and there the slave trade that same year, slavery itself is still legal on
are rumours that he is on the verge of starting a third one those two islands, which exploits the free labour to produce
with Austrian support. sugar cane.

Isabella II is not a popular queen, scandalous both in her Spain is made up of several provinces, grouped according to
boldness and in her faith. Rumours circulate that her ancient kingdoms and communities, including Andalusia,
marriage is a sham and that she has many lovers, but in Aragon, Basque Country, Castille, Catalonia, Galacia,
all other matters she is a devout Roman Aluminat. Her Navarre and Valencia. Northern Spain has traditionally
government is very unstable, hampered by the Queens been more autonomous and, ironically, is amongst Don
fickle nature and her lack of political acumen; her Carlos strongest supporters, as they believe his absolutist
constitutional meddling often leads to disaster. A searing rule would restore their autonomy.
indictment of her rule can be found in the many supporters
of Don Carlos, who advocate a more absolute government, Spanish people have a reputation for being extremely
rather than social reform. devout, blessing themselves whenever coming across
something magical, and being suspicious of all magicians.
While Isabella seemed to change Presidents every few Those who do practice magic in Spain are generally Gitanos
months, the government was dominated by the Moderates (Spanish Romany), who are often persecuted by local
throughout the 1840s. Spain reformed its tax system, officials. In spite of this, Gitano art and music has inspired
paving the way for many industrial and infrastructure flamenco dancing, which has given the Spanish a reputation
improvements over the last few years. These improvements for being passionate as well.
were only hampered by Spains reluctance to incorporate
magic into its designs; as one of the most devout Roman
Aluminat nations, Spain lacks even a single Guildhouse. Portugal
A half-serious joke is that the Inquisition sponsored the Like its Iberian neighbour, Portugal also boasts a world-
railways just to make it easier to get to witches, in spite of spanning empire that has recently lost its largest overseas
the Inquisition having been disbanded for over a quarter of possession. Brazil had been raised to the status of a kingdom
a century. There are still rumours that a covert successor to at the Congress of Vienna in 1815, with Joo VI king of both.
the Inquisition continues to hunt witches and heretics. Portugal was a constant hotbed of political intrigue and
Joos son, Pedro IV, eventually abdicated the Portuguese
While Spain has not entered the Crimean War, its outbreak throne (remaining King, then Emperor, of Brazil), on
has, nevertheless, affected the country. The resulting rise condition that his brother Miguel become regent and marry
in grain prices, as well as famine in Galacia and outrage Pedros daughter Maria, who became Queen Maria II in
against the Moderate government, led to a rebellion in July, 1826. Instead, with Aluminat support, Miguel siezed power
1854. The rebellion succeeded in collapsing the current in 1828 and brutally supressed his liberal opposition.
government and elevated two generals into leadership
positions. General Baldermo Espartero became President Miguel Is brother Pedro abdicated the Brazilian throne in
and General Leopoldo ODonnell became his War Minister. 1831 in order to lead a Liberal Army against his brother.
Espartero had previously been an unpopular Regent of Spain; Miguel was supported by the Aluminat, Spain and the
ODonnell had orchestrated Esparteros Presidency as a way United States of America, while Britain and France sided
to unite the Moderate and Progressive parties but ODonnells with Pedro. After three years of civil war, Miguel was
political aspirations are hindering Esparteros governance. forced into exile and Maria was returned to the throne.
Unfortunately, in spite of the economic and industrial
reforms, Spains government is still unpopular and unstable. Marias reign was not without its own troubles, including
a Miguel-sympathetic insurrection in 1846-47, but she
Throughout Europe, Spain is seen as a power in decline. continued liberal reforms, especially in health-care and
Britains ownership of Gibraltar gives Britain, not Spain, the education. Fearing more interference from Miguel, Maria
power to control shipping between the Atlantic Ocean and insisted that her children receive hermetical training. Her
the Mediterranean Sea. Spains only major possession in the firstborn son, also Pedro, proved a capable student and,
Orient is the Philippines. Prior to the 19th century, Spain during the two years his father acted as regent, Pedro
held many possessions in the New World; by 1830, they toured Europe and studied its governments, economies
held only Cuba and Puerto Rico. While Spain abolished and industries.

48
 book I

Currently, Pedro V is a popular monarch who is busily Luxembourg, as part of the German Confederation, is
tying together Portugal through numerous new roads, rapidly transforming into an industrial nation, largely
telegraphs and railways. He is also continuing his due to Prussian influence. William and his brother Henry,
mothers work in advancing health-care. Unlike his Governor of Luxembourg, are currently plotting to exert
neighbour, Pedro is not adverse to using magic to power more direct and absolutist control in the Grand Duchy.
his new technologies to speed up modernisation. One of
his proudest projects is the Twin Crowns, a large aerostat Since acquiring independence in 1830, Belgium is forging
that he hopes will soon run transatlantic flights between its own destiny through its coal mining operations and
Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro, the capital of Brazil. is rapidly becoming industrialised. While comprised of
Dutch and French-speaking citizens, Belgium is decidedly
Portugal continues to benefit from the Oriental trade and pro-French with Roman Aluminat parties dominating its
its colonies in Southern Africa. Still, Pedros support of politics. That said, Belgiums King, Leopold I, has kept
Spanish Queen Isabella II is worrisome to the Aluminat and, Roman Aluminat influence at bay (Leopold is a Lutheran
as Miguel currently resides in Rome and Carlos is about to Aluminat) and is steadily building alliances with other
make war with Spain, there are some elements suggesting European powers. Most notably, he is uncle to both Queen
an alliance to reunite Iberia under absolutist rule. Victoria and Prince-Consort Albert. As Leopold once served
Russia as a general against Napoleon, Roman Aluminat
leaders fear that he is under the Tsarinas influence.
The Low Countries Belgiums declared neutrality in the Crimean War does
From 1581-1795, the Low Countries were roughly united nothing to allay that fear.
under the Dutch Republic. In spite of its small size, the
Republic dominated world trade throughout the 17th
century, primarily through the Dutch East India Company The Scandinavian Confederation
(VOC) and the Dutch West India Company. To protect The Scandinavian Confederation includes five nations:
these assets, the Dutch had one of the strongest navies in Denmark, Finland, Kvenland, Norway and Sweden. Two
the world. This economic bubble burst in the 18th century of these nations, Norway and Sweden, are ruled jointly by
and, just as the Dutch supplanted the Portuguese a century a single monarch, while Finland is a Grand Duchy under
before, the British supplanted them as the worlds chief Russian rule. As the name implies, the Scandinavian
trading power. The Dutch West India Company eventually Confederation is modelled on the German Confederation
collapsed, but the VOC maintained a strong presence and has been in existence since 1849. It is a loose coalition
through its control of Indonesia. of equals, with Norway and Sweden usually voting
together. Uniquely, the Confederation often has female
The VOCs dominance allowed it to weather the changes representatives at council meetings.
Napoleon brought about when he overthrew the Dutch
Republic and installed his brother as King of Holland. Norway and Sweden have been united under a single king
The Republic was later absorbed into France until finally, since 1814, when Swedish King Charles XIII accepted the
after Napoleons defeat, it became the United Kingdom of Norwegian crown. The childless King adopted popular
the Netherlands. This lasted for 15 years, upon which the French soldier Carl John as his heir after his election by
southern part of the kingdom, Belgium, revolted. the Swedish Diet. The current King, Oscar I, is Carl Johns
only son. Oscar is a popular monarch, establishing equality
The current Dutch King and Grand Duke of Luxembourg, between his two kingdoms, offering more freedom and
William III, is a military man with absolutist tendencies equality to women, and supporting Denmark in its war
which are hampered by the Dutch Constitution. In contrast against Prussia.
his wife, Queen Sophia, is a liberal intellectual and finds
her husband boorish and uneducated. She also makes no In terms of landmass, Denmark is the largest nation in the
secret of the fact that she would be a better regent than him Confederation, encompassing Denmark proper, the Faroe
and, as an Eldren, she has time to wait. For his part, William Islands, Iceland and Greenland. Denmarks economy was
III cares little about what his wife does; he has a voracious destroyed in the Napoleonic Wars, primarily due to a pre-
appetite for women that apparently does not extend to the emptive strike by Britain. The next few decades saw a series
Queen. of liberal reforms that culminated in the June Constitution
of 1849, which divided power between the king and the

49
 VICTORIANA

elected legislature and established certain freedoms, relating refused on the basis that revolutionary movements lacked
to such matters as religion, the press and association. the authority to crown kings. Instead, Prussia moved to
replace the Confederation with a more integrated North
This era was also marked by Denmarks desire to annex two German Confederation that notably excluded Austria,
duchies, Schleswig and Holstein, which the Danish King, but diplomatic pressure from Austria and Russia forced
Frederick VII, also headed. The two kingdoms, part of the Prussia to back off. Instead, the German Confederation was
German Confederation, resisted with support from Prussia. reconstituted in 1850.
Denmark crushed the rebels and Swedish-Norwegian aid
kept Prussia from taking direct action. The result was a Friedrich Wilhelm IV is a Boarman who grew up with
stalemate, although the duchies remained under Frederick romantic notions of power. He casually dismissed liberal
VIIs control. reforms and had no interest in a united Germany. While
Beastfolk nobles arent uncommon in middle or eastern
Frederick VII is a popular king who eschews absolutism Europe, Friedrich Wilhelms subspecies has prevented
and saw the merit in creating a rival confederation to the the major powers from taking him seriously. He further
Germans in order to protect Scandinavian interests. He tarnished his already shaky reputation by acquiescing to
is the architect of the Scandinavian Confederation, even revolutionaries in 1848 and passing a liberal constitution.
though he knew that Oscar I would naturally have more
influence. He also personally implored the Tsarina to allow
the Grand Duchy of Finland to participate, believing that
having Russia involved, no matter how obliquely, would
give Prussia pause before exerting its influence northward.

Kvenland is an interesting member. Its lands encompass

the northern part of Scandinavia and includes territories
claimed by all save Denmark; its borders depend very
much on who drew the map. Part of the problem is that,
as a land primarily of Beastfolk, Dwarves and Giants,
most of Kvenland proper has been limited to the largely
inaccessible mountainous regions. King Donar III is an
unusually intelligent giant with a strict isolationist policy;
he only supports the Confederation as a way of keeping
outsiders from causing trouble for his subjects.

The German Confederation

The German Confederation is a collection of over three
dozen German states created after the Napoleonic Wars
and the final collapse of the Holy Roman Empire. It is a true
confederation, in that it is primarily a deliberative body
with no executive; laws are enforced by the member states
within their own borders. Originally dominated by Austria,
the Confederation is increasingly coming under the sway
of Prussia.

Prussia created a customs union within the Confederation

that rapidly spurred the growth of industry and increasingly Friedrich Wilhelm has spent the last few years walking
tied German fortunes to Prussia. This is alarming to the back his promises in the Constitution, imposing a more
major European powers as a strong, unified Germany would conservative government. He is also increasingly relying on
disrupt the overall balance of power. After the revolutions his envoy to the German Confederation, Otto von Bismarck,
of 1848 dissolved, the Confederation offered Prussian King to shape policy. The imposing Bismark spends most of his
Friedrich Wilhelm IV an Imperial Crown, but the King time clashing with his Austrian counterpart.

50
 book I

Hanover continues to play a crucial role in maintaining the established its largest presence here. The Hermetic Guild
status quo within the German Confederation. Personally hosts a university that attracts scholars from all fields,
united with Great Britain until Salic Law prevented Queen not just the magical, to Geneva to learn. The Consortium
Victoria from taking the crown, Hanover is currently ruled maintains contacts with, and exerts control over, all of the
by her cousin, King George V, who, although blinded in other Guilds in Europe and abroad.
his youth, is a powerful clairvoyant, which grants him
great insight in negotiations. Hes recently been gifted with
magical spectacles that restore most of his vision, but George The Austrian Empire
complains that they give him headaches. A supporter of Austria lost a lot of territory in the Napoleonic Wars, but
Austria, George isnt afraid to use his connections with redeemed itself in 1813 when it joined the allies against
Great Britain to check Prussian power. Napoleon, helping to push him back inside France and,
eventually, to surrender. The former Holy Roman Emperor
created a new crown and became Francis I, the first Emperor
The Swiss Confederation of Austria. Perhaps Francis most important contribution to
Prior to the 19th century, Switzerland was a loosely aligned the empire was bringing Gnome politician Prince Klemens
group of cantons until Napoleon invaded and forcibly Wenzel von Metternich into his government.
created a Helvetic Republic in 1798, which united the
cantons under a central authority. The next few years saw Metternich was a conservative who believed that
Switzerland torn apart by rebellions and coups until 1803, international congresses could avert future wars. As such,
when the Act of Mediation restored a confederation. The he was the architect of the Concert of Europe that formed
Treaty of Paris further guaranteed Swiss neutrality and between Austria, Britain, Prussia and Russia at the Congress
restored losses sustained during the Napoleonic Wars. of Vienna. He ensured that Austria had strong control over
the new German Confederation that came out of the ashes
Over the next three decades, conservative Roman Aluminat of the Holy Roman Empire, and kept Russia from annexing
forces clashed with liberal Remonstrator forces. This resulted parts of Eastern Europe.
in a civil war in 1847. After surprisingly few losses (less than
100 dead), the conservative forces were defeated and a new When a Guild operation to repair the Emperors first-born
constitution was drawn up in 1848 that established the Swiss sons mental capacities failed (indeed, they completely
Confederation as a federal state. Since then, the new Federal incapacitated him), Francis son Franz Karl I became next
Assembly has been steadily improving integration through in line. When he was crowned in 1835, Metternich became
establishing a single currency, abolishing tariffs between his prime minister. Under Metternichs guidance, Austria
cantons, rebuilding roads and installing telegraphs. The has been unifying its government and crushing liberal
Swiss Confederation is rapidly becoming a popular place opposition, most notably in 1848. Metternich also ensured
for banking and commerce. In addition, the Consortium of that the crumbling German Confederation was restored
Hermetic Guilds has taken advantage of this neutrality and rather than lose North Germany to Prussia.

THE FA MIGLIE ANZIAN E STRIKE AGAIN!

The Times - 11 August 1795
The Royal Navy discovered a Berber vessel of unknown name adrift in the Atlantic Ocean between Africa and the Canary
Islands. The entire crew had been killed and their bodies obviously thrown overboard, as all that could be found of them
were their decapitated heads, neatly stacked on the top deck where they became fodder for birds.

Captain James Winchell of the HMS Reliant believes that this is the work of the Famiglie Anziane, an unofficial organisation
of Sicilian merchant families. This fraternity is very protective of its interests and the macabre display is likely a warning
to future pirates. Captain Winchell notes that this particular display is the signature of Stiletto, an unidentified Eldren
mercenary frequently associated with murders attributed to the Famiglie Anziane.

51
 VICTORIANA

Franz Karl I is an unambitious ruler, content to let Victor Emmanuels chief rival for any Italian crown is
Metternich run state affairs while he acts in a largely Ferdinand II, of the Two Sicilies. Ferdinand II spent the first
ceremonial role, hosting parties and patronising the arts. two decades of his reign cutting taxes and fostering industry,
His wife, Queen Sophie, is much more interested in being leading to the construction of the first Italian steamships
an actual Empress, but Metternich uses his sway with the and ornithopters. The Kingdom is also undertaking a
Emperor to blunt her influence in governance. Currently, massive project to construct a bridge from Messina to Villa
Metternich is supporting the Carlists against the Queen San Giovanni, which will connect Sicily to the mainland.
of Spain while cautioning Franz Karl to stay out of the
Crimean War, unless the tide decisively turns in favour of A revolt in Palermo in 1848 sparked tumult all across the
the allies. Continent. Ferdinand II ruthlessly crushed the uprising; his
use of automatic machine guns to control the revolution
and the mass roundup of dissidents has raised eyebrows
The Italian States in Britain and France. Sardinia hopes that once the Crimean
The Italian peninsula has not been fully united since the War is over, it can convince the two powers to overthrow
Roman Empire. It came close during the Napoleonic Wars, the Sicilian monarchy (and naturally add its lands to the
when France annexed the north and the south became a Sardinian Kingdom).
French satellite, but the Congress of Vienna restored the
regional Italian states and Italy remains fragmented to Central Italy is dominated by the Aluminat States, which are
this day, although the House of Savoy, which controls the administered by the representatives of the Conclave. These
Kingdom of Sardinia, is pushing for unification. states are essentially theocracies, with Roman Aluminat
doctrine guiding everything from government to law to
The Italian States can be grouped into roughly four regions. education. The economy remains agricultural, relying
The northwest is dominated by the Kingdom of Sardinia on exports of olive oil, silk and wine. There is a growing
(which includes Piedmont and Genoa); central Italy is lower class and the Aluminat States funnel funds through
directly ruled by the Aluminat; southern Italy belongs to charities to take care of them.
the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (with ties to Spain), with
the rest either directly or indirectly controlled by Austria. Some critics remark that these charities are encouraging
a content, lazy population. In spite of this, the lazy
Sardinian King Victor Emmanuel II is busy laying the population rose up in 1848 and assassinated the Minister
groundwork for Italian unification. He has joined the Allies of Justice. They demanded that the Conclave create a
in the Crimean War and fears that Austria, who decisively democratic government and introduce liberal reforms.
defeated his father and forced him to abdicate in 1849, When the Conclave refused, the revolutionaries declared
may try to annex Sardinia. Victor Emmanuels own ties to a Roman Republic and created an army with General
Austria came to an end with the death of his mother and his Giuseppe Garibaldi, who had been a longstanding anti-
wife in 1852 and 1855, respectively. Should Austria enter Austrian and liberal supporter, at its head. The Conclave
the Crimean War on Russias side, Victor Emmanuel has called on France for support and French troops, after an
no doubt that Austrias Lombard and Venetian armies will initial setback, sent Garibaldi fleeing and restored the
march west. Conclave to power. A French garrison remains there today.

Before that can happen, Victor Emmanuel is looking to One interesting development in the Aluminat States is the
legitimise his rule as King of Italy. Toward this end he is restoration of the old monuments scattered throughout
courting Empress Josephine of Parma, the former wife of central Italy. Many of these are Roman, but several are even
the imprisoned Napoleon Bonaparte. Having been granted more ancient Etruscan and Latin ruins. Some of these sites
the Duchy of Parma at the Congress of Vienna, the Eldren are sacred to enchanters and followers of the old faiths,
Empress had her marriage to Napoleon annulled, reportedly fuelling speculation that there is a greater purpose to
with Napoleons consent, in order to cement her status restoring these sites beyond mere preservation.
as an independent duchess. Given that her marriage was
childless, the Aluminat granted it. For her part Josephine, Austria holds the greatest sway in northern Italy, where the
who still looks quite young at 93, has thus far resisted Victor Austrian Emperor directly controls Lombardy and Venice,
Emmanuels proposals, for she has no wish to incite Austria save for a brief few months in 1848 when popular uprisings
before she has the capability to defend herself. created a provisional government that lasted through

52
 book I

the summer until Austrian troops regained control. The where this Steppegoblin noblewoman came from, but no
Emperors son, Franz Joseph, was then appointed Viceroy one challenged Pyotrs word. When Pyotr declared himself
of Milan. Emperor of all Russias in 1721, Ekaterina became his
Empress. Four years later, Pyotr died and Ekaterina became
The Grand Duchy of Tuscany is currently occupied by the reigning monarch of Russia, a title shes held ever since.
Austrian troops at the request of Grand Duke Leopold Ekaterina prefers the title Tsarina, which means queen,
II, who briefly lost control of Tuscany after failing to but her use has elevated the term to be synonymous with
compromise with revolutionaries in 1848. Austrian Prime Empress.
Minister Metternich is keeping the garrison there as a
deterrent against Italian (more specifically anti-Austrian Pyotrs reign included an intense period of Westernisation,
Italian) unification. in which he modernised government and lifestyles. He also
adopted an autocratic form of government and instituted
serfdom in place of near-slavery; Pyotr then adapted the
Greece Orthodox Aluminat to Russia. Emulating the Anglican
Perhaps the most ancient of the civilisations of Europe, Aluminat, Ekaterina took the Russian Aluminat one step
Greece had been under the control of the Ottoman Empire further by declaring herself Matriarch of Moscow and All
for over three centuries. That changed in 1821, when a Russia.
revolutionary group sparked numerous revolts against the
Empire. After several setbacks and European intervention, One of the most controversial reforms was the elevation
the First Hellenic Republic was established in 1830. The of women to near-equal status to men. This developed
republican government proved unpopular and was replaced slowly, with Ekaterina replacing her personal guard with
in 1832 with a kingdom under Otto I, a Bavarian prince. mystics and granting women more freedoms. By the mid-
18th century, the first female military officers were in
One of the heroes of the Greek War of Independence was service and by the end of the century they werent even
Lord Byron, an Eldren poet who remained in Greece as uncommon. Ironically, most other Europeans consider
prominent politician and national poet. It is believed that Russia backwards for allowing women to hold such
his romantic notion of a reborn Byzantium captivated positions.
King Otto and served as the inspiration for entitling Otto
King of the Hellenes, a more all-encompassing term for By the end of the 18th century, Ekaterina had thoroughly
all Greeks in the Eastern Mediterranean. King Otto would modernised Russia and created many new cities.
keep this Great Idea in mind when conducting foreign Unfortunately, the Russian system still relied heavily on
policy. a landowner-serf model and the middle class was non-
existent. The serfs were constantly exploited, leading to
With the outbreak of the Crimean War, King Otto wants several rebellions. Unfortunately, all were unsuccessful
to use the opportunity to snatch Constantinople and and served only to give Ekaterina reason to create a secret
the rest of the Ottoman Empires Balkan territory. This, police force to keep an eye on her subjects.
naturally, would involve an alliance with Russia, and thus
is not palatable to Britain or France. Britain had already Russia played a major role in the Napoleonic Wars,
blockaded Greek ports over an incident in 1850, and it ultimately leading to the French Invasion of 1812, which
blockaded Greece again in 1853 in order to assure Greek proved disastrous for Napoleon. The Tsarina personally
neutrality in the Crimean War. Nevertheless, with Allied led her troops into Moscow to expel him, losing her left
forces currently suffering major setbacks, King Otto may hand in the fight. The Guild offered her a magical platinum
strike Constantinople soon; hes already received unofficial replacement in return for the opening of a Russian
assurances of aid from Austria. Guildhouse in St. Petersburg.

After the war, the aging Tsarina became rather reclusive,

Russia preferring to rule by edict than appearance. Some whispered
Some say that the Tsarina is the Russian Empire and that that her eccentricities were catching up with her. One
the Russian Empire is the Tsarina. Ekaterina I married Pyotr could argue that the Tsarina was indeed eccentric or, at the
the Great in 1707 under mysterious circumstances; Pyotr very least, bad luck. Over the course of her long life shes
simply introduced her to Court as his wife. No one knew had thirteen husbands, all of whom have died within five

53
 VICTORIANA

years due to disease or mysterious causes; Ekaterina claims In spite of all this, however, Abdulmecid is overseeing
that most of these were botched assassination attempts on a declining empire. Egypt is only nominally part of the
her life. Her final husband, Nicolai, died last year in the empire and threatened to swallow it not long ago. Parts
Crimean War. The Tsarinas only daughter, Princess Nadja, of its northern territory has been annexed by Russia, and
is currently the face of Russia. nationalist movements in the Balkans have given Greece
independence and turned Moldavia, Serbia and Wallachia
The Tsarina coveted the Ottoman-controlled lands of into autonomous territories. The Crimean War not only
Moldavia and Wallachia, partly to control the Danube threatens to make the Empire cede more territory, but it
and partly as a check against the Ottomans from closing also revealed the Empires reliance on European powers to
the Turkish Straits that connect the Black Sea to the protect its interests.
Mediterranean. In 1853, she used the Ottoman grant of a
request from the Aluminat Conclave to allow French troops
to protect Aluminat sites in the Holy Land as a pretext, The Orient
claiming that Russia should be allowed to protect Orthodox While the definition of the Orient has changed as
churches in the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans declared European exploration has expanded throughout the
war and enlisted the aid of Britain, France and Sardinia. world, in Victoriana the term has come to mean anything
east of Europe and Africa. This includes Asia, the worlds
Given Russias antiquated society and relative lack of largest continent, as well as Australia and the islands of the
industry, the Allies expected a quick victory. Instead, Pacific. The Orient is increasingly tied to Europe through
the initial forces were stunned by the amount of aetheric colonisation, imperialism and trade.
energy the Tsarina could field. In addition, many of her
elite soldiers are magicians (of all traditions), including the Home to some of the worlds oldest civilisations, and the
dreaded Tsarina Pyetra (Imperial Death Guard), which is birthplace of the Aluminat faith, the nations of Asia tend
personally headed by Princess Nadja. to lag behind Europe in industry with some states, such as
China, remaining virtually unchanged for millennia. Russia
In spite of Russias strength, most of her people still live little claims the northern part of the continent, while Britain
better than slaves. Those few who can read are captivated controls much of South Asia. Southwest Asia, which includes
by Western ideals and revolutionary movements, and no the Holy Lands, is dominated by the Ottoman Empire.
monarch has faced more assassination attempts than the
Tsarina. Nor is Princess Nadja immune; prior to her going to Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania are becoming more
the Crimea in 1855 she married Prince of Austria Ferdinand westernised as the Australian gold rush brings more
Maximilian. An assassins bomb killed her new husband on Europeans to the area, displacing the natives in a way not
their wedding night. dissimilar to the Americas. As time wears on, these colonies
are seen as less Oriental and more uncivilised British.

The Ottoman Empire

To many Europeans, the Ottoman Empire feels like a Persia
lingering invader. Separated by continent and religion, the Persia is one of the most ancient lands, and the birthplace of
Nithami Ottoman Empire is primarily based in Asia and Avestanism. Situated at the crossroads between the ancient
Africa, with only a fading presence in the Balkan Peninsula East and West, Persia became a hub of science and culture
in Europe. The cultural dissonance is not from lack of that advanced the Nithami-inspired cultures (and preserved
trying; indeed current Sultan Abdulmecid I has attempted and adapted Greek culture) while Europe collapsed into
to make all of his subjects equal under the law, and to more the Dark Ages. Persias advancement of medieval engineer
fully integrate his Aluminat subjects into Imperial society. Al-Jazaris mechanical marvels made it one of the most
technologically advanced nations in the world throughout
Not only is the Sultan aggressively pursuing modernisation the Middle Ages, in spite of numerous invasions.
and industry, he has adopted French bureaucratic and
financial models, and established modern academies. He In the early 19th century, Persia entered two wars with
has also built an extensive railway and telegraph network. Russia over the latters expansion into the Caucasus region.
The Sultan has even had a hand in fashion; he banned the In spite of British support, the better equipped Persian
turban in favour of the fez. Army fell to the aetheric-enhanced Russian forces. These

54
 book I

losses signalled to the world that the formerly potent they were of the highest caste. The only practices that John
Persian Empire was in decline and its shah, Naser al-Din, Company stood firm on abolishing were the Thuggee death
began an aggressive campaign to modernise the country. cults and Suttee, whereby a widow was expected to throw
Unfortunately, Persia is still caught up in the Great Game herself on the funeral pyre of her husband.
between Britain and Russia, and the Shah is learning that
there is a very thin line between ally and enemy. However, increasing connections with Britain, including
reduced travel times and the increased availability of
British brides, are leading to a more British culture in
India India. The memsahibs brought their society and religions
One of the oldest civilisations in the world, India with them and Eurasians (the children of mixed marriages)
(Hindustan, while considered archaic, is still a popular are discovering limits to their careers within John Company
name) is currently governed as a corporate state. The British that hadnt been there a generation earlier. One side-effect
East India Company rules the subcontinent which, prior of Company rule is that it has united the peoples of India
to the British invasion, was a patchwork of independent like never before and there is growing talk of rebellion. All
nations. John Company rules some of these lands directly thats lacking is a fuse
through three Presidencies, while others retain native rule
but ultimately answer to their British overlords.
China
The mostly Native Company armies, taken together, are China is an ancient land that once dominated the Far East.
larger than the British Army. John Company is aggressively Its history is a succession of dynasties and empires that
expanding its influence eastward, taking Burma, and continuously fracture and reform; its lands full of mysteries
westward, where it plays the Great Game against Russia in and powerful magics. Its various emperors claimed to have
Afghanistan and Persia. dragon blood coursing through their veins, hence the terms
Dragon Emperor and Dragon Throne. Currently China is
Initially the Company civilians were more tolerant of the ruled by the Manchu dynasty, which hails from Manchuria
natives, adopting many of their customs, taking Indian and is thus seen as foreign rule by many Chinese peasants.
brides, and allowing the Vedic religion and caste system to
continue unmolested. Indeed, the caste system offered some Chinese sorcerers and mystics are amongst the most
support; as there are apparently no Dravidian (southern powerful in the world. Chinese sorcerers are often called
Indian) Gnomes, this enabled Gnome civilians to claim that Mandarin sorcerers or simply Mandarins, a Western

55
 VICTORIANA

appellation that also applies to Chinese scholar-officials, or an aetheric connection to Justas and has spawned a new
bureaucrats. The implication is that all Chinese bureaucrats religious movement that is based on Aluminat teachings.
have some magical ability Although many do, this is a This religion has spread like wildfire amongst the peasantry
fiction that the Dragon Emperor encourages. and, by 1856, controls much of southern China.

China was still the dominant Asian power at the dawn of Thus far the European powers are remaining neutral,
the 19th century, although the White Lotus Rebellion (1794- although it is rumoured that some of them are smuggling
1804) began to show the cracks in the seemingly invincible opium and weapons to the rebels. Some say the Europeans
empire. Throughout the 18th century, European traders are doing this to strengthen their position in China;
tried to gain access to China, only to be rebuffed time and others believe that this is a rumour spread by the Dragon
again. Aluminat missionaries also tried to penetrate China Emperor in order to have cause to kick them out once he
with little success. re-establishes control. Thus far, it looks as though the Qing
Dynasty is finally beginning to crumble.
That changed in the 1830s, when suppression of British
trade in China led to the Opium War. Chinas loss in this
conflict allowed Britain to establish trading posts and protect Japan
missionaries. The Opium War also highlighted Chinas Japan is a fascinating and exotic land that has only recently
weakness militarily. In spite of its armies being supplemented been opened to European scrutiny. While nominally ruled
by powerful magics, China had no answer for Europes by an Emperor, the real power in Japan is held by the
modern tactics and weaponry. By the 1850s, the United Shogun, a military leader who rules over a feudal system of
States of America, France, the Scandinavian Confederation military lords. While warriors (or samurai) run the country,
and Russia had forced China to open trade with them. the vast majority of the people are peasants. Rice farming is
the primary occupation of the peasantry.
Currently China is ruled by the Xianfeng Emperor, whose
reign was less than a year old when the Taiping Rebellion Japan has a strict and draconian set of codes and strictures
broke out. The leader of the rebellion, Hong Xiuquan, claims governing everyday life, the most important of which

Excerpt from a Treatise on the Himalayan Expeditions of the

Bengal Presidenc y in Search of the Kingdom of Prester John
By Edmund Georgeson, TD
Much effort has been spent in the last few decades to comb Given the amount of literature devoted to it, many of my
the jungles of Burma and the eastern Himalayas for the colleagues speculate that Shambhala is a place where the
Kingdom of Prester John. As of yet, we have no credible world is most closely connected to the aether, and that
evidence of such a kingdom having ever existed, save that powerful magics keep explorers from finding it. While
the Aluminat believes it so. In my studies, however, I have that may be true, I offer a simpler explanation. It is most
come across another legendary kingdom potentially nestled commonly understood that Shekhar Gurun, the founder
in the giant mountains that separate India from Tibet, and of Boddhism, was a Dwarf. Additionally, it is believed that
this kingdom is called Shambhala. the Himalayas may contain the largest concentration of
Dwarves on the planet. What if the explorers are going about
Unlike the Kingdom of Prester John, which posits an this in the wrong manner? What if, instead of climbing the
Aluminat nation in the Far East, Shambhala is a local legend, mountains and looking for hidden valleys, we should instead
a place where the purest form of Boddhism is practiced. It turn downward and probe the depths of Dwarven caves to
is said that ones quintessence may be instantly refreshed in discover a subterranean Shambhala? Perhaps there, too, we
the pools of the cities, and that even a Huldu could age as should find the Kingdom of Prester John.
gracefully as an Eldren. Powerful magics long forgotten are
said to be recorded in the scrolls of a vast library.

56
 book I

is Bushido, the warriors code. Japan has a bewildering the Amboyna Massacre in 1623). Today, the VOC is the
etiquette code and foreigners must be wary of what they dominant power in the region, employing the same tactics
say and do, in case they cause inadvertent offence. Perhaps that John Company uses in India. Unlike India, however,
the strangest element to Westerners is the preponderance the VOCs dominion over much of its lands is tenuous, and
of Ogres (known in the Far East as Oni) that are samurai. the constant threat of piracy makes it difficult for spice-
Indeed, the previous Shogun was an Oni, although his laden ships to move safely.
human son Tokugawa Ieyoshi currently holds the position.
While the Dutch like to fill in the archipelago map as a single
For over two centuries, Japan was closed to foreigners, colour, the islands are dotted with multiple small areas of
as the Shogunate believed that traders and missionaries independent rule. Many of these areas are controlled by
were precursors to invasion. It was only when American sultans, as the Nithamiyeen came to the archipelago long
Commodore Matthew Perry sailed into Yokohama Bay before the Dutch. One curious independent kingdom is
and showed the Japanese the power of his cannons did the Sarawak, which is in northern Borneo. This kingdom is
Shogunate finally open its doors to foreign traders. ruled by the White Raja, an Englishman by the name of Sir
James Brooke. British trader Sir James received the kingdom
While the current Shogun has been investing in European after aiding the local sultan in putting down a rebellion.
warships and technologies, the vast majority of Japan The White Raja is popular in Britain, but not with either
remains a feudal nation. Most daimyos (samurai lords) John Company or the VOC; both believe he is harbouring
fear that modernisation will chip away their authority and pirates and benefiting from their booty.
prefer to maintain tradition, putting their faith in steel and
magic to maintain the status quo.
Australia
The native peoples of Australia have a culture that has
Dutch East Indies survived almost unchanged for thousands of years. They
The Dutch East India Company (VOC) has had a presence in are comprised of over 250 different nations of hunter-
the islands of Southeast Asia since it opened a trading post gatherers who live even now much as they did millennia
on Java in 1603. Since then, the VOC has been expanding ago. In spite of their primitive society many aborigines
its influence throughout the archipelago and creating a are powerful magnetists and boast some of the strongest
rivalry with the British East India Company (sparked by spiritualists in the world.

Dearest Kendall,

I hope all is well with you in London. I am writing to you about a most interesting presentation I attended here in Geneva. Doctor Reinhardt has the most thrilling
lecture delivery; it truly is a rare and precious gift. His topic was Zootopia, a legendary land somewhere near New South Wales forgive me, Australia where
a Dutch castaway found himself on an island populated entirely by Beastfolk! The Human castaway had never seen such varieties of Beastfolk as found there and
referred to their leader as the Duck-Billed King. The nation had a strict policy of isolationism and non-Beastfolk were unwelcome. They debated for weeks as to
what to do with the poor unfortunate sailor.

According to the Dutchman, the Beastfolk of the island, which they call Winaku, had a very rational and ordered culture that was, in the words of Dr Reinhardt,
similar to communism. The castaway saw no evidence of magic use, but the technology of the island was very advanced; indeed, he believed that his ship was sunk
by the islanders for coming too close. The islanders ultimately decided to spare him, not because of any sense of mercy, but because they feared more ships coming
to the island.

Dr Reinhardt insists that the author Jonathan Swift used the castaways account for a chapter in Gullivers Travels. Dr Reinhardt also believes that Winaku may be a
remnant of the lost continent of Mu, somewhere south of Tasmania and New Zealand. Hes hoping to put together an aerostat expedition later this year to search for
it. Hopefully well be able to discuss more about it this evening over dinner.

Sincerely yours,
Aunt Pippa

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 VICTORIANA

The VOC discovered Australia in the 17th century and seized control in the aftermath of the French occupation
dubbed it New Holland, although they did little with it under Napoleon. Alis ambitions were to conquer the
other than survey the coastline, enabling Britain to claim Ottoman Empire and by 1840 he had almost succeeded; it
ownership in the mid-18th century primarily for use as a was only the intervention of the Great Powers in Europe
penal colony, spurred on by the loss of the British colonies in that curtailed him, although they legitimised his rule in
North America. While free settlement was also encouraged, the process. Accepting Ottoman suzerainty, the Khedive is
mass migrations to Australia only occurred during the content to wait until the time is right to challenge the Sultan
current decade with the discovery of gold. once more.

The Australian gold rushes have brought immigrants from Scholars of all stripes find Egypt fascinating; its crumbling
all over the world eager to seek their fortunes. Almost ruins and ever-shifting sands hold ancient secrets and
2% of the entire population of the British Isles have come treasures, many of them being plundered for the museums
to Australia. Gold miners were constantly under threat and private homes of collectors. The Khedive encourages
from bushrangers (runaway convicts) and other criminals some of this, using the monies collected to invest in
who preyed on miners during transportation. The lack of modernising Egypt, using France, his biggest ally amongst
a strong police presence only served to encourage such the Great Powers, as a model. With French assistance,
thievery. Some of the new immigrants left Australia for Egypt has also just completed the Suez Canal, a project
New Zealand, which boasted a more pleasant climate. which began under Napoleon.
Unfortunately for them, their growing numbers and needs
necessitated taking more land from the native Maori, which
has created a burning powder keg. If the encroachment Abyssinian Empire
continues, the immigrants could soon find themselves at Abyssinia has recently been united under a strong central
war. authority by Dwarf Emperor Tewodros II. An ancient
empire, the imperial line claims to come from the Levant
and brought with them the fabled Ark of Order, a powerful
The Dark Continent artefact that is said to ensure victory in battle. Unfortunately,
It is ironic that European explorers know much more the empire seems to have failed to make use of this artefact
about the New World and the Orient than they do about as Abyssinia had been in a perpetual state of civil war for
their closest neighbour, the continent of Africa. While almost a century before Tewodros rose to power.
the coastline is well-mapped, Europeans have done little
exploration into Africas interior, hence the sobriquet An aristocrat-turned-outlawturned-military commander,
the Dark Continent. Instead, Africa is largely seen as an Tewodros conquered the various warlords and married
obstacle to get around rather than as a destination, although into the imperial line, eventually overthrowing it. Having
there are exceptions, especially regarding the gold, ivory carved an empire, he now works tirelessly to maintain
and slave trades. it, leaning heavily on technologists to modernise the
country. A faithful Ethiopian Aluminat, Tewodros fears
As the world is running out of map, European nations his Nithamiyeen neighbours and has appealed to the Great
looking for new lands to exploit are increasingly turning Powers for aid. Thus far, none have answered, which angers
toward Africa. Explorers and missionaries travel ever the volatile emperor.
deeper into the mysterious continent, encountering new
tribes, nations and preternatural creatures; Huldu explorer
and missionary Dr David Livingstone has just discovered Ashanti Empire
Victoria Falls (promptly naming them after his Queen). The Ashanti Empire is a powerful kingdom in West Africa.
While the slave trade has been curtailed in Europe, Arab Situated along the Gold Coast, the Empire has contact with
slave traders still comb eastern Africa for merchandise. many European powers. The kingdom is ruled by Kwaku
Dua Asantehene with the help of his Eldren advisor Okomfo
Anokye, a master of many forms of magic, including
Egypt haemomancy (considered Maleficia by the Aluminat). The
Nominally part of the Ottoman Empire, Egypt is in fact a Ashanti fought the British to a stalemate in the Anglo-
sovereign nation. Ruled by Eldren Khedive Muhammad Ali, Ashanti War (1823-1831) over a border dispute.
Egypt has grown into a regional power since the Khedive

58
 book I

Part of the Empires success is due to its modern army, The Kingdom is currently ruled by Eldren Queen Sinkutin,
many of which are seasoned veterans of the Dutch East who rested control from her brother when he tried to
India Company (VOC). These Belanda Hitam, as they are sacrifice her. She is attended to by elite female warriors
known in the Dutch East Indies, were recruited by the VOC known as Mino (our mothers), although colonials have
to replenish and bolster Dutch troops in the various wars dubbed them Amazons. They are fierce fighters and
in the East Indies. In return, the Ashanti Empire received make up roughly a third of the army. Colonials also refer
firearms and other resources which enabled it to build a to Sinkutin as the African Tsarina in acknowledgement of
strong, centralised state, as well as the valuable experience the obvious similarities. When mentioned in her presence,
of retired VOC soldiers. That said, the local British troops Sinkutin merely smiles and notes that perhaps the Tsarina
still eye the Ashanti for conquest, citing their continuance of is merely the Russian Sinkutin.
slavery (mainly criminals and prisoners of war) as a reason.

Sierra Leone and Liberia

Kingdom of Dahomey The West African nations of Sierra Leone and the Republic
The Kingdom of Dahomey is unique amongst native African of Liberia share a lot in common. Both were started as
nations, in that it has a strong absolute monarchy and ventures by benevolent Western organisations to relocate
centralised government bureaucracy. The ever-expanding Africans freed from slavery; both had mixed cultural
kingdom grew wealthy during the slave trade by selling heritages as a result, and both have attempted to create a
war captives, although the general moratorium on the such Western-style nation. Finally, and most unfortunately, the
trade and the establishment of the slave haven of Abeokuta residents of these new nations have little in common with
has cut into the revenue stream. Dahomey has attempted to their neighbours, leading to many border skirmishes.
compensate by expanding its borders and producing palm
oil. Sierra Leone is the earlier colony, created in 1787. The first
settlers were escaped slaves from America that sought
British protection and relocated to Freetown, where they
enjoyed British protection from slavers. Following the
abolition of the slave trade in 1807 many residents chose
to stay in Sierra Leone. Blended together from all parts of
Africa, the new residents formed a Creole culture with
its own customs, ceremonies, and English dialect. Their
conjurers borrow as much from the Caribbean as they do
from Africa.

1n 1827 Fourah Bay College was established and quickly

became a European-style University, complete with a
hermetic program with accreditation from the Consortium
of Hermetic Guilds. Similarly the Aluminat has a
dominating presence in the colony, with many missionaries
coming to Sierra Leone before moving on to other places in
Africa.

Liberia is Sierra Leones southern neighbour, established

by the Americans in 1822. Its capital is named Monrovia
in honour of the then-current American President. As
with Sierra Leone, the aim was to establish a colony for
freed slaves. Unlike Sierra Leone, however, the American
government has a more hands-off policy and allowed
an African-American governor, born a free Virginian, to
oversee it. This has resulted in Liberia copying the American
Constitution and declaring itself a republic in 1847, with the
governor becoming President Joseph Jenkins Roberts. Most

59
 VICTORIANA

countries have recognised the new republic but America Zanzibars most lucrative business is the slave trade, which
has yet to join them. has thus far been unaffected by the European ban. Tens of
thousands of slaves pass through Zanzibar every year. The
While the foreign slave trade is illegal, there are many illicit British have been attempting to end such trade through
markets (especially in Brazil and Cuba) which accept new a series of treaties, but thus far the Sultan has ignored
slaves, and many native leaders are more than willing to them. The Omani Arabs finance their own expeditions into
sell prisoners of war in exchange for firearms and other the interior to capture slaves (primarily females) for the
technologies. Great Britain has formed the West African Arabian slave markets.
Squadron to patrol the Atlantic and stop any ships bearing
sapient cargo. The West African Squadron has recently
been enhanced by the addition of the Harrier Squadron, Kingdom of Merina
a unit of wyvern riders. This squadron is based in the The Kingdom of Merina is a cultural blend of African,
British Freetown Colony in Sierra Leone. The two units are Arabian and Indonesian peoples, with large percentages
collectively known as the Preventative Squadrons. of Dwarves, Gnomes, Huldufolk, Karaka and Naacal. The
aristocracy is primarily of Indonesian origin, although
Queen Ranalova I is a Karakon (see The Outsiders pdf),
suggesting some Arabian ancestry. Frustrated at Britain and
HARRIER SQUADRON STRIKES Frances competing bids to take over her island, Ranalova
has expelled all foreigners, re-instituted slavery (which had
ANOTHER BLOW FOR FREEDOM! been banned by a treaty with Britain) and persecutes any
of her subjects who refuse to renounce the Aluminat faith.
The Times - 3 May 1853 She has allowed Western industry only to keep her military
supplied.
In another victory for the Preventative Squadrons,
Captain Nigel Wheeler and his aerial lancers prevented
three slave ships bound for the Empire of Brazil from
Cape Colony
crossing the Atlantic with an estimated 1200 slaves.
The Cape Colony was formerly held by the Dutch East India
Unfortunately, as many as 300 Africans were lost
Company before it was permanently handed to Britain
when one of the Portuguese slave ships, A Cisne Preta,
during the Treaty of Paris in 1814. Situated at the bottom tip
exploded when its gunpowder stores ignited during
of Africa, it was a coveted refuelling, resupplying and trade
the battle. The Harrier Squadron was able to force
station along the East Indies trade routes. The increasing
the Raposa Rapida and the Mercurio to reroute to
British presence is alienating the Boers, most of who had
Freetown and free their prisoners. Our condolences
moved out during the Great Trek. Currently, Governor-
go to the families of Lieutenant Marc Finnegan and
General Sir George Grey is attempting to woo them back
Lieutenant Francis Bowman, who were both lost
through his proposal of a Federation, a strategy which is
during the rescue.
unpopular in Britain.

The Boers initially moved out during the Great Trek of the
1830s, establishing a handful of small states. Natal was soon
Sultanate of Zanzibar annexed to the Cape Colony, but Britain recognised Boer
East Africa is dominated by the Sultanate of Zanzibar. independence in 1852 for two regions: the Orange Free State
Given the sultanate after his fathers death, Sultan Mahid and the more disorganised Transvaal. Both the Boer states
bin Said resides in Zanzibar, an island off the coast, where and the Cape Colony have had conflicts with the native
he oversees the clove plantations along the shores of East nations, including the Sotho, the Xhosa and the Zulus.
Africa, known colloquially amongst Arab traders as the
Zanj. Given its position along the trade route around Africa The Cape Colony and their Boer neighbours are continually
(only recently threatened by the opening of the Suez Canal), threatened by the growing Zulu Kingdom. Ruled by the
Zanzibar has become an integral part of the spice trade. aging but still fearsome Beastman (Lion) Shaka Zulu, the
While the aristocracy is Arab, most of the middle class are Zulu Kingdom is a merit-based administration, with the
Indian merchants who the Sultan imported to handle the members of defeated nations being given equal rights under
economy. Zulu rule. The military is also highly structured, using new

60
 book I

skirmishing tactics to which their short spears and shields were metals used to any great degree, but the Patago were
are better suited, as well as potent magic. Zulu efficiency so insular that their technologies rarely reached the rest of
is matched by its brutality; Shaka is prone to violent mood South America.
swings and anyone offering even the slightest opposition is
usually put to death. When the Europeans came, they brought new technologies
with them, as well as the horse. Both enabled them to
dominate the local cultures, but neither was quite as
effective as disease. While many American nations had
A letter from Cape Town, March 1852 powerful magicians, their spells didnt recognise the foreign
contagions and most of the American population (as much
Dear Countess, as 90% in some places) was wiped out before magical
training caught up to the new illnesses. This left the great
I pray I find you and your husband in good powers to carve up the continents amongst themselves,
spirits; it is difficult to believe that it has been whilst the remaining American nations contracted into
almost three years since we first laid eyes on Lake ever-decreasing areas of the New World.
Ngami and discovered to our mutual delight that the
natives had stories similar to those in the Codex. At the beginning of the current century, most of the
It truly ignited my imagination of the possibilities Americas (except for Northwestern America and Patagonia)
of an Egyptian or Levantine colony deep within the were ruled from Europe, with the notable exception of the
jungles of this great continent. United States of America. By 1856, most of the Americas are
If you are reading this then hopefully it is independent nations, protected somewhat by the United
because my beloved Mary has personally handed it States Monroe Doctrine, which warned Europe against
to you. I humbly ask that you ensure that my wife interfering with them.
and children are comfortably settled in London. I
plan to join them after my next great expedition In North America, the first half of the 19th century has
up the Zambesi, of which I must assuredly be on seen the continent fracture. The Kingdom of Quebec
by the time you read this. Perhaps I shall discover seceded from Canada when Eldren French King Louis VIII
the Kingdom of Prester John, the land of Sheba, or fled there following revolution in 1848. The Republics of
some other great African empire while I map the California and Texas were carved out of Mexico and all
continent and bring the Voices to its people. It is three, as well as the westward-looking United States, are
very challenging but rewarding work! fighting border wars with the Comancheria. The Republic
I look forward to sharing a cup of tea with of the Yucatan declared independence from Mexico in 1841
you upon my return. Please keep me and my family and, with Texian aid, has maintained its independence.
in your prayers as I do you in mine. It also sparked the Texian-Mexican War of 1846-1848,
which largely ended in a stalemate although, with United
Yours in Faith, States assistance, California became an independent
republic; most of the land between California and Texas
H Livingston

has now effectively become a no-mans land with multiple
claimants.
Dr Henry Livingstone
The Central American republics formed a greater republic
from 1823-1839, and in the years since many proposals have
been made to recreate it, perhaps including the Yucatan.
The possibility of such a union is threatened by American
The New World adventurer William Walker, who used a Nicaraguan civil
Prior to the arrival of the Europeans, the Americas were war the previous year to set himself up as President of
dominated by numerous nations and tribes. They primarily Nicaragua. Most of the West Indies are still ruled from
formed stone-age nomadic or pastoral communities, Europe, with the notable exception of Hispaniola, which
although Mesoamerican cultures built cities and empires is composed of two countries: Haiti and the Dominican
and the largest empire, the Inca, had just begun using metal Republic. Haiti is notable for being the only country to have
tools when the Spaniards first met them. Only in Patagonia had a successful slave rebellion.

61
 VICTORIANA

In South America, the Empire of Brazil dominates the wanted to be slave or free. This has led to settlers on both
map, followed by the nebulous borders of Patagonia. sides flocking to the Kansas Territory and starting a bloody
The Republic of Columbia also claims a sizable chunk of civil war over Kansas eventual statehood. The Act has also
the northwestern part of the continent. Only the Guianas led to the creation of the Republican Party, which opposes
remain under colonial control, as Britain and France, having the expansion of slavery.
abolished slavery, import workers from India, Indonesia
and China to replace the freed African and Guyanese While the Republicans prepare to field their first
slaves. The recent discovery of gold has also sparked border Presidential candidate for 1856, an interesting case has
disputes amongst the Guyanese and their neighbours. woven its way into the United States Supreme Court. It
is actually a collection of several cases, but named for
John Freeman (a pseudonym) as Freeman v Tennessee.
The United States of America Freeman argues that, with increasing numbers of mindless
The former British colonies along the east coast of North automata working plantations, neither he, nor any slave of
America started a cascade of independence movements African descent, should be considered a slave under the
all over the New World when they defeated British forces U.S. Constitution, as automata better fit the description
in the American Revolution. The new republic, and in than fellow sapients.
particular its written constitution, became the model for
other revolutionary movements. Originally granted land The Supreme Court intends on ruling on the case by
west to the Mississippi River, America doubled in size with summer. If they rule against slavery, and especially if a
the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, and claimed that the grant Republican wins the Presidential Election, then the United
also gave them the Oregon Country on the western coast. States of America will likely plunge into Civil War. Thus far
President Franklin Pierce, a Northerner who supported and
The growing sense of Americas manifest destiny to signed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, urges calm, as he hopes
rule the continent was tempered by unexpectedly tough to get re-elected and insists that, no matter what the Court
resistance from the native nations, most notably the decides, the institution of slavery will continue.
Comancheria, many of whom had been pushed west to
compete with or assimilate other nations and tribes. This The United States is currently enjoying an industrial boom
struggle, combined with the threat of war with Mexico, and is the most technologically advanced nation in the
has kept the United States from annexing Texas and Americas, with the possible exception of Patagonia. Every
California and all points in between, although each new day, new canals are dug and railroad track laid. Through
administration advances a new border proposal with technology, crops are picked more quickly and efficiently
Mexico and the republics. Currently tensions in the west for export, and the first continental aerostat flights have
have left the matter of the Oregon Country, or Britains taken travellers from Boston to Seattle and San Francisco
Columbia District, unresolved. (in the California Republic) within the last year.

One issue which divides America is slavery. Whilst the

slave trade was abolished in 1808, the southern states The Republic of Texas
still allow the practice of slavery to continue, as the slave Although they dont like to admit it, Texians are much like
population continues to produce more slaves. A black their eastern neighbours. One wonders how easily Texians
market slave trade also periodically brings new slaves would have assimilated into the American Union had
into the South. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 limited the American government had the tenacity and foresight
slavery to the state of Missouri and all territories below to accept Texas application for statehood when it was
the 3630 parallel. tendered. As it is, Texas is one of the youngest nations in
the Americas, having been established two decades ago
With most of this part of the continent in foreign hands, when settlers from the United States, along with a sizable
it soon became evident to Southern politicians that free number of Mexicans, rebelled against Mexican President
states would soon outnumber slave states, leading to the Santa Annas autocratic rule.
abolition of slavery and the plantation culture. The pro-
slavery faction passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854, The Texian Constitution is understandably similar to its
which repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed eastern neighbours, regrettably including slavery. One might
new states to determine for themselves whether they say they are even more fiercely dedicated to independence,

62
 book I

given the daily challenges they face against the Comancheria claims to the rest of it. In truth, most of these lands in the
and Mexico. The Texian government actively supports heart of North America belong to loose confederations of
other burgeoning republics, including California and the native tribes, or Red Indians in the American vernacular.
Yucatan.

One peculiarity of the Texian Constitution is that a President

is not eligible to run again until after the term following
his, leading to the popular Texian expression, When Sam
can run again. This of course refers to current President
Samuel Houston, who has won every other election since
the republic was formed.

Of particular note are the Texas Rangers, a law enforcement

agency that was created just before the republic. While they
do act as a military unit and served with distinction in the
Texas War of Independence and the Texian-Mexican War,
they primarily serve as detectives and spies. Be very careful
of what you say when speaking with a Texian.

C ou n tess L yon esse s D iary

- 6 November 1855 -
I had quite an interesting discussion during afternoon
tea with Mr James Buchanan, the American Minister
to the Court of St James. The Minister informs me
that there is a secret war of sorts between the Pinkerton
Detective Agency and the Texas Rangers in both the
southern U.S. and California, which could eventually The largest of these, the Comancheria, is dominated by the
lead to open conflict. He further believed that the Texas Comanche tribe, which exerts influence over many smaller
Rangers may be involved in fomenting a revolution in tribes in a manner analogous to an empire. The leaders and
Cuba, a cause that was dear to Mr Buchanan as hed shamans of these tribes periodically gather in what has come
been developing a plan to bring the Spanish possession to be known as a powwow. During this gathering, tribal
under American rule. elders debate topics of national importance or inter-tribal
disputes; the closest European analogue is Icelands Althing.
Given the current controversy over the potential outcome Powwows can be held anywhere within Comancheria, and
of the Freeman case, as well as British, French and there are quite possibly regional powwows where only a few
tribes, or even a single large tribe, meet as well.
Mexican interests in the region, I found Mr Buchanans
theories quite plausible, if a bit fanciful, especially in light Unfortunately, most outsiders interactions with the
of the upcoming U.S. Presidential election. Comancheria are through violence. This is perhaps
understandable, as with the absence of recognised treaties
or boundaries, one might trample on a burial ground or put
Comancheria a sacred area to the torch before one even knows of ones
Comancheria is an interesting nation, in that it is not really a crime. Combined with the fact that most of the surrounding
nation at all. It is normally excluded from most maps, as the nations arent known for keeping their treaties with
United States likes to pretend it owns all of the land west Comancheria, one has a recipe for regular violent conflict.
of the Mississippi below Canada and above Texas, while Fortunately, owing to the loose organisation of the nation,
Mexico, Texas and the California Republic stake competing armed conflict is often sporadic and localised.

63
 VICTORIANA

While it goes too far to say that the Comancheria Mexico

encompasses all of the native tribes west of the Mississippi, Mexico had some of the most advanced civilisations in
its dominance makes United States treaties with the the New World prior to Hernan Cortes arrival in 1519.
northern independent tribes, particularly the Cheyenne, Indeed, the rulers of the Triple Alliance that faced the
the Sioux, and the Ute, tenuous at best and the government Spaniards were called Aztecs based on their own beliefs
does well to keep these tribes happy lest their routes to the that they came from a land called Aztlan; this is probably
west get cut off. the antediluvian continent of Atlantis. The Aztecs had an
advanced culture revolving around city-states in spite of
One recent phenomenon surrounding the Comancheria is the absence of pack animals or the invention of the wheel.
the Armouch, or Blood Eldren, who dominate the more Magician-merchants thus became an integral part of Aztec
lurid newspapers and penny dreadfuls in America. The culture, as the only mercantile class able to effectively
Armouch supposedly gave themselves to the Pale for transport goods without the need for a waterway.
the power to attack and kill settlers in the night, leaving
nary a trace behind. They also supposedly steal Eldren When the Spanish arrived, the magician-merchant class
children and corrupt them into their tribe. Most civilised allied with them, partly out of fear of their own sorcerer-
folk dismiss this rumour as childish nonsense, designed to priests (who practiced the Maleficium of haemomancy),
give comfort and support to those who forcibly remove and partly to learn the new spells that the Spanish
native tribes from their land so that they are free to settle magicians brought with them. When the Triple Alliance
on it. fell, many sorcerer-priests fled to other parts of the Empire,
where they continued to fight against the Spanish for two
centuries. In many cases, these sorcerer-priests were joined
by the magician-merchants who had soon discovered that
C ou n tess L yon esse s D iary the Spanish had no intention of treating them as equals.
Several of these Aztec magicians were absorbed into the
- 6 November 1855 - Comancheria, and it is believed that the Armouch use Aztec
One of the more illuminating conversations I had rituals to fuel their magic.
with Mr Buchanan was over the question of Deseret,
an ambiguously-defined region in the Rockies east of The Viceroyalty of New Spain became Spains most
lucrative colony, and goods from the East Indies flowed
California. Mr Buchanan said that there was a Great to Mexico to be transported back to Spain. Unfortunately,
Salt Lake and the members of an Aluminat Sect, the Spain also imposed a strict caste system based on ancestry
Lehite Aluminat, settled there in 1847 in a city they which oppressed the lower castes (especially natives and
called New Zion. The Mexican army attempted to those of mixed descent). This fostered resentment that
drive them out, but the Lehites wielded powerful magic pushed Father Miguel Hidalgo, an Aluminat priest and
and forced the Mexicans to retreat. Guild mage, to lead a resistance army in 1810 that spent 11
years fighting Spain before gaining independence in 1821.
Not much is known about Deseret, but Mr Buchanan Ironically, it was Spains liberal reforms that caused the
landowning caste to switch sides and support the rebellion.
believes it operates as an autocratic theocracy based on
Lehite teachings, in spite of its leader being referred to After a short attempt at establishing a monarchy, Mexico
as President. A Lehite ambassador to Washington became a republic. The next three decades were marked
DC caused a scandal when he brought his two wives by political instability, with General Lopez de Santa Anna
with him; apparently polygamy is the norm in that city. often playing an integral role. Originally one of Mexicos
Mr Buchanan warned that if California were accepted liberators, Santa Anna had a tendency toward dictatorial
into the United States, then Deseret provides the most rule during his various presidencies. This ultimately cost
direct route and the question of whether to absorb it into him Texas and the Yucatan, and he eventually resigned and
the nation will have to be considered. was exiled to Cuba.

Santa Anna returned to help fight the Texians in the

Texian-Mexican War of 1846-1848, where boundary
disputes between the two nations, coupled with Mexicos

64
 book I

desire to reclaim Texas, sparked a war that eventually By the mid-1820s, Bolivar realised that he needed a strong
convinced California to secede. While American forces central government that could keep the various states
aided California, Texian concerns prevented them from united. He found a colleague in Alexander Hamilton, one of
absorbing the Bear Flag Republic into the American Union. the drafters of the US Constitution. The Gnome lawyer had
admitted an extramarital affair that effectively ended his
During the Texian-Mexican War (or the War in which career in American politics; intrigued by the independence
nothing was resolved in the words of New York Tribune movements in northern South America, Hamilton travelled
Editor Horace Greeley), Santa Anna declared himself to Venezuela and met Bolivar. Over the course of a few
President with effectively a life term. This has upset many days, Bolivar and Hamilton crafted a new Colombian
liberal circles in Mexico and, while the Clockwork Napoleon Constitution in 1826 which firmly established a strong
dreams of resolving the northern border issues once and for national government and practically erased the borders of
all, theres currently a conspiracy to replace him. the four signatories, replacing them with regional states.
In essence, many of Hamiltons more bold (and rejected)
proposals for the US Constitution were implemented in the
Colombian Constitution. Hamilton also wrote prolifically

The Daily NewsAugust 11, 1846

in the local newspapers defending and touting the new
franchise.

As the first President under the new constitution, Bolivar

SANTA ANNA RETURNS! wanted to add Peru and Bolivia to Colombia, but Peru was
General Lopez de Santa Anna has returned to Mexico not ready to give up its sovereignty. Instead, it engaged
from his exile in Cuba to lead the Mexican Army, Colombia in a war in 1828-1829 over national borders. The
which has suffered many losses in Alta California, Nuevo war was fought to a stalemate, with Peru only agreeing to
Mexico and within the Republic, where invasion forces end hostilities if Colombia would ban Bolivia from joining
have been repeatedly beaten back across the Rio Grande. the Republic (Peru feared being surrounded); Bolivar
The Clockwork Napoleon a sobriquet acquired from reluctantly agreed. Although Bolivar dreams of expanding
his artificial leg and his claim to be the Napoleon the Republic south to Chile and Argentina, the other
of the West vows not only to regain the northern nations, especially the aristocracies, are wary of giving
provinces but to make Samuel Houston bend his knee, away their power to a President-for-life.
which is taken to mean that Mexico intends to annex
the Republic. For the last several years Bolivar, aided by Hamilton as his
Secretary of the Treasury, has been turning Colombia into
an industrialised nation. An extensive railroad network
connects the Republic together, and Quito and Caracas have
The Republic of Columbia become major port cities. Currently, Hamilton is putting
The Republic of Columbia is a collection of states that have together plans to build a canal through the Isthmus of
banded together under a federal government following Panama before President Walker of Nicaragua can do so. In
their independence from Spain. Currently the Republic addition, Colombian agents are secretly aiding the Central
includes Ecuador, New Grenada, Santo Domingo and American nations in overthrowing the Nicaraguan leader.
Venezuela. Bolivia has an interest in joining the Republic,
but the Republics earlier war and subsequent treaty with
Peru prevents it from doing so. The Empire of Brazil
The Empire of Brazil is one of only two kingdoms native
The Republic is the dream of Eldren Venezuelan military to the Americas (the other being Quebec) and the only one
and political leader, Simon Bolivar. Bolivar secured that considers itself whole (the Quebecois King believes
independence for Ecuador, New Grenada and Venezuela himself the true ruler of France). The Empire was created
during the early part of this century, and united them when Pedro I, Crown Prince of Portugal and Regent of
under the banner of the Republic of Columbia. He also Brazil, responded to increasing demands by the Portuguese
helped Peru gain its independence from Spain and, whilst government by declaring Brazil independent in 1822; he
not favourable to the idea, allowed Upper Peru to secede (it was crowned Emperor soon thereafter. In 1826, Pedro I
was renamed Bolivia in his honour). ascended to the Portuguese throne (rather confusingly

65
 VICTORIANA

as Pedro IV), but abdicated in favour of his daughter. Led by lawyer and lawmaker Pastor Obligado, the State
Unfortunately, troubles in Portugal soon dragged Pedro of Buenos Aires is undergoing a cultural and industrial
back into Portuguese politics; these, combined with a failed renaissance. Already hosting international embassies,
war with Argentina, forced him to abdicate the Brazilian Buenos Aires quickly received official recognition from
throne in 1831 to his son, Pedro II. Texas, soon followed by the United States of America, Great
Britain and France, many of whom supplied ships for the
Unlike his father, Brazilian-born Pedro II is a popular ruler. Buenos Aires Navy. The Guild quickly granted recognition
A Huldu, Pedro II is fascinated with education, and over to the Buenos Aires Guildhouse as a separate entity from
the last quarter of a century has developed an educational the Argentine Guild. Slavery has been abolished and the
system that is the envy of the Western World; the Consortium railway and telegraph networks are being expanded,
of Hermetic Guilds is giving serious consideration to moving connecting the State to a begrudging Argentina (with
its headquarters here. Pedro II hopes that the upcoming Urquiza now President) and the Empire of Brazil.
aerostat line between Brazil and Portugal will encourage
more European scholars and professors to bring their Currently, Argentina is waging an economic war with
knowledge and wisdom to his country. Pedro II has also Buenos Aires with the creation of the Port of Rosario. It has
modernised his military and used it to overthrow Argentine also entered into a free trade agreement with the Uruguayan
Dictator Jan Manuel de Rosas in 1852. Port of Montevideo. Thus far these actions have damaged
Buenos Aires economic dominance, but unexpected
In spite of all these achievements, most of Brazils civilisation support from the normally insular Patagonia has recently
is concentrated on the coast, with little penetration into the given Buenos Aires an economic and technological boost.
vast Amazonian interior. Portuguese and Spanish explorers
often gave conflicting testimony as to the civilisations
located within the Amazon region. Most of these expeditions
were repelled, often by native women warriors. This led to C ou n tess L yon esse s D iary
the Spanish monarch naming them and the region after the
Amazons of Greek mythology. More recent expeditions
- 13 June 1855 -
have been able to delve more deeply into the interior, and Today I attended a rather fascinating lecture by
the current theory is that an ancient magical civilisation lies Professor Roth at University College. He is currently
hidden in the Amazon, the outskirts of which have been putting together an expedition to find the fabled Thulia,
ravaged by European disease and in-fighting. Pedro IIs which is perhaps one and the same as Atlantis. His
curiosity has pushed him to authorise and sponsor both lecture stretched beyond the North Atlantic, as he
steamship and aerostat navigation of the rainforests in the claimed that it is possible that submerged continents,
hope of discovering this civilisation, even over Patagonias many inhabited by aquatic sapients, adapted to a life in
cryptic warning not to explore further. the depths by ancient sorcery, are dotted throughout the
oceans of the world. The seafaring Naacal claim their
original homeland is the submerged continent of Naac.
The State of Buenos Aires
The State of Buenos Aires is a recent creation, seceding
Indeed, he noted that the Aluminat Churches have
from the Argentine Confederation in 1853. Unlike
recently accepted that Kumarinandu, a land beneath the
Colombia, which favoured centralised government,
Indian Ocean, is where sapient culture originated.
the various provinces of the Argentine Confederation
preferred a much more limited central government, leaving Perhaps the most fascinating part of the lecture was when
most of the decision-making to provincial leaders. The Lord Lytton enquired as to whether it was possible that
breaking point came when Justo Jose de Urquiza became some continents may be submerged beneath the land itself,
Provisional Director in 1852 and sought to lessen Buenos in giant subterranean caverns or even within a hollow earth.
Aires dominance by moving international trade to the To his credit, Professor Roth gave the lord the deference
provincial capital of Santa Fe. Urquiza also wanted to unite due his station, but I could hear many in the audience
Argentina under a stronger national government. Buenos stifling laughter at such a notion. I for one do not share
Aires opposed both these measures and, after declaring their derision; Ive seen many things in this world that
independence and resisting a naval blockade, Urquizo make such a premise seem credible by comparison.
backed down and the State of Buenos Aires was born.

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BOOK II
 VICTORIANA

B o o k II
O n e s F u l l M e as u r e
Adventurer Creation

The world of Victoriana is a familiar yet strange and

wondrous place, and your adventurer defines your role in
it. Adventurers come in all shapes and sizes, and from all Adventurer Creation Steps
walks of life. You could be a Dwarf technologist, an Eldren
Step 1 Note your Association
aristocrat, a Human hermeticist, a Huldu pickpocket, or an
Step 2 Select Background (vocation and childhood
Ogre navvy.
experience)
Step 3 Select Breeding (social class and subspecies)
If this is your first time playing Victoriana, then such a
Step 4 (optional) Select a build package
multitude of choices can seem daunting. Fear not! Creating
Step 5 Assign Attribute points
a Victoriana adventurer is an organic process, where we
Step 6 Assign Skill points
start with what your adventurer is currently doing and
Step 7 Assign Build points (if necessary)
work backwards. With a few careful selections, youll have
Step 8 Put the finishing touches on your adventurer,
a fully formed adventurer before you even get to the nuts
such as name, appearance and personality
and bolts part.
Step 9 Calculate your beginning resources and outfit
your adventurer
We start, quite naturally, with what your adventurer
is expected to do during the course of her adventures.
This decision rests ultimately with your Gamesmaster,
although shes probably already consulted you on what
types of Victorian adventure excites you most. Once this Maintaining Tradition
has been decided, you work your way back through your
adventurers life and determine her Background and Previous editions of Victoriana asked you to pick a social
Breeding. Finally, once all of the major decisions have been class and subspecies first, followed by Attributes, Skills,
made, you tweak the mechanics of your adventurer by and Build points. Weve chosen to break that tradition in
selecting Skills, Attributes and options. order to present a more organic process of adventurer
design. That said there is no compelling reason why you
In this manner, adventurer creation can be quick and easy couldnt reshuffle the steps and start with Breeding and
while still crafting a sharply defined character. That said, Attributes, especially if you already have a good handle
you may take the more leisurely path, starting with the nuts on what you want your adventurer to be.
and bolts and designing an adventurer from the ground up.
These rules are designed to accommodate both approaches,
so that the player who wants to get right down to the role-
playing and the player who enjoys mechanical design can
both engage with any adventure with balanced, colourful
adventurers.
~ A ssociation ~
An adventurer is firstly defined by her Association. An
Throughout this process, youll want to consult with Association is a group of like-minded adventurers who
the other players to ensure that you have a good mix of band together for a particular purpose. Some Associations
adventurers whose skills and talents complement each are very informal; a private investigator and his close
other, rather than step on each others toes or, worse, acquaintances may be one such example, whilst other
completely miss covering an area that your party should be Associations, such as the Macers (a magical investigative
able to handle. division within Scotland Yard) are more formal.

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 book II

An Association is important because it defines what your

adventurer is expected to do during a typical adventure,
and therefore highlights skills that your adventurer would
find most useful (see Skills for details). Some associations
have suggested Privileges and Assets. These must be
purchased normally with Build points and, unless the
Gamesmaster decrees otherwise, the adventurers are
not obligated to take them. Privileges or assets freely
available to the entire group are noted in the association
descriptions.

Unlike the rest of adventurer creation, this step is normally

the Gamesmasters responsibility, as she determines the
type of campaign she is running (although she probably
asked for player input beforehand). Therefore, an
Association is not so much chosen as bequeathed. Ask your
Gamesmaster what your Association is and note it on your
adventurer sheet.

While a Gamesmaster is free to design her own Associations

(and we strongly encourage her to do so!), we offer a few
sample Associations here, both as examples and as ready-
to-run concerns.

All of these Associations can be re-skinned to form other

Associations. For example, the Royal Geographical Society
can be easily changed to the Africa Club, whose members
primarily explore the Dark Continent. The Havering Household
The Havering Household (naturally inspired by The
Havering Adventures) is an example of a group that tends
The Cobblestone Club to attract adventures through no fault of its own. While
The revolutions of 1848 did two things. First, it showed not specifically inclined to adventuring, members of such
many anarchists and communists that a more aggressive a household nevertheless tend to wield the skills necessary
approach was needed, and it taught European governments to deal with whatever trouble shows up on their doorstep.
that they had to be on their guard for such resistance in
the future. Some governments, including Britains, are A Household Association usually includes a house or
becoming overly zealous in their approach, leading to fashionable city flat for the use of the adventurers. It
many arrests and imprisonments on the slightest suspicion. also includes other family members, as well as trusted
servants and acquaintances. Not everyone need live in the
The Cobblestone Club is a loosely-organised cell of like- household, but it serves as the base of operations.
minded agents drawn from all classes. They are united in
their desire for a more egalitarian government and, in the Skills: Conversation, Empathy, Hide & Sneak, Improvised
meantime, protect people from injustice, especially when Weapon, Perception, Streetwise
their crime is holding an unpopular political view. The Assets: Coach
Cobblestone Club takes its name from the stones that dot
the streets, as their classless club can only freely meet in Metropolitan Police, Aetheric Branch
darkened alleys or seedy establishments. While the Worshipful Company of Hermeticists is ultimately
responsible for neutralising unlicensed magicians and
Skills: Athletics, Bull, Conceal, Hide & Sneak, Perception policing its own, the British Government feels more
Privileges: Pub Regular Landlords Mate comfortable leaving arrests and investigations to experts
Assets: Bolt-hole under its control. Thus was born the Aetheric Branch of the

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 VICTORIANA

Metropolitan Police, which is run by a ceremonial magician, expected to provide for and maintain the upkeep of his
the Guild-appointed Lord George Mace. harness. The Royal Steam Lancers are deployed wherever
they are needed, whether it be the jungles of Africa, the
Contrary to popular belief, not all detectives in the Aetheric mountains of South Asia, or the Crimea. A member of
Branch are magicians; what they do have in common is the Royal Steam Lancers is presumed to have a Combat
their ability to deal with the magical and the preternatural. Harness and Military Commission, both of which need be
They know what clues to observe, how to track the threat purchased with Build points.
and how to combat it. Aetheric Branch detectives are often
called Macers after their Chief Inspector. An adventurer Skills: Firearms, Navigation, Pilot, Survival, Tactics
without the Police Officer privilege is an advisor, expert, or Privileges: Military Commission
informant and not officially part of the police force. Assets: Marvellous Gift (Aldershot Steam Soldier)

Skills: Concentration, Interrogation, Lore, Research, Theology The Selenium

Privileges: Police Officer The Selenium is an exclusive upper class gentlemans club
Assets: Contacts dedicated to the art of monster hunting. Most members are
second or third sons with little hope of a peerage and are
Royal Geographical Society thus looking for another, more exciting way to do something
There is nothing that bothers a geographer more than a useful. A significant number of women are members as
blank spot on a map, thus the Royal Geographical Society well, often as patrons, magicians, or engineers. Too many
sponsors the expeditions of explorers willing to fill in members see monster-hunting as a sport and often get in
those blank spots and return with knowledge and relics. over their heads, oftentimes fatally.
Typically, the Society funds an explorer, who then puts
together the expedition herself, including the hiring of The Selenium is a self-funding club; members provide
useful and reliable party members. for their own individual hunts. Status is conferred based
on the number of kills as well as the strength of the prey.
In most cases the Royal Geographical Society acts as a The Seleniums trophy room is a testament to their efforts.
silent partner, as they usually have no oversight while Unfortunately, members of the Selenium can sometimes get
the adventurers are away on their expeditions. They do overzealous, rarely making the distinction between exotic
demand an honest accounting of the expedition afterwards, and dangerous. Even friendly preternatural creatures
though, as well as a share in the spoils. Such spoils are often fear the Selenium. One needs to purchase a Private Club
used to fund future endeavours, with the best pieces going Membership to be part of the Selenium, although a
on display in local museums. Adventurers without the Gamesmaster may allow some adventurers to act as non-
private club membership are hired hands and normally not member servants or field assistants.
allowed to partake in club benefits and activities.
Skills: Firearms, Improvised Weapon, Lore, Swordplay,
Skills: Airborne Riding, Culture, History, Language, Tracking
Navigation, Pilot (boating) Privileges: Private Club Membership
Privileges: Museum Trustee, Private Club Membership Assets: Library (occult)
Assets: Library (geography)
The Society for Spiritual Repose
Royal Steam Lancers Originally a Spiritualists Club, the Society for Spiritual
Prior to the industrial revolution, magic provided most of Repose was created when one of its members had by
the heavy artillery, and fantastic creatures were trained as chance magnetically contacted the spirit of a Huldu whod
cavalry (lancer) units. Today, more and more armies are been murdered. The Huldus spirit refused to rest without
fielding powerful machines on the battlefield. The Royal knowing why; subsequent investigation revealed that
Steam Lancers are one such unit; they field a variety of the Huldu was unknowingly one of the heirs to a small
giant mechanical harnesses to defeat the enemy. fortune and the other beneficiary decided that he didnt
want to share. From that point on, the Society for Spiritual
Each mechanical harness is a work of art and has slightly Repose regularly opens their minds to the aether in search
different capabilities, often matching the strengths (and of restless spirits; they then do what they can to solve the
weaknesses) of its wearer. As with wyverns, each pilot is mysteries that plague their afterlives. Not all members are

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 book II

Spiritualists, as the members rely on a wide variety of skills

that arent solely the province of Spiritualists.
The Un-Associated
Skills: Charm, Criminology, Empathy, Lore, Perception
Privileges: Private Club Membership Associations are new to this edition. They are intended
Assets: Library (deduction) as a focusing tool for Gamesmasters and players when
designing both campaigns and adventurers. Given the
The Star Chamber myriad of options in adventurer generation it can be
There are threats to the Empire, both from without and difficult for a player to decide what her adventurer
within. To investigate these matters, Her Majesty employs should be good at doing; an Association helps point her
the Star Chamber, a royal creation that consists of the in the right direction. Of course, it is entirely possible
Queen, the Prime Minister, select Peers and a handful of to strip Associations out of adventurer generation
key unofficial advisors. While the original Star Chamber without disrupting game balance. Other than focusing
was a secret court, the current Star Chamber conducts secret adventurer design, Associations do not make adventurers
investigations as well as secret trials. The Star Chamber more powerful than those without one. If youd rather
exists to protect the Empire from any who would attempt run a game without an Association, then you can simply
to damage or destroy it. have the players skip the Association step.

Agents of the Star Chamber have great latitude and, like

Peers, are free from the common courts. Unfortunately, Star
Chamber judgments can often be harsher than common
jurisprudence. An agent who becomes too much of an
embarrassment to the Crown generally disappears as if she
~ B ackground ~
never existed. All members of the Star Chamber are immune Once you know your Association, youll probably want
from court prosecution; the Star Chamber polices its own. to know what your adventurer was doing when she was
recruited. An adventurers Background is very important;
Skills: Bribery, Disguise, Etiquette, Legal Matters, Streetwise not only does it determine what shes been doing her entire
Privileges: Peer, Warrant Card life but it also rounds out the skills she knows, as well as
her Breeding.
Willowpin and Associates
Willowpin and Associates (see Streets of Shadow) is an First, you select a vocation. This is what your adventurer did
example of a private detective agency. At least one of the prior to joining an Association and is, in most cases, what
adventurers is a private detective; the others are partners, she is still doing. All vocations are paired with appropriate
experts in particular fields, or useful acquaintances. The social classes, which aid in the next few steps of adventurer
detectives office is usually also his home, transforming his creation.
landlady into a bona fide receptionist.
After you determine your vocation you decide your
A word of caution: well-rounded private detectives make childhood experience. As with vocations, childhood
great fiction but poor allies; they rarely play well with experiences are paired with social classes, and your
others. The Gamesmaster should ensure that the detective vocation and childhood experience should match as far as
needs to rely on her associates abilities as often as her own social class is concerned.
so that everyone in the group can participate.
Your Background determines your skill selection but,
Skills: Conversation, Criminology, Cryptography, Empathy, more importantly, it tells your adventurers story. When
General Knowledge, Research selecting your vocation and childhood experience, dont try
Assets: Contacts, Respectable Boarding House to game the system; your Association has already covered
those bases. Instead, make choices that add colour to your
Example: The Gamesmaster decides that all of the current adventurer. You may find that playing a private detectives
adventurers will be members of the Star Chamber. Tom isnt associate who is a pickpocket-turned-itinerant entertainer
settled on a concept for his adventurer yet, but notes the suggested can be just as much fun as playing an army officer who
skills he gets as a member of this particular Association. went through boarding school.

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 VICTORIANA

Vocations
Your vocation is what you did to pass the time before the
Female Adventurers start of the campaign. In some cases, you may have barely
started your vocation; in others, you may have served three
Victoriana is set in the 19th century, which held few 8-year terms in India as a Company man. Depending on your
opportunities for women to get an education and pursue situation, you may continue to pursue this vocation whilst
a career. That said, Victoriana is also a world of high adventuring. Each vocation is attached to a social class or
adventure, where it isnt uncommon for gentlemen to classes. This means that, when you select the vocation, you
treat their valets more as friends than servants, or for will also be a member of the class attached to it.
female hermeticists to throw around aetheric bolts
with the best of them. Also, adventurers of all stripes The upper class defines itself as not having to get ones
rarely follow conventional paths. Players shouldnt feel hands dirty, ironically making their choice of vocation
constrained by the mores of historical Victorian society quite limited. First-born sons are expected to collect rents
when it dampens the fun of playing within it. and manage the family finances; second-sons may take a
commission in the military or join the clergy. Women are
All that aside, Backgrounds marked with ** are those expected to find suitable husbands. All are encouraged to
that a historical Victorian would expect to include join the Guild if they have magical aptitude.
females. Weve marked them here for Gamesmasters
who want to design conventional adventurers or for The middle class could also be termed the professional
players who want a traditional background for their class, making their livings utilising their skills. Middle class
female adventurers. Female adventurers are not barred adventurers are often well-educated and enter a profession,
from other backgrounds; using one just requires such as academia, accounting, banking, law, or medicine.
a bit of rationalisation (such as being a hermeticist Fortunate children of self-made industrialists get to inherit
or technologist). If the Gamesmaster still feels that the family business, living off their family money in the
a particular background is being stretched a bit too meantime (some middle class adventurers live better than
far, then she can either require the adventurer to their upper class counterparts).
take the Blackguard Privilege or simply disallow the
background. For the lower class, a vocation is largely a continuation
of what theyd already been doing as children. Many
young farmhands migrate to the city hoping to work in

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 book II

the factories, while strong-bodied men work on the docks Guild hermeticist with magnetic abilities, but this is not
or in construction. Unfortunately, many turn to criminal strictly necessary, as many of the mentally disturbed are
activities to supplement their income. simply in need of mundane treatments.

Example: Looking over the choices of vocations, Tom still isnt Skills: Charm, Clairvoyance, Conversation, Criminology,
feeling his muse. He chooses Spy, as he feels it appropriate for a Empathy, Goeticism, Science (psychology), Spiritualism
member of the Star Chamber. Spy also does not limit him to a
social class. Army Officer
(any, though generally upper or middle class)
It is tradition for the second son of titled families to acquire
a commission in one of Her Majestys regiments. Your rank
Custom Backgrounds is bought and does not reflect military experience. If low-
born, you can also be an officer in the British East India
It may well be that the Backgrounds provided dont Company as rank there is based on merit, although the
quite fit with the way you envisage your adventurer. majority of officers still come from well-heeled families.
If your Gamesmaster agrees, you can design your own
Background. Simply choose up to 5 Skills (or 10, if Skills: Athletics, Bull, Concentration, Engineer (Military),
you want to replace both childhood experience and Etiquette, Firearms, Fisticuffs, Gambling, High Society,
vocation) and justify them to the Gamesmaster. You may Intimidate, Perception, Riding (horse), Swordplay, Tactics
now distribute 30 points amongst those skills plus the
ones you gained for your Association. Artist/Artisan (middle or lower class)**
You are an artist of some sort. It could be that you are a
At the Gamesmasters discretion, more experienced successful violinist, a music hall singer, an actor, a painter or a
players may opt to skip backgrounds entirely and assign poet. Whichever art it is, you live on the donations of patrons
skill points however they wish. A word of caution; this who support you so that they might further enjoy your works
can result in less-defined adventurers with little rhyme (and experience them first). Regrettably, living at the whim
or reason to their choices other than what the player of the arts is often lacking in pay. Upper class adventurers
believes useful. may make their name as an artist (as long as it isnt as an
actor!), but they had better have another form of income

Skills: Art (any), Bull, Charm, Craft (any), Etiquette, High

Adventuress (upper class)** Society, Instrument (any), Perception
The adventuress is a lucky lady. She has sought danger and
excitement, travelled extensively and formed graphic views Beggar (lower class)**
on the world, its cultures and politics. Normally, this would As a professional beggar, you devote your life to ensnaring
be considered disgraceful behaviour for a young woman, money from passers-by, thinking up new stories (involving
but the adventuress, through luck, political skill and real wounds or false ones) with which you separate people
determination, has managed to maintain her social place from their cash. You probably have contacts in organised
and lead her own life. Her pastimes and anecdotes make her crime and, if you dont do what they say, theyll beat you up.
exotic and thus suitors often pursue her. However, many
consider her actions scandalous and seek her downfall. Skills: Act, Bull, Conceal, Fisticuffs, Hide & Sneak, Improvised
Weapon, Pick Pockets, Streetwise
Skills: Act, Appraisal, Bribery, Bull, Charm, Conceal,
Conversation, Empathy, Etiquette, Fashion, Firearms, General Bodyguard (lower class)
Knowledge, Hide & Sneak, High Society, Language (any), You contract to defend those under threat in return for pay.
Politics, Riding (horse) Maybe youve finished your latest job and youre looking
for employment. You might tolerate soft people and
Alienist (upper or middle)** academics, but basically youre a physically minded person.
In the world of Victoriana, the mentally disturbed often
are hounded or possessed by malevolent spirits, and the Skills: Athletics, Blunt Weapons, Dodge, Empathy, Firearms,
alienist is trained to deal with them. You are probably a Fisticuffs, Intimidate, Perception, Swordplay

73
 VICTORIANA

Bounty Hunter (lower or middle class) Cunning Man/Woman (lower class)**

The world may seem civilised, but you live underneath You are a magician, but not an academic of the Guild.
that veneer, chasing after the most dangerous criminals, Rather, you are one of those the Guild would suppress.
monsters and rogues. Somebody has to keep the land clean All the abilities you already know may be completely self-
until the police get their act together. taught, or maybe a mentor set you on your path. You often
find it to your advantage not to make your expertise public,
Skills: Act, Athletics, Bull, Dodge, Empathy, Firearms, as it often causes mistrust.
Fisticuffs, Intimidate, Legal Matters, Perception, Tracking
Note: if you want to play a true cunning man or woman, you
Businessman (middle class) must remember to spend Build points on an appropriate
You make a living from accounts and agents, collecting magical ability from the Talents section.
profits and making investments; you dont really need to
travel. Mostly, you sit in your warm office and drink scotch. Skills: Conjure, Craft (any), Empathy, Lore, Medicine, Survival

Skills: Accounting, Appraisal, Bribery, Business, Charm, Cutpurse (lower class)**

Empathy, Etiquette, Legal Matters, Politics You make your living by stealing from others, often in
broad daylight. The bustling shopping districts are your
Cabby/Coachman (lower class) favourite haunts, where you can take rich pickings from the
You are a coach driver; typically, you work for a coach hire or quality as they walk from shop to shop. Make no mistakes,
cab firm and simply drive their vehicles. Maybe one day you you consider your trade not to be a crime but an art form
will have your own hansom cab and horse team. For now, at and you are an artist trained from an early age.
least, you have a little money, and its an honest living.
Skills: Appraisal, Dodge, Hide & Sneak, Pick Pockets, Sleight
Skills: Animal Handling, Conversation, Drive Carriage, of Hand, Streetwise
Etiquette, Navigation, Perception, Riding (horse), Streetwise
Demolitionist (middle or lower)
Clergyman (middle class) All these engineers want to build something. They dont
A lay priest, you have been invested with the ability to realize that the real sublime beauty is in blowing it up.
perform the rituals of the faith. Perhaps one day your Any crackpot revolutionary can create a bomb and blast
devotion will be noticed and you will be assigned a parish something to smithereens; youve refined it into an art
of your own to guide and protect. form. You can drop a building without damaging the ones
around it and destroy a trestle in the blink of an eye.
Skills: Charm, Concentration, Empathy, Etiquette, General
Knowledge, Language (any), Theology (usually Aluminat) Skills: Conceal, Demolition, General Knowledge, Perception,
Throwing
Clerk (middle class)**
An administrative worker, all day you file, cross-reference Detective (middle class)
and type letters. Not the most thrilling career but, if you The police are still a new introduction in England, and
stick at it long enough, you may be offered an assignment the idea of plain-clothes detectives is scandalous. Just
and promotion. like their street patrolling counterparts, corruption is
commonplace and investigations are rarely anything
Skills: Accounting, Business, Empathy, Language (any), Legal near thorough. Quick results are valued more highly than
Matters, Politics prolonged investigations. If you are good at what you do,
you may be able to find work as a private detective. While
Costermonger (lower class)** the money is better, you will have fewer resources and no
You are a street vendor; you own a small cart or stand from help from the police (unless you still have a few friends
which you sell your wares. The margins are low and it takes on the force).
long days to pay for even a modest rent.
Skills: Bull, Criminology, Dodge, Empathy, Firearms,
Skills: Appraisal, Bribery, Bull, Charm, Empathy, Perception, Fisticuffs, Hide & Sneak, Legal Matters, Perception, Research,
Streetwise Streetwise

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 book II

Dockhand (lower class) Footpad (lower class)

You make your living loading and unloading ships in the The common criminal, your kind is two a penny in any city.
docks; the work itself isnt exactly riveting, but you (or your You make your living by mugging, theft, pimping and a
peers) can make tidy side lines from misplacing some of thousand other evils.
the cargo for river pirates and smugglers to pick up later on.
Skills: Appraisal, Blunt Weapons, Dodge, Fisticuffs, Hide &
Skills: Athletics, Bull, Dodge, Fisticuffs, Improvised Weapons, Sneak, Intimidate
Might, Pilot (boating)
Gambler (lower or middle class)
Engineer (any)** You cant help it! At the first sight of a pack of cards, you
You build things. You might work for the Crown, for the go weak at the knees. Unfortunately, your winning streak
Worshipful Company of Horologists, or as a freelance didnt hold out and youre pretty broke at the moment
agent, but regardless, you get to build really cool stuff. You but, not to worry, youll soon win it all back! Upper
might be a mechanical engineer building aerostats, or a class adventurers may have this background, but if they
clockwork engineer building the latest in automata. lose everything at cards their social standing will suffer
catastrophically.
Skills: Ad-hoc Repair, Appraisal, Dodge, Engineer (any),
Research, Science (Chemistry, Electricity, or Mathematics) Skills: Appraisal, Bull, Charm, Dodge, Etiquette, Gambling,
Sleight of Hand
Explorer (upper or middle)**
You have an interest in the unknown, and the education Governor/Governess (lower or middle class)**
and means to pursue it. People in your vocation go by Someone has to teach the children of Englands rich how
various names: archaeologists, cartographers, explorers, to read, write and act in society, and that someone is you.
surveyors, treasure hunters, etc. What you all have in You usually teach privately to children aged 4-14, in return
common is a thirst for knowledge and the practical skills for a wage and accommodation. It can be a lonely life; even
needed to accomplish your goals. with your close relationship with the children of the family,
you are considered little more than a servant but because
Skills: Culture (any), Etiquette, Firearms, History, Languages of that relationship, the other servants may not see you as
(any), Navigation, Perception, Riding (any), Survival one of them.

Factory Worker (lower class)** Skills: Art (art history, classical literature), Concentration,
You heard that there was plenty of work in the cities, so Empathy, Etiquette, General Knowledge, High Society,
you came. Little did you know what the conditions would Intimidate, Legal Matters, Lore, Science (any), Teaching
be like. You work in a deafening and filthy factory, where
you actually come close to death a couple of times a week Guild Associate (upper or middle class)**
as a result of the machinery around you. You work 10 hour A Doctor of Thaumaturgy, you always had your head in
shifts every day for a pittance and, when you cant meet the a book while growing up. After years of pestering your
rent (which is most weeks), you have to sleep on the factory parents, they agreed to pay for your Guild education at one
floor. of the great universities, perhaps even Cambridge. Under
the watchful eye of the Guild your magical talents have
Skills: Ad-hoc Repair, Dodge, Fisticuffs, Perception blossomed. You are fully aware of the Guilds duty to seek
out and quash the vile arts of necromancy and demonology,
Fireman (lower) but sometimes you wonder what it would be like to wield
You work on a private insurance companys fire brigade such power...
(which puts you at odds with other fire brigades). You
are trained not only to stop a fire from spreading, but Note: to take this vocation, you must take the Hermeticist
also to rescue valuable goods. Theres money to be had in Talent and Thaumaturgic Degree Privilege.
pocketing an item or two that was lost in the fire.
Skills: Concentration, Etiquette, High Society, Language (any),
Skills: Appraisal, Athletics, Concentration, Dodge, Drive Lore, Science (any), Thaumaturgy
Carriage, Might, Perception, Specialist Weapon (axe)

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 VICTORIANA

Highwayman (lower class) Itinerant Peddler (lower class)

Although the arrival of the train has taken a lot of trade off You are an opportunist of the first order. Many people
the roads, there is still enough coach and carriage traffic for scorn you and despise your ways, calling you a thief, tinker,
a skilled bandit such as you to ply a living. gypsy or vagabond, and most of them are right. Someday,
you will have made enough money to settle down and enjoy
Skills: Athletics, Appraisal, Charm, Drive Carriage, Firearms, a quiet life without dodging the police. For now, you are
Fisticuffs, Intimidate, Riding (horse), Swordplay, Tactics out on the road, travelling from village to village, liberating
and redistributing the wealth.
Journalist (middle class)
The power of the press is starting to flex its muscles, and you Skills: Bull, Charm, Conceal, Drive Carriage, Empathy,
are always looking for the latest news, gossip or scandal to Navigation
sell your agencys news-sheet. Its a competitive business,
so you and your colleagues need to supply the stories for Lawyer (middle or upper)
several editions a day. There are two basic types of lawyer: solicitor and barrister.
Solicitors are middle class, and deal primarily with
Skills: Art (writing), Bull, Charm, Conversation, Dodge, engaging clients, preparing court documents and doing the
Empathy, Etiquette, High Society, Fashion, Photography, legwork. Barristers, on the other hand, actually argue the
Politics cases in court. As a barrister is engaged by solicitors and
doesnt deal with clients directly, it is considered a suitable
Itinerant Entertainer (lower class)** profession for gentlemen.
You are one of a dying breed: the travelling showman. To
many of the villages and small towns that you visit with Skills: Bull, Charm, Conversation, Criminology, Empathy,
your act, you are the only person that they know who has Etiquette, Interrogation, Legal Matters, Research
seen farther than the valley. Someday, you will have made
enough money to settle down and enjoy a quiet life. For now, Navvy (lower class)
you are out on the road, travelling from village to town to Navvies are the labour force for the huge engineering
village, entertaining the working people as best you can. projects of the empire, trained in the use of demolition
equipment and railroad building, which is where they are
Skills: Act, Art (any), Charm, Drive Carriage, Instrument most commonly found. Railway construction navvy gangs
(any), Sleight of Hand possess highly prized skills in the rising world of railway

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construction and are rarely out of work. Navvies have a Policeman (lower class)
great reputation for drunkenness, disrespect, violence and The police are still a new introduction in England; more
lewdness. often than not these officers of the law are just as brutish
as the criminals they are investigating. Corruption is
Skills: Athletics, Craft (blacksmith, carpentry), Demolition, commonplace and investigations are rarely thorough. You
Dodge, Fisticuffs, Might may be a beat bobby, or a river police officer investigating
piracy and smuggling.
Orderly (lower class)
You are a military butler; you tend to the every need of Skills: Athletics, Blunt Weapons, Bull, Dodge, Drive Carriage,
the officer that you serve. As friend, aide and batman, at Empathy, Fisticuffs, Legal Matters, Perception, Streetwise
the moment you are in your home nation either with your
master at his home, or maybe he died in combat and you Prize-fighter (lower class)
have made your own arrangements, or perhaps you (or he) A modern gladiator, your sport of bare-knuckle fighting is
were dismissed dishonourably, but why? becoming illegal in many areas but is still highly popular.

Skills: Bull, Drive Carriage, Etiquette, Fashion, Firearms, Skills: Athletics, Dodge, Fisticuffs, Improvised Weapon,
Fisticuffs, High Society, Perception Intimidate, Might

Ornithopter Pilot (upper or middle) Prosthetics Surgeon (middle or upper)

Who says aerostat pilots get to have all the fun? You strap You specialize in attaching prosthetics and clockworks to
yourself into a small vehicle and launch yourself from patients. Youre still a regular doctor, you just have a lot
aerostats. You perform reconnaissance, aerial assaults, or of experience fixing up amputees and those who want to
sometimes feats of acrobatics for adoring crowds. augment themselves.

Skills: Ad-hoc Repair, Athletics, Navigation, Pilot Skills: Empathy, Engineer (clockwork), General Knowledge,
(ornithopter), Specialist Weapon (ornithopter guns). Medicine, Science (any)

Physician (middle class) Prostitute (lower class)**

Trained in the science of medicine, you are one of the few You ply the oldest trade, your body. Surviving on your
who are adept in this still young field. Fortunately for you, own is difficult in the cities of Britain and money goes fast.
the fees for expert medical attention are not cheap, whether Fortunately, you can usually earn enough for each night as it
you are a private doctor or working at a hostel for the less comes. The selling price of flesh in the slums can be as little
fortunate. Whilst it is extremely rare, it is not completely as 6d for an evening; much of the small wealth that you gain
unknown for women to enter this profession, although only is lifted from one pocket as they pay out of the other. If your
as private practitioners. Some women learn the skills and Presence is 3 or higher, then you can have risen out of the
work as nurses, secretly practising medicine where they slums and own your own flat to receive your gentleman
can. callers. With a fixed address, it is unlikely that you indulge
in petty theft (replace the skill Pick Pockets with Etiquette).
Skills: Charm, Empathy, Medicine, Perception, Science (any A male prostitute is a rarity in comparison to his female
chemical or biological) counterpart, but he does exist. Victorian society simply
cannot deal with the issues of homosexuality, and society
Poacher (lower class) refuses to acknowledge its existence.
You prowl forests in search of the local lords deer,
pheasants and other prey. You have to know the land and Skills: Athletics, Bull, Charm, Dodge, Fashion, Pick Pockets,
be very careful and quiet to avoid the gamekeeper. You see Perception, Streetwise
townsmen as foolish loudmouths. Youre also a wanderer,
and innately curious about anything new in your area. Railroad Conductor (lower or middle)
Youre responsible for all train operations that dont involve
Skills: Athletics, Firearms, Hide & Sneak, Perception, Survival, the actual operation of the train. You make sure that the
Tracking train maintains its schedule, picks up the right cars in the
right depots, and each passenger is properly ticketed.

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 VICTORIANA

Skills: Accounting, Conversation, Empathy, Fisticuffs, Skills: Athletics, Bull, Conceal, Craft (cooking, menial tasks),
Improvised Weapon, Navigation, Perception Dodge, Drive Carriage, Etiquette, Fashion, High Society, Perception

Revolutionary (lower or middle class)** Shopkeeper (lower or middle class)**

You are a politician, a rabble-rouser, a mob leader; no doubt As a shopkeeper, you trade with the public on a daily basis;
at some time you have been called all of the derogatory you probably rent your shop and live above it. What do
names that society uses. One thing that you have always you sell in your shop? Curiosities? Books? Food? Shoes or
been is a man of faith and conviction. It is time for change, clothes? Rags & iron?
and you could be just the one to bring it about.
Skills: Accounting, Appraisal, Bull, Business, Charm,
Skills: Bull, Charm, Conceal, Demolition, Dodge, Fisticuffs, Empathy, Perception
Politics
Smuggler (lower class)**
River Pirate (lower class) There is a lot of business for those with your skills; most
You make your living by looting and pillaging ships along things are legal in England but, still, nobody likes to
the coasts and rivers. In cities such as London, your kind is a pay taxes on their luxuries. If it sells, then you provide.
plague to commerce. You and your peers have connections Some smugglers even sell slaves; despite its illegality, a
among the dockhands, who tell you about choice targets in surprising number of young boys and girls arrive on and
return for a cut of the take. leave European shores as slaves.

Skills: Appraisal, Dodge, Fisticuffs, Intimidate, Navigation, Skills: Appraisal, Athletics, Fisticuffs, Hide & Sneak, Navigate,
Perception, Pilot (boating) Perception, Pilot (boating)

Scrapman (lower) Socialite (upper class)**

You have no formal training, but you understand the worth You are one of the fashionable set, a dandy or a swell. Your
of metal and have made contacts with engineers who will days are spent in gentlemens clubs, afternoon teas, croquet
pay a premium for what you bring them. You need to be or tennis matches. Your evenings are spent at dances,
careful, though - the engineer youre liberating the supplies dinner parties, operas, the theatre - anywhere it is presently
from might not want to see it go. the right place to be seen.

Skills: Ad-hoc Repair, Appraisal, Conceal, Hide & Sneak, Skills: Act, Art (any), Charm, Dance, Etiquette, Fashion, High
Improvised Weapon, Pick Locks Society, Instrument (any), Perception, Riding (horse), Swordplay

Seaman (lower class) Soldier (lower class)

You are a seafaring man, born and bred. You make up the You are, or at least, used to be, a soldier in one of Her
crew of the clippers that link the nations of the world in Majestys regimental orders; you probably fought in the
trade. Most of your adult life has been spent on the high first Boer rebellions or in the conquests of India and Africa.
seas, sailing to exotic ports across the empire. You might be If you are still in the army, then you could be shipped to
an officer (petty officer/1st mate/quartermaster) on your the Crimea any day to meet your death at the hands of the
ship. Russian armies.

Skills: Ad-hoc Repair, Athletics, Dodge, Fisticuffs, Navigation, Skills: Athletics, Bull, Demolition, Dodge, Engineer (Military),
Pilot (boating) Firearms, Fisticuffs, Might, Perception, Swordplay

Servant (lower class)** Spiritualist (middle class)**

Practically all upper and middle class households keep at You make a living by organising sances for those with an
least one servant on retainer; depending on age, you could interest in the uncanny; admittedly, your sances are merely
be anything from maid to cook. If you have a Wits score of acted out, but you do have some knowledge of the unknown.
3 or more, then you could be a butler or a housekeeper. You
should decide what sort of house you serve, or possibly be Skills: Act, Concentration, Conversation, Etiquette, High
the servant of one of the other adventurers. Society, Lore, Sleight of Hand

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 book II

Note: if you want to play a true spiritualist rather than a ensure that the aforementioned rodents do not overrun
charlatan, you must remember to spend Build points on at the city. Not an easy or pleasant job and, to top it all, the
least one Spiritualist ability from the Talents section. interesting and provocative aroma that you carry with
you has often been the downfall of an otherwise perfect
Spy (any)** evening.
You are an agent of either a foreign power or even a secret
order within the British government, maintaining a cover Skills: Animal Handling, Athletics, Dodge, Fisticuffs,
identity to get close to your target. Either way, you are Perception, Sewer Lore, Tracking
watching and reporting to your superiors; what they do
with your information, you do not know. Woodsman (lower class)
You live a reclusive life by trade and choice, often the
Skills: Act, Bribery, Bull, Charm, Conversation, Empathy, subject of bogie-man tales from the local villagers. You have
Etiquette, General Knowledge, Hide & Sneak, Interrogation, become indifferent to the thoughts and notions of others,
Perception, Pick Locks, Pick Pockets, Politics retreating instead further into the woods, back into the
arms of nature to discover more of her secrets.
Steam Driver (lower)
You know how to operate the new-fangled steam carriages Skills: Animal Handling, Athletics, Firearms, Improvised
that are clogging the streets and making life generally Weapon, Specialist Weapon (axe), Survival, Tracking
unsafe for pedestrians. Your skills have earned you a
place driving the vehicles for a living. You might drive an Wyvern Rider (upper class)
aristocrats personal carriage, drive one as a cab for hire, or You pilot a wyvern for Her Majestys aerial cavalry. While
for a portage company. this is a prestigious position, you are expected to house and
care for your wyvern yourself.
Skills: Ad-hoc Repair, Drive Carriage, Etiquette, Might,
Navigation, Perception, Pilot (steam vehicle) Skills: Airborne Riding (wyvern), Animal Handling,
Concentration, Dodge, Firearms, Navigation, Perception,
Student (upper or middle class) Swordplay
You study at one of Europes universities, either because
you are very intelligent, or because your family wish you
were. Or maybe they just want you out of the way Childhood Experience
Once youve determined your vocation, youll need to know
Skills: Accounting, Art (art history, classical literature), how you acquired the education you needed to get it. Every
Athletics, Bull, Business, Concentration, General Knowledge, adventurer has a childhood experience that shaped her into
History, Language (any), Legal Matters, Research, Science (any) the adult shes become. Youll need to choose this childhood
experience based on the vocation youve chosen, as well as
Thief (upper or middle class)** the social class that enabled you to have them both. In the
You lead a secret life, as a dilettante by day and a cat burglar Victorian age, there is no transition or teenage years between
or thief by night. Maybe you are hired for a considerable childhood and adulthood. Up until the age of 21, a person is
fee, or you just do it for the thrill. You are educated and a child and is treated and even dressed as such (although it
cultured, so you can get closer to your target and find where is worth noting that, until the Criminal Law amendment act
the real valuables are kept. This makes you very different was passed in 1885, the age of sexual consent was only 13,
from the common and opportunistic footpad of the slums, so many girls might be married and even mothers before
or so you keep telling yourself. officially becoming adults!). The instant a child turns 21,
they are an adult and must take on all the responsibilities
Skills: Act, Appraisal, Athletics, Charm, Conversation, Dodge, expected of any other adult.
Hide & Sneak, High Society, Perception, Pick Locks
Upper class children are usually kept in the nursery for
Tosher (lower class) most of their lives, and provided with private tutors to
The sewers beneath the cities of Europe are vast sprawling ensure an appropriate education. Such tutors often function
affairs, invariably infested with rodents. Armed with knife, as a governess, and take on some of the duties of nanny as
nets and possibly a faithful tosher-hound, it is your job to well as educator. Some children are educated at prestigious

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boarding schools, such as Eton and Harrow, but nowhere would become farm hands by default as they grow up
that the middle classes are allowed. assisting in the daily chores. Urban children have far more
diverse upbringings. Some work in the same factories as
their parents; others are sent (or even sold) to travelling
sweeps or the military, as the family literally cannot afford
to support them. Still others run away and rear themselves
on the streets, inevitably joining gangs of pickpockets and
urchins.

Example: Tom decides that he wants his adventurer to have had

a normal middle class childhood in Boarding School, as it doesnt
distance him too far from any of the social classes.

Apprentice: Arts** (middle or lower class)

As a child, you were sent away to study under an artist,
maybe a sculptor or painter. Your family had high hopes
that you would be a credit to them and excel. An upper class
adventurer might have this Background with Gamesmaster
approval if their family chose to encourage an artistic talent.
However, certain talents (such as acting and stage dancing)
will certainly not be encouraged.

Skills: Act, Art (choose), Dance, Empathy, General Knowledge,

Instrument (choose)

Apprentice: Industrial (middle class)

As a child, you were packaged off to the mills and factories
to learn a trade under the watchful eye of a master engineer
or craftsman. Most of your time was spent running errands
and doing odd jobs, but you did actually learn something of
Before an upper class child makes their way into adulthood, engineering principles.
many go on a Grand Tour. This trip is taken around the
world in the company of an elder relation of the same Skills: Ad-hoc Repair, Concentration, Craft (choose), General
gender, with the intention of giving the child a worldlier Knowledge
outlook. However, the teenager (not that such a thing truly
exists) usually sees very little of the native culture, and is Apprentice: Textiles** (lower class)
left instead with an impression of the wealth and power of Your childhood was spent in the textile factories, where
the empire. Female children are far less likely to take such your small size got you hazardously employed to dive
a tour, or spend so long on one, but in the richer families between the moving looms to retrieve lost shuttles. Factory
some girls still do get the opportunity. hours were long and you had no time for school.

In the middle class, most male children go to boarding Skills: Athletics, Concentration, Dodge, Perception
school; most female children stay at home and attend church
school. Some go straight into industrial apprenticeships, but Barrow Boy/Girl (lower class)**
this would be rare, and probably in a family business. The Your childhood was spent on street corners hawking a wide
middle classes love nothing better than to ape the upper variety of wares, from ribbons to matches, or flowers. More
classes, so rich middle class families often try to get private girls tended towards this trade, with match girls and flower
tutors if they can afford them. girls being a very common sight on the London streets. The
days were long and you had little time for school.
In the lower classes, children are frequently expected to
follow in the footsteps of their parents; rural children Skills: Appraisal, Bull, Charm, Empathy

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 book II

Boarding School (middle class) extreme as the naval codes. Drummer boys served close to,
You were sent to boarding school. Depending on the budget if not in, the front lines, and many never made it home.
your parents could afford, it could have been anything from
a filthy prison to an entire campus with a variety of facilities. Skills: Athletics, Fisticuffs, Instrument (Drum), Tactics
Naturally, the actual quality of education received from
school to school varied immensely. Discipline, however, Farm Hand** (lower class)
remained harsh across the board. A rural child, your formative years were spent assisting with
the daily business of farm life: herding, harvesting, milking,
Skills: Art (art history, classical literature), Athletics, Bull, Etiquette, baking and churning. With huge masses of the population
Fisticuffs, General Knowledge, History, Theology (Aluminat) having left the countryside for the cities, there was no time
for idle hands if the estates farms were to be run properly.
Cabin Boy (lower class)
At an early age, you were shipped off to join the navy as Skills: Animal Handling, Athletics, Craft (blacksmith,
a cabin boy, performing odd jobs and cleaning duties for carpenter, farming), Drive Carriage, Riding (horse)
the officers aboard ship. Discipline is extremely draconian
on-board navy ships, and you were expected to behave, Mudlark (lower class)
understand and obey like the rest of the adult crew. Your childhood was spent scavenging off the river banks
and cargo barges while dodging the workhouse authorities.
Skills: Ad-hoc Repair, Athletics, Dodge, Pilot (boating)
Skills: Athletics, Bull, Conceal, Hide & Sneak, Perception, Pilot
Chimney Sweep** (lower class) (boating), Streetwise
As a small child, you were sold to an itinerant chimney
sweep as an apprentice. In reality, you were the chimney Pick Pocket** (lower class)
sweeps human brush, forced to climb up flues in order As a young child, you were a runaway and before long you
to dislodge the soot and dirt that might be blocking them. fell in with a swell-gang of pickpockets. Your childhood
Getting stuck was a constant threat, but your master was was spent learning how to pick pockets undetected, and
usually on hand with a great big stick to send up the running amok through the city streets.
chimney after you and urge you on. Many chimney sweeps
were also burglars, returning to a house later on to remove Skills: Athletics, Dodge, Perception, Pick Pockets, Sleight of
any valuables that caught their eye on the first visit. Hand, Streetwise

Skills: Athletics, Navigation, Perception, Streetwise Personal Tutor (upper class)**

Your education was facilitated by a series of private tutors
Church School** (middle class) in the seclusion and comfort of the ancestral home. This
Where male middle class children were sent to boarding was a favoured form of education for young ladies of the
school to toughen them up and make men out of them, upper class, as it allowed both education and control.
middle class girls were not meant to be tough. Young girls
were sheltered, and led a life of luxury in many ways. They Skills: Art (art history, classical literature), Concentration, Dance,
were not expected to learn a trade, and were groomed from Etiquette, General Knowledge, High Society, History, Science (any)
an early age for marriage. Education came in the form of
church school several mornings a week, to provide a basic Public School (upper class)
literacy and general knowledge. Contrary to the name, public schools were actually
privately funded and existed purely to educate the future
Skills: Art (art history, classical literature, painting), Craft masters of the empire. The educational facilities were the
(sewing), Dance, General Knowledge, History, Theology (Aluminat) greatest, the discipline was firm, and luxury was standard.
Senior students, for example, were allowed servants to
Drummer Boy (lower class) tend their needs.
You were packed off with the army as a drummer boy.
Your job as a child was to learn the drum rotes that Skills: Art (art history, classical literature), Athletics, Bull,
signalled changes in formation and marching pace. Military Etiquette, Fisticuffs, General Knowledge, High Society, History,
discipline was rough & tumble in the 1800s, if not quite as Politics, Swordplay, Theology (Aluminat)

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 VICTORIANA

Rail Rat (lower class)** Breeding

Maybe you travelled with a fun fair or simply rode the Now that youve travelled from your Association
rails for most of your childhood. You know how to hop back through your vocation and education, its time to
a train, avoid bulls, and pilfer supplies with the best of determine where it all began. In Victoriana this is known as
them. You spent many a night listening to the old hands ones Breeding, which is a combination of social class and
tell their ghost stories and dark tales, at least before they subspecies. Your Breeding determines what avenues are
got red-lighted. open to you and which ones are firmly closed. Regardless of
your station, Breeding is both opportunity and straitjacket.
Skills: Athletics, Charm, Conceal, Hide & Sneak, Lore,
Navigation, Pick Locks, Pick Pockets

Stage Hand** (lower class)

Your childhood was spent in the theatre assisting with
set changes, message running, line prompting and even
dressing the actors on some occasions. Most of your job
involved running around the theatre, calling actors to the
stage when their entrance was due.

Skills: Act, Athletics, Bull, Dodge, Fashion, Hide & Sneak,

Might, Perception

Steam Girl (middle or upper)**

You grew up around engines, steam powered gadgets
and a massive workshop. You never received any formal
training, but your father or uncle taught you how to strip
and rebuild an automaton in record time. They also kept
you out of the work house.

Skills: Ad-hoc Repair, Craft (blacksmith), Drive Carriage,

Streetwise

Urchin** (lower class)

You spent your childhood on the streets, dodging the
workhouse and the authorities. You made a living through
a variety of desperate activities like begging, theft and pick
pocketing. You never had the time to dedicate yourself to European society is roughly split into upper, middle and
any one thing, but learned a lot of different skills to help you lower classes. Each of these groups has its own ethics, ideals
survive. and etiquette, as well as advantages and disadvantages.
Your Breeding also determines the Contacts, Privileges,
Skills: Act, Athletics, Conceal, Dodge, Hide & Sneak, Assets and starting wealth available to you. It also,
Perception, Pick Pockets, Streetwise obviously, determines your Background, although weve
reverse-engineered this for adventurer creation.
Workhouse Poor** (lower class)
Your family was so poor that they couldnt even afford to Subspecies also plays a role in social class. Whilst all
be poor! They were cast into the union workhouses to pay subspecies are considered Homo sapiens or sapients,
for their debts. Your childhood was spent in dark, cramped, it is a convenient popular fiction that all subspecies are
prison-like conditions while you were worked to the bone so integrated into society that the issue of which precise
to pay for your parents poverty. type they are has become socially irrelevant; subspecies
are generally associated with a particular class. Beastfolk,
Skills: Bull, Conceal, Dodge, Might, Theology (Aluminat) Ogres and Huldufolk are primarily born into, and kept,
in the lower classes. Eldren are usually upper class, but

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 book II

middle class Eldren are not uncommon. Dwarves and

Gnomes are predominantly middle and lower class.
Humans fill the ranks of all classes. So, if you intend to
A Matter of Class
play an adventurer from a particular subspecies, you must When deciding on your social class, remember that
make sure you pick the right social class. However, you can middle class adventurers have the most advantages on
take the Privilege Social Anomaly to avoid this problem in balance. They can also connect to most levels of society,
some cases. Some of the countries of Europe have different able to both speak to the aristocracy and visit the local
subspecies breakdowns to Britain, so it is possible to have, public house. Whilst it may seem as if the lower class
for example, Portuguese Huldufolk or Prussian Beastfolk in have the shortest end of the stick (and in many ways they
the upper class. Presuming your campaign is based in Great do), they have more freedoms than the privileged upper
Britain, such adventurers would have to take the Foreigner classes. Birth into the upper classes is a gilded cage
complication. of reputation and duty for most, where their position
depends entirely on towing the family line.
Your Background limits your choice of social class. If youre
suffering from a bit of buyers remorse and decide that
youd rather play a member of a different social class, dont
fret; simply go back and pick a new vocation and childhood Upper Class
experience appropriate for your favoured class. The upper classes are at the highest echelons of Victoriana
society; in fact, they would argue that they are the only
Build Packages society worth speaking of. The upper classes include
The lists of options can be daunting, especially for first- the idle rich, the impoverished gentry oozing with class,
time players. Its also possible that time is a concern and and almost all army officers (noble birth being a virtual
the group doesnt want to waste hours poring over lists of prerequisite for military rank). A few members of the upper
options. Alternatively, the Gamesmaster may need a quick classes start businesses or other enterprises, but this is
method of determining options for adventurers if they regarded as somewhat demeaning. Instead of a career, most
come up in play. Finally, using an option package prevents upper class adventurers pursue a hobby, such as science or
you from overlooking a key Privilege or Asset that youd sorcery.
normally take.
Unless he purchases an Asset, the adventurer has a
To aid you, weve created a selection of option packages perfectly decent but not very large flat in an unfashionable
for each social class. Each is built with 35 option points, 10 but (just about) appropriate area of the city. However, his
of which were gained through the listed Complications. income does allow the bare minimum of servants to run
In some cases there are unused points; these should be it. He can also afford to clothe himself according to his
allocated to Skills or Contacts based on the needs of the station, but not keep up with the fashions very well. He
campaign. Using an option package ensures a speedy end may have to do some form of consultancy work or teaching
to adventurer generation, which can be important in cases to bump up his income. If his family disowns him, he will
where time is an issue. have nothing.

You can use these option packages as-is or as open source, Attribute Adjustment: -1 Fortitude
altering them as you see fit. If, for example, you want to Starting Cash: 20 x Wits; begin each adventure with 6s in
use the Country Squire package but arent keen on the pocket in addition to Asset income.
clockwork leg, simply remove it and add 4 points to the Default Subspecies: Eldren, Human
unused pool (see the Asset description Clockwork Limb
for further details). You could then give him a magnetic Build packages
ability or the Trusty Rifle Asset instead. Even if a player
decides to use little of a package, they still provide a good Country Squire
idea of what an adventurer of the appropriate social class is You gave your best years and a leg to John Company and
supposed to have, cutting down on embarrassing moments returned to England with enough money to purchase a
in the campaign when the Baron with the country villa country home. You are the wealthiest person in the area and
doesnt own a coach. the country folk have adopted you as their local gentleman,
calling upon you to resolve disputes and keep order.

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 VICTORIANA

Talents: Combat Sense, Deadly Shot Middle Class

Privileges: Higher Station The middle classes provide necessary professional and
Assets: Clockwork Limb (leg), Coach, Fashionable entrepreneurial skills for society; skills that the lower classes
Country Villa, Income (upper-5), Independent Income could not hope to master and the upper classes would prefer
Complications: Late Starter, Personality Flaw not to sully their hands with. Here can be found doctors,
(Honourable), Responsibilities shopkeepers, mill owners, engineers and skilled craftspeople.
Unused: 2 Unless he has purchased an Asset, the adventurer has a
rented room in a reputable boarding house in a reasonable
Dilettante part of the city. It isnt great, but he isnt very likely to get
You have enough money to support your aristocratic robbed. He has no actual servants, but the landlady does
lifestyle and spend your days indulging whatever fancies some of those duties for an affordable rate. His clothes are
you. You have no responsibilities other than what is probably a little threadbare, but he can look presentable
expected of you due to your breeding. under most circumstances. He has to do some form of work
to make ends meet, but what he owns is his.
Talents: Beautiful/Handsome, Glib, Natural Charisma
Privileges: Private Club Membership, Society Friends, Attribute Adjustment: none
Theatre Box Starting Cash: 10 x Wits; begin each adventure with 1s in
Assets:Coach,FashionableCityVilla,Income(upper-5),Wardrobe pocket in addition to Asset income.
Complications: Bon Vivant, Expensive Tastes, Stubborn Default Subspecies: Dwarf, Eldren, Gnome, Human
Unused: 2
Build packages
Gentry
Amongst your former peers in the middle class, you Clerk
acquired it all: sufficient income and a knighthood. While You once heard a few navvies in a pub complain about the
you enjoy the perks of your new station in society, you monotony of life; you can easily relate. You are just a cog in
are also acutely aware that you are at the bottom rung of the machine, a person with a necessary but tedious position
the upper class ladder. Many of your jealous former peers that keeps business or government going, with a master
actually live more comfortably than you do. who doesnt appreciate your contribution.

Talents: Lunge, Quick Draw Talents: Acute Sense (sight), Haggler, Inspiration (family)
Privileges: Knighthood, Private Club Membership Privileges: Ear of the Street, Friend of the Library
Assets: Coach, Fashionable City Flat, Income (upper-2), Assets: Income (middle-2), Rented Terrace House, Second
Independent Income, Wardrobe Family, Wardrobe
Complications: Impoverished Name, Irksome Complications: Aggravating Landlord, Dependents
Neighbours, Personality Flaw (cynical) (family), Policy of Truth
Unused: 2 Unused: 4

Guild Hermeticist Engineer

Being third in line meant no real chance of a Peerage, so you By day, you work for another, building and maintaining
were thrilled to discover that you had a knack for magic. machines. Youve earned enough coin to build a laboratory
You begged your family to put you through school and you of your own, working late improving gadgets and inventing
have emerged a competent ceremonial magician. You now new ones.
use your abilities to help others while making your own
situation more comfortable. Talents: Greasy Thumbs, Technologist
Privileges: Engineering Licence, Scrapyard Source
Talents: Hermeticist, Sigil Scribe (1 sigil) Assets: Income (middle-5), Laboratory (8), Rented House
Privileges: Thaumaturgical Degree Complications: Hoarder, Im an Inventor!, Personality
Assets: Coach, Fashionable City Flat, Income (upper-2) Flaw (show-off)
Complications: Glass Jaw, Personality Flaw (perfectionist), Unused: 5
Quixotic
Unused: 8

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 book II

Industrialist Attribute Adjustment: +1 Fortitude

You are the self-made man. You worked your way up from Starting Cash: 2 x Wits; begin each adventure with Asset
humble beginnings and now you are one of the richest income, if any.
people in your social circle. Unfortunately for you, you Default Subspecies: Beastfolk, Dwarf, Huldufolk, Human,
want more. It chafes you that the aristocracy, many of Ogre, Orc
whom have less wealth than you, keep you out of society
because of an accident of birth. Build packages

Talents: Expert (business) Petty Conjurer

Privileges: Higher Station, Private Club Membership The moment customers walk into your shop their nostrils
Assets: Coach, Fashionable City Villa, Income (middle-10), are assailed with the exotic; you find the smell of fish and
Wardrobe chips in newspaper just as extraordinary. Still, your sterling
Complications: Class Envy (upper), Late Starter, Ruthless reputation keeps them coming, even if you occasionally
Unused: 0 forget an ingredient or clumsily drop a vial of who-knows-
what on the floor in front of them.
Professional
You are well-respected in your chosen profession and you Talents: Cunning Folk (3 spells)
live a comfortable life. Most of your energies are directed Privileges: Street Informant
towards the future; you need to find a mate, start a family, Assets: Frendal Lizard, Income (lower-10), Shop
and perhaps take a position in government. If you are Complications: Absent-Minded, Foreigner, Klutzy
a barrister or physician, substitute Barrister or Medical Unused: 4
Practitioners Licence for Union Member.
Rookery Rat
Talents: Deduction (+2), Expert, Natural Charisma You live in one of the worst slums in London, where
Privileges: Private Club Membership, Society Friends, every room is filled with several people. Criminals and
Union Member prostitutes roam freely with only the bosses and pimps to
Assets: Income (middle-5), Respectable Boarding House, regulate them. You make your money when you can and it
Wardrobe doesnt upset you too much to lift a few pennies from a lost
Complications: Addiction, Personality Flaw (show-off), pedestrian or a mate sleeping off a bottle.
Responsibilities
Unused: 2 Talents: Backstabber (2), Blind Fighting, Contortionist
Privileges: Ear of the Street, Gang Member, Pub Regular
Lower Class Landlords Mate
The lower classes are the doers of the Victoriana setting: Assets: Bolt-hole, Deep Pockets, Income (lower-2),
miners, agricultural labourers, factory-workers, low grade Padding Ken Lodgings
servants (such as scullery maids), enlisted soldiers, and Complications: Criminal, Illiterate, Kleptomania
so on, as well as the whole gamut of even less socially Unused: 3
acceptable adventurer types prostitutes, thieves, poachers,
con artists, and so forth. Though they may not be at ease Servant
in the stately homes and elegant town-houses of the upper You are a high-ranking servant in an urban upper class
classes, they are tough, rugged folk who do not let their home. Youve spent your entire life tending to others and
ignorance of most matters prevent them from doing what you do your job well. One reason for your attentiveness
needs to be done whether the task is building a wall, or is your magnetic ability; its a shame that you dont fully
defeating some eldritch horror from beyond imagination. understand that you are special.
Being used to hardship can be to their advantage as
adventurers. Talents: Clairvoyant (aura reading), Eidetic Memory,
Invisible (+2)
Unless hes purchased an asset, the adventurer sleeps on Privileges: Higher Station, Society Friends
the streets or, on a good day, pays for space in a hostel or Assets: Income (lower-10), Servants Quarters
tied to a pew in an overcrowded church overnight. His Complications: Personality Flaw (perfectionist), Proper
clothes are rags and what little cash he earns from begging Sensibilities, Responsibilities
goes on barely edible food, or possibly gin. Unused: 2

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 VICTORIANA

Worker Traditionally, the various subspecies were considered

You work hard for long hours and a low wage. Most of what races of humanity. In 1735 Carolus Linnaeus, in his
you do earn goes to the nearest pub and youre lucky you Systema Naturae, classified the various breeds as separate
can keep a roof over your head. Your family isnt too keen genera, attributing the ease of interbreeding to the aether
on your drinking problem, but they have little recourse and the Hosts Will. Charles Darwin disagreed a century
but to tolerate it. Unfortunately, your drunken antics have later, noting that there is no concentration of aether during
made you a favourite target of the police. sex or childbirth and that there exist some creatures, such
as Apophids, that dont interbreed with humanity. He
Talents: Drink Like a Fish, Ham-Fisted, Mere Flesh classified all of the various intelligent breeds that are
Wounds, Pugilist (+1) capable of reproducing together as subspecies under the
Privileges: Ear of the Street, Pub Regular, Street Informant, species Homo sapiens.
Union Member
Assets: Income (lower-5), Rented Terrace House Technically, this makes all subspecies humans, but due
Complications: Addiction, Dependents, Police Harassment to the traditional naming of one subspecies as Human
Unused: 2 the academic community prefers the term sapient when
referring to the human species as a whole. Members of the
Example: Deciding that his adventurer is upper class, Tom opts upper classes tend to use breeding as part of a greater
to choose a build package. He selects Dilettante, deciding that his emphasis on whether one truly belongs to a social class.
adventurer was recruited by a society friend.. . Ones breeding has a national component as well; as an
example, Huldufolk are often found in the Portuguese
upper class.
Free-Form Purchases Some anthropologists argue that the various breeds
The Second Edition did away with starting cash by of sapiency arent subspecies at all. Since genetic traits
simply allowing each adventurer to pick five personal are handed down from parent to child and occasionally
items rather than purchase them with starting cash. a child is born who resembles neither parent, being an
Weve decided to move away from this in Third Eldren or Orc is no more different than being born with
Edition because players tended to choose the best red hair or blonde hair. Some religions attach significance
equipment (highest Armour value, most damage dice, to subspecies, claiming that some are closer to the Divine
etc.), rather than what would be most suitable for than others, but that is a matter of theological debate and
their adventurers. class prejudice.

Still, if you wish to retain this option, eliminate the The Subspecies Abilities Table lists the social classes
starting cash for class choice and allow adventurers to generally available to each subspecies (although you can
select up to five personal items that arent Assets (no override this with the Social Anomaly Privilege). Your
Frendal lizards or Trusty Rifles). The Gamesmaster has subspecies determines Attribute adjustments and special
the final say on any equipment selected. abilities. If you choose a subspecies other than Human,
remember to check the Subspecies Abilities Table to see
which subspecies are available for a particular social class.
Each subspecies has different Attributes and abilities, which
The Faces of Sapiency should be applied to your adventurer.
In Victoriana, humanity is divided into several distinct
subspecies, each sharing a set of particular traits not Beastfolk Homo sapiens bestius
shared by the others, of which human beings are the most It is an unfortunate reflection of the Beastfolks place in society
numerous. From the dawn of history (at least postdiluvian) that they are not accorded a respectful name. Therianthrope
the various subspecies have lived together, creating and Zoanthrope are the academic terms, but these are
blended societies that cannot be defined as Eldren or simply Greek translations of beastfolk. Charles Linnaeus
Orcish, although there do tend to be social implications suggested Proteon, which gained acceptance for a few years
tied to subspecies. In England, for example, Eldren have before it was corrupted into prot or prat and is now almost
almost exclusively been upper class, while Scottish nobility exclusively a slur (some Beastfolk revolutionaries prefer
includes a large number of Dwarfs. Nunetan in honour of a mother archon in ancient Egypt,

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 book II

Race and Subspecies

While race has been historically used to denote subspecies race is a more general term and can mean different things
in Victoriana, in current usage the two terms are very to different people. An Eldren Englishwoman would like
different. Subspecies denotes a distinct set of traits that to think that she is something separate (read superior)
are so strong amongst a particular segment of humanity from her Italian or Polish counterparts, while a Dwarf Zulu
that the group seems a separate species, such as an Eldren could see little in common with his Dahomey counterpart.
or a Huldu. Race, on the other hand, denotes a set of traits It is this kind of thinking and parsing of people that led to
common to all subspecies from a particular region. One the unfortunate practice and tolerance of imperialism and
cannot, for example, consider all Huldufolk as European slavery.
or all Eldren as African; the most common subspecies
of humanity can be found the world over, and even the If you wish to play a member of different race than what is
Outsiders arent exclusive to one region. A quick perusal standard for your campaign then you may certainly do so,
of the Pocket Gazetteer in Book I should reflect this. although your Gamesmaster may require you to take the
Foreigner or even the Distinctive Features complication to
Europeans, for example, may be considered a single race reflect that. As far as subspecies traits go, an Eldren is an
because all of the subspecies tend towards lighter skin than Eldren and a Beastman is a Beastman, no matter where they
their Sub-Saharan African counterparts. Unlike subspecies, are from.

but this has not gained traction beyond communist circles). From the earliest times since the Great Flood, it appeared
In any case, Beastfolk are so ingrained in lower class society that Beastfolk held high positions in society; many ancient
that academia simply does not care enough to change the cultures revered their archons in Beastfolk form and several
obvious; Beastfolk are so-called because, while they are Egyptian pharaohs were Beastfolk. Aluminat theologians
humanoids with hands and feet, in all other respects they note that the first Voices railed against this perversion of
resemble a particular mammal. natural order, leading to the downfall of wicked Beastfolk
aristocracies and the relegation of Beastfolk into the lowest
rungs of the social ladder. In spite of this, Beastfolk have
thrived as best they can in the lower classes and provide
most of the labour and military might of modern cultures.
Many cunning folk, shamans, witch doctors, and other
conjurer magicians are Beastfolk and demand great respect
in rural communities. A few, such as the King of Prussia and
Shaka Zulu, have once again attained the highest positions
in their societies.

Interestingly, while so varied in appearance, Beastfolk have

never been considered as multiple subspecies. This is because
Beastfolk dont often breed true; a child of two Beastfolk
parents has an equal chance of favouring either parent or
being a different type of Beastfolk entirely. Nor does any
one type of Beastfolk seem to dominate the others when it
comes to reproducing. Some anthropologists advocate the
controversial position that the first Beastfolk were created
through magic, possibly as an army or labour force.

Female Beastfolk only account for approximately one

quarter (2-5 on 2D) of the Beastfolk population, so it is
more common for Beastfolk to intermarry and breed with

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 VICTORIANA

Humans (and occasionally Eldren). The lower classes see animals, such as bears and great cats. Agile Beastfolk tend to be
little wrong with the practice, but the upper classes find it the smaller animals, such as domestic cats, ferrets, mice and rats.
abhorrent. Nevertheless, there are plenty of secret upper Common Beastfolk represent most other animals, such as dogs
class brothels that provide all manner of Beastfolk for secret and horses. Select the one that best fits the beast your adventurer
liaisons with the aristocracy. emulates. This affects your Attribute adjustments.

Beastfolk are often judged by their outward appearance. A For a more extensive treatment of British Beastfolk, see
rat or weasel would live a lonely, shunned life, whilst a noble Darwins Catalogue: Beastfolk of Britain.
lion would be popular and possibly be propositioned by the
other subspecies. Due to their subservient social position Dwarfs Homo sapiens montis
many Beastfolk support political movements, such as anarchy The Dwarfs of Britain have primarily Celtic and Norse
and communism, in order to improve their condition. roots, hailing from the Welsh mountains, Scottish highlands
or rugged Scandinavia. While not as long-lived as Eldren,
Animal Trait: You may pick one of the following traits, Dwarfs have a stubborn streak that lasts generations; a
appropriate to the type of animal your Beastman resembles. If Dwarf whose family settled in London three centuries ago
they are appropriate, your Gamesmaster may allow you to buy still sounds like she just got off the train from Cardiff or
additional Animal Traits as if they were Talents. Feel free to create Edinburgh, while a Human may be surprised to find a
additional Animal Traits, subject to the Gamesmasters approval. Dwarf holding a grudge from a slight his ancestor made
towards the Dwarfs ancestor.
Aquatic Aptitude: You are at home in water, able to hold your
breath twice as long as your Attributes normally allow.

Arboreal: You are an excellent climber. You perform Athletics

skill checks at one difficulty less when climbing and jumping.

Armour: Your skin is toughened with hide, fur or even scales.

You have one natural point of armour.

Claws: You have cat-like retractable claws in your hands. You

can choose to spring them and do an extra 2 dice of damage in
hand-to-hand combat. All the damage you do is considered
normal and not bruise damage when your claws are out. You
use your Fisticuffs Skill in combat as usual.

Enhanced Sense: One of your five senses is more advanced than

usual, in the same way as the Talent Acute Sense.

Horns: You may gore with your horns, adding +2 dice to a charge
attack or a crush attack while grappling.

Night Vision: You see perfectly well in the dark; not quite as well
as if it was daylight, but well enough to see without any penalties. The Dwarfs prejudice against Eldren is legendary, mainly
due to their irritation with people they consider slow to
Weather Sense: You have a sixth sense for changes in weather. get their hands dirty (and not a little because of the upper
You cant make an especially accurate forecast, but you know class disdain for anyone who actually works for a living).
when a storm or an earthquake is coming. You can also usually That said, Dwarfs are industrious and make up a large part
tell if it is about to rain, but as it does this virtually all the time in of the skilled labour in many towns where mining and
England that might not be so useful! building are the primary industries. Unsurprisingly, large
parts of the nouveau riche are Dwarfs. Dwarfs have a strong
Category: Beastfolk come in all shapes and sizes and are usually work ethic, often shunning anyone not doing something to
lumped into three categories. Large Beastfolk represent powerful contribute to society.

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 book II

Dwarfs are stocky and powerfully muscled. They have Not only creators of beauty, the Eldren are also legendary
finely lined faces, and the colour of their eyes is always for their own physical beauty, as they are tall yet slight of
deep and bright. Dwarven hair can be any Human colour, build, and finely boned with delicate features. Their skin
although it is coarse and grows thickly on the scalp and face. shines like the finest porcelain and are unaffected by the
Dwarven women do not grow beards, despite slurs to the sunlight; their hair is usually raven-black or mahogany with
contrary. Their thick, luxurious hair is the envy of women little other variation. Eldren eyes have cat-like pupils and
from other subspecies, and often grows long enough to white or pale metallic irises; their ears come to a delicate
reach the floor. Dwarfs are hard-working industrialists, and point at the tip.
make up a large part of the gentry

Little Legs: Dwarfs are a diminutive subspecies and, as such,

their legs are much shorter than those of the average Human (or
Eldren or Beastfolk for that matter). When calculating movement
speeds, your scores are halved (but rounded up).

Stubborn As A: The stubborn, extremely pig-headed

intransigence of the Dwarven people is famous (and infamous)
worldwide. Any mundane attempt to dissuade a Dwarf from
something she has set her mind to is considered one difficulty level
harder than usual. A sorcerer using magic to coerce or affect the
mind of a Dwarf suffers a penalty of one of their successes from
their casting roll.

Eldren Homo sapiens aetheris

The Eldren are the rarest of the subspecies of humanity but
most are still in the ranks of the aristocracy. In high society,
an Eldren bride is considered quite a prize. The Eldren
have lived with, and interbred with, the upper echelons of
sapiency for all recorded time. Queen Elizabeth Tudor was
an Eldren queen and Prince Albert, should he succeed his
mother, would be the next Eldren King after George III.

The Eldren claim an ancient lineage, one that goes back

to the antediluvian kingdoms and many still claim titles Charles Darwin believes that the Eldren are actually a blend
for lands that have long since sunk into the oceans. Their of two subspecies, based on his observations of Eldren
very name, in fact, implies that they were first amongst the and Steppegoblins. He hypothesises that one subspecies
subspecies, or the Eldest. The Dwarves are amongst the favours clairvoyant abilities and the other spiritualist, but
loudest refuters of this claim and prefer to call them Elves the two subspecies have so thoroughly integrated that he
instead, a term most Eldren find in poor taste. cant assign the hair colours to one or the other. Most Eldren
pretend not to care but at least one Dwarf academic has
Perhaps because of their close connection to the aether, joked that, should the Elves acknowledge the possibility,
Eldren are creative by nature and amongst the greatest theyd drive themselves insane trying to figure out which
artists and artisans in the world. They also tend to be potent type was of higher breeding than the other.
magicians due to their already close association to the
aether. Artistic Eccentricity: Eldren have a high chance of insanity,
or artistic eccentricity as it is known. Typically, this manifests
Unfortunately, such exposure makes them eccentric, and as a minor neurosis or phobia. All Eldren adventurers must take
invariably leads to madness if they live long enough. King a mental Complication without claiming the bonus points that
George III was forced to abdicate his throne to his son would normally be associated with the Complication. However,
after his madness overtook him so completely that he was an Eldren adventurer may have an additional 3 Complications
incapacitated. just like any other adventurer.

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 VICTORIANA

Planar Empathy: The Eldren have always had highly developed Eldren or Beastfolk, for that matter). When calculating movement
senses, and sometimes an aptitude for sorcery, even in this speeds, your scores are halved (but rounded up).
modern age when such an aptitude is often frowned on. All Eldren
adventurers gain one Clairvoyant or one Spiritualist ability for Night Creature: Gnomes are nocturnal creatures, and so often
free. They get no points in the appropriate Skill, but may put points prefer the later hours. They like to sleep in as long as possible,
in the Skill without buying the Talent. However, they must buy and any mental or academic tasks they perform in the morning
the appropriate Talent to gain further magnetic abilities. While have an additional 2 black dice penalty. However, when it is past
every Eldren is sensitive to magic in some way, only two thirds midnight, they receive a bonus +1 to their dice pool for such tasks.
of Eldren actually develop magnetic abilities; Eldren adventurers In addition, they have retained very good night sight and suffer
are considered to be part of this empowered majority. Eldren one less difficulty level for lack of light than other subspecies do
players can omit the Planar Empathy ability and be part of the un- when attempting a task in darkness.
empowered minority if they wish, counting this as one of their 3
Complications and gaining the bonus points for it as usual (see the
Complications section below). Such adventurers also start with
Entropy 1.

Gnomes Homo sapiens noctis

Gnomes are short and wiry, easily mistaken for starved
Dwarfs or undernourished Huldufolk. Ancient legends
hold that Gnomes were magicians of great power, perhaps
even greater than the Eldren, but something happened,
perhaps during the Great Flood, that ripped that capacity
from them. Some anthropologists posit that such an incident
could account for the Gnomes wizened appearance and
frail body. Gnomes often appear older than they are; the
face of a middle-aged Gnome is lined like an old Humans.
Their hair can be any colour, and their dark eyes sparkle
with shrewd intelligence.

Being frail, Gnomes shy away from physical work when

they can and are at their best when taxing their brains; most
find work as academics, accountants, bureaucrats, clerks,
lawyers, and researchers. Perhaps the heyday of Gnome
magicians is over, but there are as many Gnomes in the
Guild as any other subspecies.
Huldufolk Homo sapiens furpes
Dr Darwin frequently points to the Gnome as a case study The Huldufolk are a short subspecies that seems to be
in his controversial theory of natural selection. As an constantly on the move, usually because their peculiar
intelligent but fragile creature, a Gnome would logically fascinations and (unfounded) reputation for laziness tend
prefer to work at night, when they are less likely to be to get them into trouble (and a Huldus fragile physique
spotted and bothered. This accounts for their nocturnal prompts her to choose discretion over valour most of the
advantages, as Gnomes less equipped to operate at night time). Erik the Red discovered the largest concentration of
were weeded out over time. Huldufolk in Iceland. When he asked why there were so
many, the local Huldu leader shrugged and said they ran
Fragile Physique: Due to their size, Gnomes cannot ever out of places to run. The Icelandic Huldufolk had taken to
enhance their Strength Attribute in the same way some of the living in burrow-like homes, hence their name (Huldufolk
other subspecies can. Their Strength Attribute can never be means Hidden People in Icelandic).
higher than 3.
Huldufolk are rarely more than 3 feet in height and have
Little Legs: Gnomes are a diminutive subspecies and, as such, thick soles on their feet (most Huldufolk go barefoot when
their legs are much shorter than those of the average Human (or convention allows). As a naturally slender subspecies,

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Huldufolk consider a portly frame evidence of good luck, watches they have taken apart and tried to repair will always
as its a sign that the Huldu was able to remain in one place surround a Huldu with a love of clockwork. This fascination can
for a considerable length of time. They are also relatively be as much of a benefit as it is a curse. Given the intensity of their
short-lived; a Huldu reaches maturity at 12 and her average fascinations, the Gamesmaster should lower the difficulty to notice
lifespan is 50 years. Given their challenges, its no wonder something that involves what the Huldu are absorbed in (such as a
that Huldufolk take great pleasure in food and drink, tall new face at the market or a missing piece of clockwork). However,
stories and a warm fire. Perhaps to offset their shorter any time the player wishes her Huldu adventurer to stop indulging
lifespan, Huldufolk are rather fertile (a trait often used to in her particular fascination, she must roll her Wits dice and score
insult them) and often form strong family bonds, so most of 2 successes unless someone physically drags her away.
them come from large families.
Fragile Physique: Due to their size, Huldufolk cannot ever
enhance their Strength Attribute in the same way some of the other
subspecies can. Their Strength Attribute can never be higher than 3.

Little Legs: Huldufolk are a diminutive subspecies and, as such,

their legs are much shorter than those of the average Human (or
Eldren or Beastfolk, for that matter). When calculating movement
speeds, your scores are halved (but rounded up).

Sensitive Nose: Huldufolk are blessed with an excellent sense

of smell and taste, which is probably why they love cooking so
much (and prefer living in the country rather than the city). All
Huldufolk begin the game with the Talents Acute Sense (smell)
and Acute Sense (taste) at no cost, which dont count towards
their total number of Talents.

Humans Homo sapiens communis

Humans are the most populous of all the subspecies, and
account for the majority of Europes population. They
vary greatly in build, and have many possible hair and eye
colours. They are an adaptable bunch and have managed to
insert themselves into every class in every country across
the world. Human scholars tend to believe that the Human
subspecies is the dominant subspecies that all others will
eventually become. As if to temper the sentiment, Eldren
Huldufolk are all afflicted with an almost insane fascination frequently refer to Humans as Common Men and note,
with something or other. They are constantly intrigued admittedly without proof, that Humans were a younger
with some aspect of the world to the point of obsession. subspecies prior to the Great Flood.
On the whole, Huldufolk are a cheerful and curious lot,
rarely without their noses in somebody elses business (or Dr Darwin dismisses the claim that Humans are the
possibly their wallet). Huldufolk have little concern with all evolutionary endpoint (he currently reserves that position
this society nonsense; most find it quite amusing. For this for the Orc). He believes that Human dominance is a numbers
reason, society places them at the bottom of the lower class. game; they are simply the most numerous subspecies and
this will change with time. More controversial is his position
Fascination: Each Huldu must choose a reasonably broad subject that Beastfolk and Orcs likely evolved at some point after
area that fascinates them. It could be anything from people to travel the other subspecies, effectively giving them a secondary
to clockwork, but is subject to Gamesmaster approval. This is not status amongst the archons.
an academic interest, though. Huldufolk have little enthusiasm for
learning dry lore; they want to experience what fascinates them. Adaptability: Humans have an uncanny ability to thrive in a
Those with a fascination for people spend all day watching them variety of situations, so they begin play with 4 bonus Attribute
in the markets; those who love travel never stop moving. Scattered points rather than 3.

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 VICTORIANA

Destiny: Fate seems to have elevated Humans to a higher ruthlessly taken advantage of due to their trusting natures
position than the other species of Victoriana, despite the special and, aside from the occasional rabble-rousers, nobody
abilities of the other subspecies. Humans begin play with 7 Fate (including the Ogres) cares about how they are treated.
Points, which means they start each session with a Scripting
Die to represent the faith destiny has placed in them to do great
things.

Blunt Wits: Ogre adventurers often believe anything you tell

them. Any attempts to Bull or Charm (or similar skill) them are
considered one difficulty level easier than usual. The Ogre also
receives an additional 3 black dice when attempting to resist such
Ogres Homo sapiens magnus attempts. If two adventurers voicing different commands attempt
The Ogre is a humanoid powerhouse. On average 8 ft. tall to convince the Ogre, they must shout each other down to end
and almost as wide, an Ogre is best described as a large slab the confusion, the one with the most successes getting the upper
of pure muscle. Ogres may have any colour hair or eyes; hand. If both manipulators get the same number of successes, the
their skin is usually rough and callused all over. Often their Ogre can make his own judgement call (heaven help us) on which
teeth are overdeveloped tusks (about 75% of the time, or 2-8 of the nice people is telling the truth.
on 2D); facial features are always very deep set and crude.
Iron Constitution: Ogres are renowned for their ability to shrug
Given their large size and dull wits, Ogres have always off wounds and pain. To represent this, every Ogre calculates his
been the hard, unskilled labourers of the lower class and Health by doubling his Fortitude and adding 2 dice to the total.
noted German anthropologist Johann Blumenbach claimed
that thousands of years of hard labour, little education, and Long Legs: In the same way that Dwarfs, Gnomes and Huldufolk
social ostracism has caused the Ogre brain to degenerate. must reduce their movement rates, the Ogre can increase his. Ogres
In spite of this, there are a few Ogres that manage to break can multiply their movement rate scores by 1.5 due to their size.
out of their humble origins and join the middle class. While
there arent many Ogres within the Guild there are several Orcs Homo sapiens agrestis
conjurers and psychics. No subspecies is more feared and vilified than the Orc.
Almost all Orcs in London are immigrants; the only native
All Ogres, no matter how witty, are extremely gullible. population in Great Britain lives in the Orkneys (where they
They frequently believe anything they are told, as they lack got their name) and the Hebrides. Seen as little more than
the facility to distinguish lies from truth. This often leads to savages, the Orcs are forced to make their homes on the
fanatical (and misplaced) devotion to even obscure causes, outskirts of civilisation and are expected to move whenever
a fact that the army plays on with glee. Indeed, Ogres are the wilderness they inhabit is tamed. Little effort is made to

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integrate Orcs into civilised society; even in the rookeries, often work hand-in-hand, there was a time when sorcery
Orcs are set apart from other residents. Mothers whisper was much greater and now, in the wake of the industrial
to their children to fear the Orc, as it is clearly a demon revolution, science is quickly overtaking it. If the Eldren are a
manifest on this world. reminder of an age when sorcery was king, then the Orc is a
symbol of a new technological age. In spite of this, Orcs have
a strong sense of spirituality and are less likely to abandon
Old Gods for the Heavenly Host. An Orcs skin colour varies
by region but is always slate-like and coarse to the touch.
Orcs generally have dark hair; Orcs born with silver hair
are believed to be Divinely-touched and are often trained as
cunning folk. Orc eyes have cat-like pupils and white or pale
metallic irises; their lobeless ears come to delicate points at
the tips. An Orcs lower incisors are pronounced and often
protrude even when their mouths are closed.

Foreigner: Old habits die hard and it is difficult for members of

the civilised subspecies to accept Orcs as one of them, even if
they were born in the civilised world. Orcs are automatically
treated as having the Foreigner Complication. This complication
does not count against an Orcs total number of Complications.

Greasy Thumbs: Orcs have a natural aptitude for mechanics.

Add 1 die when using Ad-hoc Repair or a particular Engineer
or Craft (involving mechanics) specialisation to build or repair a
device. This ability is the same as the Greasy Thumbs Talent, but
does not count against the total number of times the adventurer
Anthropologists attribute this to an instinctive fear that may take that Talent.
Orcs are the evolutionary endpoint and must therefore be
resisted. Of great concern to those who believe this theory is Night Vision: Orcs see perfectly well in the dark; not quite as well
the Orcs affinity for machinery. While science and sorcery as if it were daylight, but well enough to see without any penalties.

There are exceptions. Occasionally, a child is born who

Cross-Breeding favours neither parent, but is rather the result of the genes
that both parents carried. Again, this never happens with
Given the long tradition in fantasy literature and role- Orcs and an Eldren child is sometimes born to Human
playing games, its inevitable that a player may wish to parents but not to other pairings. Beastfolk are another
play an adventurer with traits from parents of different case. Not only do they dominate all other subspecies
subspecies. Normally, this doesnt happen; a child always except Orcs, their individual traits sometimes manifest in
favours one parent over the other. Furthermore, when other subspecies, even when neither parent is a Beastfolk.
two subspecies reproduce, some subspecies tend to Needless to say, this can cause great scandal.
dominate the others. A child with one Beastfolk parent
is almost always a Beastfolk, while Eldren rarely have In game terms, non-Beastfolk adventurers can take the
Eldren children when they mate with other subspecies. Animal Trait Talent. The trait always manifests in some
In numerous lectures, Dr Darwin has noted that Eldren obvious physical way: Armour may grant the adventurer
children born to mixed parents only come from Eldren- thick fur all over her body, while Night Vision may give the
Human relations (and even then only about a quarter of adventurer cat-like eyes. Alternatively, an adventurer may
the time), while there have been no recorded instances take the Distinctive Features Complication, which gives her
of an Orc pairing with another subspecies resulting in an animalistic appearance with no benefits. Orc adventurers
anything other than Orcs (although, to be fair, only the cannot use these options, and they are extremely rare in
children of Orc females are generally observed). Eldren (and never in Eldren with Aetheric Empathy).

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S ubspecies A bilities T able

Subspecies Social Class Lifespan* Cog Special Abilities
Upper Middle Lower
Beastfolk No No Yes 70 Entropy 1 Animal Trait
Dwarfs No Yes Yes 120 Order 1 Little Legs, Stubborn as a
Eldren Yes Yes No 200 Entropy 2 Artistic Eccentricity, Planar Empathy
Fragile Physique, Little Legs, Night
Gnomes No Yes Yes 120 Harmony
Creature
Fascination, Fragile Physique, Little
Huldufolk No No Yes 50 Harmony
Legs, Sensitive Nose
Humans Yes Yes Yes 70 Harmony Adaptability, Destiny
Blunt Wits, Iron Constitution, Long
Ogres No No Yes 50 Harmony
Legs
Foreigner, Greasy Thumbs, Night
Orcs No No Yes 50 Order 2
Vision

* Lifespan indicates natural span with access to medicine and correct diet.
Urban lower classes in industrial areas will be lucky to reach 1/2 this figure.
Example: Tom decides that his adventurer will be Human, granting him the Adaptability and Destiny special abilities.

~ A ttributes ~
Example: Deciding that humans can be found amongst all social
classes and thereby easier to craft cover stories, Tom makes his
adventurer Human. At this point you should be able to describe your adventurer
in broad strokes: you know her Breeding, Background,
Association, and, perhaps, even some extra details. Now its
time to get down to the brass tacks and select Attributes and
The Outsiders Skills. Well start with Attributes. While your adventurers
Skills represent her knowledge and abilities, Attributes reflect
The world of Victoriana includes multiple sentient her aptitude, areas of excellence, or tragic flaws. There are six
species and subspecies; those not numerous in Europe Attributes, three physical (Strength, Dexterity and Fortitude)
are collectively known as Outsiders. Several of these and three mental (Presence, Wits and Resolve). Think of each
are detailed in other Victoriana products. For Giants, of these sets of three as either physical power and agility or
Karaka, Oni and Steppegoblins see The Outsiders pdf. mental power and resistance. While they dont rise as high as
For Cyclops, Mechanical Men and Naacal see Marvels of Skills, theyre far more useful, as well see. Each Attribute is
Science & Steampunk. expressed as either a positive or negative rating in points. If
your Attribute is above zero, it adds to your dice pool when
If the Gamesmaster allows a player to select one of these you attempt a task. If it is negative, it adds to the black dice
sentients then it falls outside the traditional class structure. you must roll for the task.
British society does its best to accommodate: an upper
class Patagonian Cyclops or Russian Steppegoblin are The details of each Attribute are explained below:
treated as upper class, while a Greek Karaka hermeticist
is definitely middle class. In such cases, the Outsider Strength
is never fully embraced within her social class; she is As you may guess, Strength defines your raw physical
always treated as, well, an outsider. power (or lack thereof). A Strength bonus is clearly useful
in hand to hand combat, as brute force can increase the

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damage done by most weapons. Strength is also useful as wielding the raw forces of magic requires a great deal of
in many feats of athleticism, and can provide a bonus to willpower. Negative Resolve dice can reflect a great many
intimidation attempts under certain circumstances. A high traits cowardice, impulsiveness, a submissive nature, or
Strength bonus could indicate bulging muscles, but could just a simple lack of willpower.
just as easily be described as steel-like sinews, or simply a
hidden reserve. A negative Strength bonus could represent A positive Attribute number represents how many bonus
infirmity, physical immaturity, or disablement. dice are added to the dice that you roll when performing
skill tests. A negative Attribute does not reduce your dice
Dexterity pool; instead, it adds its value to the black dice that oppose
Your overall physical agility, as pertains to balancing, the task. In this way, Attributes increase or decrease the
leaping and general hand-eye co-ordination. A gymnast or chance of success in the areas in which you are exceptionally
ballerina would have a high number of Dexterity dice, but gifted or cursed.
Dexterity could also indicate excellent co-ordination in the
case of a marksman or stage magician. A negative number
of Dexterity dice could represent tremors, poor hand-eye
co-ordination or even obesity.
Attribute Levels
With all this talk of dice and bonuses, it might be tricky
Fortitude to understand exactly what each level of Attribute really
Fortitude reflects your physical resistance, your toughness means. So, consider the list below as a guide for what
and constitution, and helps you resist diseases and poisons. the numbers denote in physical or mental terms.
Fortitude dice also affect the amount of physical abuse you
can take before being adversely effected by your wounds. -3 Crippled
An adventurer with a high Fortitude frequently radiates -2 Feeble
good health, while a negative Fortitude might denote -1 Weak
decrepitude, impairment from illness, or the susceptibility 0 Average
of a sickly child. 1 High Average
2 Talented
Presence 3 Impressive
Your ability to impress and influence people through your 4-5 Gifted
adventurer and charisma; how well you get along with 6-8 Superior
others and how you interact in social situations. It is a 9+ Incredible
measure of your mental power and force of personality.
A high Presence can indicate physical attractiveness, It is important to note that a high Attribute need not
a pleasant persona, or a mixture of both. Adventurers directly impact on the appearance of the adventurer. As
with high Presence can command the attention of a room Attribute levels improve for an adventurer, they learn
without uttering a word. A negative Presence denotes an how to use the Attribute more effectively. So, if you
unpleasant personality, or perhaps physical ugliness or improve your Strength you are not necessarily getting
disfigurement. more muscular, just able to apply your strength better.

Wits
How generally bright and observant you are; your mental
agility. This covers more than sheer intelligence, also A typical average Human has few bonus dice: their
including cleverness, awareness, perception, and the ability Attributes are mostly 0, with maybe one or two Attributes
to learn. A negative Wits denotes a mental or perceptual at +1. Naturally, adventurers are heroes (or great villains)
difficulty or a lack of common sense. Poor education is not - the stuff of legend and the stars of the story - so its only
reflected by negative Wits, but by low skills. right that our heroes should be exceptional in some way.

Resolve Adventurers begin with a base of +1 in all their Attributes.

This represents force of will, mental resistance and However, this number is modified by their subspecies, as
determination; the ability to face danger or stress with shown in the table on the following page.
courage. Resolve dice are especially useful to magic users,

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S ubspecies A ttribu te M odifiers T able

Attribute Adjustments
Subspecies Strength Dexterity Fortitude Presence Wits Resolve
Beastfolk
Large (Bear, Lion) +1 None +1 -1 -1 None
Common (Dog, Horse) +1 None None -1 None None
Agile (Rat, Weasel) None +1 None -1 None None
Dwarves None -1 +1 None None +1
Eldren -1 +1 -1 +2 None None
Gnomes -3 None None None +2 +2
Huldufolk -3 +2 None +1 +1 None
Humans None None None None None None
Ogres +4 -1 +4 -2 -3 -1
Orcs +1 None +1 -1 None None

To make life easier (and to involve less maths), weve summarised the starting Attribute scores for each subspecies in the
table below. The figure in brackets shows you the Attribute cap for a beginning adventurer too, just to make things easier.

B egin n ing A ttribu te S cores

Attribute Adjustments
Subspecies Strength Dexterity Fortitude Presence Wits Resolve
Beastfolk
Large (Bear, Lion) 2 (4) 1 (3) 2 (4) 0 (2) 0 (2) 1 (3)
Common (Dog, Horse) 2 (4) 1 (3) 1 (3) 0 (2) 1 (3) 1 (3)
Agile (Rat, Weasel) 1 (3) 2 (4) 1 (3) 0(2) 1 (3) 1 (3)
Dwarves 1 (3) 0 (2) 2 (4) 1 (3) 1 (3) 2 (4)
Eldren 0 (2) 2 (4) 0 (2) 3 (5) 1 (3) 1 (3)
Gnomes -2 (0) 1 (3) 1 (3) 1 (3) 3 (5) 3 (5)
Huldufolk -2 (0) 3 (5) 1 (3) 2 (4) 2 (4) 1 (3)
Humans 1 (3) 1 (3) 1 (3) 1 (3) 1 (3) 1 (3)
Ogres 5 (7) 0 (2) 5 (7) -1 (1) -2 (0) 0 (2)
Orcs 2 (4) 1 (3) 2 (4) 0 (2) 1 (3) 1 (3)

You must also remember to modify your Fortitude if you strengths. However, you cannot add more than 2 of your
are lower (+1) or upper (-1) class. Once you have modified 3 additional points to any one Attribute, or go above the
your Attributes according to your subspecies(and class), subspecies starting cap for that Attribute. You will have
you can allocate up to 3 additional bonus dice among your opportunities to increase your Attributes as you gain
adventurers Attributes. You might choose to buy off some experience.
of your adventurers subspecies flaws, or improve their

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Example: Tom has 4 Attribute points (1 for Adaptability) and,as sheet. At this point, she starts to take penalties to actions
a Human, his Attributes are set at 1 except for Fortitude, which to represent the pain and shock of the wounds taken. The
is 0. He decides to raise his Dexterity, Presence,and Wits to 2 and penalty is noted on each of the three dice (-2, -4, -8, -16)
his Fortitude back to 1 and applies to all the adventurers dice pools.

When all of an adventurers Health pips have been

Derived Attributes crossed out, the adventurer is dead, or very nearly so.
Derived Attributes are calculated from your other If an adventurer has a negative Fortitude, they subtract
Attributes. You cant directly increase derived Attributes the Attribute value from the base 2 Health dice. So, an
with experience points. Instead, they improve as the adventurer with -2 Fortitude has no Health dice and
Attributes they are derived from improve. Some Talents marks off the shaded dice as soon as they are wounded.
may also increase derived Attributes. An adventurer with -3 Fortitude suffers a constant
penalty to all actions (even in perfect health), due to their
Initiative decrepitude.
[Dexterity + Wits + Perception skill]
This Attribute measures an adventurers reactions in Quintessence
combat. Initiative is used to determine when you act during [Resolve]
the course of a combat turn. This Attribute is a pool of points used by magicians to
track their force of will. Adventurers have a number
Health of Quintessence dice equal to their Resolve dice. The
[Fortitude +2] Quintessence dice each consist of 6 pips. Each use of magic
This Attribute represents how much damage you can take in the game requires an expenditure of quintessence, which
before you are battered into unconsciousness or killed. is ticked off the pips in the Quintessence dice.
On the adventurer sheet, Health is recorded as dice with
2 pips each. Every adventurer has a base of 2 dice of When all of a magic users Quintessence pips have been
Health plus the bonus dice from their Fortitude (Ogres ticked off, they are finally mentally exhausted and are
double their Fortitude bonus; see the special ability Iron unable to use further magic until their quintessence returns.
Constitution). When adventurers receive combat wounds If an adventurer has a 0 or negative Resolve, they will have
or other damage during play, the pips of these dice are to improve it to gain any Quintessence dice at all. There are
ticked off. When an adventurer runs out of these dice, ways to use your own Health to power spells, but it isnt
she marks points off the 4 shaded dice on the adventurer recommended.

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Movement Speeds adventurer sheet; they tell your adventurers story. Shes
All adventurers have a movement rate in yards per combat a lower class Human with thieving skills who occasionally
round of 5 plus their Dexterity dice. This also dictates how works for Willowpin is descriptive, but She was a street
far the adventurer runs (in a flat-out run), swims, and leaps orphan who survived picking pockets until she got so good
in 3 seconds as dictated below: at it she became an itinerant entertainer. Now she works for
Willowpin whenever his cases require a bit of legerdemain
Sneak [5+Dexterity]/2 is much more descriptive and was laced together without
Run [5+Dexterity] x 3 even looking at the Skill list.
Swim [5+Dexterity]/2
Leap (horizontal) [1+ Dexterity] You have 30 points to spend on Skills. Skills must be chosen
Jump (vertical) [1/2 horizontal leap] from your childhood experience, vocation, and Association
and are purchased at one rank per point. You do not have
Example: Tom now has to set the derived Attributes for his to put points in every Skill, but beginning adventurers have
adventurer. His Initiative is currently 4 (2+2). His Health is 3 a limit of 4 skill ranks in any single Skill.
dice (1 + 2), or 6 pips. His Quintessence is 1 die, or 6 pips, and he
has a normal movement rate of 7 (5 + 2) yards per round.

~ S kills ~
Now that weve sorted out your adventurers Attributes,
lets move on to her Skills. Where Attributes define what
her strengths and weaknesses are, Skills define what she
knows. Like Attributes, Skills are rated by their dice
namely the number of dice that are rolled in play. During
a typical game of Victoriana its your Skills that the
Gamesmaster will have you use most often.

For example: Swordplay 4 means that the adventurer adds 4

dice to her Dexterity dice to hit with her sword.

Your adventurers Skills represent her acquired knowledge;

the summation of childhood experience, career and hobby
skills, and knowledge of the world around her. As your
adventurer develops through role-playing, you may
increase and expand upon her starting skills by spending
experience points, reflecting the growth of her knowledge
and experience.

Your adventurers social class and Association help

determine her initial Skills. If youre following the suggested
adventurer creation system, then you will already have
chosen a vocation and childhood experience and have
a good idea of what your adventurers Skills might be. If Example: Tom now needs to allocate Skills for his adventurer.
youre working from the bottom up, then now would be a His original thought is to put at least 1 skill point into each
good time to peruse the vocation and childhood experience Association and Background skill, but that would cost 22 points!
section on p.72. Instead, he takes a more focused approach and allocates 3 points
to Charm, Fisticuffs, Hide & Sneak, and Perception. He puts 2
Keep in mind that, similar to Association and Breeding, points in Act, Athletics, Bull, Conversation, Disguise, Empathy,
Background skills do more than just add things to the Etiquette, Pick Locks, and Streetwise.

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As a result of his skill picks, Toms adventurer now has an Specialties

Initiative of 7, since he adds the 3 points from Perception to his There are many things that you do need to study in order
earlier derived Attribute. to have any chance of success. You cant wander into a
hospital and expect to make a guess at how to do surgery,
Skills are divided into four types: Common Skills, no matter how clever you are. You must have at least 1 skill
Specialties, Magical Skills and Group Skills. While all the point in a Specialty in order to use it.
skills are used in much the same way, there are a few
tweaks that differentiate them. The list of Specialties we include in Victoriana is not
assumed to be the be all and end all of human experience.
You may add to the list of Specialties as much as you like,
Shuffling Skills although do consider whether the Skill you want to add is
already covered somewhere else on the list. We have also
Weve changed a couple of skills from the Second included skills like Sewer Lore as an illustration of how
Edition. As we presume most Victoriana campaigns will Specialties can be used to add flavour to an adventurer
take place in an urban environment, primarily London, without necessarily giving them any extra in-game
it seemed more appropriate to remove Drive Carriage advantage. In this way, your players can create skills that
and Horse Riding from common skills. Drive Carriage is fit their adventurers, and add to their characterisation as
now a specialty and Horse Riding has been folded into well as their abilities.
the group skill Riding.
Magical Skills
The skills that cover magical lore are considered another
category. They are a form of super Specialty, in that they
Common Skills not only require training, but appropriate Talents as well.
What we call Common Skills are all the things that They express the adventurers occult lore in their specialist
everybody in 1856 has at least some basic ability in. It might field, so you can use them to perform magic, identify
be that you can do it without any special training (such the incantation that the hermeticist is muttering in the
as throwing a rock), or just that few people can live in the corner, and to identify strange alchemical compounds.
world without gaining at least a basic understanding of it Demonology and Necromancy also help identify and find
(such as Etiquette). An action involving a Common Skill weaknesses in demons and the undead.
can always be attempted, even if you dont possess any dice
in the relevant skill. So, in game terms, you can assume that So, the Magical Skills also grant a much wider field
your adventurer has all the Common Skills, but at a rating of knowledge than most other skills. For instance,
of 0. While you may not have a very big dice pool using just Thaumaturgy covers knowledge of a variety of arcane
your Attribute, you dont suffer any penalty beyond that. languages, and Conjure grants all manner of wisdom on
herbs and plants. So, even though they are expensive to
Given that Common Skills are so, well, common, you are also obtain and slow to advance, the rewards are worth a little
allowed to add to your dice pool when using them. You can patience. For more specifics, see the skill descriptions later
add either 1 or 2 dice to your dice pool (before you make the in this section.
roll) each time you use a Common Skill, which should help
your Attributes out a little. However, for every die you add Group Skills
to your pool, you must roll an additional black die as well. Some Specialties are referred to as Group Skills. These
skills cover such a wide range of knowledge that they are,
While everyone has some knowledge of the Common Skills, in fact, many similar skills grouped together. For example,
not everyone has definite training. There are some actions there are several fields of science and it is impossible to
governed by Common Skills that you do need proper know them all; it is unlikely that the adventurer would
training to use. The Gamesmaster can decide that certain have the exact same skill rating amongst those separate
uses of a Common Skill (such as cleaning a firearm) cannot disciplines.
be attempted unless you have some actual training in the
skill. What this means in game terms is that you must have Similar to Make Me an Offer (described below), an
at least one point in the Common Skill to do something the adventurer with one or more skills within a group may, at
Gamesmaster decides requires training. the Gamesmasters discretion, know a little bit about another

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skill in the same skill group. For example, an adventurer and upper class dancing into 3 different skills is rather over-
who can speak French and Spanish may be able to follow a complicated and unrealistic, though, so we keep the skill
conversation in Italian (as all are Latin-derived languages). the same, but apply a class modifier.
Similarly, an adventurer skilled in anthropology and
archaeology probably knows a fair bit about geography. A class modifier applies only to certain skills, and only
The Gamesmaster should assign an appropriate black dice when the adventurer is in an unusual environment.
difficulty to any such use. Officially, few skills (such as Business, Conversation,
Dance, Etiquette and Streetwise) have a class modifier, but
the Gamesmaster is free to apply it to any skill where she
Skills and Attributes deems it appropriate.
Each Skill is listed with an Attribute; this is generally the
Attribute that will be rolled with that Skill most often, but it The modifier itself is an increase of 1 level of difficulty
need not be the only Attribute that you can use. You should for every class step the adventurer is removed from their
use the listed Attribute when rolling for each task unless environment. So, when Arthur Wescott (a middle class
the Gamesmaster decides that another Attribute is more detective) takes tea with Lord Markham (an upper class
appropriate. For instance, Might is usually based on Strength. dilettante), he must increase the difficulty level of his
However, a Gamesmaster might insist you use Wits to see Etiquette skill rolls by 1 (so Average tasks become Difficult).
where the best place to lift a heavy crate might be. Climbing is Lord Markham suffers the same penalty, as he is talking
covered by Athletics, so is usually Dexterity related. However, to a middle class person, although his lapses in etiquette
it could easily require Strength if the adventurer was carrying might be less problematic if it is his house.
a heavy load (such as an injured comrade).
While the modifier is a set amount (1 difficulty level for
Just as the Gamesmaster can impose different Attributes, each class step), exactly how and when it is used is judged
players are free to suggest different Skill and Attribute by the Gamesmaster. It is worth noting that middle class
combinations, too. As usual, it is the Gamesmaster who adventurers have a definite advantage here, only ever being
makes the final decision. removed by 1 class from anyone else.

Adventurers who become familiar with the ways of other

Class Modifiers classes may eventually shake off the class modifier. After
Some skills work a little differently, depending on the all, adventurers tend to mix more freely with their betters
class you come from. For instance, different classes have and inferiors. However, just because you have spent time
different styles of dance, or rules of etiquette. With these with a few members of a particular class, it doesnt mean
skills, certain basic principles are just the same: after all, if you have learned everything about them. Adventurers
you can dance, you can dance. You wont be so comfortable should only reduce the modifier when they try using a skill
doing a dance you dont know, but you could probably pick where it applies. Even then, it will gradually reduce over
it up with a little practice. Making lower class, middle class time rather than suddenly no longer apply.

Make Me an Offer
What the Gamesmaster can do when a player tells them what they would like to achieve, is simply say make me an offer.
The player then look s at their range of Skills and Attributes and suggests what they think is most appropriate (or has the
highest dice pool!). The Gamesmaster might accept the offer, or tell the player (often with a sigh) to make a different
or more reasonable offer. This encourages players to be more inventive in their use of Skill and Attribute combinations,
which helps them invent more interesting and heroic solutions to adventure situations.

In some cases, the Gamesmaster might allow a similar but not entirely suitable skill to be used (such as using Swordplay to
fight with a club). In such cases, the Gamesmaster might make the difficulty higher, reduce the dice pool or demand more
successes for the attempt to succeed.

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Languages It is possible to attempt to communicate without the right

While adventurers are assumed to be able to speak their language skill. Everyone can make an attempt using their
native language perfectly, other languages are not so Wits alone to use sign language. However, the person you
simple. The Talent Polyglot allows an adventurer to speak are talking to can only use their Wits to understand you,
another language fluently, but that cannot be taken for every and anything complicated will make the difficulty level too
language. For every other use of language, the appropriate high to yield any success.
skill will apply, which requires a little clarification.

Languages skills work the same way as any other Group Skills Descriptions
Skill, with each different language being a separate group Skills marked with * show where a social class modifier
specialisation. When an adventurer wants to communicate usually applies
in a language they have skill with, they tell the Gamesmaster
what they want to say. The Gamesmaster decides how Common Skills
complicated what they are trying to communicate is, and
assigns a difficulty. So, where is the toilet? might be Act (Presence)
Average, but explaining the rules of cricket is Very Difficult Like any actor, this skill grants the ability to appear to be
(or even harder). The same happens when an adventurer something you are not. Acting is useful for impressing a
tries to understand something being said to her. The paying crowd or impersonating a third party in an attempt
Gamesmaster tells them what difficulty they need to beat at trickery. Someone who is skilled in this can fake moods
on a language roll to understand what is being said. This or emotions convincingly. You can change your gait and
applies to each exchange in a conversation, rather than posture to appear to be older or younger, and affect a
the whole conversation. So, if your language skills are not selection of accents. You are also skilled in copying and
especially good, you may understand some parts of the creating the various mannerisms of the adventurer you
conversation but not others, and communicate your side of are assuming. If you also have the Disguise skill, you
the conversation well or incomprehensibly. There is nothing can accurately imitate costume and appearance as well.
stopping each person repeating what they have said to
offer another chance for the other party to understand but, Athletics (Dexterity)
if you roll badly, you may not realise they are repeating For the sporting types, this skill is a must. It is used when
themselves. trying to play most sports, as well as running, jumping and
climbing. Extremely useful for adventurers who lead active
Foul Failure during a language check can be very dangerous, lives.
as you are most likely to understand or communicate
something offensive or threatening which could provoke a Blunt Weapons (Dexterity)
nasty response. To use any blunt weapon effectively in combat, you need
this ability. It helps you land a telling blow with a cosh,
Reading works in just the same way, but is more of a truncheon or even a handy piece of 2 by 4.
one-sided conversation. Reading and writing, as well as
speaking, are covered by each language skill. While some Bull (Presence)
languages share a common script, being able to read the When you havent got the time to charm your opponent,
words is pointless if you dont know the actual language. you can try to use Bull. This mixture of fast talking, lies and
The Gamesmaster decides how difficult a roll to understand aggressive manner is used to browbeat your opponent into
each section of the book will be (and how long each section doing as you ask. If they think about what you say to them,
of the text is) and the player rolls the dice. There is nothing it will be obvious you are talking rubbish. For example, Bull
stopping them from trying to read a volume several times, might be used to persuade the police that the knife in the
but Foul Failure may lead to confusion in the same way as corpse is not yours, despite the monogrammed hilt. The art
above. of Bull does not come from proficiency with acting, only
with glib mistruth.
In Victoriana, while not everyone is literate, we assume
that all adventurers (even the lower class ones) can read Charm (Presence)
and write their native language (unless they choose the When working the long con or just trying to attract the
Illiterate Complication). company of a young lady, Charm is essential. This skill

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Alphabetical Skills Listing

Accounting Wits Specialty High Society* Wits Specialty
Act Presence Common Skill History Wits Specialty
Ad-hoc Repair Wits Specialty Improvised Weapon Dexterity Common Skill
Airborne Riding Dexterity Group Skill Inscription Resolve Magical Skill
Animal Handling Wits Specialty Instrument Dexterity Group Skill
Appraisal Wits Specialty Interrogation Presence Specialty
Archery Dexterity Specialty Intimidate Presence Common Skill
Art Presence Group Skill Language Wits Group Skill
Athletics Dexterity Common Skill Legal Matters Wits Specialty
Blunt Weapons Dexterity Common Skill Lip Reading Wits Specialty
Bribery Presence Specialty Lore Wits Specialty
Bull Presence Common Skill Medicine Wits Specialty
Business* Wits Specialty Might Strength Common Skill
Charm Presence Common Skill Navigation Wits Speciality
Clairvoyance Presence Magical Skill Necromancy Resolve Magical Skill
Conceal Wits Common Skill Perception Wits Common Skill
Concentration Resolve Common Skill Photography Wits Specialty
Conjure Resolve Magical Skill Pick Lock s Wits Speciality
Conversation* Presence Specialty Pick Pockets Dexterity Specialty
Craft Strength/Wits Group Skill Pilot Dexterity Group Skill
Criminology Wits Specialty Politics Wits Specialty
Cryptography Wits Specialty Research Wits Specialty
Culture Wits Group Skill Riding Dexterity Group Skill
Dance* Dexterity Common Skill Science Wits Group Skill
Demolition Wits Specialty Sewer Lore Wits Specialty
Demonology Resolve Magical Group Skill Sleight of Hand Dexterity Specialty
Disguise Wits Speciality Specialist Weapon Dexterity Group Skill
Dodge Dexterity Common Skill Spiritualism Presence Magical Skill
Drive Carriage Wits Specialty Streetwise* Presence Common Skill
Empathy Presence Common Skill Survival Wits Specialty
Engineer Wits Group Skill Swordplay Dexterity Common Skill
Etiquette* Wits Common Skill Tactics Wits Specialty
Fashion Presence Specialty Teaching Presence Specialty
Firearms Dexterity Common Skill Telegraphy Wits Specialty
Fisticuffs Dexterity Common Skill Thaumaturgy Resolve Magical Skill
Flight Dexterity Specialty Theology Wits Group Skill
Forgery Wits Specialty Throwing Dexterity Common Skill
Gambling* Wits Speciality Tracking Wits Specialty
General Knowledge Wits Common Skill Ventriloquist Presence Specialty
Goeticism Presence Magical Skill
Haggling* Presence Common Skill *social class modifier usually applies
Hide & Sneak Dexterity Common Skill

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allows you to cajole, seduce, flatter and

impress people with impunity. It wont
make people follow your orders (unless
you do very well indeed), but it can make
them behave very favourably towards you.
It is very useful against an individual in
a romantic setting, but can also be used
to sway crowds. A successful oration
to a crowd certainly convinces those in
attendance for a few days but, with a high
degree of success, it could even be months
or years before the shadow of doubt falls.
A Foul Failure causes the crowd to mock
or throw rotten garbage at the adventurer.

Conceal (Wits)
If you have something to hide, this is the skill
for you. Conceal is used for covering up,
secreting, or masking an object or objects,
perhaps with debris, cloth, or other intervening (or illusion It is also useful when avoiding anything being thrown in
promoting) materials. You might even make a secret panel your direction, from frying pans to magical fireballs.
or false compartment.
Empathy (Presence)
If you want to keep some kind of concealed weapon on Is the gentleman with the blunderbuss aimed at your groin
you, or hide what you have just stolen, youll need a high merely bluffing, or is he deadly serious? Using the Empathy
rating in this skill. If someone wants to find what youve skill allows an adventurer to perceive the emotional state
concealed, they need to get more successes on a Perception and/or intentions of those around her by observing body
roll that you get with your Conceal roll. language and behaviour. You can also use it to gauge the
mood of a crowd, and if someone might be lying to you.
Concentration (Resolve)
It is hard to keep your concentration when there is noise Etiquette* (Wits)
or even combat going on around you. Sorcerers find this You know the dos and donts that European society depends
ability essential to keep control of their magic in stressful upon. Knowing the rules of etiquette helps you get though
situations. It includes the abilities of focus and mental a social event without embarrassing yourself and offending
control, which would encompass feats of memory and others. Each class has a distinct set of customs designed to
recall. However, late night academics use this skill to keep flummox class interlopers this skill doesnt only apply to
reading and researching into the small hours. upper class functions. You need to know the proper way to
address a crime lord in the rookeries just as much as you
Dance* (Dexterity) might a Duke at a ball.
It will be a few years yet before dancing ceases to involve
formal steps, so this skill covers various dances, from the Firearms (Dexterity)
waltz to the tango. It also covers the ability to perform You are familiar with shooting, maintaining and judging
dance (such as ballet), as well as improvise steps to music. modern day firearms of all kinds. While they are quite
Each class tends to have their own style of dancing, from different in real life, this skill covers both pistols and rifles.
the formal ballroom steps of the upper classes to the knees Knowing your weapons in 1856 is essential, not only
up free-for-alls of the East End. because of their use in defending your person, but due to
their variety and occasional unreliability!
Dodge (Dexterity)
This is essentially the basic skill of getting out of the way of Fisticuffs (Dexterity)
someone who is trying to hit you, and is used when you are When you have no weapon, you need to use your fists.
actively trying to avoid being hit in ranged or melee combat. Whatever your fighting style, Fisticuffs governs any

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attempt at unarmed combat. It also covers a ladys attempt as weapons, such as hammers and axes. However, the
to slap the face of inappropriately behaving gentlemen. Gamesmaster might rule that such weapons are counted as
Using weapons like knuckle-dusters and claws are covered a Specialist Weapon and require a new skill.
by this skill, as such devices simply add to the damage you
can do. Intimidate (Presence)
Sometimes you need to get someone talking, or just get
General Knowledge (Wits) them to back off. Using Intimidate, you can make somebody
There are some things that you just cant help picking up. do what you want by inspiring fear through the threat of
Your General Knowledge skill represents your basic level terrible violence. Often, the Gamesmaster might allow an
of education, although an education is not something that adventurer to use Strength instead of Presence to intimidate
everyone in Victoriana gets. General Knowledge covers the a subject. Some Ogres have little personality but are very
basics of things like mathematics, history, science, trivia, scary when youre locked in a room alone with them. It
current events in 1856, customs and subspecies. Essentially, should be noted that the odious pursuit of physical torture
it covers anything you might reasonably have learned at is a separate Specialty (covered by Interrogation). Even
school, whether it was boarding school or the school of without torture, intimidation is a brutish way to go about
hard knocks. It cannot be used to answer the big questions, things, whether it is done by grabbing someone around the
but it might offer you clues. throat, or telling them what horrors may be forced on them
while speaking quietly over a cup of tea.
Haggling* (Presence)
While related to the Business Specialty, this skill represents Might (Strength)
the art of the deal. Merchants hawking their wares There is a skill to lifting and carrying, and it is called Might.
attempt to get potential buyers to purchase their goods at You can add your Might skill into any Feat of Strength
a premium, while customers hold out as long as they can attempt you make. It is also pretty handy for kicking down
to get the lowest price possible. This skill is also useful for doors.
two parties negotiating a contract. The Haggler Talent still
enables a character to get 25% off the final negotiated price, Perception (Wits)
although the Talents cancel out if both parties involved It pays to keep your wits about you. Perception is the skill
have them. of observing your environment. Using this skill, you can
notice an ambush or search a room. It is extremely useful
Hide & Sneak (Dexterity) for noticing things going on around you, but also for
Sooner or later, you will probably try to do something detecting hidden or false items, concealed weapons and
sneaky and, for that, you need Hide & Sneak, otherwise forged papers.
known as the art of moving quietly. Using this skill, you
know how to stay in the shadows, or even hide in plain Streetwise* (Presence)
sight; you can tail a suspect or hide from the police. This is a Knowing the streets can be essential for an investigator.
pretty essential skill for those working in the shadows, both Streetwise is used to keep face and make successful
literally and figuratively. communications in a diverse street culture, such as the seamy
side of most European cities. With this skill, you know how
Improvised Weapon (Dexterity) to find the black market, talk to thugs, gain information,
You wont always enter a combat with a ready weapon. and so on. This skill may also be used as an abstracted
Using this skill, any domestic item can become a melee or information gathering skill, allowing an adventurer to gain
missile weapon. It covers the use of frying pans, broken information from his contacts (lowlifes as well as the more
bottles, crockery, cutlery, chair legs, and so on, as weapons. respectable ones). Streetwise applies when you are trying
This skill holds an amazing degree of versatility compared to find something in an urban environment, so it is equally
to other weapon skills. As such, there is a stipulation on its useful when shopping for the perfect gown for the spring
use: the improvised weapon must be found at the combat ball as it is when hiring someone to break legs.
scene and not carried with the adventurer as a typical
weapon might. Some improvised weapons might already Swordplay (Dexterity)
be covered by the Blunt Weapons skill, in which case Skill with a blade is often the mark of a gentleman. This
the Gamesmaster is the final arbiter of which skill should skill applies to bladed weapons, from swords and sabres
be used. You can also use this skill when you use tools to knives and stilettos. Some Gamesmasters may insist

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that knives and swords should be separate skills, but we Bribery (Presence)
decided not to be so mean. Offering people money isnt quite as easy as it sounds.
Knowing how much to offer so you wont insult your new
Throwing (Dexterity) friend is very important, as important as not offering too
You understand the art of lobbing aerodynamically shaped much and making them think you are a mark. Using this
objects (such as throwing knives and manufactured skill, you can also gauge whether a bribe will be appropriate
bombs) and less aerodynamic objects (such as bricks and to a certain situation. Not everyone will take a bribe, and
Molotov cocktails). If you intend to turn any object into the few honest people you meet may find the mere offer
an improvised missile, you use this skill. So, throwing a offensive or, even worse, reportable.
knife uses the Throwing skill, not Swordplay. Contrary to
popular belief, female adventurers do not suffer a penalty Business* (Wits)
to use this skill. Governmental and corporate institutions have their
own customs with dos and donts that formulate what
Specialties is supposedly proper and polite. This skill displays an
understanding of the way the bureaucratic machine works
Accounting (Wits) and the ability to manipulate others with red tape. It also
The adventurer with this skill is an expert at figures, cost governs an adventurers knowledge of the business world in
efficiency and exploiting loopholes. While this skill might general: stocks, shares, bonds, laws of supply and demand,
seem boring to some, you can make a killing in the financial employee management, procurement, sales and marketing.
markets with it, and no business can run without it. It is essential to anyone who wants to run, investigate or
take over a business venture.
Ad-hoc Repair (Wits)
Machines have a tendency to break down. Ad-hoc Repair Conversation* (Presence)
is used to make hasty repairs to a device or construction This subtle ability allows you to extract information from
with the materials at hand. Repairing a steam engine with people with careful conversation. It is a form of gentle
rubber bands and paper is a staggering example of an Ad- interrogation. The use of this skill takes time and, if the
hoc Repair. The difficulty depends on the severity of the roll is missed, the subject realises she is being pumped for
break-down and the resources you have at hand to repair it. information. You can also use this skill to fill time with small
talk or impress dinner guests with your cleverness and wit.
Animal Handling (Wits)
Animals arent like people, and require a special touch. Criminology (Wits)
This skill deals not only with caring for animals, but also You know how to look for clues, examine evidence and
knowing a little about their moods and instincts. You can records, search through files and so on. Criminology is in its
use this skill to try to calm the savage beast, as well as infancy in Victoriana; there is still no real ballistics testing
knowing what to feed it, and when to avoid it. and, although there is fingerprint dusting, it is still a new
technique and the subject of much ridicule.
Appraisal (Wits)
A successful appraisal grants a good estimate of an items Cryptography (Wits)
worth, whether its cut emeralds, looted tribal artefacts or The world is full of patterns and puzzles. With Cryptography,
the depreciated worth of a tea clipper. With success, the you have learned the ability to see these patterns and can
adventurer understands the value and significance of an use them to solve simple ciphers and encrypt or decode
item. With a failure, the adventurer pays too much, sells messages. It is also rather useful for doing the crossword in
too low, or otherwise misinterprets evidence of worth. the newspaper.

Archery (Dexterity) Demolition (Wits)

While firearms may be powerful, they are not so reliable as This skill, which grants a basic knowledge of how to treat
to have replaced the bow and arrow completely. Archery explosives, detonators and fuse wires: in short, how to
is used to attack with missile weapons such as bows and build (and disarm!) bombs, mines, and mining charges.
crossbows. The skill is rarely used in combat these days, Demolition can be used to safely dispose of explosives or to
but it is viewed as a suitably genteel sport for fashionable determine the best place to put them to do the most damage,
young ladies to pursue. or cause what you are destroying to fall the right way.

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However, be careful, as Victorian explosives can be very next wave of fashions from the Continent and start the
dangerous, even to someone who knows what they are trend, rather than follow it. Adventurers may wish to make
doing. Presence + Fashion rolls before a ball to see whos the best
dressed at the function.
Disguise (Wits)
A master of Disguise can change posture and costume to Flight (Dexterity)
look like someone else, or just look different. Theatrical This skill is used for characters capable of flight, whether
make up may help; dim lighting definitely helps. The due to magic, technological, or natural means. Unlike
difficulty increases the more dramatic the change, and for the Airborne Riding or Pilot skills, the Flight skill is for
factors like gender, age, size or ethnic origin. Good use of adventurers whose bodies determine the direction of flight.
the Perception skill might lead an observer to suspect that Generally, Flight rolls substitute for Athletic rolls when
something is amiss, however. If the Disguise roll fails, attempting manoeuvres in the air; at the Gamesmasters
onlookers notice uncharacteristic behaviour. A Foul Failure discretion, the Flight skill can substitute for the Dodge skill
at Disguise is bad news, as the adventurers moustache when the character is airborne.
falls off into his tea at the most inopportune time. To mimic
personal habits and speech, as well as make a convincing Forgery (Wits)
performance, you must also use the Acting skill. Not that we are suggesting that you will, but should you
wish to create false documents, identification, currency, and
Drive Carriage (Wits) so forth, youll need to know the Forgery skill. If you are
With this skill, you can drive carriages, coaches, carts, traps, copying art, you should also have skill in the appropriate
dog carts and sleds. If it has wheels, skis or runners you artistic medium (painting or sculpture, etc). You can also
can pilot it using this generic skill. Training in this skill also use this skill to detect other peoples forgeries.
teaches you how to maintain and prepare carriages and
whatever is pulling them. Gambling* (Wits)
While it may look like luck, the ability to win gambling
Fashion (Presence) games requires some skill. You are familiar with the rules
Society requires a grasp of fashion, wardrobe, and personal of card games, such as blackjack, poker, and even bridge.
grooming. The ability to look devastating at all times is However, you are also familiar with how to bet at the
essential. An adventurer with this skill knows how to show races and the casino. You know how to play the odds, too,
off clothes and look her best. It is also used to predict the knowing when to bet high and when to bet low for the

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maximum return. Additionally, if you arent happy leaving use is neither subtle nor honourable, but it sometimes gets
things to chance, you may use this skill to cheat the job done. However, it is not a truth detector. Just because
you break the subject, it doesnt mean they are telling the
High Society* (Wits) truth, just what they think you want to hear.
Useful mainly to the upper classes and their servants,
this skill covers knowledge of upper class culture. You Legal Matters (Wits)
understand what clothes to wear, what are considered Knowing the law can be important for those who run along
sophisticated drinks, and how to mingle with royalty and the periphery of society, like adventurers. You may have
other VIPs. You also know the history, family trees and learned what you know from studying at a prestigious
estates of various important families, and perhaps a few of academy, or from dodging the law itself on the streets. The
their scandals as well. It doesnt replace Etiquette, but it can Legal Matters skill represents an adventurers chance of
bolster your ability to impress in polite society. knowing a pertinent law, precedent, legal manoeuvre, or
court procedure.
History (Wits)
While the General Knowledge skill covers a little history, Lip Reading (Wits)
with this skill you have studied it in depth. You know the This rare but highly useful skill enables the adventurer to
details of dates and events, as well as what they meant in read someones lips in order to tell what she is saying. The
the bigger picture. Coupled with the Culture skill, History adventurer must be able to see her targets mouth clearly. The
can give you a truly worldwide perspective. less clearly someone speaks, the harder it is to read their lips.

Interrogation (Presence) Lore (Wits)

When Intimidation and Conversation fail, you may need While the Magical Skills grant specific knowledge of
to resort to forcibly extracting information. This skill is a their own particular tradition, Lore concerns itself with
mixture of aggressive verbal interrogation, threats and even knowledge of occult superstitions and traditions. This skill
outright torture. Interrogation revolves entirely around covers the basics (the very basics!) of magical practice. It
psychologically intimidating and manipulating the subject also details the various monsters, traditions and oddities
through personal charisma and occasional force. The in the world. It is never a substitute for the Magical Skills,
adventurer knows how to avoid leaving marks, can judge and any use of the skill that is covered by the Magical Skills
how close a victim is to death or breaking, and is an expert suffers a penalty of 2 difficulty levels. While you may be able
at coercing subjects into revealing desired information. Its to tell if a spell is thaumaturgic or demonic, you couldnt

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hope to identify the spell itself. If you want to learn about Pick Pockets (Dexterity)
magic, learn a Magical Skill. Lore is best used to identify The noble art of picking pockets and cutting purses is
magical beasts and lost practices. Although Europe itself popular with street urchins across the city. It is not to be
has a deep and rich occult background, most Victoriana confused with Sleight of Hand, which deals with stage tricks
occultists find the fashionable pursuit of Egyptology to be and visual deception. This skill is far simpler, and (unlike
more interesting. Sleight of Hand) works best when no one sees what you
are doing! Using this skill can allow you to spot a potential
Medicine (Wits) target and also to clear their pocket of valuables without
Only a fool sets off adventuring without knowing where to them noticing. They are allowed a Perception roll to detect
find a doctor. Using Medicine, an adventurer can diagnose you, so hope you score more successes than they do. If they
medical problems and their subsequent treatment, nearly beat you, the target may check their pocket moments
including any necessary surgery. They can also practice first after your theft and give chase, in which case youd better
aid, which enables the adventurer to stop bleeding, repair hope you are a better runner than a pick pocket!
damage, and generally keep someone alive. While most
people can stop bleeding without any training, few people Politics (Wits)
without medical training know anything more in 1856. A Government can be a dangerous place, full of sharks
true Doctor of Medicinelikely has at least 3 ranks in this looking to consume the unwary. With this skill, you have
skill and a Wits of 2; anyone with anything less might be an awareness of the way political systems work. You may
considered a gutter quack, offering inferior treatments to have served in the corridors of power and know how to get
those with little ability to pay. Medicine can also be useful things done, or you may have read everything you can find
in the new (and controversial) science of forensic medicine, on the new ideas of Communism. You are aware of how
allowing you to establish a time of death, or possibly the politics works in the real world, as well as the various ideas
type of murder weapon from the wounds. and systems that compete in the political arena, so you can
see the moves that might be made and formulate counter
Navigation (Wits) plans. However, this skill is not restricted to the halls of
While this is most useful aboard a ship, it can also apply government; it can be equally useful on a smaller scale in
to finding your way around on land, in the city or in the an upper class gathering in the drawing room.
country. Navigation allows the user to recognise and use
semaphore beacons and markers. It is also used to gain Research (Wits)
bearings and the way in storms, clear weather, in day, or at While libraries may not seem the best place for adventure,
night. Those of higher skill are familiar with astronomical they are still very useful. People with this skill know
tables, charts and instruments. their way around the systems that organise documents in
libraries and public records offices. It can be used to follow
Photography (Wits) a paper trail and uncover vital information or clues from
Photography is a new art in the 1800s and considered a obscure or uncommon sources. It is also useful to scientists
great novelty. Photographs are a privilege of the wealthy; looking to investigate their fields of expertise for answers to
the camera, slates and flashes are expensive equipment. the problems of their work.
Photographs are not a common sight in newspapers of the
1800s; the dot printing method has not yet been developed Sewer Lore (Wits)
and most texts and papers still use artists engravings. Like any tosher, you know your way around the sewer
Note that this skill is also used to create magic lantern/ system. Good for you; have fun with that. Having said
cinematography presentations, as both these media are that, this skill can come in pretty handy if you ever need
basically stop-motion photography. an escape route. There are also plenty of nasty things down
there that you might want to know about before you go
Pick Locks (Wits) wading.
A locked door can be bothersome, but with a little
application it need not be an obstacle. Using Pick Locks, you Sleight of Hand (Dexterity)
can foul up other peoples locks and break in to places you Like any stage magician, you are familiar with a wide
do not have official access to. However, you need a very range of illusionists tricks. The secrets of complex card
good degree of success if you dont want it to be apparent tricks, illusions with mirrors, palming coins and other
that the lock in question has been defeated. small objects, are all familiar to you. Real magicians scorn

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your practice, but youve seen the wonder on peoples faces are quite old and to recognise creatures from their prints
when you perform. and spoors. You can also apply these skills to the urban
environment, following a trail through the fog-shrouded
Survival (Wits) streets. The difficulty to track anyone is modified by how
It can be tough in the country. With the Survival skill, old the trail is and how many signs of their passage (such
the adventurer can live off the land, find food and water, as foot prints) they might have left. The skill can also be
identify dangerous plants and animals, and so on. It is rare used to hide your own trail to make it difficult for someone
for urban adventurers to know this skill, but essential for to follow you.
anyone living in the country or lost in a foreign land, far
from their unit. Ventriloquist (Presence)
Quite simply, the adventurer can make her voice sound
Tactics (Wits) as if its coming from somewhere other than herself; use
An adventurer with this skill is an expert at combat, and of a dummy is optional. Impressive at parties, but also to
usually knows what must be done to win a battle. While it convince thugs you have back up around the corner.
applies to large-scale combat, it can be useful for organising
small-scale tactics. A successful roll in Tactics before a Magical Skills
fight adds a number of dice to your Initiative dice pool
equal to the degree of success. If you command the group Clairvoyance (Presence)
and have accurate intelligence of the enemy positions, the This skill governs the amount of control a clairvoyant has
Gamesmaster might give your side a bonus to their combat over her powers. Instead of drawing on dimensional forces,
rolls for following a well thought-out attack plan. A similar a clairvoyant has learned to stretch their senses out into the
bonus can apply when defending, as well. This skill can aether. This makes them extremely sensitive to disturbances
also be used in more academic pursuits to analyse past and atmospheres around them. The Gamesmaster should
battles and work out an opponents weaknesses. secretly roll Wits + Clairvoyance for the adventurer to see if
she gets a feeling of dread when spirits are near or danger
Teaching (Presence) lurks. Such feelings are never precise, but always mean
Imparting information to a student isnt as easy as it looks. there is something wrong, somewhere.
This skill allows you to explain complicated concepts and
ideas simply and efficiently. It is useful for explaining plans Conjure (Resolve)
or the vital points of a recent adventure quickly. However, The art of Conjure, or folk magic, languishes as an almost
it is most useful when trying to teach someone else another forgotten thing, kept alive by the rural lower classes.
skill. An adventurer with a Wits score of 1 or more and the However, the power of the old ways is still as versatile
Teaching skill will probably have enough good references and resolute as it once was. This skill can be used to create
to find employment as a governess or teacher quite easily. enchanted items and other petty magic fetishes, totems and
spells. It also grants the magician a wide knowledge of herb
Telegraphy (Wits) and plant lore. Most conjurers know which herbs can be
This skill covers the use of the telegraph (the Victorian used to hurt or heal, as well as a few with other interesting
internet). Adventurers with this skill understand all of mundane (but mind expanding) effects.
the common telegraph codes (usually variations on Morse)
and can send and receive messages. Good telegraphers can In the old times, conjurers also acted as priests, so this
identify other telegraphers by their fist (how they tap a skill covers many of the practices of the old faiths and the
telegraph key), allowing them to tell who is (or isnt) sending superstitions left by their traditions (this defaults to an old
messages. The difficulty for the roll depends on how well faith from a native culture, but the conjurer is considered an
the adventurer has reason to know a particular telegrapher. expert in the old ways of any culture in which she has the
This skill does not enable the character to decode encrypted appropriate Culture Group Skill; use the lower of the two
messages; that is the province of the Cryptography skill. skills when resolving actions).

Tracking (Wits) Demonology (Group Skill) (Resolve)

When your quarry escapes, you need to know how to follow This Maleficium concerns itself with the structure of the
it. Tracking covers a comprehensive swathe of tracking Pale and the power that can be drawn from dealing with the
techniques, allowing the adventurer to follow tracks that Pale archons (also known as demons). It is used to power

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sinful invocations, but also grants extensive knowledge on Spiritualism (Presence)

the types of demon and their weaknesses and strengths. Spiritualism governs the amount of control a spiritualist has
A demonologist is familiar with the practices of demonic over her magnetic abilities. Like all magnetists, spiritualists
worship, the form it takes and what power can be gained have a connection to the aether, but a spiritualist is focused
from it. on contacting spirits from the other side and channelling
her powers. This skill also represents a spiritualists
While this skill is usually possessed by those seeking knowledge of ghosts and spiritual manifestations.
power through the Maleficium, its lore can be useful to
those who seek to destroy demonkind. In the same way Thaumaturgy (Resolve)
as a thaumaturgist, a demonologist is able to understand A practitioner of thaumaturgy uses his will to impose
several arcane and demonic tongues. their desires on the universe and manipulate the aether.
However, thaumaturgy is as much an academic as an
Specialisations: Despair, Envy, Gluttony, Greed, Lust, Pride, arcane art, and grants a wide knowledge of the art in
Sloth, Wrath general. Thaumaturges learn a variety of arcane languages,
which many use to correspond with and even speak to each
Goeticism (Presence) other. They understand the way the universe fits together
While it might not be apparent, the power of goeticists is and how their powers relate to the others. In Europe, the
far greater than any other magic. Such people have a direct practice of thaumaturgy is licensed and regulated by the
connection to the archons and can use magnetic abilities Consortium of Hermetic Guilds. Its practitioners are known
attached to them. Unfortunately, most would-be goeticists as hermeticists.
usually think they are simply people of great faith (which,
to be fair, they usually are). A goeticist also has the power
to bestow a blessing on someone once per day. This usually
acts as a +3 dice bonus to a single roll, but the Gamesmaster The Temptation of Maleficium
may bestow any similar effect and has the final say as to Demonology and Necromancy are special magical skills
when the effect occurs. The Goeticism skill can be used in that they require no prerequisites; any adventurer can
instead of Theology (specific to the adventurers faith) and learn them. By extension, that means that any adventurer
the Concentration skills. may learn Demonic and Necromantic operations as well.
While this may seem tempting (as it should!), adventurers
Inscription (Resolve) should also be careful in knowing that the Guild keeps a
It is generally believed that sigil magic is the earliest form watchful eye for those that would practice such Dark Arts
of thaumaturgy. It was the first time mankind tried to and deals with them harshly. Without Guild sanction use
work magic by will instead of harnessing natural forces, of Maleficium is also illegal and carries strict punishments,
using the power of the earth as a focus. Inscription is used up to the death penalty.
to empower an object with the ancient sigils of magic.
However, an inscriber must know how to choose the right
stone, so this skill grants a diverse understanding of geology
as well as a deep knowledge of the varied meanings of the Group Skills
runic symbols.
Airborne Riding (Dexterity)
Necromancy (Resolve) You are skilled in riding flying beasts, such as wyverns.
The study of necromancy is not for the faint-hearted; not Apart from the fact they are flying, this skill covers most
only must you consort with dark forces, but you must also of the same areas as riding a horse. However, the skills of
be prepared to get your hands dirty. While demonology can riding, grooming and looking after aerial beasts are very
be morally disgusting, necromancy is also physically so, different than their terrestrial counterparts.
as necromancers must spend their time playing in graves
with rotting cadavers. However, for all this unpleasantness, Specialisations include: Rocs, wyverns
necromancy holds many of the secrets of life and death.
So, such practitioners know a variety of funeral and burial Art (Presence)
practices from all over the world. They can also recognise This Group Skill covers the incredible array of artistic skills,
undead when they see them. one for each art in fact. As with all Group Skills, each of

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these is a separate art skill. However, acting and playing If you are playing a technologist, then Engineer (mechanical)
an instrument are separate disciplines and not classed as is the most important skill for creating new marvels.
art. Whatever specialisation you choose, you should give
thought to the style of art your adventurer practices. For Engineer (Chemical) is used for explosives and other devices
instance, if they are a painter, what do they paint, and in that require a chemical reaction. Most firearms come under
what style? Are they influenced by the Romantic, Neo- this category.
Classical, or Impressionist movements? Engineer (Construction) is used to design and oversee the
construction of civil and military structures.
Specialisations include: Musical Composition, Painting, Engineer (Electrical) is used to construct electricity-
Playwright, Sculpture, Singing, Writing generating devices and control the flow of power.
Engineer (Mechanical) is used for physical systems. It
Craft (Strength/Wits) can involve anything from steam driven locomotives to
With the various forms of craft under this Group Skill, clockwork automata, to the very new internal combustion
the adventurer knows how to build, maintain and repair engines.
some form of useful creation. Craft skills often use Wits to
design items and finish them, but require Strength to form Specialisations include: Chemical, Construction, Electrical,
and create the items. While a class modifier doesnt usually Mechanical
apply, few members of the gentry desire or need to learn a
trade like this. Instrument (Dexterity)
While musical composition is covered by the Art skill,
Specialisations include: Armourer, Blacksmith, Brewer, actually playing an instrument is covered here. Everyone
Butcher, Cabinetmaker, Carpenter, Chandler, Cobbler, enjoys a good musical performance, and talent with an
Confectioner, Cook, Embalmer, Glass Blower, Gunsmith, (appropriate!) instrument is essential for a lady of quality.
Hatter, Jeweller, Miller, Seamstress, Tailor, Weaver Since the late 1850s, music groups (much like modern
book groups) have become a very popular pastime. Each
Culture (Wits) instrument is a separate skill, but the Gamesmaster may
Despite the English insistence that they are the only real allow a practitioner a chance to use a similar instrument,
society, the world is host to myriad different cultures. such as harpsichord and piano, or violin and viola.
This Group Skill covers the various traditions, history,
practices and etiquette of a particular culture. Given the Specialisations include: Banjo, Cello, Concertina, Drum, Fife
cosmopolitan nature of London, you need not travel far (Whistle), Flute, Guitar, Harmonica, Oboe, Piano, Viola, Violin
to find a use for this skill. While many Englishmen are
looked down on if they get too involved with a culture Language (Wits)
and go native, most are curious to know what those This skill covers a multitude of different languages; refer
foreign devils get up to. back to p.101 for further details on how exactly this skill
works. The languages it covers depend on how specific the
As with languages, the Gamesmaster is free to be more Gamesmaster wants to be. She may allow you to choose
specific with the range of cultures if they are important Indian as a language, or may be more specific and insist on
in the campaign, such as separating Tibet from China, Hindi or Urdu as separate languages. However, unless
and perhaps even breaking up European culture into its the campaign is going to heavily involve a particular
different countries. Players are assumed to be familiar with culture, we suggest you allow languages to be more
Western European culture, which is pretty much the same generic.
across the area.
Specialisations include: Chinese, Indian, Russian or even
Specialisations include: African, Arabian, Chinese, Indian, more specifically Cantonese, Mandarin (Chinese), Hindi, Urdu
Russian, etc. (Indian)

Engineer (Wits) Pilot (Dexterity)

This Group Skill represents the design, creation, and The Pilot skill is a catch-all skill for any craft that can be
operation of machinery. Some engineering skills are in their manoeuvred by a pilot without the need of an animal. This
infancy and are only now being used in practical applications. differs from the Flight skill in that the adventurer usually sits

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on or inside the craft, rather than being an active part of the Specialist Weapon (Dexterity)
machinery. At the Gamesmasters discretion, the Pilot skill There are some weapons that dont quite fit in with any of
can substitute for the Dodge skill when the craft is attacked. the previously discussed weapons skills. In such cases they
usually also require some sort of training or experience to
Specialisations include: Airship, Bicycling, Boating, Flying use. These weapons are often strange, exotic and foreign,
Carpet, Ice Skating, Ornithopter, Steamer, Submersible, Tall Ship and include things like whips, nets and martial arts
weapons. This skill is a Group Skill, but there is little chance
Riding (Dexterity) that knowing one specialisation will be any help knowing
The ability to know one end of a mount from another, get the other weapons skills.
on the right way round, make jumps and do trick riding.
Horses are the primary means of getting around in 1856, so Specialisations include: Axe, Boomerang, Chains, Chakram,
it pays to get used to them. This skill is also used for other Katar (Indian punch dagger), Mongwanga (African knife), Nets,
types of terrestrial mounts. Nunchaku, Sai, Shuriken, Spear, Staff (or blunt weapon), Tonfa,
Whips
Specialisations include: Camel, elephant, horse
Theology (Wits)
Science (Wits) Like any priest or vicar, you have a working knowledge
This, the largest of all the Group Skills, includes all of the histories and traditions of a particular religion. You
knowledge of the intricate theories represented by the infant know the rituals well and may even be able to preside
schools of scientific thought. In 1856, the exact borders of over them. The skills in this group are separated by each
science are limitless, so they contain all manner of occult individual religion. You must have a rating of at least 4 in
and hokum that has yet to be expelled from the community. the appropriate Theology skill to be considered a priest
The skill of constructing useful devices based on scientific of that religion. The demon cults and their ways are
skills is covered by the Engineer skill. covered by the Demonology skill rather than Theology.
However, most Aluminat scholars are familiar with their
Specialisations include: Archaeology, Astronomy, Biology, basic tenets.
Botany, Chemistry, Electricity, Mathematics, Natural History,
Pharmacy (herbalism and rudimentary chemical formulae), Specialisations include: Aluminat, Boddhism, the Word,
Philosophy, Phrenology (head bump analysis), Physics, Spiritualism Vedicism, Yehudism

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Remaining Build points can be cashed out for 1 per

Build point
Inventing Your Own Skills
You can gain more Build points by taking
Now you know what is already available, you may not
Complications
have found what you are looking for. You may have a
desire for an obscure knowledge or ability for your
Example: At this point, Tom realises that his adventurer lacks
adventurer that we havent thought of, in which case,
Firearms and Swordplay, crucial skills for a spy. He also would
just add it to the list. It might be stamps, gardening, the
like to have some skill with horses and carriages. His Professional
local police department, paranormal law, and so forth. It
build package left him with 2 points, which is not enough to
could be a hobby, or an in-depth knowledge of a specific
satisfy his needs. He decides to lose the Natural Charisma Talent
field or area. The potential list is endless. New Skills must
and replace his Fashionable City villa with a Fashionable City
be cleared by the Gamesmaster, and you should check
Flat in order to get back 5 points, for a total of 7.He allocates 3 of
that they are not already covered by an existing Skill.
these to Swordplay, 2 to Firearms, and 1 each to Drive Carriage
and Riding (horse).

Also, Tom is getting a handle on his adventurer now and

doesnt see him as Stubborn. He decides to replace his Stubborn
~ B uild P oints ~ Complication with the Vow Complication.

Once an adventurer has chosen her Association, Breeding,

Attributes, Background and Skills, she has 20 more Build Talents
points to spend. These points represent other advantages Talents represent the innate abilities, knacks and flair that
the adventurer possesses, whether inborn Talent, Privileges, separate a virtuoso from the crowd. The list of Talents
Assets, or Contacts. below is a general one; Gamesmasters may be creative in
adding more to the list.
Build points may be spent on the following:
Talents are bought by spending Build points. The costs
Skills may be purchased at a cost of one Build point per vary a little depending on how powerful, rare or useful
skill rank. You still cant raise a skill above 4, but you the Talent may be. Many can be bought multiple times,
may choose skills from the entire list, rather than just increasing the bonus they offer in some way. However, you
from your Association or Background. cannot have more than 4 Talents as a beginning adventurer
(unless one of your subspecies special abilities gives you a
Talents are inborn or otherwise special abilities that the specific exemption). Buying a Talent twice counts as having
adventurer possesses. Beginning adventurers cannot two Talents when considering the Talent cap. However,
have more than 4 Talents (unless specifically exempt you can acquire more Talents with experience points, and
under their subspecies special abilities). its easier to improve ones you already have than develop
new ones.
Spells are available if you purchased the appropriate
Talent. Spells do not count against the Talent cap. Important Note for Magicians! The ability to use magic is
included here in the Talents section. Without the appropriate
Privileges are class-specific perks that your adventurer Talent, an adventurer cannot use magic, and any associated
enjoys. skills simply relate to study of the phenomena rather than
its actual use. The study of magic is long and intense, so
Assets are tangible property that you own at the start even those with the spark that allows them to cast spells
of the game. must study hard for the lore they know.

Contacts are friends and colleagues who are willing to Unless otherwise noted, all Talents cost 3 Build points.
aid you; you can also purchase Favours at a reduced
cost. All adventurers get one Contact + one for each * means it can be taken more than once
point of Presence free.

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Acute Sense* Animal Empathy (5 points)

One of your five senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) is Animals like you; they will never harm or attack you unless
extremely acute. If the sense is touch, you can read print with severely provoked (or rather hungry!). You always seem to
your fingertips, feel tumblers moving in a lock, and determine attract whatever animals are common to the area, and they
subtle differences in materials by feel. If the sense is smell, will immediately gravitate to your side, although they may
you can instantly detect people or substances by scent alone not necessarily do what you want them to.
and can track them like a bloodhound. If the sense is sight,
you gain +2 dice to all sight-related Perception rolls and Animal Trait*
ranged weapon attacks. If the sense is taste, you can perceive You can choose one of the Animal Traits listed for Beastfolk.
subtle additions to food and detect harmful substances with Your adventurer may be a Beastman with a few more of
the barest taste. If the sense is hearing, you gain +2 dice to these abilities. However, you could be one of the other
all hearing-related Perception rolls. You can pick this Talent subspecies under a strange curse or who has been the
more than once, but only to improve a different sense. subject of obscure experimentation.

Adept Artificer Assassins Lore* (4 points)

You are adept at putting magic into marvels. You gain +2 Your knowledge of anatomy, blades, and the potential
dice to your Wits + Engineering + Magical Skill rolls when relationships between the two, is unrivalled. You are able
purchasing new marvels. to strike with surgical precision. Each point spent in this
Talent adds +1 damage dice to melee attacks with an edged
Aetheric Manipulator (5 points) weapon. This Talent cannot be taken more times than you
You are a natural manipulator of aetheric energy. When have skill points in Swordplay.
performing magic, you may reduce the difficulty of the
spell by 1 (to a minimum of 0). You may take this talent up Backstabber*
to 3 times. You are skilled in stealthy violence. When launching a
surprise attack from cover, or from behind your target, you
Agility may double your Dexterity bonus on your attack roll. This
You have astounding balance and hand-eye co-ordination. Talent may be taken twice; with the second point you also
You can add 2 dice to any Athletics and Stealth rolls. The add your Dexterity bonus as well as your Strength to your
Gamesmaster may allow this bonus to apply to other attack damage.
Dexterity-related actions at her discretion.
Beautiful / Handsome*
Ambidexterity You are extremely good-looking. People stop and stare when
You can use tools and weapons with either hand. Normally, you pass, and you are surrounded by admirers. In addition,
attempting to use your off-hand for a task would increase you automatically have a +1 dice bonus to social rolls where
the difficulty of the task by one level, but you suffer no your beauty might be appreciated. You may take this Talent
penalty if you attempt to do so. Note that this talent does as many as 5 times, each time gaining a further +1 bonus.
not grant an extra action each round; multiple actions are
still handled normally. Blind Fighting
You have trained your senses to compensate for lack of
Angel-face vision. You may ignore the penalties for poor lighting in a
You have the ability to appear innocent (even when youre combat situation; however, you cannot actually see in the
not) through your sweet, angelic demeanour. Your big dark.
brown eyes, sugary voice or childlike manner can get you
out of trouble. You get +2 dice to social skill rolls when you Cavalry Combat
actively seek to appear innocent. Likewise, the difficulty You are experienced in fighting from horseback and do not
rating for anyone trying to pin any misdeed on you is suffer the 4 black dice penalty usually associated with doing
one level higher; youre just far too sweet to have done so. You can also do +4 dice damage rather than the usual +2.
anything of the sort! Of course, gentlemen with this talent
might come off as slightly too effeminate to be appreciated Clairvoyant*
in polite society, though some charming fellows are sure to You have one clairvoyant ability, but you will need to buy
pull it off. the Clairvoyance skill to make use of it. You can purchase

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the skill as you would any other Magical Skill in adventurer Double Tap
creation. If you select this Talent more than once, you gain When you make an attack with your pistol, you may
a further ability from the same list or you may lower the make one more attack per round than its rate of fire would
Difficulty of a Clairvoyant Ability you already have by 1 (you usually allow, so long as all the attacks are aimed at the
may do this twice; difficulties can never be lower than 0). same opponent. You may take all the actions at once, on
your initiative order, rather than waiting till the end of the
Combat Sense* round. The usual penalty for taking more than one action in
Your reflexes are keyed for danger and you react faster a round still applies.
than most people. You can add 1 to your derived Initiative
Attribute. This Talent can be taken as many times as you Drink Like a Fish*
have points in Dexterity. Either through building up a tolerance or a quirk of biology,
you can drink far more alcohol than most people your size
Contortionist* can. It still has an effect, but about half as much as it does
You have the ability to manipulate your body to get out of for anyone else. You may double your Fortitude bonus dice
ropes and similar bonds. It may be a gift of your birth, or when determining the effects of alcohol. You may take this
something you have trained to be able to do. You may also Talent a second time, which triples your Fortitude dice
contort your body to fit into generally inaccessible places. instead.
Any attempt to escape bonds or squeeze through small
spaces is 1 difficulty level easier than usual for you. You can Eidetic Memory
take this Talent a second time (only), improving the bonus If you have seen something once, youll probably always
to 2 difficulty levels. remember it. Whether its a face, the layout of a building
or the text of a novel, as long as you get one success on an
Conjurer Easy (+6 to dice pool) Wits roll, you can remember all of
You have the ability to perform enchantments and you the details.
might even command the embodiments of nature. You can
purchase enchantments at a build cost equal to the ritual Eureka!
quintessence cost of the enchantment. You think outside the box when it comes to invention and
solving engineering problems. You gain +2 dice to your Wits
Deadly Shot* + Engineering (mechanical) roll when creating a marvel.
Through practice or intuition, you know how to make your
shots count. This Talent adds one die to damage in ranged Expert
combat. You must decide if this bonus applies to Firearms, You have the spark of genius for a particular skill. You may
Specialist Weapons, Thrown Weapons or Archery. This ignore the beginning skill cap (usually 4) for that particular
Talent can be taken multiple times (and for each different skill, improving it as high as you like to a maximum of 8.
skill) but cannot be taken more times than you have points The Gamesmaster may restrict this Talent to non-combat
in the appropriate Skill. skills. If the skill is a Group Skill, the ability does not extend
to all the possible areas it may cover, just one.
Deduction* (2 points)
This is the art of taking inconclusive evidence and leaping to Extended Lifespan
a non-obvious, yet logical (if improbable), conclusion. You Due to a fortuitous genetic quirk, your body ages like a
gain a +1 dice bonus to any Perception, Research or Science member of a longer-lived subspecies. As there is only so
rolls made during the course of investigating a crime much a body can take, you are limited to a lifespan one step
or crime scene. You may take this Talent multiple times, up from yours (e.g. a Huldu may have a 70 year lifespan,
gaining a further +1 each time you do. The Gamesmaster is or a Human can have a 120 year lifespan). Eldren generally
the final judge of where or how this bonus can be applied. cannot take this talent, although there are rumours of Eldren
However, she may also allow you a Wits + Deduction roll that have lived for more than 3 centuries and members of
to discover a new clue in your investigation. other races that live to see their 200th birthday.

Direction Sense Fast Reload*

You are rarely lost. You always know where North is and You have been trained to rapidly reload a firearm or other
can orient yourself easily without any external cues. ranged weapon. You must apply this Talent to one type of

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ranged weapon (bow, crossbow, pistol, rifle, etc.) but may Craft specialisation to build or repair a device. You may
take it multiple times to gain a wider weapon selection. With take this Talent a number of times equal to your Wits
this Talent you may reduce the reload time of the weapon Attribute.
by 1. You may take the Talent a second time to reduce the
reload by 2 instead. If this means that the weapon now has Haggler
a reload time of 0 then you can reload and shoot in the same When youre poor, or just miserly, you learn to get things
action. for the cheapest possible price. An adventurer with a talent
for haggling can lower the cost of one item per shopping
Feign Death trip by 25% if she spends 30 minutes haggling with the
You can lower your heart rate and breathing to such a low storekeeper. The player is encouraged to role-play at least
level that a Medicine roll to tell whether you are dead or not part of the haggling process.
takes an 8 black dice penalty.
Ham-Fisted
Gambler* You dont know your own strength, which is handy in a
Whether through luck or extraordinary skill, you excel at fight, where your bloody great paws do an additional +2
gambling. Every time you join a new gambling game of dice of damage (on top of your Strength bonus). However
any form you gain 2 Fate Points to spend on rolls you make your great strength does tend to spill over into the mundane
during the game. When you leave the table these bonus world as well. Small or fragile objects seldom survive your
points are lost, until the next time You can take this Talent presence, meaning you are not usually welcome in china
as many as 3 times, gaining 2 additional Fate Points each shops.
time. On RARE occasions, the Gamesmaster may allow you
to use the additional Fate Points on rolls that do not relate Hawk-Eyed Aim*
to the game (such as Perception rolls or drawing a weapon) This Talent extends the range of a ranged weapon by 20%
as long as you are playing, reflecting your command of the and can be taken up to 3 times, each adding a further 20%
table. bonus.

Glib* Inspiration* (4 points)

You are a glib liar, and receive an additional +1 die on social Something, or someone, inspires you to exceed your
rolls when you are deceiving others. This Talent can be limitations. Having an inspiration means that an object, a
taken as many as 5 times. certain personal ritual, or even the attentions of a certain
someone, grants you +3 dice to a chosen skill in a single
Goeticist scene, or a single action (for example, remembering your
You have one Goetic ability, and you will need to buy the sweet, forbidden loves gentle kiss on your cheeks two
Goeticism skill to make use of it. You can purchase the hours prior to battle makes your heart race and gives you
skill as you would any other Magical Skill in adventurer that extra edge as you swing your sword).
creation. If you select this Talent more than once, you gain
a further ability from the same list or you may lower the This Talent can be bought several times for different
Difficulty of a Goetic ability you already have by 1 (you inspiration and skill combinations, but not to improve the
may do this twice; difficulties can never be lower than 0). bonus. The Gamesmaster should always approve your
However, you do not get to choose the actual abilities; the choice, and will limit its usage (probably to once per game
Gamesmaster does that secretly, although they can vary the session). And, of course, youll have to role-play your
exact abilities every so often. moment of inspiration in order to get the bonus.

You need to pray to use the abilities, and have faith that the Invisible* (2 points)
Gamesmaster picked what you need. If youve chosen to Due to the rules of society, there are occasions where people
reduce Difficulties, then the Gamesmaster chooses which are dismissed and forgotten, even when they are still in
abilities get the reduced costs. the same room. Youve turned this into an art form with
your quiet, unassuming manner and the ability to stay just
Greasy Thumbs* outside the corner of everyones eye. Each time you take
You have a natural aptitude for mechanics. Add 1 die when this Talent, you add a die to Hide & Sneak or Perception
using Ad-hoc Repair or a mechanics-related Engineer or rolls when trying to listen in on conversations.

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Local Expert*
You know a particular area very well indeed. The area
is the size of a London community, such as Belgravia or
Whitechapel. All Streetwise rolls you make pertaining
to that area suffer 2 less black dice than usual. The
Gamesmaster may not require you to make such a roll to
find out who the local movers and shakers are, or for recent
local news. You can take this Talent a second time (only),
in which case, instead of reducing black dice, the difficulty
level of the action is reduced by 1. You could, alternatively,
choose another area you are familiar with. You can have
several different versions of this Talent to cover different
areas of a city.

Lunge
If you are armed with a sword, dagger, or similar edged
weapon, you may declare a lunge when you come to roll
Initiative. You gain +2 dice to Initiative, and +2 to your
damage dice. However, you suffer a 4 black dice penalty to
your combat roll, as you must forgo your defence to lunge
at your opponent.

Marksman (5 points)
When you aim you gain +2 dice each round (instead of +1)
to your next shot.

Mathematical Mind*
No maths is too difficult for you. You can quickly solve
Iron Grip* arithmetic, geometric, and trigonometric equations in your
You gain +1 die to your combat roll and damage for any head. You gain +1 die to any mathematics-related task,
grapple or choke attacks you make. You also gain +2 dice including Specialist Weapon (any indirectly fired weapon)
on your Strength roll when defending against a Disarm and Cryptography rolls. You can take this Talent up to
attempt. This Talent may be taken up to 3 times, stacking three times, for a maximum +3 dice.
the bonuses.
Mere Flesh Wounds* (4 points)
Iron Will* This Talent gives your adventurer an incredible resistance to
This Talent confers one additional die in attempts to resist pain. You may reduce all black dice penalties from wounds
mind-controlling magics, and attempts at coercion or by 1 die. This Talent may be taken a maximum of 3 times.
torture. This Talent can be taken multiple times, but cannot
be taken more times than you have Resolve dice. Natural Charisma* (4 points)
You radiate a subtle presence which makes dealing with
Juggernaut others easier. Your social interaction rolls suffer 2 fewer
Some adventurers are able to continue on despite the most black dice than usual. You can take this Talent a second
horrendous injuries. This Talent represents that by yielding time to reduce the difficulty of social rolls by 1 level rather
you an additional Health die. This Talent may be taken than reduce the black dice.
multiple times, but cannot be taken more times than you
have Fortitude dice. Night Vision (5 points)
You can see in all but absolute darkness. However, this
Light Sleeper magical ability may mean that your eyes turn a different
You wake instantly from even the lightest touch or smallest colour or resemble cats eyes during the night.
sound (no Perception roll required).

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Perfect Pitch* Spiritualist*

You always know if somethings in tune, and automatically You have one Spiritualism ability, but you will need to buy
gain +1 bonus die to any musically related task (singing, the Spiritualism skill to make use of it. You can purchase
playing instruments, etc). This Talent can be taken twice. the skill as you would any other Magical Skill in adventurer
creation. If you select this Talent more than once, you gain
Point Shooter a further ability from the same list or you may lower the
Your aim is instinctive at short range, simply pointing at the Difficulty of a Spiritualism ability you already have by 1 (you
target rather than using the sights. You gain +2 dice to your may do this twice; difficulties can never be lower than 0).
attack roll when using a pistol at point blank or close range.
Steam-Bather
Polyglot* You are used to the heat when working with engines. You
You are naturally adept at foreign tongues. You may speak, double your Fortitude dice when making a roll to resist the
read, and write an additional language as well as your native heat generated by an engine.
language. You can take this Talent again to speak another
language, but it can only be taken a maximum of 3 times. Swift Casting*
By virtue of mental focus and acuity you are able to cast
Powerful Charge spells rapidly with fewer penalties. This Talent reduces
When you make a Charge attack, you gain +5 dice to your the time needed to perform a hermetic operation by 1. This
damage roll instead of just +3 if you connect. The usual Talent may be taken multiple times, but cannot be taken
penalties for Charge attacks still apply. more times than you have Wits dice.

Pugilist* Technologist
You add 2 dice to damage for any attacks you make using You are more than just an engineer; you live and breathe
Fisticuffs. You may select this Talent more than once, but engines and machinery. You most likely graduated from
not more than your Strength attribute (you may always a university and belong to the Worshipful Company of
take it once regardless of Strength) Engineers, but you may also be an unofficial tinkerer;
however, there are harsh penalties for holding yourself out
Quick Draw* as an engineer without the proper schooling and licences.
You are able to draw, ready and use a weapon in the same You may buy clockwork limbs (with no complications) or
action with far less of a penalty. You can only use this Talent marvels.
with a certain type of weapon (sword, knife, pistol, rifle,
whip, etc.) but may take it several times for more weapon Thaumaturgist
options. You have no penalty to your combat roll when you You are a hermeticist and have learnt the secrets of
do this, but you have a 4 black dice penalty to Initiative. You empirical thaumaturgy. But if you do not take the Privilege
may take this Talent a second time for each weapon to ignore Thaumaturgical Degree it wasnt the Guild that taught
the black dice penalty. you. In such a case, you will have to keep your knowledge
secret or they will charge you with illegal magical practices
Rapid Healer (5 points) or worse. You may buy Thaumaturgical operations at a
You heal extremely quickly, recovering lost Health at double build cost equal to the quintessence cost of the operation.
the normal rate.
They Thought You Were Mad!
Sigil Scribe You have a habit of drawing the strangest conclusions from
You are a sigil scribe and you know 3 Build points worth of thin air. Even stranger, they tend to work, but only in the
sigils. You may also purchase levels in the Inscription skill. nick of time. When youre using the Ad-hoc Repair skill
You may purchase additional sigils at a cost of 1 Build point under stressful conditions, such as during the middle of a
each, or raise sigils you already know by 1 die per Build chase or in combat, you can add +2 dice to your roll.
point (up to a limit equal to your Resolve).
Time Sense
Speed Reader You always know what time it is, and always know how
You can read one page of any normal text that you are much time has elapsed between the present and the last
familiar with in three seconds (you can read a 200 page time you checked. You add +2 dice on any roll involving
book in 10 minutes). precise timing, such as using the Demolitions skill.

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Weapon Master* affect their opinions of you. In the case of rebels, criminals
You are particularly adept with a specific weapon. You or revolutionaries, the reputation is unfavourable. A
should choose a weapon from the weapons list that this successful reputation roll may gain you access to people
Talent will apply to. Each time you take this Talent adds 1 you wouldnt usually get close to, but may also bar you
die to any combat dice pool with the chosen weapon. This from polite society.
Talent can be taken multiple times, but cannot be higher
than the chosen weapons governing Skill divided by 2 Ear of the Street (upper/middle/lower, 8/5/3)
(rounded down). The streets do not welcome everyone, especially those of
the upper echelons of society. Some people, or some pieces
of information, might be unavailable to you. Thankfully
Privileges you know people who are privy to whats what, and at
These traits are a little more mundane than Talents, but times you may call on them. This ability doesnt grant you
no less handy. They represent useful things an adventurer an extra Contact; rather it involves knowing the right places
possesses in social terms. They might grant authority, or to ask. It also doesnt grant you any secret information, but
offer position in social circles. As with any adventurer trait, will tell you the general rumours and gossip going around.
they are purchased with Build points, but the cost can vary The Gamesmaster may also grant you the bonus of making
depending on just how useful the Privilege is. Streetwise rolls 1 difficulty level easier in certain cases.

Unlike Talents, your social class limits the Privileges you Engineering Licence (upper/middle, 3)
have available to you. You can only buy those that are You are a registered engineer and licensed to practice your
allowed for your social class, although some are available craft. You may be called upon for assistance with public
to more than one social class (or even all of them). works or private projects and you belong to the Worshipful
Company of Engineers (included with this asset). If you
Build point costs for each Privilege are listed after the social wish to incorporate magic in your designs then youll either
class restrictions. need to acquire an Artificers Licence or obtain the services
of an artificer.
Artificers Licence (upper/middle, see description)
You are fully licensed by the Guild to build and maintain Friend of the Library (upper/middle, 5/8)
objects and machines that are primarily run by magical You have friends and connections at a large and useful
means (the Guild decides what primarily means on a case- library, where you are allowed to search through their rare
to-case basis). Generally, only a Doctor of Thaumaturgy can books at your leisure. The custodians of the library trust
receive an Artificers Licence; in rare instances, someone you implicitly, and may even call on you and your vast
other than a hermeticist (typically a sigil scribe) can be knowledge for aid, whether in deciphering a strange text,
granted a licence if they can demonstrate their competence. determining a books authenticity, or acquiring rare tomes.
An artificer can only use Maleficia in his designs if she also This goes the other way as well: you have access to the
has a Maleficium Licence. This privilege costs 2 points for many experts and buyers associated with the library, which
hermeticists and 4 points for all others. will come in handy if you just cant figure out a specific
text, or you are unable to get your hands on that particular
Barrister (upper/middle, 3) edition of the tome you need. Using the library grants a +1
You have been called to the Bar and may argue cases in dice bonus to any subject that the Gamesmaster decides is
court. As barristers are employed by the solicitors who covered in the collection (see Library under Assets). For 8
actually handle the grunt work of dealing with clients, points, this bonus is increased to +2, to signify the increased
this is one of the few professions considered suitable for size of the library and its resources.
the lower upper class. Being a barrister opens doors to
becoming a politician or judge. Gang Member (lower, 3)
You are part of a gang of street thugs, organised criminals
Blackguard (any, 3) or even a triad or tong gang. You can call on the help of your
You have been recognised as flaunting societys conventions, gang for muscle and a little brutality when you need them.
and polite society is appalled by your actions but you The gang might also have a hideout that you can use as a
and the stories around you nonetheless fascinate many. safe house. However, you will be expected to reciprocate as
People may recognise your name, and your reputation will and when the gang requires.

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Hero (any, 5) of the Maleficium is universally banned. That said the

You have been recognised for courage and bravery, either Consortium of Hermetic Guilds realises the usefulness
in military action, or in response to a disaster of some kind. in some Maleficium and grants licence to certain trusted
People may recognise your name, and your reputation will hermeticists to practice them. A Maleficium licence grants
therefore affect their opinions of you. You may add 3 dice the adventurer the privilege of learning one spell from
to your Propriety reputation. Demonology or Necromancy. She may also gain ranks in
the appropriate skills without arousing suspicion. You dont
Higher Station (any, 3) have to have this Privilege to use Maleficia, but without it
You are among the upper ranks of your class, making youd better be very careful.
you almost pass for the one above. Upper lower class
adventurers might be foremen or trusted lieutenants to Medical Practitioners Licence (middle, 3)
their employer. Upper middle class adventurers may have You are a registered doctor, and as such can legally
some noble blood, but not quite enough. Upper upper class dispense medical advice, and occasionally might even be
adventurers may be verging on royalty! You begin the game called upon by the hospitals or authorities of the area for
with 50% more starting money than you usually receive, your professional opinions.
and a little more social position than your peers.
Military Commission
If you are middle class and own a Country Villa (see the (upper/middle/lower, 5 or 3 see description)
appropriate Asset), then you may style yourself a Squire If you are upper class, then your family bought a
(see p.287). Many squires do graduate into the lower upper commission for you, making you an officer in one of the
class (if you are upper class with an Ancestral Estate then royal military forces (purchasing commissions ensures that
you are probably a squire as well). officers only come from the better classes). You have a
military rank determined by the GM (usually Lieutenant,
Knighthood (upper/middle, 5) and not higher than Captain), granting you command over
You have either performed an exemplary service for the men and resources in the armed forces. You dont have
monarch (knight) or you have a hereditary non-noble title carte blanche, and the position comes with responsibilities,
(baronet). If you are middle class then youre a knight; if but you at least have the loyalty of a selection of well-armed
you are upper class then you can choose whether you are a and trained men at your disposal. Although predominantly
knight or a baronet. held by upper class types, middle class adventurers may
also buy this Privilege for 5 points (if, of course, they are
Livery Company Member (any, 3) the right sort of adventurer and come from a good family).
Most professions have a union (Worshipful Company of
Clockmakers or similar). For a modest subscription, these Middle class and even lower class adventurers have
organisations can advise of new work contracts to bid for another option. The British East India Company armies are
and offer some small support in times of unemployment. merit-based, meaning that any soldier has the potential of
Adventurers with an Engineering Licence or a rising in the ranks and becoming an officer. If you chose this
Thaumaturgical Degree are presumed to have Worshipful option, then your military commission only costs 3 points.
Company of Engineers or Guild membership respectively
and dont need to purchase this Privilege. Museum Trustee (upper, 5)
You are counted among the trustees or curators of a museum.
Local Hero (any, 2) This not only gives you a place to conduct research, but
You have a good reputation among your peers in your also a source of funding and legitimacy should you need
local area. You often get bought drinks in the pub (or to undertake an overseas adventure and can convince the
gentlemans club) and many people come to you for advice. other trustees of the museum that the mission has a valid,
You automatically get a good reception in your local area scientific basis.
and can add 2 Proprietary reputation dice related to your
deeds. Noble Tinkerer (upper, 3)
While working with ones hands on non-magical machines
Maleficium Licence (any, 2) would normally mark one as common, your tinkering with
The Dark Arts dont require any Talents to use; their private engines and marvels is tolerated as an eccentric
seductive power comes from the Pale. As a result practice hobby. You dont suffer the scandal normally associated

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with having grease-stained clothing, or driving steam- around your affairs, and if they accuse you of a crime then
pumping monstrosities through the countryside or even they must believe they have rock-solid evidence. By default,
Londons streets. In fact, most observers of your station are you are a Baron, although the Gamesmaster may allow you
actually interested in your latest toy and eager to see what to be a Viscount. If you also have the Higher Station Asset,
you can do with it. Although this Privilege is something of then you are an Earl, although the Gamesmaster can make
a variant of the Blackguard Privilege, an adventurer may you a Marquis or even a Duke.
have both.
Police Officer (middle/lower, 3)
You are a member of the local police force or constabulary.
You have the right to arrest and detain people, as well as
conduct official investigations. You can also call on Peeler aid
when necessary. The Peelers are still a new phenomenon in
London and many upper (and middle) class residents resent
police intrusion and deal with you only grudgingly (you
know better than to ruffle a Peers feathers). In addition, your
official duties often interfere with personal matters.

Political Legacy (upper/middle, 5)

You were born into a political or other significant role. It may
not be hereditary, but everyone expects you to follow in the
esteemed footsteps of your notable parent. You probably
havent taken up this mantle yet, or you may not intend
to do so at all, but people in high position nevertheless
afford you more leeway. Everyone in the system knows
who you are, the power that your parent wields and which
you will too, one day. Of course, breaking away from these
expectations might cause a scandal, and your privileges
might very well turn out to be a complication.

Private Club Membership (upper/middle, 3)

You are a member of a gentlemans club. You have the right
to utilise the clubs bar, smoking and games rooms, saunas,
overnight rooms and, most importantly, you have access to
the opinions and advice of other club members. Clubs are
fiercely proud of their reputations and standing, and will
Notary Public (upper, 3) not tolerate members who might lower that reputation.
You are not only considered an upright citizen, but are
also qualified to sign and witness certain official and legal Private Club Membership Elite (upper, 5)
papers. The job is effectively a public service for which you You are not only a member of a gentlemans club, but you
receive no money. However, the papers you are asked to are one of the highly regarded elite within said club. You
sign may keep you abreast of many of the goings on in the have all the rights of club membership as described above
law courts and local government. If you take this Privilege, and, in addition, you have the power to approve or black
you also gain 1 point in the Specialty skill Legal Matters, if ball other members in a vote with the other club elite. Other
you have no points in it. members frequently attempt to gain your favour in order to
rise up the clubs social ladder.
Peer (upper, 10)
You are a titled noble. You are free from the court system; Pub Regular (lower, 3)
should you get into criminal trouble, then you are judged You are a regular of a public house or tavern. Your face is
by a jury of your peers, the House of Lords. You also have familiar to the staff and patrons. When needed, you can get
a freedom from arrest and cannot be put into prison for limited credit for your drinking, and find your familiarity
debt. Police detectives generally think twice before nosing makes other patrons more likely to talk or deal with you.

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Pub Regular - Landlords Mate (lower, 5) High Society rolls may also be 1 difficulty level less when
Not only are you a regular in a public house, but you are also the Gamesmaster deems it appropriate.
good friends with the landlord. When needed, you can ask
him for the use of a room above the pub to stay in (for short Street Informant (lower, 3)
periods). On the other hand, sometimes your assistance is Officers of the law sometimes rely upon you to know whats
required with the removal of unwanted customers. going on in the streets and in the dark rookeries where the
law is not always welcome. In return for your services they
Public Carriage License (middle/lower, 3) might turn a blind eye to some of your own dealings, or they
You have a license from the civic authorities to offer might even help you out when youre in dire need. Be careful
transportation in your carriage in return for pay, in not to stretch it though - they see you as a necessary evil.
accordance with city guidelines. The cab drivers union
swiftly drives non-licence holders out of business. Street Informant Peelers Pet (lower, 5)
Similar to Street Informant, but you also have a special
Scrapyard Source (any, 5) relationship with one, or maybe two, police officers.
You have contacts within the scrap profession that can Whether old friends, lovers, or just comrades, they will be
get you almost any mechanical part you need, providing more willing to stick their necks out for you when youre at
you dont ask too many questions and dont mind second risk. Bear in mind, they expect the same from you.
or third hand parts. In a pinch, a Scrapyard Source can
completely replace the parts for any given marvel, although Thaumaturgical Degree (upper/middle, 3)
you have to install the parts yourself. Occasionally (a 1 in Having studied under Guild supervision on a verified
6 chance) the replacement part comes with trouble (e.g. an thaumaturgical degree course, you are registered with
outraged former owner, a spirit-possessed part, or a hidden and licensed by the Guild to be a practitioner of magic.
structural flaw). You can also add the letter BT Hons to your name as a
Bachelor of Thaumaturgy. This option only covers the
Second Family (any, 3) study and use of thaumaturgy; all other uses of magic
You have a second family unit who you can rely on. Your are either illegal or considered beneath you. As a licence
bond might be one of friendship or love; they might be holder, you are automatically an associate member of the
your in-laws or exceptionally good friends. They will Guild and have access to their members libraries; you also
serve as another family for you, granting all the support receive their newsletters and journals discussing magical
and attention a normal family of your class would provide theory.
perhaps even more than your legal family. They will,
however, expect you to act as a part of that family from time Theatre Box (upper/middle, 1)
to time, and uphold your familial duty to them. You are a regular attendee at a specific theatre or playhouse,
and as such have a subscription to a private box which you
Social Anomaly (any, 3) can attend to view any on-going production.
You come from a social class that your subspecies does not
usually allow, so an Eldren might be lower class, or an Ogre Theatrical Patron (upper/middle, 3)
middle class. However, upper class Beastfolk, Huldufolk Not only are you a renowned theatre-goer, but you also
and Ogres are exceedingly rare; parents of such children donate large sums to your favourite companies. They are
often anonymously dump them on church doorsteps to obviously keen to remain in your good graces, so you are
avoid scandal. If an upper class adventurer is a member allowed backstage to meet the performers, and you are
of one of these subspecies, then she should also take the often invited to any theatrical soirees. You can usually get
Foreigner Complication shell never be fully accepted into a good seat for any performances you want to see, as well.
society.
Warrant Card (middle/lower, 3)
Society Friends (upper/middle/lower, 3/4/5) You hold a magistrates warrant, which entitles you to
Whether it is because you are invited to the right parties or pursue and detain criminals in exchange for pay. Although
you know the right servants, you are usually well aware the police technically deal with urban crime, most rural
of the goings-on in the salons of the rich and powerful. areas still depend upon bounty hunters such as you to
You can be assumed to know the latest gossip and news, police their citizenry.
especially about fashion. The difficulties of Fashion and

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Assets
In this section you can aquire some
of the larger trappings of a Victorian
adventurers life, such as property,
transport, or livestock. Such items are
often well beyond the starting funds
available to most adventurers, so they are
the things you have saved and worked
for (or stolen!).

We also give you the option of buying

an income. This income is intended to
offset the on-going costs of property and
day-to-day life; we dont want you to get
bogged down recording every penny
and shilling that your adventurer spends
on meals each day! The incomes below
reflect part time employment, or money
from trust funds for the upper classes.
After all, your adventurer is going to be
spending significant time adventuring
(which isnt conducive to full-time employment), so well frequently accountable to others. The estate might be rural
be generous and assume that your adventurer can gain and surrounded by the cottages of workers, or it could be
his income from investments (upper and middle class), or an urban mansion in a private enclosure. For 8 points you
from consulting contracts (middle class), or from occasional actually own the estate itself. You might have inherited
labour contracts (lower class) and, if all else fails, crime. it from your departed parents, or somehow forced the
previous owner to hand it over to you. As the owner you
Social class greatly limits the availability of certain property can turn out any of your indolent family if you so choose!
and assets: a lower class adventurer cannot start with a
fashionable Kensington flat, and an upper class adventurer Ancestral Sword (upper/middle, 3/5/8)
cannot start with lodgings at a padding-ken. Even though This sword has been passed down through the generations
the Build point costs are similar, the two social classes reflect until it reached you. Rather than hang it over the mantelpiece,
different worlds that would take much dedicated fortune- youre going to do something with it! Perhaps its magical,
seeking (or ill fortune) to swap between. We realize this isnt imbued with the spirits of generations long gone, or the
fair, and we sympathize, but then the Victorian world most legacy of those whove wielded the sword in the past is
definitely isnt fair! just too strong to ignore, but this sword seems somehow
sharper than others and deals additional damage dice, or
Another point to bear in mind is that most upper class has bonus dice to hit (your choice). The type of sword
assets are provided by the family. An ill-behaved noble cutlass, sabre, or broad is up to you. If you invest 3 Build
can find Privileges and Assets cut off at the Gamesmasters points, the sword has either +1 damage or +1 accuracy, but
discretion. The threat of being cut off is a very real one, not not both.
only reducing an upper class adventurers cash but possibly
getting them cast out of society when they cant afford to If you invest 5 Build points, the sword has either +2 damage
keep up. A lower class adventurers assets may not be much, or +2 accuracy, but not both, and if you invest 8 Build
but they are at least gained by personal toil and cannot be points, the sword has either +3 damage or +3 accuracy,
curtailed or snatched back by an overbearing parent. but not both. With the Gamesmasters permission you can
divide the bonus points between damage and accuracy
Ancestral Estate (upper, 4/8) (such as having +2 damage and +1 accuracy for an 8 point
You live on an ancestral estate, with several of your family sword). Truly old and renowned swords may also have
(close and extended) and a flock of servants. You live in additional powers (and possibly curses) attached to their
pampered luxury, but have little privacy and your time is long history

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 VICTORIANA

Artisans Touch something too esoteric, then the Gamesmaster may roll up
(upper/middle, 1 or 2, clockwork limb or prosthetic only) to 4 black dice; any success on a black die means you dont
Your clockwork limb or prosthesis was made by a true have it. Note that in all cases the item must be reasonable
artisan. For 1 point, your limb is beautifully hand- to carry; a cricket ball could be in a voluminous coat, but an
crafted and elegant. For 2 points, special materials were umbrella would not. Weapons never count as deep pocket
incorporated into the design. For wearers of prosthetics, items.
this negates the 2 black dice penalty in social situations.
Fashionable City Flat (upper/middle, 4)
Barge (any, 2) You own a fashionable flat in a wealthy part of a European
You own a river barge moored locally. The barge could city. You might live there, or it might be a second residence
be used for cargo, or you might live on it or both. Such for entertaining others. If you choose an allowance for
lodgings would be cramped for more than two. an income (or choose no income) then the flat is family
property. If your income is independent then the flat is
Bolt-hole (any, 2) truly yours.
You know a secret place where, by trespassing, you can
shelter from harm; it might be an abandoned warehouse, Fashionable City or Country Villa (upper/middle, 5)
a dry section of sewer, or a secret entrance into the loft or You own a fashionable villa (detached house) in a wealthy
basement of a large building, such as a theatre. Regardless part of a European city or suburb. You might live there,
of the location, the space is both free and hidden but the or it might be a second residence for renting to others. If
longer you spend there, the more likely it is that your refuge you choose an allowance for an income (or choose no
will be detected. income) then the villa is family property. If your income is
independent then the villa is truly yours.
Clockwork Limb
(upper/middle, 2 (foot), 3 (hand or eye), 4 (arm or leg)) Foreign Redoubt (upper, 5)
You have a clockwork limb. Only upper class adventurers You have land and a small manor in a foreign country. For
may take this Asset with no Complications. A middle class an English adventurer, this could be a chalet in Switzerland,
adventurer must also select a clockwork limb Complication a chateau in France, or even a dacha in Russia. If you and
(see Book IV). A lower class adventurer generally cannot your compatriots ever need to leave your country in a hurry,
have a clockwork limb without good reason (Gamesmaster you have somewhere that you can lie low for a while. The
discretion) and would definitely have one Complication manor includes a small staff to take care of the adventurers
for it and possibly a second one that grants no benefit. needs. Foreign Redoubt can be taken more than once, giving
Furthermore, an adventurer may give his clockwork limb the adventurer a manor in different countries.
additional modifications, attachments, and complications.
Frendal Lizard (any, 3)
Coach (any, 5) Originating from India, Frendal lizards are popular exotic
You own a coach. You can use it to transport yourself, but pets for the wealthy. They look like dragons of old shrunken
it is more likely used to convey others in return for coin. to the size of a small dog, and are intelligent enough to be
Coaches require two horses (included in the cost). trained like a monkey. They come in a variety of colours,
some of which are rarer (or more fashionable) than others.
Contact (any, 1 or 2) For each additional 2 points you spend on your Frendal
You have someone who you can rely on for information and lizard (to a maximum of 6 extra points) it can be trained to do
occasional aid; see the Contacts section for details. Contacts one simple trick, such as play dead or retrieving something
of your social class cost 1 Build point, while contacts from youve thrown. The Gamesmaster must approve whatever
other social classes cost 2 points. you decide, but may allow you to buy one big trick for the
price of a few smaller tricks.
Deep Pockets (any, 4)
Whether youre a street urchin who keeps his possessions Hansom Cab (any, 3)
close, a street entertainer who uses lots of props, or simply You own a cab; it is used to convey others in return for coin.
an eccentric gentleman, you always seem to have odd bits Cabs require a horse (included in the Build point cost). The
and bobs inside your pockets. When you need something, cab will generate enough income to keep it and the horse in
the Gamesmaster may grant it to you. Alternatively, if its good condition.

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Horse (any, 2) Income Upper class (upper 2/5/10)

You own a horse. It could be a riding horse, or a draft horse You have an income provided by your family. If you
for pulling a coach/cab/cart/barrow. annoy or upset them, they can cut you off and you will get
nothing. For 2 points, you begin each adventure with +1,
Hunting Dog (any, 1) for 5 points you have +1D pounds and for 10 points you
You own a hunting dog. Such dogs are highly trained to begin each adventure with +8.
follow commands. Yours can be so trained for the cost of
2 extra points for each trick. However, they will all come Independent Income (upper, 5)
when called and understand basic commands like sit and You have made your own investments and speculations,
stay. Hunting dogs are aggressive and considered valuable. and as a result have an income that you can call your own,
rather than relying on hand-outs from the family. However,
Income Lower class (lower 2/5/10) an independent income is rarely as good as what the family
You manage to earn a wage for yourself. For 2 points, it provides, so the money you receive from any Income Asset
is a hand to mouth existence. You might be a low grade is halved.
prostitute or sell wares from a barrow. You can just about pay
the rent and eat, but have little else to show for it. You begin Laboratory (upper/middle, 3/8)
the game with 1 extra penny at the start of the adventure. You have access to a small scientific lab designed for
For 5 points, you have an irregular wage from dependable working in a specific scientific area, such as chemistry or
criminal activities or, more likely, factory work. You begin clockwork. Any use of a skill related to the lab is considered
each adventure with +1D pennies. For 10 points, you have 1 difficulty level easier for having the right tools to hand. You
a good job or a prospering small business. You might have can enhance your lab, making its bonus apply to different
an established market stall, work as a factory foreman or be disciplines, by buying this Asset again. Labs need not be
a servant in a good house (or just do very well from criminal actual laboratories for instance, a surgery is effectively a
activities). You begin each adventure with +10 pennies. lab with a bonus for Medicine rolls. For 8 points, your lab
is state of the art, providing you with an additional 2 dice
Income Middle class (middle 2/5/10) to your pool when using the skill related to the laboratory,
You earn a regular wage, usually from business ventures and in addition to the usual lowered difficulty level. If you use
trade. For 2 points, this allow you begin each adventure with another skill from the same skill group for which the lab is
+1 shilling in your pocket. For 5 points, you begin with +1D designed, you still get the reduction in difficulty (but not
shillings, and for 10 points you begin with +8 shillings. the 2 dice bonus).

Working for a Liv ing

While adventurers begin with money in the purse at adventurer generation, the process of gaining and maintaining
income can be difficult to manage during the course of a campaign. The Income Assets are designed to make the whole
process of adventurers and money a lot simpler. After all, you dont want to have to account for every newspaper, or
drink in a pub or club, so the Gamesmaster should bear in mind these provide a lifestyle as well as raw cash.

However, adventurer incomes are not free, even after adventurer creation. Lower class adventurers with jobs or even
criminal activities will have to go out and earn their money. Middle class adventurers will have to keep an eye on their
business. Upper class adventurers have plenty of free time, but their family can cut their allowance at any time if they
feel their activities are improper. If adventurers dont spend time maintaining their income (e.g. going to work) it can
be reduced or even removed, forcing the adventurer to rely on savings. Adventurers without an Income are free to do
as they like, but chances are they wont be able to afford much.

So the Gamesmaster should allow time during an adventure for the group to maintain their income. This shouldnt be
allowed to interfere with the adventure too much, but role-playing brief scenes at work can add depth to the setting
and the game world. You can sometimes set scenes in the adventure at an adventurers place of work/business and get
the best of both worlds. Adventurers who are private detectives or police might do this as a matter of course.

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Library (upper/middle, 3/5/8) Padding Ken Lodgings (lower, 1)

You have an extensive private collection of books on a You live in a slum lodgings house, sharing a small room
particular subject. You have to choose which subject when with up to ten others, and your bed is sometimes as crude
paying for this Asset. When an appropriate amount of as a pile of dirty straw in a corner. Padding kens are havens
time is spent studying the subject, the Gamesmaster might of crime and villainy, and your privacy and property are
allow you a bonus to a skill roll (usually Perception-based) never truly safe in such an environment.
concerning this subject. For 3 points (a small collection of
books) you get +1 die, for 5 points (an actual library, filling Rented Court Lodgings (lower, 2)
the shelves of a room) you get +2, and you get +3 for 8 In the poorest sections of the city there are warrens between
points (a collection spanning possibly more than one room the streets, crammed with ramshackle buildings. You live
or floors, requiring ladders to reach the top shelves). in just such an area, in a single room that you call your own.
Sanitation is poor, usually with a communal lavatory and
Possible subjects for the library could be education, open wash area to provide for the whole court.
etiquette, photography, occult lore, or thaumaturgy. More
specific rare tomes should be purchased separately, and Rented Terrace House (middle/lower, 3)
are not included in the library. If the Gamesmaster allows, You live in a respectable terraced house. Its small, but there
you can add a single named tome to your library at its are enough rooms for a familys privacy, and your own
creation at the cost of 2 points per tome. If you wish to add washing amenities. It is situated in a decent area where you
more subjects to your library, these will have to be paid for can trust your neighbours not to rob you.
separately. At the Gamesmasters discretion this could be
done at a lowered cost, especially in the case of overlapping Respectable Boarding House (upper/middle, 4)
or similar subjects, such as occult lore and thaumaturgy. You rent a very good middle class flat. The place is spacious
and well-furnished, and has a stoical but respectable
Loyal Servant (upper/middle, 5/8) landlady. There are many other guests in the building, but
You have a loyal servant in your employ; a paid sidekick, all are of upper middle or lower upper class stock.
if you will, who has bonded with you as a friend and ally.
This servant should have a well-defined personality and Scrapyard (middle/lower, 6)
background, and even personal goals of their own. The You have access to a sizeable amount of worthless junk and
servant has one or two fields of expertise where they are a few hidden gems. On a successful Very Difficult (6 black
particularly useful, and might even be indispensable. Most dice) Wits + Perception check, you can find just the part you
commonly this servant will supply interesting information need. Itll take an hour to safely extract it from the mountain
and insights, but they could instead be a bodyguard. For of junk that its under, but its there. The scrapyard also
8 points, this servant is possibly from some foreign and provides a meagre income. You begin each adventure with
mysterious land and has access to strange and exotic +1D shillings.
(possibly esoteric) knowledge. Your Loyal Servant must be
approved by the Gamesmaster. Servants Quarters (middle/lower, 2)
Your job comes with lodgings. You might live in the servants
Marvellous Gift (any, variable) quarters of the house you work in, or have a room in the
Through gift, inheritance, purchase, or theft, you have shop or factory you are apprenticed in. You could apply this
acquired a marvel. The cost of this asset is equal to the Asset to military adventurers who live in barracks.
Build points of the marvel. You may only take this asset
once; multiple marvels are the province of technologists. Service Contract (upper/middle, 3)
You cannot take this asset if you have the Clockwork Limbs When you bought your clockwork limb you went to the
asset. best and got a guarantee. If it suffers any damage, you need
only visit an engineer who will repair it free of charge. The
Padding Ken Landlord (lower, 5) repair will still take time, but unless she is very busy you
You run a slum tenement. It shelters the gutter poor and will be seen immediately. Adventurers should note that
criminals of the area in exchange for 1 penny a night. this servicing is only available in civilised hours unless the
This will frequently be a haven of extortion, robbery and engineer is on very good terms with the adventurer!
prostitution. You need to demand money upfront as
otherwise your clients invariably leave without paying.

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Shop (middle, 2/lower,4) your lineage through good times and bad. Maybe it fought
You own and run a shop in the city. How much money it against Napoleon, or maybe it just hunted deer. Regardless,
makes is determined by your Income. However it does earn it has served the family well and provides a bonus to either
enough to keep itself going. You probably have lodgings damage or accuracy. Each level allows you to add either
above the shop itself, and owning it makes you a local +1 die to accuracy or +1 die to damage. Spending 5 Build
figure. People may bring all manner of news and gossip to points, for example, would enable you to have a +2 to
the place. You may also find the stock of your shop is useful accuracy, a +2 to damage, or a +1 to both. The actual rifle
in adventures; perhaps your book shop has just the right type is left up to you.
volume to answer a question, or your butchers shop has the
right knife to hand when the bad guys attack. However, if Wardrobe (upper, 3/middle, 6)
you borrow too much stock you will seriously dent your No matter your income, you always manage to clothe
income. You should decide on the type of shop you run before yourself in the appropriate fashion. It may be that you are
play, but it need not be so mundane as a butchers or bakers. adept at adjusting your attire to suit or just have such style
You might deal in antique books, magical trinkets or even that people dont notice the details you miss. If money is
strange delights from the Far East. Again, the Gamesmaster no object, you simply buy the latest fashions; if you are
has the final say over what your adventurer can have. poor, then you are adept at making do with what you have.
Whatever the reason, your clothes are usually immaculate
Stalwart Friends (any, 5/8/10) and fashionable and you are always well groomed and
Friends help you move, stalwart friends help you move turned out. You gain a bonus of +4 dice to any Fashion rolls
bodies. You have a gang of close friends. Maybe you were to determine how good you look.
all at Oxford together, or maybe you prowled St. Giles
as young Turks, but this group of friends will do almost Wyvern (upper, 15)
anything for you, depending on the Build points invested You own a wyvern, trained as both a riding and fighting
in the group. If you invest 5 Build points, the group will beast. It is intelligent enough to recognise you, but the
help you with any legal endeavour. If 8 points are invested, Gamesmaster is encouraged to give it a personality of its
the group will help you with any legal endeavour and most own. Wyverns are dangerous and not usually allowed in
illegal ones. most places. In a city, there may be few places to land it
(although not many people argue about parking with
With 10 points, the stalwart friends will do anything and someone riding a wyvern).
everything to help you. The friends should be created
as though they were beginning adventurers, with the It is also extremely expensive to keep a wyvern; it requires
Skills, Talents, Assets, etc. that the Gamesmaster feels are stables and a lot of looking after, which costs 3 at the
relevant. The stalwart friends can be called upon once a beginning of each adventure. If the cost isnt met, the
scenario to aid you, and their assistance must be arranged wyvern is either hungry, agitated or both. If you keep
beforehand, as there are no cell-phones to call them up in failing to pay, the wyvern may become unmanageable
a hurry. (you try explaining to the cab driver why your ride has
just eaten his horse!) or even die. The Gamesmaster may
Trained Pet (any, 1 +2 points per trick) allow adventurers of other classes to own wyverns (if
You own a pet that can do a few tricks. It may be a dog, they can explain where they got one from) but the costs
a parrot, or even a monkey. The pet costs you 1 point, for remain the same. If you want to be any good at riding
which you have its loyalty (as long as you treat it well). For your wyvern, you should spend points on the Specialty
each additional 2 points you spend it has been trained to do Airborne Riding.
a simple trick, such as bark to order, play dead or fetch.
The Gamesmaster might allow you more exotic pets (see
Frendal Lizard and Hunting Dog above) at a higher base Complications
cost. However, shed be a fool to let you wander London Running out of Build points? Thats a real shame, but you
with a trained pet tiger at little cost. might be pleased to know that theres a way to get more:
Complications. However, dont expect to get something for
Trusty Rifle (middle/upper, 3/5/8) nothing. Complications can set you up for a whole heap of
While some families may be archaic enough to hand down trouble; but then, trouble is why you became an adventurer
swords, modern families treasure rifles. This rifle has seen in the first place, isnt it?

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Just as with any other trait, you should think about how You may be after something a little stronger, and both
your adventurer came by these quirks, problems, or absinthe and opium are readily available if you know where
situations, and spend some time to link them in to your to look. Every time you are under mental or emotional stress,
adventurers history. you must get at least one success on an Average Resolve roll
or feel a powerful need to satisfy your addiction. If you do
You may only take 3 Complications, and only one may be a nothing to try to curtail your cravings, the Gamesmaster may
mental complication (though if you are creating an Eldren rule they are getting worse
adventurer, the Eldren Artistic Eccentricity does not count
towards any of these limits). Your first Complication gives Aggravating Landlord
you an extra 5 Build points, the second gives you an extra 3 Your landlord hates you; he is looking for any excuse to get
Build points, and the third complication gives you 2 Build you out of his property and is always complaining about
points. Complications also grant you extra Fate Points something.
during a session (see p.182 for details).
Airsickness/Seasickness
*denotes a mental complication You are often beleaguered by nausea when sailing or flying,
particularly when the ride gets bumpy. When the ship or
Absent-Minded* aerostat is beset by bad weather or making hazardous
You have strange lapses of memory; you sometimes forget manoeuvres, you must get at least 1 success on an Average
important things, even things that have only just happened. Fortitude roll or suffer fits of retching and vomiting for 4
Once each story, the Gamesmaster can state you have rounds. While being airsick or seasick, all rolls are made
forgotten something, forcing you to get at least one success with an additional 2 black dice.
on an Average Resolve roll to remember it.
Note that this entry represents two different Complications
and an unfortunate adventurer may suffer from both. As
these Complications are circumstantial, the Gamesmaster
may disallow one or both of them based on the prevalence
of aerial and nautical scenes in her campaign.

Aloof*
You are very reserved and dispassionate (even more so
than the common Englishman!). You see everything from a
coldly analytical point of view, and attempts to be otherwise
just come off as awkward. You have a +3 black dice penalty
in social situations.

Amnesia*
You have long-term amnesia. You cant remember anything
from the distant past, but recall everything that happened
recently. In game terms, you remember all events since
adventurer creation. You still have the past occupation and
experiences that were decided upon in adventurer creation,
but have no earthly idea why you know how to do what you
do. As far as youre concerned, its all instinct.

Annoying House Mate

You share your property with a house mate, or an
unwanted family guest. They constantly have their nose
in your business, criticise, borrow thing without asking,
Addiction* dont pay their way, etc. The list of the annoyances could
You have a problem; whether its cheap ale or expensive be endless, but for some reason youre stuck with them:
wines that you overindulge in, overindulgence is the key. why?

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Bad Humours* when you take this Complication; you have a +3 black dice
You are beset by nausea when in stressful situations. penalty on social rolls when dealing with members of that
When beginning combat, or any other activity likely to class.
cause stress, such as encountering an angry nobleman or
trying to lie to get past guards, you must get at least one Code of Honour*
success on an Average Fortitude roll or suffer from fits of These are the personal rules you will not break, no matter
retching and vomiting for 4 rounds. When under an attack what. A code of honour might be a code against killing,
of bad humours, all rolls you make have an additional 3 never attacking from behind, or never suffering an insult
black dice. without an answer in blood.

Bad Reputation Criminal

People know about you. At least, everyone in the area has Rightly or wrongly you have been accused of a crime.
heard a story or two, even if theyre untrue. When youre Maybe you owed a merchant some money, or have been
mentioned or seen, you are frequently recognised as a accused of murder or rape. Whatever the crime, whether
traitor or untrustworthy criminal of the direst kind. guilty or not, you are hounded by servants of justice and
bounty hunters alike.
Blackmailed
Someone knows something about you that could threaten Cursed
your position or even get you killed. They may know of You are afflicted by a terrible curse. The nature of the curse
some social indiscretion, or how it was you who cheated is up to you to choose, but it should be something that
the local crime lord. Either way, things would be bad if inhibits you frequently, and probably inflicts a 3 or higher
the details got out, and this person wants money to stay black dice penalty to one or more skills. It could be far less
quiet. The blackmailer can crop up on the whim of the statistical, with the Gamesmaster targeting random acts
Gamesmaster and demand more money. Decide on the of fate at the adventurer on a whim. A personal curse is
secret they know (or think they know) and then you can something you have gained because of who you are and
decide whether they deserve any more pay-offs. what you have done. Perhaps you insulted the wrong
person, or you are destined to do great good deeds and
Black Sheep evil forces seek to hamper you. The alignment of the stars
You are the black sheep of your family, profession, or themselves might have cursed you at the moment of your
union. There has been some argument, some perceived inception or birth, something that will be very hard to
slight or dishonour concerning you real or imagined. counter. Maybe you are cursed because of your forefathers
Your associates watch you closely and will disown you if (or parents) and what they did, and revoking the curse
you embarrass them again. will redeem your entire family (which should be an epic
undertaking).
Bon Vivant*
You cannot resist a party. There is something about you Curses grow stronger, yet more subtle, for each generation
that ensures you always do everything to excess. While you that passes. A good curse will include a well-defined
are not addicted to anything, you find it hard to stop doing reason, a restriction or a condition for the curse to manifest
anything you enjoy, such as drinking and gambling. You are itself, and some challenging way of countering the curse
usually the life and soul of any party, but your behaviour and freeing the adventurer.
will be considered shocking, no matter what your class.
Dependents
Class Envy* These are the people who need your protection and help.
Most people are unhappy with their station and bemoan the They could include children, family, or friends.
unfairness of the class system, but you take it to extremes.
Whether you are a nouveau riche who rails against not Disinherited
being treated like an aristocrat, a factory worker who hates Though you were once a noble son, you have been cast out
being exploited by her boss or even an aristocrat who feels of the family. This could be due to the actions of a family
imprisoned by her duties and craves the freedom of the member, or perhaps a nefarious plot against you. The only
commoner, your envious nature makes it difficult to deal possessions you have are starting equipment and your
with people who are of the class you envy. Choose a class family signet ring.

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Distinctive features designs must have the best of everything, including gold
You stand out and are noticed in any crowd. Attempts to and silver plating. This carries over to your appearance,
disguise your striking or stunning features are at least 1 which is always ostentatious.
difficulty level higher than usual.
Family Feud
Enemy Your family is locked in a dire feud. Perhaps they are a noble
There is someone out there who just plain doesnt like you. family fighting another over territory, or maybe a fishing
It may be an old rival, or perhaps someone you crossed as family fighting with their rivals over waters. Whatever the
part of your job. They may even have taken a dislike to you background, you must further the feud at all costs or be
without your knowledge, and secretly masquerade as your disinherited - they started it, but youre going to finish it.
friend! It may be they loathe you for doing the right thing,
but perhaps they seek revenge for a mistake you made; even Foreign Spy
though you said sorry, that wasnt good enough for the pain You are a spy from another country, secretly reporting to
you caused them. It is up to the Gamesmaster to determine your homeland. Decide which nation is employing you,
this enemy, how hungry they are for your downfall, and and what your present mission is. If you belong to a spy
whether or not you know who they are. However, you might Association, such as the Star Chamber, then you are a
offer suggestions from your background as to who it may be. double agent.

The Evil Eye Foreigner

Something about you seems to throw ill fortune on those in Youre not European, and stand out like a sore thumb,
the vicinity. It may not actually be the case, but people have attracting attention both unwelcome and possibly
a tendency to blame you when accidents occur. They see dangerous. No matter what your social class, you will be
something unnatural about you, real or imagined, and this looked down on as an outsider.
manifests as a certain unease around you. This might have
dire social consequences for you, or it might even have a Glass Jaw
very violent outcome; you wouldnt be the first one lynched When in combat, you get knocked out easily. When rolling
by the mob for giving someone the Evil Eye. The exact to see if you are knocked out from a blow you suffer a 6
effects are up to the Gamesmaster, but she may make social black dice penalty to your roll.
rolls with people you dont know (especially superstitious
ones) 1 level of difficulty higher. Hard of Hearing
Working around explosives and machines eventually takes
Evil Twin its toll. You are hard of hearing and suffer a +2 black dice
Separated at birth, the twins took two different paths. penalty to all Perception rolls involving hearing. This is not
One became twisted and evil, robbing banks, murdering a Complication if you have a clockwork replacement.
innocents and beating up nuns. This causes all sorts of
headaches for you, as youre accused of these crimes, and Haunted
must constantly work to disentangle yourself from the legal A ghost, spirit or even minor demon, haunts you or resides in
morass caused by the twin you dont even know exists. your domicile. If you choose this as your first Complication
(for 5 Build points), this spirit is malign and seeks to actively
Exalted Twin harm you and anyone else around you. If you choose this
Some would say having an exalted twin is worse than having as your second or third Complication, the spirit is relatively
an evil twin. The exalted twin gives great sums to the poor, benign and embarrasses you more than it tries to harm.
cares for the sick and helps nuns across the street. This causes
you no end of problems, as youre constantly besieged with Hoarder*
requests for help, money, and a sturdy shoulder. You cant stand to throw anything away, especially
mechanical bits. Your workshop is overrun with junk and
Expensive Tastes* most of the rooms in your house are storage rooms (the
You enjoy the finer things in life and enjoy using your less charitable would call them dumps). In truth, most of it
wealth to showcase your lifestyle. You might be an explorer is either useless or easily sourced elsewhere. You suffer a 6
whose home is filled with baubles and trinkets acquired black dice penalty on any social interactions that take place
from other cultures, or a technologist whose marvellous inside your home due to its scandalous appearance.

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Im An Inventor!*
Regardless of your class, youre constantly covered in
grease, have grime under your fingernails, and cant stop
talking about your latest invention. You gain 3 black dice
in any social interaction that isnt with another inventor or
engineer.

Illiterate
While we assume the heroes in Victoriana can all read,
you cannot. This is not a rare flaw, as many people
(especially in the lower classes) never learn. However, for
a hero it can be a burden. Maybe you never learnt to, or
you just found it difficult and managed to avoid it. You
cannot learn hermetic magic as it is all extremely academic
and the Gamesmaster may rule that some other skills are
barred to you.

Imaginary Friends*
You tend to speak to people that arent there; more to
the point, they are no longer amongst the living. In some
cases this complication involves a single individual, such
as a lost loved one, but, especially amongst spiritualists,
you could have a whole host of imaginary friends. While
you regularly converse with them, you are under no
delusion that they are still alive. This complication is
common amongst Eldren with a planar empathy towards
Spiritualism. Irksome Neighbours
Your neighbours dislike you; there are constant complaints
Impoverished Name about the noise or smells coming from your home. Your
You are among the lower ranks of your class, making you activities are also the subject of incessant observation and
almost pass for (and be treated as) the one below. Lower gossip.
upper class adventurers have little but their nobility,
having lost most of their money and status. Lower middle Jealousy*
class adventurers run a failing business or even work for You are jealous to the extreme, obsessive and watchful of
someone else. Lower lower class adventurers are certainly the one you love. Whenever you observe them socialising,
unemployed and have nothing but the gutter to sleep in. you must get at least one success on an Average Resolve
You begin the game with 50% less starting money than you roll to avoid assuming the worst.
usually receive, and a far lower social position than your
peers, for which the Gamesmaster may add a few other Kleptomania*
effects. You steal things compulsively; you just cant help it.
Whenever you are close to property that you can lift, you
Insufficient Income must get at least one success on an Average Resolve roll to
You dont actually earn enough to meet your lifestyle, resist.
and have amassed a sizable debt. These might be bar tabs,
gambling debts or just loans from unscrupulous people Klutzy
you took out to feed your family. As you always have a A true butter fingers, you have trouble walking, holding
line of debts to pay, 20% of all the cash you gain in the on to things and sometimes even standing. Whenever you
game or from your income goes straight to paying off your are in combat, trying to run, or trying to do any detailed,
arrears. If you refuse to pay, you can expect a visit from delicate work, the Gamesmaster can rule that you need to
your creditors, who may break more than just a few of your get at least one success on an Average Dexterity roll to not
possessions. drop your gun, fall on your face, or smash your test tube.

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Late Starter Missing Limb

You are a lot older than the other adventurers, having You have lost a reasonably vital body part, either through
begun your adventuring career a lot later. Instead of being injury or illness. It is most likely a leg, which simply
a teenager or in your twenties, you are in your thirties or reduces movement rates by a half and makes things like
even forties. Maybe you are a bored widow, or perhaps climbing a lot harder. However, you may have lost a hand
now the children are older you have decided to see more or an arm, which would be even more problematic. Your
of the world. You are not decrepit by any means, but you Gamesmaster can assign penalties as and when they seem
arent as young as you were either, and other people may appropriate to her.
well see your behaviour as more than a little scandalous for,
being older, you should also be wiser! Misunderstood Finances
Regardless of how much money you have in your account,
Lawyers the banks wont let you access it for some reason. When you
Somehow you are wrapped up in an extensive legal case. attempt to withdraw money, youre put through all sorts of
Such a case usually involves money or estate, but you could embarrassing interrogations, and when youre finally able
be trying to clear your good name from slander and deceit to get at your cash, its always less than you wanted.
(or the truth!). The cost of the lawyers drains 40% of your
petty cash. Mongrel*
While not a foreigner, you have a mixed heritage that you
Lecherous* believe makes you socially inferior to your peers, such as
You cant resist grabbing or pawing someone you find olive skin or a cockney slang that slips out at inopportune
attractive, or at least making lewd comments. You must moments. In any case your own discomfort causes you
get at least one success on an Average Resolve roll to resist a 3 black dice penalty on social rolls whenever you or
these base urges. your Gamesmaster feels that your complication would be
applicable, such as trying to gain acceptance within an elite
Malodorous social circle or wooing an aristocratic suitor.
You smell bad. Regardless of how often you bathe, the
odour soon begins to permeate all around you; you can Mute
lather yourself in perfume or cologne, but the odour squirms You have either lost the ability to speak or never had it
through. In any case, too much perfume and cologne can be in the first place. You can use your hands and other non-
as unpleasant as the bad odour. verbal means to convey basic concepts, but otherwise you
are limited to the written word for communication.
Missing Eye
You have lost an eye. You might have a glass one or an Narcissist*
empty socket, but most likely you wear a patch. You suffer You are obsessed with your good looks and the steady
a +2 black dice modifier to all Perception rolls involving creep of age and decay. You take a 3 black dice penalty on
sight. social rolls when your opponent uses flattery against you.

Artificial Replacements and Complications

It should go without saying that an adventurer shouldnt take the Missing Eye or Missing Limb complication if she has a
clockwork replacement, unless she makes a habit of going without on most occasions (and while on an adventure counts
as most occasions!).

In the absence of a clockwork replacement, adventurers with missing eyes or limbs can have a regular prosthetic for free.
These are non-articulated (or manually articulated) parts designed to aid in balance, add an extra gripper, or simply make
the adventurer look more whole. These replacements are obviously artificial and do nothing to change the penalties
associated with the Complication, although an adventurer may apply an Artisans Touch to make her limb more pleasing.
A typical prosthetic has 1 less Health die than its clockwork counterpart.

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Odious Personal Habits Public Figure

People just cant stand you. Maybe its the bad breath or the You are newsworthy; your activities rate an article if a
nose picking, but they frequently find you annoying. reporter is near, no matter how unwelcome her intrusion.

Personality Flaw* Quixotic*

Pick one of the personality traits listed on p.137. You have Youve either lived a long time and have seen it all or you
that trait in abundance, which often forces you to act simply yearn for better days. The hustle and bustle of
against all sense; and by abundance, we mean that you modern Victorian life is too much noise, smog, odours, and
dont just have this trait a little (as you would if you picked foul manners. When someone shows off their new-fangled
it as a simple personality trait), you have it to an annoying gadget, you have no interest. The only thing you have less
degree. You might be so arrogant that you refuse to do as interest in is in owning one yourself. Anything built after
you are told by a villain with a gun, or even so optimistic 1800 holds no fascination for you, and your adherence to
that you fail to take sensible precautions when adventuring. older mores results in 3 black dice to Etiquette and High
Your Gamesmaster may disallow this Complication if it Society rolls.
duplicates another mental Complication you already have.
People who get to know you very quickly become aware Rage*
that you have this flaw, which will become part of your Youre just irritable, all of the time. When your temper flares,
reputation in society, and could be open to exploitation. you must get at least one success on an Average Resolve roll
or lose all perspective and launch into a violent outburst.
Phobia*
You have a phobia: an unreasoning fear of some common Rebel
thing, such as dogs, heights, confined spaces, sounds or a You are a known dissenter, perhaps even an anarchist,
colour. When faced with your phobia, you become irrational communist, or worse. You have 4 Notoriety reputation dice,
and must attempt to end the exposure as soon as possible. which will get you in trouble with the authorities when
you are in an area a crime has been committed. Decide on
Police Harassment the nature of your rebellion: perhaps you are dishonoured
The local police frequently taunt and harass you over trivia, nobility, a defrocked priest, a brigand, or a demagogue.
and blame you for things that are obviously nothing to do
with you. Responsibilities
Either due to your job or position, you have certain
Policy of Truth* responsibilities that might get in the way of adventuring.
You are honest to a fault. Whenever you should lie, you You might be a policeman who has to go on a beat, or a
must get at least one success on an Average Resolve roll or servant who must run errands for their master. However,
the truth comes flooding out. you might have society functions you have to attend or dine
with important nobles to maintain your business interests.
Premature Aging
Due to genetics or a curse, your body ages like a member Ruthless*
of a faster-aging species (Huldufolk, Ogres, and Orcs cant You have little concept of mercy and you dont suffer fools
take this complication). How quickly you age is up to you, gladly. The conditions of other people arent your fault, nor
but its effects should currently be obvious. You may look should you be compelled to aid them. You are cut-throat
older than your parents or others may expect you to be in your business practices and you tear people down with
wiser than your years. your acidic barbs. You suffer a 3 black dice penalty on social
rolls when you are trying to convince someone that you
Proper Sensibilities* really care or that your way is best, not self-serving.
You are so genteel that any mention of uncouth activities
such as gambling, theft, fighting or murder sets you all The Sins of the Father
a-flutter. If you are involved in a conversation where such You are the direct descendent of someone despised by
base subjects are being discussed, you must get at least one good society, and this overshadows your accomplishments.
success on an Average Resolve roll or be too embarrassed The vile acts of this person are still remembered and
to offer more than occasional stammering and murmurs to besmirch your name and reputation. The acts in question
the conversation. were particularly brutal or treacherous: perhaps a vicious

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murder, or treason towards their class or even the Queen. Zealot

You are believed to be tainted by your lineage, and you You are a true believer. You fervently believe in a particular
will find it hard to be trusted or respected by good society. faith or philosophy and treat anyone opposed to your beliefs
Most rewards or good reputation gained by your heroic with contempt. You find it difficult to refuse any action that
acts will be diminished by slanderous talk and suspicion. directly or indirectly aids your cause and you suffer a 3
Climbing the social ladder will be hard, if at all possible. black dice penalty in social situations with characters that
This Complication imposes +4 Notoriety reputation dice, dont share your beliefs.
although the Gamesmaster may flip them to Propriety
dice when dealing with those who would find the sin Fate Pool & Scripting Dice
admirable. All adventurers are heroes, and (sometimes regrettably)
often push their luck to its limits. The ability to succeed
Shy* through heroic destiny or dumb luck is represented by the
You hate dealing with others and will need to get at least Fate Pool. An adventurers Fate Pool is made up of Scripting
one success on an Average Resolve roll to overcome your Dice, each of which has 6 Fate Points. Fate Points can be
nature in intense social situations. added to any dice roll to add one definite (or automatic)
success to the result. However, this additional success can
Stubborn* still be cancelled by black dice like any other success and
You just hate to give in to anyone, and when someone only a maximum of three can be spent on any single dice
disagrees with you, you must get at least one success on an roll.
Average Resolve roll or go to amazing extremes to prove
youre right (especially when you know you are wrong!). If an adventurer has a full set of 6 Fate Points, they can
spend them instead as one Scripting Die. When a Scripting
Theological Debate Die is spent, fate intervenes in a big way, saving an
There is a deep and bitter theological argument between you adventurer from death or averting personal catastrophe.
and the official clergy of your home realm. You are branded More information on Scripting Dice and Fate Pools are
a rebel and a heretic; the clergy will send troops loyal to the found later on in Cogs and Wheels (see p.182).
church after you whenever your presence is known.
All adventurers except Humans start play with a Fate Pool
Vengeful Dead of 4. Humans start with a Fate Pool of 7, meaning that they
For some reason, unbeknownst to you, you are being immediately have a Scripting Die to spend.
hunted by a spectre. This pernicious undead creature
will hunt you until either you or it is dead, and since the The Celestial Engine
vengeful dead is there already, youre in big trouble. If the The world of Victoriana is torn between Entropy and
adventurer manages to somehow slay the hunter, it merely Order, with Order slowly winning the battle. An adventurer
re-manifests in a short while for further mayhem. starts at a point along the Celestial Engine according to her
subspecies. If she is a Clairvoyant and/or Spiritualist, then
Vow she moves one cog closer to Entropy. If she is a Goeticist,
This is a promise you must keep, no matter what. It could then she moves one cog closer to Order. In the rare instance
be to protect someone, follow an ideal, or perform an act that she is a Goeticist as well as one or more other types
you promised to complete. of magnetist, then she still moves one cog closer to Order;
the call of the Ophanim is strong. Eldren Clairvoyants
Watched and Spiritualists do not gain the cog bump, as it is already
There is a group that is keeping an eye on you. It might factored into their subspecies cog.
be the police or the government, who suspect youre up to
something criminal. Maybe its the Guild, who believes you Once the final cog setting has been established, the
dabble in Maleficium. It could even be a criminal gang, who adventurer may choose to remain there or move one cog
believe you owe them a favour or might be working for the towards Entropy or Order. Harmony is considered point
authorities. Whoever it is, they believe you are guilty of 0, with Entropy 1 and Order 1 on either side of it. This is
something but dont have enough evidence to do anything also the starting position should the adventurer decide to
about it. You must be careful not to give them what they abandon the cause of Entropy or Order.
want.

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Example: Tom chose to play a human and he is not a magnetist, so sure you have a surname as well - youll probably use it
he starts at Harmony. Deciding that his adventurer is fighting for far more often.
Queen and Country and noting that hell be relying on firearms
to protect himself, Tom chooses to move one cog to Order 1. Appearance
What does your adventurer look like? Does she have any
Finishing Touches distinctive features or mannerisms? What clothes does
Adventurers are more than scores on a piece of paper; this she wear? Fashion and clothing is a booming business.
is why they are called adventurers, and not counters or For those with the money to spare on such extravagance,
playing pieces. Who is your adventurer? Why does she seek fashion changes with each season; for those with no money,
adventure? What was she before she started to adventure? hand-me-down rags are readily available. Society places
You should think about your adventurers past experiences, great store in presentation, and those who can afford the
starting Assets, Contacts, and any Complications you have latest wardrobe and styles are universally well regarded.
chosen, then think about what they are doing now. If your
adventurer was a mudlark who ran off to join the army, is Clothes are made from natural fibres, typically wools and
he still in the army? Is he on leave, did he resign or was he cottons among the middle class. For the wealthy, silks,
discharged? velvets and linens are the norm. In Europe, it is considered
fashionable for men to sport facial whiskers of all styles.
You should also consider the following things: The morning suit is the height of fashion; also popular is the
frock coat. A waistcoat, hat and gloves are essential, and a
Name walking cane often completes the ensemble. The top hat is
If you havent done so already, choose a name that you still the dominant style for men, but the bowler is becoming
find appealing. In the middle and upper classes there is a fashionable amongst the middle classes.
trend toward long-winded authoritative Aluminat names,
but this is not always the case. Apart from that note, all the For ladies, it is considered beautiful to have porcelain-
classes of England use many names that would be given to white skin (akin to European Eldren), making the use of
a child today. There is a certain amount of class division make-up common. In addition, many ladies also carry
between names. This isnt conscious, or a rule, its just that a parasol to avoid getting a suntan (like the lower class
certain names are popular with different classes, so you ladies who have to toil outdoors to make their living).
see few lower class people called Theodore or Lavinia, and A respectable lady always wears a corset, despite the
few upper class people called Amos or Nora. Generally, the fact that some have suffocated whilst wearing them. The
grander sounding names are reserved for the upper classes, present ladies fashion is influenced by aerostat travel
because the lower classes feel a bit odd giving ostentatious and the crinolette or bustle is fast becoming the most
names to their children. popular style, overtaking the formerly-fashionable hoop
skirt. Whatever the style, a dress always reaches the floor
While we are on the subject of names, we should point (for a ladys ankles to be revealed is, after all, highly
out that people address each other far more formally in promiscuous).
Victoriana. You have to really know someone well to use
their first name, even if its just the two of you together. Its worth noting that the longer-lived sapients, especially
At dinner parties and other formal occasions (for any Eldren, tend to keep older fashions; its not uncommon for
class), people are referred to as Mr, Mrs or Miss, as over- an Eldren gentleman to wear breeches rather than trousers,
familiarity is considered inappropriate. You need to gain or for a Gnome accountant to wear a narrow-waisted coat
both trust and permission to be allowed to use someones with padding in the shoulders and chest. A married Eldren
first name: Miss Carlton, or may I call you Elizabeth? or lady may wear a close-bodied gown without causing
Please, Lady Preston, call me Jonathan. Note that youd scandal.
never ask to refer to someone by a nickname; such things
are for children or sports teams, and only old childhood In harsh weather, both genders don huge woollen or fur
friends or team-mates might use such things in private greatcoats to protect against the elements. Colours vary
to denote a shared history. Children are spoken to using dramatically, but the middle class tends toward sombre
their first name and, when they are gradually addressed black and dark neutral shades, while the opulent and
as Mr or Miss, it is a sign of their growing up. So, when flamboyant upper classes frequently array themselves in a
you have picked a first name for your adventurer, make bright variety of hues.

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The poor cannot afford fashion, and dress in a ramshackle the next page or, if you prefer, make up another. Dont feel
variety of rags and used clothing, bleached of colour and constricted by your choice, or you may create a caricature of
distorted in shape. Underclothes and changes of clothes are a single trait. And when you have picked a personality trait,
luxuries the lower classes are unlikely to be able to afford. consider why your adventurer is like that. What events in
their life led them to feel that way, and how dominant in
Birthplace their personality is that particular trait?
It will make things a lot easier if everyone is already in the
same country. Most Victoriana games are assumed to take Most adventurers develop as the game goes on. The reactions
place in Britain, and usually London, but that need not be they have to the various problems they come up against as
the case. If you really want an adventurer from one of the adventurers will gradually build their personality. However,
other countries, then discuss it with your Gamesmaster. even at this point you may want to consider a couple of details
You will need to have a reason why the adventurer is about them. Firstly, what do they want, and what do they
abroad (visiting relatives, education at university, stowed need? What they want is something the adventurer could tell
away from own country, etc.). Also consider how long they you quite easily; it may be a new fur coat or a better house.
can be around for, and what funds or resources they have What they need is something they cannot usually vocalise
access to while in the campaign nation. and is usually the root of their desires. Wanting a fur coat
might show a need to be seen as one of the rich elite. Wanting
Age a bigger house might suggest they are feeling constrained and
The adventurers age is largely at the players discretion. In need freedom. Jot down a few of their wants, and consider
Victoriana, a male is not considered adult or able to vote how they might show you what they really need.
until 21, yet the age of sexual consent is only 13! Women
are expected to marry at 14-16 and considered old maids The second thing to remember when creating adventurers
at 21. Children as young as 6 work full-time in the mills is that they are full of inconsistencies; nobody is a one trick
and factories, a typical example of Victorian societys dual pony. Your Gnomish scholar might have a love of popular
standards. dancing. A society lady might be a connoisseur of wine and
good food, and wishes she could be the one cooking rather
Typical lifespan varies with breeding. The upper classes, than hosting. Have a look at your adventurers Skills; try to
who can afford hygiene and medical care, can expect to consider how they apply and why your adventurer spent
reach the normal lifespan for their subspecies. The lower time learning them. What do they really enjoy, and what
classes are placed in conditions of such squalor that they were they forced to learn?
are lucky to reach two-thirds of their potential lifespan
before dying of chronic illness, exposure or exhaustion. Social Ethics
What rules does your adventurer live by? What is her
Regardless of subspecies, most sapients come of age at view of the society around her? Does she accept the social
around 16 or 17. The shorter-lived subspecies mature a few order or does she agitate for change? The answers to these
years earlier, but as they generally dont spend a lot of time questions define your adventurers ethics. The mid-
(if any) in school, its an asset. The longer-lived subspecies nineteenth century is full of new economic and political
mature closer to their early 20s, but society forces them to theories: anarchism, colonialism, communism, free trade,
mature earlier. Delayed maturity is especially a problem imperialism and socialism, to name but a few. On a smaller
amongst Eldren, who mature closer to 30, creating a class scale, many wealthy middle class commoners rail against
of adult adolescents who are legally and socially treated the glass ceiling between them and the aristocracy.
as adults.
First and foremost, of course, is to determine how your social
Personality ethics drive your adventurer to participate in adventures.
Everybody has a different view of the world, a different way Whilst she may belong to an Association, why did she
of dealing with things that come their way. Adventurers are join them in the first place? Did she join the Star Chamber
not excluded from this. An adventurers personality is often because she wants untouchable villains punished for their
very layered and complicated, and a lot of it will develop crimes, or was it simply an opportunity to get out of an
as you play the game. However, you still need a place to unfortunate situation? Is she a member of the Cobblestone
start, so it may help to choose a specific personality trait. Club because she believes in communism or does she have
Choose an inner nature for your adventurer from the list on an axe to grind about a particular aristocrat or industrialist?

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Example Personality Traits

Bruiser Naive
This person prefers to barge through a situation with This person has led a sheltered life. They often have poor
physical force, never pausing for a moment to think about adventurer judgement and are used by others without
the situation. They will ridicule those less physically powerful realising it. Their naivet is like a shield from baser sapient
than themselves and cannot accept the alternative power that needs and activities. These people only believe the obvious;
a physically inferior person might wield. the possibility of an ulterior motive will not even occur to
them.
Cynical
This person has seen it all, done it all, read all about it and, Optimistic
to be honest, the whole thing (whatever it is) makes her sick. An optimist believes (sometimes against all odds) that
The cynics disillusionment with life, society and relationships things will work out. They think life has a way of making
is usually unbreakable. sure everything turns out fine in the end. So dont worry,
something will happen to make everything alright.
Devious
This person is sneaky and deceptive in all matters, even when Paranoid
unnecessary. They act as though their life is a dark secret Everybody is looking at them! Everyone is laughing!
that has to be covered up. Many devious adventurers are The paranoid quite honestly feels that every whisper is a
compulsive liars. conspiracy, that every laugh is directed at them. There is no
pleasing a paranoid.
Energetic
This person throws all of their energy into whatever they are Perfectionist
doing, no matter how stupid or trivial. Their all-or-nothing Everything that this person does is totally planned and
approach is applied to every aspect of their life, be that work, organised. This person can leave nothing to chance; they find
leisure or love. nothing more infuriating than a loose end and many find
failure a personal affront.
Honourable
Even with the unfairness in Victorian culture, there are still Pessimistic
rules and a certain code to live up to. This adventurer takes In this persons eyes, everything they do is bound to go
those rules of conduct very seriously indeed. She might still wrong, and they honestly think that nothing will ever go
be a villain, but when she gives her word she always means it. right for them. Even when they do excel themselves, it is not
enough, because they know that no one will notice.
Jaded
This person is constantly seeking stimuli and entertainment. Sadistic
They have seen and done practically everything they could There is nothing this adventurer likes more than another
think of and now they are searching for new, less pass thrills. persons suffering. Often a sadist goes out of their way to
upset another, just so that they can gloat afterwards.
Loner
This person finds it hard to accept friendship; they will always Sheep
claim to have no friends and find ways to be alone. They often This person has little use for independent thinking; they are
find themselves yearning for a relationship, but unable to deal happy to follow the herd in terms of clothing, music and
with the prospect of sharing time with someone. politics, and just dont understand the burning need to stand
out that some others possess.
Masochist
These people are not happy unless they are being hurt in Show-off
some way, whether it is a physical pain, emotional stress or The glamour of the spotlight is what this person craves. They
financial pressure. They often put themselves in danger and love being the centre of attention and will do anything if it
make sure they get beaten, either for the attention, or to puts them in a good light. Reputation can be everything, but
prove it couldnt be done in the first place. even a bad reputation is better than none at all.

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Contacts all, your adventurer concept may have changed as you

Everybody has at least some friends, and the same is true worked your way through the lists. It isnt too late to swap
in Victoriana. Contacts are a special type of Asset; they are a few bits about and reorganise things.
friends, colleagues or social acquaintances that you can turn
to for information or aid when stuck. A Contact may lend When you are happy with your adventurer choices and you
you small amounts of money, give you shelter, or share have established your adventurer group, you are ready to
information. Aid from a Contact is a two-way thing: they begin. The world of Victoriana awaits!
are people with agendas, priorities and a living to make as
well, and they might just as easily call in favours from you.
When choosing Contacts, think about how your adventurer
met them, and what makes them friends.
~ W eapons , C ommodities ~
Every adventurer starts the game with a number of Contacts and L ifestyle
equal to 1 plus their Presence bonus. If you have a negative
bonus then yes, you start the game with no friends (but The Monetary System
you dont have any enemies unless you take a relevant In this more civilised age, all the countries of Europe
Complication!). However, additional Contacts can be bought use money for commerce. Some currencies are worth
with Build points. Due to the lack of social mobility in comparatively more than others and the barter system
Victorian society, the Contacts you can choose are dictated by continues to be popular among some rural communities.
social class. Choosing Contacts from your own class costs one As the focus of Victoriana is the British Empire, we shall
point per Contact, but the cost of Contacts in different social supply costs in her currency of pounds sterling.
layers is doubled to 2 points per Contact. Contacts obtained
from your Presence bonus can be from any class, but the The currency of Great Britain is not an easy one to get to
Gamesmaster may veto any she feels are inappropriate, or grips with. However, many of Britains populace abhor the
unbalanced. Also, the further removed from your own class, French decimal system, as it is too complicated! The system
the less chance your Contact can be relied upon as a friend. consists of pounds (), shillings (s), and pence (d). There
are 12 pence to 1 shilling and 20 shillings to 1 pound. When
Favours are a cheaper alternative to full Contacts, but written in combination, the units are laid out thus:
Favours are a one shot option; you can make use of the
Contact only once, but they must do what you ask (as 1.4/6 (one pound, four shillings, and sixpence)
long as its appropriate). You should think about what 6.9 (six pounds and nine shillings)
indebts this person to you. Did you save their life? Or are 5/10 (five pounds and ten pence)
you blackmailing them? If you choose to take a Contact as 2/8 (two shillings and eight pence)
owing you a Favour only, the cost for the Contact is halved. 2d (two pence or tuppence)

You should define who your Contacts are at the start of the The roots of English monetary conventions can be found
game. However, the Gamesmaster may allow you to decide in old Roman coinage. The symbol for pound is in fact a
who they are as the adventure goes on. So, when you need stylized L, which stood for the old Roman coin libram.
a favour, you know you can find the right person. Pennies use the d symbol as the old Roman pennies were
called denarii (roughly 125 denarii made up 1 libram).
Example: Tom is finally ready to name his adventurer and Most day-to-day commerce is done in shillings and pennies,
decides on William Maisey. He has 20 with which to outfit Mr while major purchases are often costed in terms of guineas
Maisey. Mr Maisey is generally honourable and has 3 Contacts. or pounds. A guinea is one pound and one shilling (1.1)
With the Gamesmasters permission, Tom is leaving these and, while it is not an actual note or coin, it is a popular
Contacts blank until he has a better feel as to the nature of Star term used in business. It is a gentlemans amount, used
Chamber adventures. to transact with artists and other gentlemen rather than
business and tradesmen (who are remunerated in pounds).
Thats it! Many people (especially in the legal profession) have a
Now your adventurer is ready to enter the world of tradition to receive their fee in guineas and only keep the
Victoriana. Take a moment to look over your adventurer pounds, passing the spare shillings on to their clerk or
sheet and make sure you have everything you need. After servants.

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people also often talk about coins in terms of their material,

spare a few coppers, guvnah or cross my palm with
silver.

The table below lists the different minted coins available

in 1856. The guinea is included for comparison and is not
an actual note. The florin is an attempt to move toward
decimalization as it is worth one tenth of a pound; however
it has so far failed to replace the half crown in popular usage.

Goods and Services

Now you are acquainted with money, you will be looking
for something to buy with it. In the centre of the Empire the
shops have a varied selection to offer. We hope to expand
our stock in other supplements but, for now, these wares
should offer you everything you need.

Most of the items for sale here are considered to be the middle
class standard. Those adventurers with better breeding
may wish to spend a little more to equip themselves in a
more seemly fashion, whereas the lower classes may not
be able to afford such finery. In most cases, you can double
the price listed for any item for one of fine quality. Such an
item will be of obvious craftsmanship, but not function any
better than its less dazzling counterpart. You can also pay
The coins themselves come in a bewildering array, all with four times the listed amount for something truly unique of
a selection of slang terms surrounding them. In general, superlative quality. In such a case, the item may actually
pounds appear in note form for common use, but a few function a little better; regardless, it will certainly last
sovereigns have been minted in gold. Shillings are cast as longer. Any bonuses the item offers are down to the whim
silver coins and pennies are cast in copper or bronze. So of the Gamesmaster.

Coins and thei r relative values

(Guinea) = One pound & one shilling = 21s = 252d
Pound = Two ten bob notes = 20s = 240d
Half crown = One florin & sixpence = 2/6 = 30d
Florin = Two bob = 2s = 24d
Shilling, or bob = Two sixpences = 1s = 12d
Sixpence = Two thrupences = 6d
Thrupennybit or thrupence = Three pennies = 3d
Penny = Two hapennies = 1d
Hapenny = Two farthings = 0.5d
Farthing = Two half farthings = 0.25d
Half farthing = 0.125d

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At the other end of the scale, the poorer classes can buy Flat, rent per month 2
these same goods in a more shoddy condition for a little Restaurant lunch 4s+
less. You can halve the cost of any item and consider it poor Restaurant dinner 8s+
quality. Such items are obviously used or second hand but Pound of beef 10d
should function just as well. However, the Gamesmaster Loaf of bread. 1d
may decide at any time that an item of poor quality has
reached the end of its life and insist it fails or even falls Transportation
apart. However, if the adventurer looks after the item or Airship, city-to-city, first class 25
attempts at least minimal repairs, the Gamesmaster should Airship, city-to-city, steerage 10
be lenient Bicycle, penny farthing 7
Cab fare, per mile 6d
So, without further ado, we present some basic lists of goods Cart (seats 3 people and cargo) 12
for the discerning Victoriana customer. Patrons are advised Cart horse 3
to browse the whole store and not just skip to the firearms Channel ferry passage 10s
section (savages!). For a more elaborate list, see Faulkners Coach (6 seat carriage) 20
Millinery and Miscellanea, and for gadgets of a more Fine race horse 100+
technological bent see Marvels of Science and Steampunk. Horse saddle &tack 2.12
Open top trap (2 seat carriage) 17
Clothing Postage, letter 1d
Bowler hat 10d Postage, parcel 1s
Boots 1.2 Racing wyvern 200+
Cloth hat 5s Riding horse 10
Corset (cloth) 5s Rowboat 10
Corset (whalebone) (AV: 1) 18s Sea voyage, Asia, first class 12
Crinoline frame 4s Sea voyage, Asia, steerage 5
Deerstalker hat 10d Sea voyage, transatlantic, first class 35
Dress 1 Sea voyage, transatlantic, steerage 7
Fashionable evening dress 5+ Telegram, 12 words 6d
Fashionable morning suit 5+ Tram journey, urban, per district 2d
Greatcoat 1.12 Train journey, per county passed 1s
Leather workers coat 1 Wyvern saddle &tack 6.10
Money belt 1/8
Pair of belt braces 8d Entertainment
Purse 2s Beer, mug of 2 d
Shirt 3s Fine wine, bottle 6s+
Shoes 10s+ Gin, bottle 3d
Silk cravat 7d Music Hall show 4d
Silk stockings 10d Opium (1 Pipe) 2/6
Skirt 3s Prostitute, for one night 6d
Soldiers coat (AV: 2) 1.15-5 Prostitute, high class, one visit 10s+
Suit 1.10+ West End opera, box subscription, per year 40
Top hat 10s West End theatre show, seated 10s
Trousers 5s West End theatre show, box 4
Winter coat 4 Whiskey, bottle 4d
Woollen cap 6d
Medical Provisions
Lodgings and Dining Bandages (12) 1d
Respectable hotel, per night 10s+ Carbolic acid, quart 7d
Average hotel, per night 6s Chloroform, quart 2s
Slums lodging house, per night 1d+ Cocaine (1 dose) 1
Modest house, monthly rent 3 Doctors bag (empty) 6s

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Medical valise (diagnosis kit) 12s Weapons

Pure alcohol, quart 7d It is amazing how many ways sapients have invented to
Surgeons knife & saw set 8s+ kill people. The power of the age of invention has had a
profound effect on weapons technology. There are all
Tools manner of new and exciting armaments to choose from and
Chain, 4 foot 10s+ quite a few dont blow up in your face very often either!
Clockwork mechanism repair kit 16s Some creations utilise modifications or a quality of design
Crowbar 1/5 that makes them more dangerous; these have an accuracy
Glass cutter 4d bonus which is applied to the combat dice pool. So when
Hand drill 8/10 using a rifle with +2 accuracy, the adventurer can add 2 dice
Padlock 10d to his combat dice pool. Accuracy ratings can be negative
Rope, 4 foot 6d for shoddy or unreliable weapons, or ones that pack such
Spade 2/7 a punch they are hard to fire. The Gamesmaster may
Tool kit (basic tools) 2.16 generally apply -1 accuracy to any poor quality weapon,
and +1 accuracy to any fine quality one.
Miscellaneous Equipment
Backpack 4/10 For weapons costs, please refer to the relevant tables (found
Bottle of ink 10d at the end of this section).
Box camera 3
Cheap gold ring 1+ Antique Greatsword
Cigarettes (20) 2d Occasionally to be found in private collections, on the walls
Dark lantern 4s of upmarket drawing-rooms, or in the hands of suits of
Fake moustache & beard 4s armour in stately homes, this weapon may be hundreds of
Fountain pen 4s years old but it can still cut a fellow in half with ease. A relic
Grease paints, box of 4s of the era of fully armoured knights, the antique greatsword
Lantern fuel, quart 5d is devastating against unarmoured persons or even those in
Magnifying glass 12s lined coats and the like.
Make-up kit 10s
Microscope 3+
Musical pocket watch 2.4
Officers camping kit 3.2
Opera glasses 2.14
Packet of camera slates 6s Axes & Hatchets
Pet Frendal lizard 60 - 100 Very common in rural areas and more a tool than a weapon,
Photo developing kit 18s these come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Great two-
Pipe 1/3 handed versions are used to fell trees, smaller hatchets for
Playing cards 4d chopping wood. Few cultures now make axes specifically
Silver crucifix / pendant 2 as weapons, but it has been known.
Silver pocket watch 1.1
Small animal trap 5d Bayonets & Knives
Soap 1/6 Most bayonets by the 1850s are akin to short swords, which
Spy glass 17s could be fitted over the muzzle of a rifle. The muzzle grip is
Tent. 7x7x7 feet 13/8 shaped to allow use as a knife.
Tin of tobacco 6d
Umbrella 3s Brass knuckles
Walking cane 2s A knuckle-duster can be fitted to any hilted sword for an
Wooden matches, box 1d extra 2.

Catapult
The childrens favourite, but nevertheless deadly in the
right hands.

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Clockwork Chainsaw Flick Knife

Invented by Prussian hermeticist and medical doctor Bernd Small pocket knife. The blade is concealed within the hilt
Hess in order to saw cleanly through bone, this aether- until flicked open, making a much smaller weapon to
powered clockwork tool has also proven to be a deadly conceal until used. If grants a +2 dice bonus to Conceal
weapon. When not operational, the saw does damage attempts and offsets the Initiative penalty for not having a
as a club (2 dice), but 4 quintessence channelled into the ready weapon by +1.
weapon (7 for conjurers) makes it operational. The power
lasts for 3 rounds. If used to parry, the clockwork chainsaw
does damage to the weapon used.

Steam-powered versions of the clockwork chainsaw do

exist, but as they require a steam engine they are of little use
to the average gutter runner who isnt fortunate enough to
be attacked while trimming his hedges. Portable clockwork
chainsaws must be mounted on a harness or vehicle.

Foil
A shorter, more delicate form of rapier, a foil has practically
no cutting edge and a much sharper point. The foil is not a
combat weapon, but is a sporting weapon for competition
sparring. It does the same damage as a smallsword, but
suffers a +3 black dice penalty on all combat rolls (unless
used for sport) as only the tip is dangerous.

Garrotte
A garrotte can be a weighted or knotted scarf/stocking,
cheese-cutter, or piano wire. The garrotte is swung across
Collapsible Baton the throat and pulled to constrict the airway, causing
Created for the Metropolitan police (but not authorised due suffocation. A victim may attempt to fight back but such a
to the less-costly truncheon), the collapsible baton is a small task is always Difficult at best.
weapon that becomes a club with a flick of the wrist. It can
be easily concealed, making it an attractive option for ladies
and the smaller subspecies.

Crossbow
More sophisticated than the bow, the crossbow is somewhat
akin to the rifle, though the crossbow is considered a
barbaric and unsporting weapon.

Heavy Military Sword

A few elite troops are issued with heavier than normal
swords, particularly the best and most prestigious cavalry
regiments, though a few infantry regiments also expect
their officers to wield heavy swords.

Lance
A stabbing weapon 8 to 9ft long, the lance is used by wyvern
riders and cavalry forces. It can only be used in a mounted
charge, although the butt can be used as a large club. Few
cavalrymen use the lance any more, preferring the sword

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 book II

for its greater versatility, although a small number of elite Meat Cleaver
cavalry regiments favour it. They find that what it might Axe-like implement used by butchers, or by less delicate
lose in handiness in close combat after the charge, it gains thugs for splitting heads.
in sheer intimidation value.

Large Club
Any large, two handed wooden object such as a cricket bat
or table leg, this weapon covers a wide range of improvised
attacks. They can be bought as a shaped weapon for 2s, but
picking up a solid bit of wood costs nothing.

Small Club
This covers any small wooden hand-weapon such as a
billy club, walking cane or part of a chair. Like any other
club, you can find a solid bit of wood for free or spend
6d on an improvised item that will suit. A policemans
truncheon is essentially a well-made small club (but more
expensive at 1s).

Smallsword
Though somewhat antiquated in this age, when all a
Life Preserver gentleman needs is a walking-cane and perhaps a pocket-
Favourite of footpads, the life preserver is approximately 18 sized revolver, the smallsword (a Victorian version of the
of either sand or gravel-filled leather. Although commonly rapier) is still occasionally found as a civilian weapon among
used to perform knockout attacks, the life preserver may be the very old-fashioned or fencing enthusiasts. Its surprisingly
quite deadly if applied with the necessary force. deadly for its light weight, being purely a thrusting weapon
and so capable of penetrating deeply into the body.
Light Military Sword
Most military swords fall into this category, whether
cavalry sabres or infantry weapons issued to soldiers as a
backup for their long arms (a long arm is a long gun, e.g.
rifle, musket etc.). Theyre still heavy by civilian standards,
but are a lot easier to wield for the untrained trooper than
the heavy military sword. Spear
A spear is 5 to 6 feet of metal-tipped wood. It is usually
Mace Cane used by or looted from African or American natives.
The mace cane has a bit more heft than most and is a bit thicker
than an average cane. It is weighted for combat, but is a bit Sword-bayonet
more dangerous than a regular cane. The cane is segmented Some regiments use sword-bayonets rather than regular
one-third of the way down. When the cane is twisted, sharp bayonets. A sword-bayonet is almost as long as a sword,
spikes pop out from the bulbous handle, turning the cane making for a highly effective weapon whether fixed to the
into a mace. While certainly considered ungentlemanly, the longarm or wielded separately.
mace cane is popular with the lower classes.

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 VICTORIANA

Sword Cane The two most popular innovations are the pepperbox
A 2 ft smallsword concealed within a walking cane, and the revolver. The pepperbox evolved from the volley
something few fashionable gentlemen are without. Useful gun, which fired multiple barrels with a single pull of the
to surprise your opponent with. trigger. Rather than firing all shots at once, the pepperbox
enabled each barrel to be fired individually, first by
manually rotating the barrels and later automatically by
pulling the trigger. Most pepperboxes have smoothbore
barrels.

The revolver has a single barrel but the bullets are loaded
into a revolving chamber. This makes the weapon lighter
to carry and fire. Revolver barrels are also rifled, enabling
the revolver to shoot with more accuracy than a pepperbox.
Whip Most revolvers also require the shooter to cock the hammer
Leather whip, usually 3-5 yards long. Can be used to to turn the chamber before firing, making the revolver a
entangle opponents up to 2 yards away. bit slower than a pepperbox. It is primarily this limitation
that keeps pepperboxes an attractive alternative. Gunsmith
Robert Adams created a double-action revolver that
removes this limitation and it is only its relatively high cost
that keeps it from dominating the market.

The other advantage the pepperbox has over the revolver is

that it is considered a gentlemans gun primarily due to its
ability to be made into a volley gun through thaumaturgy.
Magic can also decrease the weight, making it easier to use
by those with less strength. Even Colt, the creator of the
revolver, has bowed to the pepperboxs genteel popularity
by creating its own Colt Merlin pepperbox.

Yew Bow While the pepperbox and the revolver remain the clear
Traditional English-style yew bow used by ladies of the favourites, other types of multiple-shot firearms have also
upper class in fashionable archery tournaments. made their way into the market. The harmonica gun uses a
metal slide cartridge that holds bullets; the slide is pulled
Firearms past the barrel with each shot. Another interesting variation
It is an experimental time for firearms in Victoriana. At is the Volcanic gun, which uses a lever below the trigger
the dawn of the 19th century personal firearms were to slide the next bullet, housed in a tube below the barrel,
primarily limited to the muzzle-loaded, single shot flintlock into position. The Volcanic gun is also notable for using a
firearm. While magic could compensate for the flintlocks rocket ball, or self-contained metal bullet that also houses
weaknesses, governments with a need to equip armies and the powder.
civilians looking for an affordable alternative drove many
inventors to look for ways to increase a firearms efficiency Rifles and shotguns are still primarily single-shot weapons.
and provide the user with more than one or two shots. The British army was slow to adopt the rifle and only
replaced the Brown Bess with the Enfield Rifled-Musket (so
The percussion cap enabled guns to reliably fire in any named because it retained the shape of a musket) in 1854.
weather, doing away with the problem of wet pans Carbines, essentially short-barrelled rifles, are becoming
preventing guns from firing. Rifling spun bullets in their increasingly popular for both ease of carrying and ability
barrels and made them more accurate, although in 1856 to wield on horseback or carriage-seat. There are a few
most firearms are still primarily smoothbore, limiting their experiments with multiple-shot rifles, from pepperboxes
long-distance effectiveness. With these problems solved, (the Russian Tula Rifle) to revolvers (the Colt Revolver
gunsmiths turned their attention toward enabling firearms Rifle), and lever action rifles (the Volcanic Rifle). Muskets
to fire more than once before reloading. and rifles have +1 Accuracy.

144
 book II

Perhaps the biggest innovation in firearms is the Gatling Derringer

Gun. Created by American hermeticist Dr Richard Jordan Two barrelled fight finisher. Fits easily into pockets, up
Gatling, this rapid-fire gun was inspired by the Belgian sleeves, into stocking garters, etc. Calibres range from .22
Mitrailleuse field gun and is hoped to turn the tide of war for up to .50. The smaller calibres are more popular due to the
the Allies in the Crimea (while Dr Gatling is an American, surprisingly stout recoil of the weapon. Some Derringers
he has many friends in Britain and France). The gravity-fed, come in three and four shots (you fire two, then rotate the
hand-cranked Gatling gun requires a crew of four but can barrel to fire the next two.)
shoot hundreds of bullets per minute. It is rumoured that
the Guild has enchanted several of these guns to make them
fully automatic.

Casualty of War
In our history, the double action Adams revolver became
popular in the Crimea and dominated the market at home
after a Crimean War veteran, Lt Frederick Beaumont,
made improvements to the design. The resultant weapon Elephant Gun
pushed Colt out of the London market and cemented This massive weapon resembles a high calibre shotgun
the revolver as the sidearm of choice. (usually rifled, firing a .50 or .75 calibre shell) with either
one or two barrels. In an era when black powder is the most
In Victoriana, the Crimean War has gone very differently. efficient means of propelling a projectile, weapons as heavy
Many of the revolvers proponents, including Beaumont, as 6-bore or even 4-bore were necessary to ensure that the
became casualties of war. Thus the Beaumont revolver round would penetrate the thickly armoured skull of a bull
was never produced, leaving the original Adams revolver elephant. The elephant gun is an impractical weapon due
as an expensive curiosity. The sidearm of choice for to recoil unless your game is elephants, tigers, or wyverns.
serious handgun owners remains the pepperbox.
Flintlock Pistol
The gentlemans pistol is available with rifled barrel (+1
accuracy), but these are considered unsporting if used
Blunderbuss in a duel. Flintlock weapons are the standard firearms of
A monstrous, bell-mouthed shotgun rifle favoured by Victoriana, and so this is the standard pistol. Calibre is
coachmen. Can fire anything; a typical load would be a usually .78. Many flintlocks have been converted to cap-fire
handful of nails and bolts. When fired, all targets in a 5 (you still have to muzzle-load the charge and bullet, but fit
degree cone from the muzzle may suffer damage (see area the cap, instead of using flint).
effect weapons, p.170). Blunderbusses have +2 Accuracy.

Flintlock Rifle
Breech-loading Rifle Recently issued to all of Englands troops, it is an accurate,
The breechloader is replacing the flintlock and muzzle- long range gun. However, its rifled barrel (which is what
loading rifle on the battlefield. The Enfield and Snyder makes it far more accurate) means that it is particular about
rifles use a paper-wrapped cartridge that is loaded from the its ammunition, whereas a smoothbore musket can fire
breech, with a cap placed on the pan of the breech to fire anything put in it (wooden stakes, etc.). Calibre is usually
the round. Newer rifles like the Sharps and Mauser have .45 or .78. (As with the flintlock pistol, many have been
the cap in the cartridge. The calibre is usually 11mm or .45. converted to cap).

145
 VICTORIANA

Harmonica Gun Revolver

Available as pistols and rifles, the harmonica gun uses a Unlike pepperboxes, revolvers maintain the single barrel
steel slide that the shooter must manually move in order of their predecessors by pairing it with a multi-round
to fire the next bullet. Somewhat unwieldy (2 black dice to chamber. Typically found in 5 and 6 round capacities, the
use), the harmonica gun requires 1 round to load before lighter revolver is only outclassed by the pepperbox in its
the first shot is fired. Because of the slide mechanism, the rate of fire (except in Adams models).
harmonica gun often carries more bullets than a comparable
pepperbox or revolver.

Howdah Pistol
Used by a few big-game hunters in India, the howdah pistol
is somewhere between a very heavy calibre double-barrelled
flintlock pistol and a cut-down shotgun. Its designed to be
fired one-handed at very close range, so that one can hold
onto ones howdah with the other hand when the tiger
one has been attempting to hunt has spooked or attacked
ones riding elephant. Occasionally howdah pistols are also
pressed into service against sapient foes, in which case the Shotguns
horrendous damage they inflict can be helpful. Shotguns fire a cartridge of tiny lead pellets which spray
from the barrel in a cone that increases in size away from
the muzzle. Like a blunderbuss, shotguns may affect all
targets in a 5 degree cone from the muzzle when fired (see
area effect weapons, p.170). Shotguns have +2 Accuracy.

Needle Rifle
A Prussian design of 1848. This hard-wearing breech-loading
rifle is the first design to use the hammer & needle principle Volcanic Gun
instead of a flintlock mechanism. In wide use by Prussian Two American innovations show up in these firearms
troops and the basis for all other hammer action weapons. produced by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company.
The first is the rocketball ammunition, which places the
Pepperbox powder within the metallic cartridge. When fired, the entire
Alternative to the revolver; instead of a revolving chamber cartridge is blown out, making this an example of case-less
the pepperbox has revolving barrels. This design is cheaper ammunition. Secondly, the weapons use a lever-action; the
to build but is more fragile. Pepperboxes can be designed to lever beneath the trigger is used to reload the weapon from
fire all six barrels at once (volley fire) a tube magazine beneath the barrel. Due to the limitations
of the rocketball the damage done by a Volcanic gun is less
than comparable pistols and rifles.

Whitworth Firearms
Whitworth firearms use hexagonal bullets; this combined
with a better engineered barrel means that the Whitworths
have a much longer range than comparable firearms.
Unfortunately, their high cost keeps them from dominating
the market.

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 book II

+ Might roll. It is easier to cut oneself free; this is treated

as a Difficult (2 black dice) extended test. Once 6 successes
Ammunition have been achieved, the victim is freed from the net. Such
Ammunition is something not often worried about in an attempt requires a bladed weapon, and if the victim isnt
a typical Victoriana campaign; what matters most is holding one then she can only draw it by making a Difficult
whether the gun is loaded it is presumed the shooter (2 black dice) Dexterity + Swordplay check. The magic in
has extra ammunition to reload it. Given that firearms in the weights is good for 1 hour, after which it loses 1 black
Victoriana are in transition it is difficult to determine die for every 10 minutes thereafter.
what a box of ammunition is; earlier guns require
filling a pistol with gunpowder and wadding while later The net gun only holds one net at a time. The cost of the net
guns are loaded with cartridges. includes the enchantment.

Should you desire to track ammunition and to keep

things simple, presume that ammunition is purchased in
boxes of 30 (for purposes of cost a box is everything
required to reload the weapon). Most pistol boxes go
for 14s; rifle and shotgun boxes are often a few pennies
more. For a little more realism, assume that a box is
priced about 25% of the cost of the firearm.

Unusual Firearms

Brick Gun Eldritch Pepperbox Pistol

A modification of the harmonica pistol, the brick gun is Hermeticists have long favoured the eldritch flintlock,
double-barrelled (over and under) and is loaded by sliding but the pepperbox pistol grants far more firepower. These
a thick glide (the brick) that loads both barrels at the same weapons also allow the user to channel raw aether (no
time. This gives the Brick gun two-shot volley fire (it can ammunition) at a target, or can use all of the barrels to
fire a single bullet simply by only loading one row of the volley fire. The weapon draws 2 quintessence per barrel
glide). It is very unwieldy; in addition to the usual 2 black from the magician using it. The magician can also load
dice penalty assessed for harmonica guns, and the 3 black the weapon with quintessence to allow anyone to fire it. A
dice for volley fire, the Brick Gun also suffers an additional magician may only load one barrel per round.
3 black dice penalty for every point of Strength below 3. As
such, Brick guns are only popular amongst the very strong.

Cunning Mans Net Gun

Mysterious adventuress Lady Noir wanted a non-lethal
means of keeping ruffians at bay and found her solution
in the old ways. For centuries, cunning men and women
have helped capture creatures without killing them (largely
because the cursed creatures had relatives in the villages)
using a special net. Lady Noir adapted the net into a pistol
design. When fired, the net spreads out until it hits a victim,
upon which the enchanted weights on the edges of the net While there are outrageously large pepperboxes (at least
activate and come together, entangling the victim in a web. one model had 24 barrels), eldritch pepperbox pistols tend
to use 4 or 6 barrels. This is because each additional barrel,
While the net has a relatively short range, it cannot be when fired at once, adds a black die to the roll. When the
parried (indeed, parrying merely activates the weights) and shooter suffers a Foul Failure then the weapon explodes in
envelops the victim in a net. Breaking free by separating a magical burst, causing the volley damage to the shooter
the weights requires a Very Difficult (4 black dice) Strength instead (a 6-shot eldritch pepperbox pistol costs 120).

147
 VICTORIANA

LeMat Grapeshot Revolver explosive. Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel is currently

Designed in New Orleans, this 9-barreled revolver also has working on an explosive that is stable enough to be handled
a 16-gauge smoothbore barrel in the centre, allowing the without thaumaturgy. Blasting powder has an area of effect
shooter to choose whether to fire a .42 ball or a 16-gauge (see p.170).
shot. Only one shotgun shell may be loaded at a time, but it
makes for a great surprise! London tinkerers have created Armour
a pepperbox model, but it is too heavy to be practicable for It is a tough world out there, and you may need some
any but the largest sapients (such as Ogres). protection. However, anyone who walks into their local in
full armour is obviously looking for a fight and someone is
Rifle Cane likely to oblige them. Even lined coats look like armour due
These gentlemens canes have a barrel running the length to their bulk. Fine quality armour might have a +1 bonus
of the cane with a breech at the base of the handle, which to its Armour Value (AV). However, poor quality armour
accepts a single round. They are notoriously difficult to halves its Armour Value (round down).
aim, the concealed trigger is easy to lose track of, reloading
is time consuming, and misfires can be caused by dirt
blocking the open end of the barrel. Aetherweave (AV 2 or 4) 60 or 80
Chain armour (AV: 6 or 8) 16/20+
Corset (AV: 1) 18s
Cuirass armour (AV: 8) 20+
Greatcoat (AV: 1) 1.12
Leather Breastplate (AV: 3) 2
Lined cloak (AV: 4) 12
Tricolour Derringer Lined coat (AV: 4) 10
This home-modified Derringer is named for the French Lined corset (AV: 2) 4
flag and a favourite of revolutionaries, the Tricolour is Lined jacket (AV: 3) 8
a concealable pepperbox with a small knife and brass Lined soldiers coat (AV: 5) 12
knuckles attached. The tricolour can only volley two shots Lined waistcoat (AV: 2) 6
at a time. Plate steel armour (AV: 12) see description
Soft leather (AV: 1) 1
Explosives and Thrown Weapons
Soldiers coat (AV: 2) 1.12 - 5
Grenade
While hand-held bombs have been around for a long time,
little has really changed about them. These highly unreliable Aetherweave
devices are rarely used but are available to those who want Not armour per se, aetherweave is a magical thread
to risk blowing themselves up. To improvise, you put a fuse that can be woven through regular cloth. When active,
in a ball or bottle filled with explosives, and hope it doesnt aetherweave adds 2 AV which may stack with any other
explode before you throw it. type of armour. The wearer may activate it with a single
quintessence point (any magician can also provide this
Keg of Gunpowder quintessence) and the bonus lasts for a number of rounds
Gunpowder is used in the operation of all firearms and equal to the activators Resolve. A stronger version that
military artillery, and often in the construction of bombs. provides 4 AV is available, but this requires 2 quintessence
Just be careful with it. This barrel has a length of fuse wire per activation.
leading directly to its contents; a keg of gunpowder has an
area of effect and causes incendiary damage. Chain Armour
A holdover from an earlier time, chain armour is quite good
Stick of Blasting Powder protection against slashing and many stabbing weapons,
Blasting powder is a stick of nitro-glycerine kept stable but is typically useless again bullets. Chainmail typically
through Guild thaumaturgy. Unfortunately, the cost covers the shoulder down to the groin region with 6 armour
involved makes blasting powder something of a luxury points.

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 book II

Recently, a new form of chainmail has hit the market cloth, it is favoured by middle and upper class gentlemen
through Guild-approved merchants that has been who dont like to take a chance with ruffians, while at the
ensorcelled to resist puncture damage like that of a bullet same time not looking out of place. The sweeping lines
or rapier and to have lighter weight (about the same of the coat usually fall to a gentlemans shins; the high
encumbrance as a greatcoat). These provide 8 armour collar reaches the hat brim. Lined coats are also available
points for all attacks to the areas covered, but are quite for ladies, and have been made in a heavy evening
expensive. cloak for both genders. Both jackets and waistcoats can
also be lined, granting additional protection when worn
Corset together, although this creates a very, very bulky and
Sometimes an object of fashion can also grant protection. obvious look.
The layers of whalebone or even steel in this ladies garment
make it excellent protection as well as further enhancing a Lined Soldiers Coat
ladys figure and posture. A fine quality corset provides 2 This soldiers coat is enhanced with several layers of thick
armour points from its superior materials. Lined corsets are padded cloth, and reinforced with leather to resist wear
constructed in leather or lined to protect where there is no and stress. Some may have thin metal plates stitched into
boning, and also improves the overall protection. the layers. Like any other soldiers coat it is always vividly
coloured to suit the regiment (or officer) the coat was made
Cuirass Armour for. This version is simply made with a view to granting
These breastplates are more ornamental than functional, armour protection as well. They are effectively well made
usually for elite cavalry regiments. Two body-moulded lined coats, made in the regimental style.
steel plates cover the torso, front and back. Additional
steel guards defend the forearms and shins. The helmet is Plate Steel Armour
always of padded steel. A cuirass is extremely heavy and A few industrious criminals in the United States and
not something that anyone would want to spend more time Australia have come up with similar ideas on how to
in than necessary. Most pistols and rifles can punch right protect themselves from the law: armoured suits made
through a cuirass, and they provide coverage mostly for from thick plate steel usually from steam boilers and
slashing and stabbing weapons. They are usually steel, with padded against shock, fashioned into a suit with helmet.
brass or gold designs.
They have so far proved ineffective at eluding capture
Greatcoat while the armour undoubtedly stops many types of bullets
The same as noted in the clothing section. Not actually fired at them, they have proven too heavy and hot to move
armour, but thick enough to provide protection. The effectively, and the wearers ability to hear or see is badly
civilian version of a soldiers coat, not intended as armour, compromised (add +4 black dice to any tests made in the
but made of thick cloth and falling to the shins, offering suit). They do provide 12 points of armour and have to be
some protection. fashioned to the user. If one can find a blacksmith to do the
job, it will easily cost 20+ to custom fit and make.
Leather Breastplate
This hardened leather breastplates provide more protection Soft Leather
than a leather jerkin or lined waistcoat. This leather is usually a jerkin covering the arms and torso,
or an apron covering the torso and legs. Regardless, it is
Lined Coat made from soft hide as thick as belt leather and may be
The lined coat is protective and very expensive. Made of padded at points with even more layers.
soft leather and light metal mesh enclosed in woollen coat

149
 VICTORIANA

~ C haracter S heet S ummary ~

Step 1: Note Your Association Step 2: Select Your Background
This is done in collaboration with your Work backwards. What was your
Gamesmaster and the other players. adventurers Vocation before she joined the
Step 3: Select Breeding Association? What was her childhood like?

Your background choices should help you determine

your Social Class, which in turn informs your choice of
subspecies. Your subspecies may grant you special abilities.

(Step 4: Select a Build Package)
In a hurry? You can select a Build Package that quickly

fleshes out Steps 6 and 7 for you.

Step 5: Assign Attribute Points

Each adventurer starts with +1 in each attribute; this

is modified by Breeding (social class and subspecies).

You may then distribute 3 extra points amongst your

attributes, but may not allocate more than 2 points to a

single attribute.

Strength defines your raw physical power and adds to

damage dice in melee combat.

Dexterity defines your overall physical agility; it adds to

your physical skills and your Initiative.

Fortitude defines your physical resistance; it adds to

your Health dice.

Presence defines your charisma and social acumen. It

adds to social skill rolls. Presence is also the controlling

attribute for magnetic abilities.

Wits defines your raw intelligence and awareness. It

adds to mental skills (a must for technologists) and

affects Initiative.

Resolve defines your willpower and magical strength.

Resolve determines your quintessence points and is the

controlling attribute for magicians.

Step 5a: Determine Derived Attributes

Now that youve assigned your attributes, you use them
to determine your derived attributes.

Initiative (Dexterity + Wits + Perception Skill) measures

your reaction time and how quickly you act in combat.

Health (Fortitude + 2) determines how much

punishment you can take. Health is measured in pips

and there are two pips per die.

Quintessence (Resolve) is a pool of points you use to

produce magical effects. Quintessence is measured in

pips and there are 6 pips per Resolve die.

Movement Speed (5 + Dex) is your average combat

speed, measured in yards. Step 6: Assign Skill Points Celestial Engine represents your adventurers
Sneak (5+Dexterity)/2 Unless you availed yourself of Step 4, you have place in the universe. Is she at Harmony with
Run (5+Dexterity) x 3 30 points to spend on skills. Skills must be it or does she side with Entropy or Order?
Swim (5+Dexterity)/2 chosen based on Association and Background at You get additional benefits when using a fate
Leap (horizontal) (1+ Dexterity) a cost of 1 point per skill rank. You are limited to point in the service of Entropy or Order.
Jump (vertical) (1/2 horizontal leap) 4 skill ranks in any single skill.

150
 Personal Effects are items on your The Magic and Marvels section is for you
person that youve purchased as Assets to list any magical abilities, spells, artefacts,
or with cold, hard cash. You may wish or technological marvels that you may
to list the money you still have in your have.
pockets here as well.

Reputation is noted in terms of propriety and notoriety.

Each impacts social skill rolls and impressions.

Propriety tends to give one bonus dice in social

situations, although Propriety may be a negative when
trying to downplay ones reputation

Notoriety tends to add black dice in social situations,

although Notoriety may be a positive when intimidating

others.

Step 7: Assign Build Points
Again, unless you availed yourself of Step 4, you have


20 build points to spend on additional skills (subject to
the 4 rank limit) or to purchase a Talent, Privilege, or

Asset. You can acquire more Build Points by accepting
Complications.

Talents are inborn or otherwise special abilities that the

adventurer possesses, including the abilities to perform

magic or create technological marvels.

Assets are material goods that you possess. Like

privileges, social class often determines assets.
Contacts are important; they often provide you with

the resources you act. Contacts are trustworthy for the
most part but they have their limits. Mark Contacts in



the Assets box.

Privileges are class-specific perks that your adventurer

enjoys, such as club memberships or thaumaturgical
degrees.


Complications are mechanical or roleplaying
restrictions that hinder your adventurer during play.

Roleplaying complications allow you to gain Fate

Points.

Fate Pool represents the control your adventurer has

over her situation. Fate points may be spent to gain
automatic successes as well as other benefits.

No adventurer would face danger The well-dressed adventurer needs

without Weapons! List them here. You protection! The Armour section includes
may also wish to list any offensive spells any armour you are wearing. You may
or marvellous weapons you have here also wish to list any defensive spells or
as well. temporary armour here as well.

151
Name Build
Sir William Maisey

Association Hair/Eyes
Star Chamber

Nationality Childhood
Experience Boarding School

Age/Gender Vocation
Spy

Class/ Personality
Subspecies Upper Class Human Notoriety Propriety

Ethics Campaign
Advocate for Justice

Attributes

1 2 1 2 2 1
Strength Dexterity Fortitude Presence Wits Resolve

Derived Attributes
Sneak Run Swim Leap Jump
6 7 6 7
7 21 3 3 1
Health Initiative Quintessence Movement

Common Skills
Act (Presence) [2] Concentration (Resolve) [ ] Fisticuffs (Dexterity) [ 3] Might (Strength) [ ]
Athletics (Dexterity) [2] Dance* (Dexterity) [ ] General Knowledge (Wits) [ ] Perception (Wits) [3 ]
Blunt Weapons (Dexterity) [ ] Dodge (Dexterity) [ ] Haggling* (Presence) [ ] Streetwise* (Presence) [2 ]
Bull (Presence) [2] Empathy (Presence) [ 2] Hide & Sneak (Dexterity) [ 3] Swordplay (Dexterity) [3 ]
Charm (Presence) [ 3] Etiquette* (Wits) [ 2] Improvised Weapon (Dexterity) [ ] Throwing (Dexterity) [ ]
Conceal (Wits) [ ] Firearms (Dexterity) [ 2] Intimidate (Presence) [ ] *social class modifier usually applies

Celestial Engine
Specialities Harmony
Special Abilities
_____________________ _____________________
Conversation 2
_____________________ Adaptability
_____________________
1 1
Disguise 2
_____________________ _____________________
Destiny
Drive Carriage 1 2 2
_____________________ _____________________
ENTROPY

ORDER

Pick Lock s 2
_____________________ 7 _____________________
3 3
Riding (Horse) 1
_____________________ _____________________
Fate Pool
_____________________ 4 4 _____________________
_____________________ 5 5
_____________________
_____________________ 6 _____________________
_____________________ _____________________
Lost

Health Dice

-2 -4 -8 -16
 Talents Magic & Marvels
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________
Beautiful/Handsome ___________________________________
__________________________________
Glib __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________

Assets Personal Effects

___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________
Coach ___________________________________
Money left: 4
__________________________________
Fashionable City Flat __________________________________
__________________________________
Income (upper 5) __________________________________
___________________________________
Wardrobe ___________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________

Privileges Complications
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________
Private Club Membership ___________________________________
Bon Vivant
__________________________________
Society Friends __________________________________
Expensive Tastes
__________________________________
Theatre Box __________________________________
Vow
___________________________________ ___________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________

Weapons Armour
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________
Cogswell .47 ___________________________________
Lined Jacket (AV 3)
__________________________________
Swordcane __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________

Quintessence Dice
VICTORIANA

~ W eapon T ables and C harts ~

Melee Weapon Table

Weapon Skill Required Damage Dice Cost
Antique greatsword (two-handed) Swordplay 10 100+
Improvised Weapon or
Axe (two-handed, felling axe) 8 3/2
Specialist Weapon (Axe)
Improvised Weapon or
Axe (Small, one-handed, hatchet) 6 1-3s
Specialist Weapon (Axe)
Brass knuckles Fisticuffs 2 5s
Clockwork chainsaw Specialist Weapon (Clockwork Chainsaw) 10 4.5
Club small (or improvised cudgel hammer, 6d or
Improvised Weapon 2
frying pan, stool, mug, etc.) Free
Club large (two-handed; may be cricket bat, Blunt Weapons or Improvised Weapons 6 2s or Free
mattock, quarterstaff, etc.)
Club cosh or policemans truncheon Blunt Weapons 4 1s
Collapsible baton Blunt Weapons 2 1.4
Tricolour Derringer, brass knuckles Fisticuffs 2 3.10
Tricolour Derringer, knife Swordplay 4 3.10
Garrotte Specialist Weapon (Garrotte) 2 + Choking 3s
Knife small/concealable (flick knife, pen-knife) Swordplay 4 1/5
Knife sheath Swordplay 5 4d
Knife - large (Bowie knife, naval dirk) Swordplay 6 5d
Lance Specialist Weapon (Lance) 14 18s
Life preserver Blunt Weapons 3 2d
Long spear (two-handed) Swordplay 8 7s
Mace cane Blunt Weapons 4 2.10
Spikes out Blunt Weapons 6
Meat cleaver Improvised Weapon or Specialist Weapon (Axe) 5 4d
Military sword (heavy) Swordplay 8 2
Military sword (light) Swordplay 7 1
Rifle butt (two-handed) Blunt Weapons 5 n/a
Rifle with bayonet (two-handed) Swordplay 6 n/a
Rifle with sword-bayonet (two-handed) Swordplay 7 n/a
Smallsword Swordplay 6 2
Spear, tribal Swordplay 6 4s
Sword-bayonet Swordplay 6 6d
Sword-cane Swordplay 5 2
Walking-cane Blunt Weapons 2 12s
Whip Specialist weapon (Whip) 4 8s

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Ranged Weapon Table

Archery, Thrown Weapon s, and Curiosities
Damage Special
weapon Skill Required Dice ROF Shots Reload Range Attacks Cost
Bow, tribal Archery 6 1 1 1 100 yds n/a 1
Bow, yew longbow Archery 8 1 1 1 200 yds n/a 2
Improvised Weapon or 1d at
Catapult Specialist Weapon 4 1 1 1 20 yds n/a
(Catapult) most
Crossbow, hunting Archery 7 1 1 4 150 yds n/a 1/10
Crossbow, repeating Archery 5 2 6 6 100 yds n/a 2
Improvised Weapon or
Sling 5 1 1 0 40 yds n/a 1s
Specialist Weapon (Sling)
Thrown rock Throwing 2 2 1 0 10 yds Throw n/a
Thrown knife Throwing 4 2 1 0 12 yds Throw 6s
Thrown hatchet Throwing 5 1 1 0 10 yds Throw 1s

Muzzle-loading Weapon s
Damage Special
Weapon Skill Required Dice ROF Shots Reload Range Attacks Cost
Baker rifle Firearms 10 1 1 6 250 yds n/a 3.4
Blunderbuss Firearms 8 1 1 4 20 yds Spread 1.2
Blunderbuss pistol Firearms 6 1 1 4 15 yds Spread 10s
Brown Bess musket Firearms 8 1 1 4 150 yds n/a 1
Crocket rifle Firearms 6 1 1 6 300 yds n/a 3
Enfield rifled musket Firearms 12 1 1 6 275yds n/a 3.10
Flintlock pistol Firearms 5 1 1 6 20 yds n/a 16s
Flintlock pistol, #1842 Firearms 7 1 1 6 40 yds n/a 1.12
Howdah pistol Firearms 9 2 2 6 15 yds Volley Fire 6
Mississippi rifle #1841 Firearms 11 1 1 6 200 yds n/a 3
Pennsylvania rifle Firearms 8 1 1 6 225 yds n/a 3
Revolving blunderbuss Firearms 8 1 6 4 20 yds Spread 2
Volley Fire,
Volley pistol Firearms 7 1 3 3 10 yds 4
spread
Volley Fire,
Volley rifle Firearms 8 1 6 6 60 yds 6
spread
Volley Fire,
Volleying blunderbuss Firearms 9 1 3 4 20 yds 3
Spread

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VICTORIANA

Pepperboxes
Damage Special
weapon Skill Required Dice ROF Shots Reload Range Attacks Cost
Allen & Thurber, 0.36 Firearms 8 2 6 5 20 yds n/a 3
Blunt & Syms 0.32 Firearms 7 2 6 5 20 yds n/a 2.18
Cogswell 0.47 Firearms 10 2 6 5 25 yds n/a 6
Colt Merlin Firearms 8 2 6 5 30 yds n/a 8
Darling Firearms 8 2 6 5 20 yds n/a 4
Manhattan Firearms 6 2 3 3 20 yds n/a 2
Manhattan Firearms 6 2 5 5 20 yds n/a 3.10
Mariette, 0.36 Firearms 8 2 4 3 20 yds n/a 2.16
Mariette, 0.36 Firearms 8 2 6 5 20 yds n/a 4.4
Mariette, 0.36 Firearms 8 2 18 15 20 yds n/a 9
Robbins & Lawrence
Firearms 7 2 5 5 20 yds n/a 2.12
0.28
Tula Rifle Firearms 12 2 4 3 150 yds n/a 6

Revolvers
Damage Special
Weapon Skill Required Dice ROF Shots Reload Range Attacks Cost
Adams 1854 Firearms 10 2 5 4 20 yds n/a 12
Adams revolving rifle Firearms 12 2 5 4 120 yds n/a 9
Colt #1849 pocket
Firearms 6 1 5 5 30 yds n/a 4
pistol
Colt #1851, 0.36 cal. Firearms 8 1 6 5 30 yds n/a 5
Colt #1851, 0.44 cal. Firearms 10 1 6 5 30 yds n/a 6
Colt Dragoon carbine Firearms 12 1 6 5 150 yds n/a 7
Tranter, 0.44 cal. Firearms 10 1 5 5 30 yds n/a 8.2
Whitworth Firearms 11 1 6 5 80 yds n/a 12

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 Breach, Break, and Magazine-Loading
Damage Special
weapon Skill Required Dice ROF Shots Reload Range Attacks Cost
Derringer, Sharps Firearms 4 2 2 4 15 yds Volley Fire 4.10
Derringer, Tricolour Firearms 4 2 4 4 15 yds Volley Fire 4.10
Derringer, Vest Firearms 4 1 1 4 15 yds n/a 3
Dreyse needle gun Firearms 13 1 1 1 250 yds n/a 7
Elephant gun,
Firearms 14 2 2 5 150 yds Volley Fire 18
8-bore
Elephant gun,
Firearms 15 1 1 5 150 yds n/a 12
6-bore
Elephant gun,
Firearms 16 1 1 5 150 yds n/a 15
4-bore
Suppressive
Gatling gun Firearms 15 20 200 1 150 yds 80
Fire
Harmonica Pistol Firearms 10 1 10 11 20 yds n/a 4
Harmonica Rifle Firearms 12 1 10 11 150 yds n/a 6
Suppressive
Mitrailleuse Firearms 14 5 50 60 yds 60
Fire
Needle rifle Firearms 13 1 1 1 150 yds n/a 6
Sharps #1853,
Firearms 13 1 1 2 225 yds n/a 6
0.50 cal.
Shotgun, 26-bore,
Firearms 10 1 1 5 50 yds Spread 4
Sharps
Shotgun, 12-bore, Volley Fire,
Firearms 12 2 2 5 50 yds 6
Beretta Spread
Shotgun, 10-bore, Volley Fire,
Firearms 13 2 2 5 50 yds 8
Moore Spread
Volcanic Pistol Firearms 7 2 10 8 30 yds n/a 5
Volcanic Carbine Firearms 7 2 30 24 150 yds n/a 7
Whitworth Rifle Firearms 13 1 1 1 500 yds n/a 14

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Unusual Fi rearms
Damage Special
weapon Skill Required Dice ROF Shots Reload Range Attacks Cost
Brick Gun Firearms 10 1 4 5 20 yds Volley Fire 6
Cunning Mans Net Gun Firearms Special 1 1 2 20 yds n/a 50
Eldritch 4-barrel
Firearms 8 1 4 Special 80 yds Volley Fire 100
pepperbox pistol
LeMat Grapeshot 50 yds/ n/a
Firearms 8/11 1/1 9/1 7/1 10
Revolver 10yds /spread
Rifle cane Firearms 8 1 1 1 30 yds n/a 2.15
Tri-Colour Firearms 4 2 2 2 15 yds Volley Fire 3.10

Explosives
Damage Special
EXPLOSIVE Skill Required Dice ROF Shots Reload Range Attacks Cost
Area
Keg of gunpowder Demolitions 16 1 1 n/a n/a 24
Effect
Area
Fire 10 yds
Grenade Throwing 1 1 n/a Effect, Fire 5s
Intensity: 8 (thrown)
Damage
10 yds Area
Pyroglycerine Tube Throwing 12 1 1 n/a 50
(thrown) Effect

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BOOK III
 VICTORIANA

B o o k III
Cogs and Wheels
The Prime Mover
All games need a system in order to play them, and capabilities, so that those judgements are fair, and to
Victoriana is no different. The systems engine determines determine what happens when the outcome of a situation
whether your adventurer succeeds or fails when she is uncertain.
leaps from her damaged ornithopter onto an aerostat,
or whether she manages to learn enough gossip to put The majority of the game system is generally only necessary
pressure on the Baron attending her party. As a nod to the when an adventurer is attempting to accomplish an action
original edition of Victoriana, we call this prime mover which might succeed or fail depending on random chance.
the Heresy Engine. Such an action could be almost anything: shooting a
revolver at an enemy, persuading a wealthy mill owner to
The Heresy Engine is designed to be easy to learn, quick to invest in a risky venture, or climbing a sheer cliff face, for
play, and very flexible. Weve streamlined it even further example.
with the lessons learned from the Second Edition. It is
our hope that these streamlined mechanics allow you to Each such action, known as a task, is resolved using the
spend more time playing exciting adventures and less time same system. The basic task resolution process is as follows:
flipping through the rules.
All tasks in the game are resolved using a dice pool,
This first section contains a brief overview of the Heresy whereby the adventurer performing the task rolls a
Engine; throughout the rest of Book III, youll find expansions number of dice equal to their dice in the relevant Skill,
of the system that deal with special circumstances. While plus their dice in the relevant Attribute.
those additional rules increase the games complexity, in
the end they still follow the basic rules provided here. Example: The heroic and renowned explorer, Edward
Applethwaite, is attempting to leap over an icy mountain
As always, your Gamesmaster is the final arbiter of the stream. He has 5 dice in Athletics (the relevant skill) and
rules, and she may feel the need to adjust some of them 2 dice in Dexterity (the relevant Attribute), for a total dice
based on the needs of the adventure and everyones pool of 7. He rolls 7 dice to see whether he successfully leaps
enjoyment of it. the stream.

Heresy Engine Basics Each roll of 1 or 6 counts as a success. Add up the

When you use the Heresy Engine, much of the action will total number of successes you roll.
simply be narrated according to the wishes of the players
and the judgement of the Gamesmaster, just as in any Example: Mr Applethwaite rolls the following on his 7 dice:
other role-playing game. The purpose of the game rules is 1,1,2,3,4,4,6. Thus he has a total of 3 successes, from the two
twofold: to give everyone an indication of the adventurers 1s and the single 6 he rolled.

What is 2D?
While the game system in Victoriana usually requires the counting of successes on a die, there are a few occasions
when you may need to roll dice and add the pips together. This is usually noted by the number of dice, so 2D means
roll two dice and add their pips together. Weve chosen D rather than the more traditional d(as in 2d6) in order to
distinguish it from the symbol for pennies.

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Any roll of a 6 can also be rerolled, for a chance at an Example: Applethwaite rolled 2 successes, but the Gamesmaster
additional success. informed him beforehand that the stream was rather wide. As this is
a Difficult roll, 3 black dice are rolled, coming up: 3, 5, 6. For each die
Example: Mr Applethwaite only rolled one 6, and so that came up a 1 or a 6 (in this case, one of them), Applethwaites
rerolls that die, getting a 3. He gets no additional successes, total successes are reduced by 1, leaving 1 success. Luckily this is still
but retains his originally rolled 3 successes. just enough to succeed.

Generally, you need two successes in order to complete There are also times when a task is considered easier
the task, although in some cases the Gamesmaster may than average. In these cases, rather than black dice, the
grant you a partial victory if you score only one success. adventurer receives extra dice to add to their dice pool.
These are treated like any other modifier to the dice pool.
Of course, some tasks are inherently more difficult than
others, and sometimes other factors are at work, either for While Difficulties are rated in groups of 3s, there are times
or against you. Two additional game mechanics black when an adventurer may receive numbers of black dice
dice and opposed rolls accommodate these conditions. in-between. Furthermore, the Gamesmaster may assign a
number of black dice between difficulties if she feels a task
Black Dice and Pool Modifiers is more challenging than one rating but less challenging
The inherent difficulty of a task is represented by a number than another. Most Difficulties fall between Average and
of black dice. Black dice are rolled at the same time as Incredibly Difficult. Higher difficulties should be reserved
the regular dice pool roll. They are usually rolled by the for very seasoned adventurers, as beginning adventurers
Gamesmaster, as she needs to account for all difficulties would not be expected to make them.
(both known and unknown) to the player. For each 1 or
6 that comes up on the black dice, one of the adventurers Example: Dirty Saward fires his pistol at Sir Michael Cord as
successes is negated. Black dice do not roll again on a 6. the gentleman enters the room from a distance of 5 yards. While
this is just beyond point blank range (Average rating), the
While black dice dont necessarily have to be black- Gamesmaster doesnt believe it would be a difficult shot (as close
coloured, they should be distinct from the regular dice pool range is a Difficult rating). She rules that Dirty Saward takes a
if the Gamesmaster allows the player to roll them together. single black die penalty when shooting at Sir Michael.

Difficulty Rating Black Dice/Pool Dice Definition

Very Easy Automatic success Even a completely unskilled person has little chance of failure
Easy +6 pool dice Not difficult with even a little training
Routine +3 pool dice A skilled person does this all the time
Average No modifiers A skilled person would normally achieve this task
Difficult 3 black dice There is significant opposition to the task
Very Difficult 6 black dice Only a trained professional has a real chance
Incredibly Difficult 9 black dice Very tough opposition or circumstances
Extremely Difficult 12 black dice Only an expert has a real chance
Fantastically Difficult 15 black dice An expert would consider this folly
Ridiculously Difficult 18 black dice A very lucky expert might succeed
Legendary 24 black dice Only someone at the top of her field has a chance
(Impossible) (36 black dice) Hoping against hope for the slightest of chances

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Automatic Successes merely adequate. And while a regular success is enough

Regardless of difficulty, some adventurers are so skilled in on a Medicine roll to patch someone up, your number of
certain areas that Average or even Difficult tasks are very successes would be inversely proportional to the size and
easy for them. When performing a task, the player always appearance of the healed scar.
has the option of trading 3 dice in her dice pool for a single
success. She can do this as many times as she has multiples The number of successes remaining, after black dice have
of 3 dice. Thus, an adventurer with a dice pool of 6 can been applied, indicates how well the task was performed.
automatically succeed at Average tasks.
Opposed Rolls
While automatic successes dont eliminate black dice, they When another person or creature is working directly
can negate them, although this often requires very large dice contrary to the adventurers actions then that other agency
pools. makes her own skill roll in opposition. In this case, the
adventurer who scores more successes than her opponent
achieves her desired end. Black dice are rolled against both
Eyeballing Diffic ulty Ratings adventurers as normal, to represent situational difficulties
and any inherent difficulty of the task.
Once youve gotten the knack of it, its fairly easy to
create modifiers on the fly. Most increased Difficulties Example: Mr Applethwaite is facing off against Montague, a
fall into the 1 -9 black dice range; if you think in terms renowned cad and thug, who has had the temerity to insult Mr
of minor, challenging, or major hindrance/obstacle then Applethwaites parentage. Mr Applethwaite attempts to teach
you can just assign 3, 6, or 9 black dice accordingly. Montague some manners by means of a manly punch to the jaw.
Mr Applethwaite rolls his Brawl skill (7 dice) + his Dexterity
(2 dice) for a total of 9 dice, getting 1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, for 2
successes and 1 reroll another 1 (!) giving him 3 successes
Degrees of Success overall. Montague rolls his Dodge skill (3 dice) + his Dexterity
Sometimes, youll want to know the degree of your success. (1 die), for a total of 4 dice, getting 2, 3, 5, 6, for a success and
As stated above, a partial success usually means that youve a reroll himself 4 so still just 1 success. Mr Applethwaite
succeeded but not entirely: your lock picking tools may be thumps Montague right on the button or point of his chin, with
broken, you may be hanging off the edge of the catwalk you 2 clear successes.
tried to jump onto, or you may have fixed that engine but
now theres a fuel leak. Degrees of success are hardwired Foul Failure
into combat and magic rolls. There are times, however, Sometimes you will roll so badly that you will get more
when your degree of success can have a greater, perhaps black dice successes than dice pool successes, cancelling
lasting, impact. them all out and with some left spare! In this case, you
have suffered a Foul Failure. Not only have you failed, but
For example, you wouldnt want to settle for a regular you have failed spectacularly badly; your skill alone was
success if performing in a concert or opera; the critics wont nowhere near good enough to overcome the opposition. If
be kind in tomorrows newspaper if your performance was you are climbing, you not only fall but break some vital piece

Successes Gained Degree of Success

1 Partial Success Just about managed it
2 Success Task completed methodically
3 Good Success Completed with some flair
6 Impressive Success A demonstration of mastery
10 Virtuoso Success An amazing performance
15 Awe-inspiring Success People will talk about this for years
20+ God-like Success You must have beaten the world record

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of equipment. In combat, your weapon might break or jam. consideration when assigning black dice). Any outstanding
When inventing something, your creation might turn against black dice on a helpers roll is added to the black dice
you, or manifest powers you didnt expect or plan for. successes of the leaders roll.

Foul Failures are to be feared because the Gamesmaster Example: Lady Noir wants to find out what rumours Lord Morton
can impose any horror they like on your poor adventurer. is spreading at a party. Sir Nigel Pierce and Miss Abigail Smith
However, it must relate to the task they were trying to wish to aid her. The Gamesmaster calls for a Difficult Presence
achieve. A Foul Failure in combat might destroy a weapon + Conversation roll. Lady Noir adds Charm as a complementary
or put the adventurer in a bad position, but it doesnt mean skill. Miss Smith also has Conversation so the Gamesmaster
the villain has automatically managed to wound them. Foul allows her to roll her skill dice and add the successes to Lady
Failure is about the adventurer and the environment; others Noirs success total. Sir Nigel lacks Charm and Conversation but
may prosper from their troubles, but not directly. does have the Etiquette skill. While the application seems almost
spurious, the Gamesmaster allows it but assigns 4 black dice to
The Gamesmaster might also decide to adjust Foul Failure the roll. As Sir Nigel only has a 2 in Etiquette, he fears his efforts
by the number of black dice successes that are outstanding. will do more harm than good
So, the results of 1 outstanding black dice success wont
be as bad as that of 5 (in essence, reversing the Degrees Trying Again
of Success table). However, any Foul Failure is bad, even Unless you get a Foul Failure, you may normally retake
catastrophic; the question is, just how catastrophic? a failed task roll, unless the situation prevents it. Each
additional try garners a cumulative 1 black die penalty as
Complementary Rolls frustration sets in. The Gamesmaster should feel free to add
Sometimes an adventurer has more than one skill that is additional black dice if new obstacles or environmental
applicable to the task at hand. When this happens, she may changes make the task harder. If the adventurer walks
use her second skill as a complementary skill to increase away and comes back to the task after some time has passed
her chances of success. She can add her complementary then she may try again with no penalties.
skill dice (but not the Attribute) to her primary roll. There
is normally a limit of one complementary skill per skill roll. Typical Dice Pools
An average, untrained adult usually has no Attribute
Example: The Gnomish scholar Tristan McIntyre is trying to modifiers. A typical competent craftsman or professional
find a cure for a new disease. Tristan has a Wits of 3, Medicine has 4-6 in her trade skills, allowing her to succeed on a
of 4 and Science (biology) of 3. The Gamesmaster rules that his regular basis and have a fair chance of some moments of
Science (biology) skill can help him out as it is complimentary, so flair and rare demonstrations of mastery.
he rolls Wits + Medicine + Science, or 10 dice.
Typical dice pools for adventurers of a given level of
Group Rolls attainment are as follows:
A group of adventurers may pool their resources on a
specific task. The team chooses one person to make the
actual Attribute + Skill roll while the others roll their skill Skill Level Dice Pool
only, adding any successes to the leaders roll as automatic Amateur/beginner 3
successes. If there is a complementary skill involved, then Professional 6
the helpers can choose whether to roll the primary skill or a Artisan 9
complementary skill (but not both). A helper need not use Master tradesman 12
the same complementary skill as the leader. Legendary tradesman 15
The stuff of epics 20
The Gamesmaster should feel free to limit the number of
helping adventurers or extend the time needed to complete
the task, as too many helpers start to get in each others When creating an adventurer, remember that on average
way. In addition, the Gamesmaster may also add black you will get 1 success for every 3 dice you roll. As you need
dice to the helpers roll if too many people are working on 2 successes to properly complete a task, you should make
a task or if their skills are not as effective (keep in mind that sure that your adventurer can field a dice pool of at least 6
helpers are only rolling skills, not attributes; take that into for the tasks they will be attempting most often.

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~ C ombat ~
rolls her Initiative pool again and the winner goes first. If
still tied, repeat as necessary.

The world of Victoriana is a dangerous place; regrettably, it In addition to going first, you get a +2 on all actions against
is inevitable that the adventurers will have to rely on violence opponents that rolled lower for initiative.
to solve a problem. The fight itself could be anything a
brawl over the price of ale, a vicious back-street attack, a full- A combatant that wins initiative against an already engaged
scale military campaign, or the stylised violence of a duel opponent may choose whether to continue the attack or
between gentlemen. Youll be glad to know, though, that disengage. Combatants that have been attacked have little
every combat uses basically the same system. choice but to act against their attackers lest they become
easy targets.
Unlike other dramatic situations, we need to slow things
down a bit for combat in order to ensure that everyone has Surprise
a chance to act in the fog of war. At its core, the Heresy The initiative rules presume that all of the combatants can
Engine is designed for simple, fast play, keeping the see each other or at least be alert. Sometimes an adventurer
game moving at a cinematic pace whilst ensuring that the may try to get the jump on an opponent by waiting in
mechanics are more than just a series of dice rolls. That said, ambush or acting in a non-threatening manner. In such
both the players and Gamesmaster should do their best to cases the adventurer is looking to win initiative without
narrate the action as they roll the dice. rolling.

In this case, the adventurer makes an appropriate skill roll

Initiative (e.g. Hide & Sneak for an ambush; Bluff for looking non-
At the beginning of each round all combatants make an threatening) that is opposed by an appropriate skill roll
Initiative roll to determine the order in which actions are (e.g. Perception for Hide & Sneak; Empathy for Bluff). If the
taken. The combatant with the highest total acts first (unless defender beats the roll then she is not surprised and may
she chooses to hold her action). The combatant with the act normally. If the attacker wins then she automatically
second highest total acts next, and so on. wins initiative that round.

In the event of a tie, the combatant with the largest Initiative If the attacker wins by 3 successes (a Good Success) then
rating goes first. If still tied, then each of the tied combatants she has caught her prey completely unawares; the defender

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may not defend herself until the next round. Its possible by dividing the number of total actions taken in the round,
to catch some defenders flat-footed while others are able so two actions halves all dice pools, three actions reduces
to react. dice pools to a third, etc. Fractions are always rounded
down, so splitting a dice pool of 5 in half leaves you with 2
dice in the pool.
Time and Actions
Combats are roughly organised in 3-second rounds. Any If an action would take longer than a single round then
adventurer involved in (or present during) a combat you forfeit any additional actions until the long action is
may perform one action each round, sometimes more. complete.
Any adventurers not involved in the combat can still act,
but what they are trying to do may take several combat Example: Mr Butterworth is beset upon by Scratch and Tubber.
rounds. Scratch wins initiative and decides to shoot Mr Butterworth. Mr
Butterworth elects to dodge, but he also wishes to engage Tubber
Actions in swordplay. He takes two actions per round and halves his dice
In each combat round, you may perform one action. pools. As he normally gets 8 dice to Dodge he only rolls 4, and he
Anything you could reasonably do in three seconds or only has 4 dice in his Dexterity + Swordplay pool when attacking
less counts as an action. In combat, typical actions include Tubber, leaving him with only 2. Fortunately he beat Tubber in
attacking, defending, or manifesting magic. initiative, so Mr Butterworth gets to add another 2 dice to his
reduced pools.

Free Actions
The following are examples of actions: An adventurer may perform certain activities as well
as their combat action. These free actions must be
Engage in an attack (whether unarmed, with a performable without interfering with, or distracting from,
melee weapon, or with a ranged weapon). the adventurers other action(s). As a rule of thumb, if you
Defend yourself. dont need to roll dice for it, the action is free. Free actions
Attempt to grapple an opponent, or to escape an include speaking short sentences or resisting the effect of a
opponents grappling hold. drug or poison. Merely being aware is a free action even if
Draw a weapon or pick up a nearby object it requires a Wits + Perception roll.
Reload a weapon.
Walk, run, sneak, leap, swim, or otherwise move up Certain activities that require intense concentration may
preclude the adventurer from carrying out some free
to your maximum movement
actions simultaneously, or add black dice to any dice pools
Perform magic.
rolled for free actions, if applicable.
Activate or otherwise briefly utilise a marvel or
piece of machinery.
Open or close a door. Combat Basics
Stand up, sit down, or lie down.
Movement in Combat
All adventurers have movement speeds derived from their
Some activities, such as casting a spell or reloading a Dexterity (see p.97, Derived Attributes). Movement speeds
weapon, may take more than one round (depending on the define how far an adventurer can move in a round, which is
specific spell or weapon). In that case, one action may be particularly important in chases, or whether you can engage
used to start, continue, or conclude the activity. a ruffian in the same round that he is shooting at you.

Multiple Actions Vehicle speeds are also given in yards per round. Ground
All adventurers can take one action per round +1 for each vehicles can typically accelerate or decelerate by anything
point of Dexterity (if positive). However, there is a penalty from 5 yards/round/round (for anything horse driven)
for taking multiple actions and the adventurer must declare to 30 yards/round/round (for a powerful steam driven
her intent to use multiple actions prior to acting in the creation). To determine approximate miles per hour speeds
round. All dice pools used by the adventurer are reduced from yards per round, multiply by 2/3.

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Example: Melhuish Procktor has 2 dice in Dexterity. His advanced weapons invented by magicians and technologists.
movement rate is 5 + 2 = 7 yards per round. This is a brisk walking An opponent generally either shoots back (a duel) or relies
pace, good for striding into combat without too much risk of tripping on her Dodge roll.
over or being unable to stop. If instead he does a flat-out run, he
can cover 21 yards in a round. In miles per hour, his movement Duel
rate is just under 5 mph, and his running speed is 14 mph. In a duel both participants shoot at each other; if the
opponent is unarmed then shell need to take two actions
Drawing a Weapon to draw and fire. The combatant with the highest number
If some participants in a melee already have weapons of successes wins; she didnt so much dodge as get her shot
drawn and readied and others dont, those who dont must off first, or the opponent simply missed.
either fight barehanded or take an action to ready a weapon.
Reloading a weapon, be it a bow or a shotgun, often takes at Dodge
least one complete combat round. Drawing a weapon does It is significantly difficult to dodge bullets and arrows; in
not require a roll but as it counts as an action it does require effect, it is only because the opponent is moving that she
the adventurer to split her dice pool if she wishes to attack is more difficult to hit, rather than any real skill at evading
in the same round. bullets! If the weapon is fired from close range (usually
about 6-10 feet away), the defender is only allowed to add
Drawing a weapon can be done whilst moving, so if an half their Dodge skill to their Dexterity for their dice pool.
adventurer has to spend a round moving into position they If the weapon is fired at point blank range, the defender can
can be assumed to be readying a weapon as well. only use their Dexterity to evade it.

Melee Attacks A point blank range opponent can attack the shooter, in
To make a melee (hand-to-hand) attack, you must be ready essence treating the ranged weapon as part of a melee
with a melee weapon, be it a sword, cosh, rifle butt or attack. The opponent takes a 3 black dice penalty on her roll
just your fists. The use of each weapon is governed by a if the ranged weapon does not require reloading.
particular skill. An opponent may counter or evade.
Damage
Counter If the attacker gets at least one more success than the
The opponent may counter by attacking his attacker. Both defender then she lands a blow. Getting smacked with
combatants roll to hit. The one with the most successes a weapon hurts rather a lot. Each weapon has a damage
lands a blow and hits his opponent. rating, which is the number of dice you roll to see how
much damage you do to your opponent. When youve
Evade rolled those dice, you add up the successes you score and
The opponent can evade by using his appropriate combat that is the number of Health pips your opponent must
skill and adding Dodge as a complementary skill. If the knock off his adventurer sheet.
opponent beats the attackers successes then she is not hit,
but she does no damage to the attacker. You can improve your damage roll in a few ways. Firstly,
in a melee attack you can add your Strength dice to the
Ranged Attacks damage dice before you roll (Strength penalties count,
Ranged attacks include everything from thrown rocks, but all attacks do a minimum of 1 damage die regardless
through bows and arrows, to bolt action rifles and the of penalties). Secondly, the number of successes over your

Wound Penalties
Generally we assume your Health dice represent how There are 2 pips to each Health die and, for each full
much trauma you can take before you feel the effects of die worth of damage you take, you suffer a penalty of 1
your wounds. However, more experienced gamers may additional black die to all actions until the end of the next
wish to simulate the effects of more damaging blows by round. So, if you get hurt first in combat, the shock of the
enforcing penalties for the damage taken. attack might make you miss in the next exchange.

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opponents defence roll that you score in your combat roll and land a blow without injury. We assume you will do your
automatically adds to your damage successes. best to avoid getting hurt, so there is a 3 black dice penalty
for fighting against a weapon unarmed, and a further 3 black
If you find yourself unarmed, your fists do a base of 1 dice penalty if that weapon has a longer reach. So a boxer
damage die. Kicking an opponent does a base of 2 damage fighting a swordsman has a 6 black dice penalty, but against
dice. Unless you are using brass knuckles, all punching and a knifeman he has only a 3 black dice penalty.
kicking damage is considered bruise damage (see p.170).
You can ignore as many of these black dice as you like and
If you run out of Health dice, you keep counting damage on refuse to roll them. However, if you do, you automatically
the 4 grey shaded dice on the adventurer sheet. However, take 1 Health pip of damage for every 3 black dice (or part
if you reach this point you are suffering from your wounds. thereof) you refuse to roll; this is because you are quite
Whichever shaded reserve dice you most recently marked literally throwing yourself onto your opponents blade to
pips off from applies its black dice penalty to your dice pool land a blow. You can apply this rule to people fighting with
for any subsequent actions. weapons of differing sizes as well, so a knifeman has a 3
black dice penalty when fighting a swordsman.
Example: Sir William Maisey is engaged in a swordfight with
Baron Scrumm. Sir William wins initiative and attacks the
Baron, rolling 6 dice and scoring 3 successes. Baron Scrumm Armour
decides to use his Swordplay skill to counterattack but only rolls If you are wearing something that might offer you
1 success. Since Sir William won by 2 successes, he gets to add 2 protection, it has an Armour Value (AV). The Armour
points to his damage total. He rolls 6 dice for his smallsword (5 for Value reduces the amount of damage you take from any
smallsword damage and 1 for Strength) and gets 3 successes. He blow, on a point for point basis. So, for an attack that does
then adds his 2 winning successes for a total of 6 pips of damage. 4 points of damage to someone protected with an Armour
He scored a solid hit. Value of 2, the attack does only 2 points of damage. The
armour points are taken from the final damage successes,
not the damage roll.
General Difficulty Modifiers
A few talents are designed to offset some inherent penalties If the Gamesmaster wants to add more realism to armour,
for certain actions, so it makes sense to summarise these she has two additional options. Firstly, armour often
actions for those who dont have the Talent to ignore them. doesnt protect the whole body: a lined waistcoat wont
protect the arms and legs, and a corset will do nothing for
Cavalry Combat: When fighting on a mount, it is harder to a head wound. So, while putting a lined coat over a corset
reach your opponent, especially as you are trying to control will add together the Armour Values for the chest, only
a mount as well. Without the Cavalry Combat Talent, the coat will protect the arms and legs. The Gamesmaster
you suffer a 6 black dice penalty to all combat rolls while might rule there is a chance for any attack to land on an
mounted. However, hacking from a height lets you put unarmoured area, negating its value (see Optional Rule:
more power into your swing, so all mounted melee attacks Hitting at Random).
gain +2 to the weapon damage.
The second possibility with armour is that it will gradually
Off-Hand: We all prefer to use one hand or the other, being fail if battered too severely. For every five combats where
usually right or left handed. We assume you normally fight the adventurer takes damage that strikes the armour, it
using your dominant hand but, should you be forced to reduces its Armour Value by 1 point until repaired. The
wield a weapon with your off-hand the difficulty of any Gamesmaster is allowed to rule that any piece of armour
combat rolls is increased by one level (from Average to is battered beyond repair or damaged severely if the
Difficult, for instance). adventurer receives a particularly nasty attack.

Unarmed against armed: If your opponent has a weapon Called Shots

and you do not, you are in trouble. You might be a skilled fist Occasionally an adventurer may wish to target a specific part
fighter, but you cannot parry your opponents attack without of a defenders body, whether it be to bypass Armour Value
getting injured. It is also possible that the weapon (such as a or to target a clockwork limb or other marvel. Doing so adds
sword) has a longer reach, making it harder to close distance black dice to the roll according to the following chart.

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longer serves a useful purpose. Should you do twice the

Body Part Black Dice items total Structure in damage, it has been obliterated and
Arm or leg 3 nothing of it remains.
Hand or foot 6
Eye or ear 12
Punished Item Structure Pips
Bush (per yd) 4
Rock s (per yd) 30
Tree, street lamp 20
Optional Rule: Hitting at Random Lamp post 40
For a little more realism, the Gamesmaster can call for a Manhole cover 30
random body area roll whenever a character is hit. While Glass (per yd) 2
the attacker has no control over where the blow lands, Wooden fence (per yd) 10
this has the effect of a Called Shot. Brick wall (per yd) 20
Concrete wall (per yd) 50
2-3 Hand Metal wall (per yd) 60
4 Lower Arm Metal lock 4
5 Upper Arm Wood door 4
6 Head Metal door 20
7-8 Torso Vault door 60 (plus 10 Armour Value)
9 Upper Leg Furniture 10-20
10 Lower Leg Machinery (per yd) 20-40
11-12 Foot

If it becomes necessary to determine which side was hit,

simply roll a die (1-3 left, 4-6 right). Defensive Actions
Most defensive actions are reactions to attacks. A combat
This chart can be adapted according to circumstances. skill may be used to parry a melee attack or the Dodge
Two fencers may avoid low blows, so any hits to the leg skill may be used to dodge ranged attacks or evade melee
or foot hit an arm or hand instead. A knife-wielding attacks. This section includes some special cases.
Huldu will have trouble landing a high blow, so a head
hit may simply be ruled a Torso hit instead. All-out Dodge
Sometimes you will be up against such terrible odds, your
only option is to get the hell out of there, but for some
foolish reason you decide to remain in combat. You might
Damaging Objects be unable to fully escape, be looking to occupy the bad
It is possible to destroy almost any object with enough guys, or hope that help may be close at hand.
effort. Most objects arent alive and so the damage they can
take is simply recorded as structure hits instead of health At any time before your first action for the round you may
pips. You can also attack any cover someone is hiding declare an All-out Dodge. Your Dodge skill is doubled
behind to destroy it. Any damage successes remaining after for the remainder of the round (including when using it to
the Structure dice are depleted hit the person hiding behind Evade), but you may not take any other actions: you are
it (although any Armour she is wearing applies). focused on defending yourself. You still need to split your
dice pool for multiple dodges.
When items are being brutalised in this manner, they show
signs of the damage before being destroyed. If an item Dive for Cover
has taken a third of its total Structure value in damage, it Sometimes, even an all-out dodge isnt enough. If the area
looks significantly scuffed and battered. When reduced to is covered by a cloud of bullets or an explosion, you need to
half its Structure, the item is noticeably broken and, in the hit the dirt as quickly as you can or throw yourself behind
case of machinery, may suffer failure. When reduced to whatever cover you can find. Any adventurer caught up in
0 Structure, the item is broken into several pieces and no an area effect attack may immediately dive for the nearest

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cover (if there is any) as an instinctive response without Any attacks against her are penalised by additional black
spending an action. This requires an Average Dexterity + dice as per the cover table (below). You can make use of
Athletics roll. cover during a melee combat too, but because you are
fighting around the cover (rather than crouched behind
it taking the odd shot) you dont get as much protection.
However, if the cover is too large, the Gamesmaster may
add a penalty for the cover getting in your way.

Ranged Melee
Cover Modifier Modifier
Cover from the feet 3 black dice 0 black dice
to the waist (or lying
prone)
Left or right side 6 black dice 3 black dice
covered, or cover from
the feet to the upper
chest
Cover from the feet to 9 black dice 6 black dice
the neck

If the attack is from an area effect weapon, the cover

provides an Armour Value against the damage instead
and is the same value as the ranged modifier. This Armour
Value can also be used against attacks that attempt to
destroy the cover.

The adventurer dives as far as she would usually be capable

of in a horizontal leap (see Movement, p.161), with an extra Special Melee Combat Situations
+1 yard for each success. If this is enough to reach cover,
she is protected; if not, she is exposed to the full effects of Grappling and Entangling
the attack. It is up to the Gamesmaster how much cover Sometimes, you may wish to hold or pin your opponent
is available, and the protection it provides. However, rather than actually damage them. Having said that, when
sometimes just lying on the ground can save your life. you have got your hands on someone, there are plenty of
damaging things you can do to them!
The adventurer is prone afterwards, whether the roll was
successful or not. Anyone the adventurer is engaged in Grappling
fighting can attack them as if they are disengaging from To grapple an opponent, you make an attack roll using
combat, but not if they are diving for cover themselves. Dexterity + Fisticuffs. If you succeed then instead of doing
Trying to take a swing at the hero as the room erupts in damage, you have grappled your opponent. She is now
flame is never a good idea. held; she can take no actions unless she escapes the grapple.
For every round thereafter you may choose to make a crush
Static Cover action, doing 1+ Strength dice damage to her. While you
Smart adventurers do not just stand about waiting to get have to roll to see how much damage you do, you need not
shot. They move towards cover and fight back from there, make a new attack roll. Once you have her at your mercy,
or at least hit the dirt. An adventurer behind cover is harder she is held until she can break free.
to target than adventurers who are out in the open.

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Escaping a Grapple dice, she can break the entanglement. Unfortunately, she
If you are currently being grappled, you may escape the must break the entire entanglement or nothing, and not
opponents hold by making a Strength + Fisticuffs roll defending herself for even 1 round of combat could be the
against their Strength + Fisticuffs. Whoever gets the most last thing she does.
successes either keeps or breaks the grapple. Should the
person being grappled get over 5 successes more than the Example: Catrina attacks Felicity with an entangling whip.
grappler, they have reversed the grapple, and now hold Catrina has a Dexterity + Specialist Weapon (whip) dice pool
their opponent! Resisting or maintaining a grapple counts of 8, and Felicity (attempting to ward her off with a knife) has a
as an action for both participants. If the grappler (rather Dexterity + Swordplay dice pool of 4. Catrina rolls 6 successes
than the person being grappled) does not spend an action and Felicity rolls only 2. So with Catrinas entangling attack
to maintain the grapple, it is automatically released. successful, Felicity suffers a penalty of 4 black dice on all her actions
until she can free herself, which will take 2 continuous rounds.
Choking
If you have successfully grappled an opponent, you may Partial Grapple
attempt to choke them. This almost always requires both There are times when you just want to keep an opponent
hands, unless you are attacking a creature much smaller from running so that you can keep attacking her while
than yourself (e.g. an Ogre choking almost any other hopefully keeping her from defending herself. In this case,
sapient). A choke attack is the same as a crush action and, you would attempt a partial grapple. A partial grapple is
if the grapple is maintained, it requires no other roll to resolved in the same manner as a regular grapple, except
have an effect. If you declare a choke attack, then you that a success only pins one limb (usually the arm holding a
do half the damage you would normally do with a crush weapon, although grabbing an opponents ankle while you
attack. are prone works just as well). The target may not flee unless
she frees herself from the grapple.
The victim must make a Resolve + Fortitude roll, with a
cumulative black die penalty for every point of damage Both the grappler and the target may attack each other
they have received from the choke attack. If they do not normally while a limb is grappled, but the target may not
score at least 1 success, they will fall unconscious. If the use a weapon that is held in a pinned limb, nor may she
choke is broken, the number of black dice accumulated transfer the weapon to his free hand (although she may draw
is halved for each round the choke is broken, until the another weapon; off-hand penalties apply). A grappler can
grapple is broken or choking resumes. The black dice that always turn a partial grapple into a full grapple by making
accumulate also apply to any attempt to escape or break Strength + Fisticuffs roll against the targets Strength +
the grapple, making it harder to escape as you lose your Fisticuffs roll. The target adds 3 black dice to his roll since
breath. she is partially grappled.

Entangling
Similar to a grapple attack is an entangle attack. An entangle Other Special Melee Manoeuvres
attack works almost the same as a grapple, except that you Once players are familiar with the standard rules, the
use a flexible weapon such as a whip, net, chain, or flail. Gamesmaster may permit the use of the following, purely
The first advantage of using an entangling weapon is that optional, special attacks.
you suffer no penalty for being unarmed if the opponent
has a weapon. Attacking with the weapon is exactly the Beat
same as a normal attack. If you win, you do a small amount You smash your opponents weapon off-line with your
of damage (applied as usual for the weapon) and entangle own, with the intention that her next attack or parry will be
your opponent. ineffective. You make an attack roll as usual, using Strength
instead of Dexterity. If one of you is using a one-handed
However, an opponent entangled by a weapon is not weapon and the other a two-handed weapon, the wielder
instantly immobilised. Instead, she suffers a black dice of the one-handed weapon takes 6 black dice on the roll. If
penalty on all actions. This penalty is equal to the successes you get more successes than the opponent, you do not do
that the attacker beat the defence roll by. The target of an any damage; instead, you note down how many successes
entangling weapon can free herself quite easily, given time. you beat her by. These are applied as a black dice penalty to
If she foregoes all actions for one round for every 3 black the opponent on the next combat round.

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Charge Should the defender win, then the face slap attack fails; the
A charge attack combines movement at anything up to the target simply manages to dodge out of the way. However,
adventurers full running speed with an attack against the if the target can score 5 successes more than the attacker he
enemy contacted at the end of that movement. The adventurer can actually catch the ladys hand as she strikes. The cad
must be able to close the distance between them and their can then either kiss it or cast it away as he sees fit.
opponent within a combat round, using their running speed.
If she can, she engages her opponent at the end of the round Striking to Stun
and suffers 6 black dice to her attack roll. However, she gains There are plenty of times you will want to knock someone
+3 dice to her damage roll should her hit strike home. out rather than actually wound them. Stunning attacks can
only be made with blunt weapons, although the butt of a
Disarm rifle or the hilt of a sword is just as useful as a cosh.
Rather than damage an opponent, the adventurer may
attempt to disarm her. The adventurer must be within melee Striking to stun an opponent is much harder than just
combat range (including an opponent holding a firearm) and trying to damage her, as you need to attack a vital area (like
her opponent must be holding the weapon one-handed. If the the back of the neck), so such an attack suffers an additional
adventurer succeeds, then the adventurer and the opponent 6 black dice penalty. Other than that, the normal rules of
make opposed Strength rolls. The adventurer may add her combat apply, so its best to attack when you have the
additional successes to this roll. If the adventurer succeeds element of surprise.
then the opponent is disarmed and her weapon lands 1 yard
away per success on the opposed Strength roll. If the attack is a success, you do damage as usual. However,
in addition, the target must make a Resolve + Fortitude
Slapping a Cad in the Face roll to remain conscious. She suffers a black dice penalty
There will probably come a time when a lady may be forced to this roll equal to the amount of damage that was done
to strike a gentleman. On occasion, ladies may do this to each in the attack. If she should fail the roll, she is knocked out
other, and a man might use such a manoeuvre to challenge for as long as the Gamesmaster thinks is appropriate. If she
another to a duel or to chastise a servant. The attack does should roll a Foul Failure, she may be placed in a coma.
little damage but can stun and confuse an opponent briefly,
as well as embarrass them in a social situation. You must be Tripping
within arms reach, for obvious reasons. When you make a While not very sporting, a trip attack can force an attacker
slap attack, you roll Dexterity + Fisticuffs with a bonus of to fall to the ground. Trip attacks work best with an element
+4 dice; your opponent rolls Dexterity + Empathy to defend of surprise and many a lady has surreptitiously aided her
himself. gentleman escort by tripping a passing ruffian.

The attack is so quick, reflexes alone are rarely able to The attacker must make a Dexterity + Fisticuffs roll
defend against it and you have to know it is coming. If the (although another weapon skill may be used if a weapon
attacker wins, she slaps the face of her target and inflicts a or object is actually being used to trip the target). A single
single Health pip of damage. However, anyone struck in success sends the target to the ground and she must make
such a way suffers a black dice penalty to all actions of the a Difficult Dexterity check to keep anything held in her
number of successes their defence roll was beaten by for the hands.
next round, and half that penalty for the round after that.
By the third round, the effect has passed.
Ranged Combat Complications
Example: Evangeline feels the need to teach the odious Lord
Merrifield a lesson and strikes him. She rolls her Dexterity + Weapon Ranges
Fisticuffs +4 for a total of 8 dice, 4 of which are successes. Lord All ranged weapons become less accurate the further away
Merrifield rolls only 1 success to defend himself. The cad is struck, you are. The person using the weapon is less accurate too!
suffering a Health pip of damage and a penalty of 3 black dice on So, the Gamesmaster should impose black dice for the
his actions for the next round. His face is still sore the round after range the weapon is being fired at, as well as any other
that, as he suffers a single black die penalty (half of 3 rounded factors. Use the table below to establish a base difficulty for
down), but after that he is fine, apart from the embarrassment he the attack and then adjust it for whatever other factors are
suffered at Evangelines hands. present as usual.

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 VICTORIANA

D ifficu lt y T h resholds for R a nge , by W eapon

Pistol, Shotgun, Carbine, Bow, Sling,
Range Rifle or Musket
or Thrown Object or Crossbow
Point Blank (up to 4 yards) Average Average Difficult

Close Difficult (up to 8 yards) Difficult (up to 10 yards) Average (up to 10 yards)

Very Difficult Very Difficult

Medium Difficult (up to 50 yards)
(up to 12 yards) (up to 50 yards)
Long (up to listed range of weapon) Incredibly Difficult Incredibly Difficult Very Difficult
Extreme (up to 1 . 5 times listed range
Extremely Difficult Extremely Difficult Incredibly Difficult
of weapon)

Firing into Melee shotguns), adding an additional +1 die each round. If you
You might choose to really pick on someone in a fight and are hit while aiming, you must make a Wits + Concentration
shoot at them from a distance while they are engaged in roll. The number of successes you score on that roll is the
melee combat. The Gamesmaster might rule you do not number of acquired aiming dice you may keep should you
have a clear shot, and thats the end of that. However, if continue to aim or take your shot. If you change targets
your attack is possible and your target is unaware of your or stop aiming for one round without firing, you lose any
attack, you can roll as if you had surprise, although you accumulated aiming bonus.
suffer an additional 3 black dice penalty to your roll for
each other person they are fighting (as they are likely to get Spread
in the way of your shot and, even if you dont care if you Weapons such as shotguns and blunderbusses fire a number
hit them, they are not what you are aiming at). Should your of pellets or shot, rather than a single projectile. This makes
roll miss by a small margin, the Gamesmaster may rule you them very damaging as well as accurate, though they tend
have hit someone else in the area. to be ineffective against armour.

Rate of Fire For simplicitys sake, rather than going into detail about
Despite your adventurers ability to take multiple actions, ammunition types etc., the Heresy Engine rules assume that
your weapon may not be able to keep up with you. All each such weapon may be loaded and fired with either a
ranged weapons are listed with a rate of fire (ROF). This is spread load (reflecting large numbers of small projectiles,
the maximum number of shots that can be fired or loosed in and using the spread special attack explained below) or a
one combat round, regardless of the number of actions an normal load (reflecting a small number of large projectiles,
adventurer may take (the Double Tap talent increases the possibly even a single solid slug, and using the standard
ROF by 1). ranged combat rules).

The weapons owner must decide what load the weapon

Other Special Ranged Manoeuvres will hold, and in what order in the case of a weapon holding
Some of the following special attacks can be made with any some spread and some normal loads. However, most
(or almost any) ranged weapon. weapons of this type (such as a blunderbuss) can hold only
one shot anyway, making things a little simpler.
Aiming
You may aim for a full round (not just an action) to gain Example: A new design multi-barrel shotgun holding 5 shots
+1 die to your next shot, so long as you can see the target could be loaded with S, N, S, S, N, so that the first shot fired
throughout. You may continue to do this for as many spreads, followed by a normal shot, two more spreads, and finally
rounds as you have dice in the relevant weapon skill (or another normal shot. However, remember that once loaded the
half as many dice, rounded down, in the case of pistols and weapon must be fired or reloaded to change the type of ammo!

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If an adventurer wishes instead to push on through the

Spread Attack suppressive fire zone, she can do so. She may either accept
being hit by one bullet, or spend a Scripting Die to luckily
Damage evade it entirely. If only one adventurer is targeted by a
Range Targets Affected
Penalty suppressive fire weapon, you make an attack roll as normal
Point Blank None One Target but roll 2D to see how many bullets hit the target. You can
apply the damage individually or just move straight to the
Close -1 die All targets w/n 1 metre Death and Dying section of this chapter below.
diameter
All targets w/n 2 metres Throwing
Medium -2 dice diameter Various objects can be thrown using Dexterity + Throwing
All targets w/n 2 metres skill. Thrown weapons follow the usual rules for ranged
Long -4 dice diameter weapons, except as follows.

Extreme Ineffective N/A The Weapons Table in Book II gives maximum ranges for
Armour of any kind gets +2 points against any spread attack. various objects; these ranges are raised by 2 yards for each
die of the throwers Strength. A thrown object which misses
its target will still land somewhere. The thrown object
deviates from the target by 2 x failure number (how much
Suppressive Fire you failed the target number by) in yards. Determine the
Suppressive fire weapons have a magazine or belt of direction it missed by rolling one die on the Missed Throws
ammunition that reloads the weapon automatically. They fire table.
continuously as long as a hand crank is turned or, for more
advanced marvels, the trigger remains pressed. Suppressive
fire weapons have a suppressive fire rating (SF rating), which Roll 1D Missed Throws
is both the maximum number of bullets that can be fired in a 1 Overshot the target
round and the maximum area affected. Suppressive fire isnt 2 Off to the right and overshot
especially accurate against a single target, but pretty much 3 Off to the right and undershot
anyone and anything in the area is likely to get hit. 4 Undershot the target
5 Off to the left and undershot
Decide on a target area. This is a square up to the SF rating 6 Off to the left and overshot
in yards. For example, a weapon with an SF rating of 20 can
affect a 20 x 20 yard square. Up to 20 targets within that area
can be hit, and 20 bullets are fired. You can always attack a
smaller area if desired, e.g. with the same SF rating of 20, you Volley Fire
could instead choose to attack a 15 x 15 yard square and use Some weapons, such as shotguns, have two or even more
15 bullets. barrels, each with its own ammunition and firing mechanism.
These can be fired separately, in which case the standard
To use suppressive fire, you make a Dexterity + Weapon ranged combat rules apply. Alternatively, they can be used
Skill roll. This is one difficulty category easier than an attack for volley fire as follows.
with the weapon would usually be at the same range. As
long as you get at least one success, you have affected the You may fire up to as many barrels as are loaded as a single
chosen area. A failure indicates that you shot too high or action, but they are all fired against a single target. You roll
otherwise somehow managed to miss. to attack as normal; if you hit, then you treat each bullet as
a separate hit. Armour protects against each bullet. If using
Any adventurer within the target area may immediately the optional hitting at random rule, then it is possible that
attempt to dive for cover (see p.164). A failure indicates the some bullets may bypass the armour. The recoil for firing
adventurer has been hit with one bullet. They take damage, more than one barrel is significant, and you must make
which is calculated as usual from the attackers roll and the a Difficult Strength + Firearms roll with 3 black dice per
weapons base damage. barrel fired, or else be knocked prone immediately after
making your attack.

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 VICTORIANA

Example: Rubbish Roy fires both barrels of a double-barrelled their Fortitude dice. A typical starting adventurer will
shotgun at Detective Norris. Rubbish Roy gets 3 successes to probably have 4-8 Health pips. Health pips were calculated
Detective Norris 2 on the Dodge roll, so both shots hit with +1 during adventurer generation.
damage (for beating Detective Norris by one). Rubbish Roy rolls
12 dice for each shot and gets 6 and 9 successes respectively, with Taking damage represents a physical injury one or two
the +1 adjusting them to 7 and 10. Luckily, Detective Norris is points might be nothing but bruises, or nasty cuts that will
wearing a Lined Coat, which reduces the damage to 2 and 5, or 7 heal on their own in time. Large amounts of damage, on the
pips total. The Detective is in bad shape, but alive, and Rubbish other hand, represent serious injury that can maim or kill.
Roy is out of ammunition.
Bruise Damage
Area Effect Attacks Getting hit with blunt objects (fists, chairs, truncheons)
Any damaging or deleterious effect that works on all the is more likely to result in unconsciousness than death,
adventurers and objects within a certain area is an area so some weapons can be assumed to do bruise damage
effect attack. This includes explosions, noxious gases, instead. The amount of damage you take is just the same,
earthquakes, etc. All adventurers within the area of effect but losing all your Health to bruise damage renders you
may immediately dive for cover (see above) to reduce or unconscious rather than kills you. Bruise damage also heals
avoid the damage. a lot quicker, as well see in Dramatic Systems: Medicine
and Recovery.
In general, area effect weapons that blast out from a central
point (such as explosions) do reduced damage the further Damage Penalties
out from the centre a target is. The precise reduction is When you run out of Health pips, all is not lost. You can
dependent on the size of the explosive. Some examples are continue to take damage on four additional reserve Health
given below: dice (marked in grey on the adventurer sheet), but by this
point you are so badly injured there is a black dice penalty
to your dice pool for any and all actions you make. The
Explosion Distance from centre penalty itself depends on which of these reserve Health
for each -1 damage die dice you have got down to: -2, -4, -8 or -16. Youll also be
feeling the effects of shock and blood loss, and your body is
1 Overshot the target trying to shut down and heal. So, each round, you must roll
2 Off to the right and overshot Resolve + Fortitude and score at least 1 success to remain
3 Off to the right and undershot conscious.
4 Undershot the target
5 Off to the left and undershot If you fail and pass out, you may continue to make Resolve
6 Off to the left and overshot + Fortitude rolls to try and regain consciousness, as long as
you still have some reserve Health left. After all, you might
fail the roll one round and wake up the next, dropping
in and out of consciousness as your wounds affect you.
Example: A grenade explodes 7 yards away from Ezekiel Waking up and re-joining the combat costs you your action
Hornblower. Usually a grenade deals 8 damage dice, but in this for the round, so you need to remain awake for a second
case the damage against Hornblower is reduced to 5 (-1 per full round if you want to try and land a blow.
2 yards away).
Example: Algernon is so hurt he has marked off pips on the -4
shaded dice. With a Dexterity of 2 and a Swordplay of 6 he can
Damage and Injury continue to fight, but he now rolls 4 extra black dice with each
Now weve tackled how to dish it out, its probably time roll. Things look bad for him; his body is telling him to lie down
to talk a bit more about how to take it: damage, that is. and take a rest. It does this by forcing him to make a Resolve +
As weve already alluded to, in Victoriana all things have Fortitude roll each round. With 2 in each Attribute he has a good
Health of some kind; pips that represent how much lethal chance of getting a success. He must roll 4 black dice against his
damage they can withstand. Generally, an adventurer can dice pool of 4 each round in order to remain standing, though - we
take as much lethal damage as she has Health pips (see dont expect him to remain conscious for long.
below). All adventurers have 2 dice of Health (4 pips) +

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Permanent Injury rest, the wound itself cannot. An adventurer can avoid
While the loss of Health dice generally reflects the permanent injury by using a Scripting Die.
accumulated beating an adventurer takes, truly devastating
wounds might have a lasting effect. Combat is a good way An adventurer with a permanent injury gains a
to lose an eye, or even an arm. Generally, this only happens corresponding Complication (e.g. a nasty visible scar would
when using blades. Blunt weapons and fists tend to break garner a Distinctive Features complication). The adventurer
bones and bruise a lot but rarely do permanent damage. The gains no character points or experience from this acquisition,
hurt from getting shot with a single bullet is also temporary but she can accumulate Fate Points normally for having it.
as long as you remain alive. However, a shotgun at close An adventurer who wishes to remove the complication
range can destroy a hand, and even a single bullet can slice should consult an artificer for a clockwork replacement.
off a finger.
Death and Dying
If an adventure takes an amount of Health dice in damage When you run out of shaded reserve dice, you really are in
equal to their Fortitude in a single attack, then the trouble. Your adventurer passes out no matter what you roll;
adventurer is at risk of permanent injury. The adventurer their body has had enough and just shuts down. However,
must make a Dexterity + Fortitude roll with a number of they are more than just unconscious, they are dying. When
black dice equal to the number of points of damage over her an adventurer reaches zero Health, she has only her Resolve
Fortitude dice. If the adventurer gets a Foul Failure then she + Fortitude dice in rounds in which prompt medical attention
suffers a permanent injury. can bring her back from the brink. Anyone may attend to the
adventurer and roll Wits + Medicine to attempt to keep them
Example: Lord Carlton has a Fortitude of 2, equating to 2 Health alive; if they dont have the Medicine skill, they may still roll
dice. He takes 8 points of damage from an aetheric bolt; as this their Wits. They cannot actually heal the adventurer, but
is 4 points over his Fortitude dice (2 Health dice = 4 pips), Lord they can stop death claiming them. As many adventurers as
Carlton must now make a Dexterity + Fortitude roll with 4 black you like can attempt to heal a dying adventurer within those
dice. precious final rounds after they lose their Health; however,
only one person per round can make the attempt.
The nature of the permanent wound is, again, up to the
Gamesmaster. The adventurer might lose an eye or an If no one can stop the adventurer dying during the allotted
ear, or possibly a hand or leg, depending on the weapon time, the adventurer expires.
used. However, the Gamesmaster could rule that a nasty
scar is the result rather than actually cutting anything off, However, if the dying adventurer or one of their attendants
especially if the Foul Failure is by only one black die. While can spend a Scripting Die, a quirk of fate can save them
the adventurers Health pips can be fully replenished with at the last moment. Maybe her sodden shirt staunched the

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wound, or her corset gave her the support she needed to If there is time to make more complete repairs, such as after
keep breathing. Perhaps the wound was just not as bad combat, an adventurer with an appropriate Engineer skill
as it first appeared. The adventurer still needs immediate can make a Wits + Engineer roll. Each success returns one
medical attention but, barring further injury, they will live. Health pip. The repair takes 10 minutes per pip of Health
restored, and can be repeated every ten minutes until repair
Death & Back Again - Recovery is complete. The difficulty of the roll depends on what
Once out of the stress of combat, healing is a little easier; equipment is available:
however, it is a slow process. When you have been
wounded, you may seek medical attention; if someone with
the Medicine skill is at hand, they can easily provide this.
They make a Wits + Medicine roll (if the patient is in no
Type of healing difficulty level
danger of death) and each success they get restores 1 Health Easy (no black dice,
Fully-equipped work shop
pip to the patient. If this doesnt replenish their reserve +5 to Dice Pool)
Health dice, they remain unconscious. However, after a With toolkit Normal (no black dice)
good nights sleep, they awaken with all the reserve dice
plus 1 Health pip restored. Using improvised tools Difficult (3 black dice)
and materials
For this roll, the tools and resources available to the
physician affect the difficulty. If the injured adventurer is
brought to a hospital, the difficulty is Average, or maybe If the repairer does not have the necessary spare parts
even Easy. However, a doctor tearing bandages from an then she can make do, but can never repair more than
injured mans shirt in the street with none of his medical half the machines total Health pips. If the repairer gets a
instruments may find the task Difficult at the very least. Foul Failure on a repair roll using improvised tools and
materials, no further repairs can be made in that way. The
Once a wound has had medical attention, the rest must repairer must source the proper tools and materials before
be left to nature. If an adventurer rests under a doctors more repairs can take place (for adventurers, this probably
supervision, she regains 1 Health pip every 2 days. If the means a trip to the scrapyard).
adventurer remains too active or ignores medical advice,
the Gamesmaster is free to reduce this amount to 1 pip a Crew help in repairs: The person making the repairs can
week or even none at all. In fact, the Gamesmaster can take get together a damage control party. For each crew member
away healed Health pips if she feels an injured adventurer (up to a maximum of 10), she can add a die to her Ad-hoc
is overexerting themselves and reopening old wounds. The Repair roll.
Gamesmaster may allow adventurers with a high Fortitude
(at least 4 or above) to heal a little more quickly, gaining an Chases and Driving
extra Health pip for each week of rest. Chases are an excellent tool for drama, and so deserve a
little attention in their own right. A chase begins when
Combat deals out injury easily, but healing is a slow process one party flees and another party then pursues. A chase
unless you can afford the services of a hermeticist. might involve participants on foot, horseback, in coaches,
on wyverns, using magical flight, or even steam engines.
Repairing Machines Exact distances arent as important as tracking the relative
Repairing a machine, whether it is a clockwork limb, distances between participants.
automaton, or vehicle, is very similar to healing a flesh
and blood being. Anyone can attempt to hold a machine When a chase ensues, the first thing to determine is the
together with a Wits + Ad-hoc Repair roll at a 3 black distance between the participants from the Chase Scene
dice penalty; each success restores one Health pip to the Distance Table below. As youd expect, the Gamesmaster
machine. With a Foul Failure, the attempted repairs cause decides this. As the participants conduct the chase, they
even more damage, equal to the number of successes rolled will move between these distance bands until either the
on the black dice. Once a machine is operational (has at target is caught, or the pursuer is lost.
least l Health pip), then no further Ad-hoc Repairs can be
made. Holding machines together with whats at hand can Once the starting distance is determined, a chase runs in 3
only go so far. second rounds, as for a combat. We assume that participants

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will be running/riding/driving as their default action, There are other ways for a chase to finish: its possible
and each round the participants roll to see if either party for a chase to be cut short due to injury. For example, if
has gained ground. While plenty of chases begin and end participants take multiple actions in order to take pot-shots
in combat, once the chase begins the participants will at the opposition, then wounds might slow a character or
quickly be gone from the battle scene. This makes their even cause them to surrender. The Gamesmaster may also
initiative and the like unimportant, even though they are grant a bonus if one of the chasers knows the area well and
still working in the same time frame (rounds) as anyone can take quick turns or double back to confuse a pursuer.
in combat. Participants may indulge in multiple actions if
they choose (such as shooting at their prey/pursuer) and The Gamesmaster should also keep in mind that some
the multiple action rules apply to their chase roll, as well as chases can end through the wit of the prey: if you are on
any other actions they make. foot being chased by a coach, ducking down a thin alleyway
is a good way to lose your pursuer. However, in such a case
When people are chasing each other, they need to make the pursuers can continue to chase on foot with the loss of
opposed skill rolls to see who can close or gain ground. one or two distance brackets.
Which skills and attributes are used is determined by the
mode of transport each of the participants is using. What
makes these rolls a little different is that you can add the
appropriate speed of your mode of transport (usually your Chase Scene Distance Table
running speed or the vehicles speed) to your roll. This
means someone in a coach is going to have a big advantage Example
Distance Definition
over a pursuer on foot! Circumstance
Rolling in the
Compare the rolls of both parties; if either party has beaten
> 0 yds In Melee combat
dirt
the others roll by 6 or more, they gain a distance bracket Side by Side > 4 yds In Conversation
in their favour. When the distance bracket has closed to
rolling in the dirt, the pursuer may choose to tackle the Close by > 10 yds Across the Street
target (or jump onto the coach, etc.) and does just that with Far ahead > 20 yds Next Street
a melee attack using the grapple rules; once this is done
the chase is over. If the target of the chase wins out enough Several Streets
Lost em > 30 yds
distance brackets to end up in the Lost em category, then away
she has successfully lost all pursuit.

Common Chase Dice Pools

Participants on foot roll : Common Speeds
Running Distance + Dexterity + Athletics skill For marvels, each mile per hour of speed grants a die for
the dice pool, so an ornithopter would grant 30 dice.
Participants riding beasts roll :
Steeds Running or Flying Distance + Dexterity + Riding Steam Traction Engine 10
skill Average Man (Dex 1) 18 (running)
Average Policeman 22 (they have a lot of practice!)
Participants in Coaches roll : Horse 25 (Trot) 50 (Gallop)
Vehicles Speed + Wits + Relevant Vehicle skill Carriage 25
Hansom Cab 30
For other types of chase the Gamemaster can be creative, Average Roller Skater 36
inventing a Flight skill for magical chases through the air Steam Train 60
perhaps. Wyvern (Flying) 100

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 VICTORIANA

~ D ramatic S ystems ~
the process of orally describing it rather than the instant
eye-brain data collection of physically seeing the street.

Not all scenes involve combat or chases. An adventurer The examples above show how game events can pass
may have to navigate a social ball to acquire information, quicker than the real time describing of them. This is
or check for traps in an ancient temple ruin. She may have not always the case; by the same process, an eight week
to fight her way through the flames devouring a falling Atlantic voyage can be summed up as the voyage across
aerostat, or fight off the effects of a poisoned dart. These the Atlantic passes without problem and you arrive safely
situations, whilst not combat, are certainly dramatic and in New York, taking only seconds of real time. In game,
such rules are covered here. time is important for tracking the progress of actions or
processes; other than that, hand-wave it!

The Passing of Time

Gamesmasters typically mix scales of movement and time. The Environment
As weve seen, a fight happens in rounds of approximately Guns and swords arent the only things that can hurt
3 seconds each, with participants acting in strict initiative you. The world is full of potential dangers: falls, illness,
order. A combat with several participants may be resolved drowning, being hit by lightning, shock, poison/drugs,
in a few turns, about 12 seconds; the same combat might burns, disease & asphyxiation. All of these come under
take up to 20 minutes of real time to play through. the heading of the environment. These environmental
effects harm you through accumulation; shock and poison
Its quite rare for game time and real time to pass at the by continual damage to your body or will, asphyxiation
same rate; indeed it may be impossible. If you were to walk through continuous lack of air.
down a road looking for the mad beggar who attacked
you, the process would be fairly swift. Visual data is sent Electricity and Fire
immediately to the brain and the mind acts on that data: Electricity and fire are always ranked by the intensity of the
the beggar is found or not. For an adventurer to do the effect (which is the Gamesmasters decision), with damage
same thing, the player states the intention to search for the occurring each round you are exposed to the source. The
beggar. She rolls dice to stalk stealthily between the other intensity table gives some example damages, and these
pedestrians and for her adventurers attempts to scrutinise dice are rolled versus an adventurers Fortitude dice. Any
the crowd for the beggars face, which all takes time. In successes that are not negated by an adventurers Fortitude
short, the search takes significantly longer simply due to dice are applied as points of damage. If an adventurer has a

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negative Fortitude, then not only does she not have dice to When Goodwin attempts to poison his mistress so he can steal
roll, but the intensity is increased by an amount equal to the her fortune, he uses arsenic. Just in case one dose isnt enough, he
adventurers negative Attribute. doubles it, making the potency 16.

Also, no matter what you roll, exposure to any of these Faversham is experimenting with heroin, so he takes a half dose,
dangers for a single round will do a minimum of 1 Health reducing its usual potency of 8 to 4.
pip of damage.
All drugs are listed with an initial onset and duration. Initial
onset dictates how rapidly the drug affects the adventurer,
Fire Electricity Intensity (dice) and the duration dictates how long the effects will last
before the drug has run its course.
Wood fire Battery 1-2
It is possible to make an effort of will and suppress some of
Gas fire Generator 3-6 the effects of a drug or poison. Suppressing a physical effect
requires a Fortitude roll, while suppressing a mental effect
Chemical Lightning 7-12 requires a Resolve roll. Each attempt takes one round. You
inferno bolt keep track of the successes gained during these rolls; when
you have achieved as many successes as the drugs virility,
you may ignore one of the effects of the drug (your choice)
for one round, except for damage to Health pips.
Poisons & Drugs
These are ranked by the power of the drug or poison. The
damage effects from poisons and drugs do not necessarily
occur each round; some take much longer to take hold. A Alternative Drinking Rules
drug or poison need not be fatal; anaesthesia and narcotics Given most players insistence on investigating in bars,
also work by accumulation. you may like to use a simpler set of rules for getting
them drunk. Instead of using the poison rules, you can
To represent the effects of drugs and poisons, you should use this system instead:
roll Fortitude versus the drugs potency upon initial contact.
Regardless of whether you pass or fail this contested roll, Each time an adventurer has a drink, they must make a
the drug takes effect; however, the result may significantly Fortitude roll. If they gain at least 2 successes, the alcohol
reduce (or accelerate) the drugs actions. If you rolled at has no effect. Should they fail to get the required 2
least one more success than the drugs potency, all the successes they move up one step on the Drinking Table
effects from the Description (Fortitude Success) column below. Each drink they have adds black dice to their
are applied to you; if not, apply the effects from the Fortitude roll. Light alcohol such as beer adds 1 black
Description (Failed Fortitude) column instead. die, wine and spirits add 2 black dice, and anything
stronger (absinthe, cheap gin) adds 3. This total of black
Its possible that in the instance of administering a narcotic dice is only reduced if the adventurer stops drinking,
(or even a poison) to another, you may wish to use a higher and only then at 1 black die for each hour they dont
dosage to ensure oblivion or death. Narcotics are listed with have a drink.
a potency that is typical of a single dose. Should a user take
more than one dose, either multiply appropriately or, for Should an adventurer stop drinking, they will slip back
situations in which doses are taken separately rather than down the drinking table as they sober up. Each hour
in combination (as is typical with alcohol, for example), they refrain from alcohol (including the ones they are
apply each one cumulatively. The same applies in reverse sleeping through) they make a Fortitude roll. If they
for reducing the dosage of a drug. gain 2 successes, they move a step down the Drinking
table until they are sober. If you have the Talent Drink s
Example: Ben is having a drink at his local. Alcohol has a potency Like a Fish, you can halve the amount of black dice you
of 2, so after a pint of their ale, he makes a Fortitude roll against should be rolling at any stage.
that potency. However, if he has another pint, he must make a roll
against a potency of 4; after another the potency is 6, and so on.

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Drinking Table
Note that the effects of each level still apply when the drinker moves up to a higher step on the table.
Step Inebriation Level Effect

1 Tipsy You are having a good time*. You suffer a black dice penalty equal to the step number you are on
to any roll to resist having another drink.

2 Merry Everything is funny* to you. Make a Resolve roll not to laugh at anything anyone says to you. You
suffer a black dice penalty to this roll equal to the step number you are on minus 1.
You balance just went. Suffer a black dice penalty to all physical actions equal to the step number
3 Brahms and Liszt
you are on minus 2
You are having trouble thinking. Suffer a black dice penalty to all mental actions equal to the step
4 Bladdered
number you are on minus 2
5 Legless The world is starting to spin and become very vague. Add 6 black dice to all rolls.
6 Plastered You are only just capable of basic thought. Add 13 black dice to all rolls
7 Paralytic Adventurer passes out until they can drop back to step 6

*some drunk s are maudlin and irritable rather than overly cheerful. The Gamesmaster may decide that instead of being happy, you are
feeling miserable and drink more to (unsuccessfully) try and cheer up. This state moves onto feeling that people are being insulting rather
than funny; thats how many pub brawls get started.

Poison and Drug Table

Description
Initial Description (FAILED
Drug/Poison Potency Vector Duration Virility (Fortitude
Onset Fortitude)
Success)
Alcohol 2 Ingested 20 minutes 1 . 5 hours 4 Relaxation, Relaxation, increased pain toler-
(1 pint beer increased pain ance, -1 Dexterity, -1 Resolve;
/large glass of tolerance incapacitation (unconsciousness)
wine if 4 or more doses cause failed
/double spirits)
Fortitude rolls
Arsenic 8 Ingested Hours 6 hours 15 Nausea Vomiting, incapacitation (coma),
-2 Health pips/potency/hour
Belladonna 4 Ingested 1 hour 18 hours 10 Loss of voice, Loss of voice, hallucinations,
hallucinations incapacitation (coma), -2 Health
pips/potency/hour
Choral Hydrate 5 Ingested 30 minutes 6 hours 12 -1 Strength, -1 Strength, -1 Dexterity, -1 Re-
-1 Dexterity, solve, incapacitation (sleep)
-1 Resolve
Cocaine 6 Injected 1 round 30 minutes 10 Wakefulness, Wakefulness, rage, alertness
alertness
Heroin 8 Injected 1 round 4 hours 12 Increased pain Increased pain tolerance, inca-
tolerance pacitation (unconsciousness), -1
Health pip/potency
Laudanum 2 Ingested 30 minutes 6 hours 8 Relaxation, Relaxation, increased pain toler-
increased pain ance, hallucinations, -1 Dexterity,
tolerance, -1 Resolve; incapacitation (uncon-
hallucinations sciousness) if 3 or more doses
cause failed Fortitude rolls

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Morphine 4 Injected Minutes 5 hours 20 Increased pain Incapacitation (unconsciousness),

tolerance -1 Health pip/potency
Opium 2 Inhaled 5 minutes 4 hours 6 Relaxation, Relaxation, hallucinations, -1
hallucinations Resolve; incapacitation (uncon-
sciousness) if 2 or more doses
cause failed Fortitude rolls
Stonefish venom 5 Injected 1 round 6 hours 12 Incapacitation Incapacitation (paralysis), -3
(paralysis), Health pips/potency/hour, -1
-2 Health pips, Strength, -1 Dexterity
-1 Strength,
-1 Dexterity

-x Health pips/potency: The adventurer suffers x damage

for each potency level of the drug that was not matched by
a success on her Fortitude roll.

-x Health pips/potency/hour: As for -x Health Pips/

potency, except that the same damage is repeated one
hour after first being affected by the drug and every hour
thereafter; make a new Fortitude roll to resist it each time.

-1 (Attribute): The Attribute or Attributes named are

reduced by -1. This is cumulative with the effects of further
doses of the same drug, or with doses of other drugs, when
applicable.

Hallucinations*: Hallucinations are visions and, on occasion,

sounds of things that are not truly there. The adventurer
takes a 6 black dice penalty on all awareness rolls.

Incapacitation: The adventurer is unable to move, attack,

or defend herself. The specific reason for incapacitation is
listed in brackets, for example (sleep) or (unconsciousness).
This reason is given for descriptive flavour, but may
also have game effects if the Gamesmaster wishes. An
adventurer who is Incapacitated (paralysis), though unable
to move, attack, or defend, may be able to see and hear,
Drug and Poison Effects and even (perhaps with a Resolve roll) speak haltingly; an
The following effects apply while the adventurer is under adventurer who is Incapacitated (coma), on the other hand,
the influence of the drug. All effects end when the drugs will be unable to perform any action, and may even remain
duration ends, except for damage to Health pips. Damage in a comatose state after the expiry of the drugs other
to Health pips will have all the usual effects, up to and effects, unless medical attention is received.
including death. Effects marked with an asterisk (*) are
mental in nature, while all other effects are physical. Increased pain tolerance*: All wound penalties (see p.162)
are halved in effect (round down).
Alertness*: A +1 pool modifier gained on Perception rolls.
Nausea*: The adventurer is nauseous and prone to
-x Health pips: The adventurer is damaged by x amount vomiting; treat as per the Bad Humours Complication (see
of Health pips. p.129). An adventurer who already has the Bad Humours

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Complication is affected by an additional -2 pool modifier the disease and it is now dealt with using the process for
when resisting Bad Humours. poisons. If the adventurer succeeds at the Infectiousness roll,
or it is a draw (including no successes on both sides), then the
Rage*: The drug tends to send its users into a state of psychotic adventurer has not contracted the disease.
rage, as per the Complication of the same name (see p.133).
An adventurer who already has the Rage complication takes Finally, all illnesses are listed with a speed and lifespan. The
a 6 black dice penalty when resisting Rage. speed dictates how often damage rolls are made due to the
effects of the disease, and the lifespan dictates how many
Relaxation*: The adventurer is relaxed and happy. She damage rolls might be made before the disease has run its
takes a 3 black dice penalty on all Perception rolls. natural course. Damage rolls are made as Fortitude rolls
against the diseases potency. Damage to Health pips will
Wakefulness*: The adventurer is wide awake. She receives have all the usual effects, up to and including death. There
a +1 pool modifier on any attempt to resist sleeping (whether are two types of damage:
magical, drug-induced, natural, or otherwise), but takes a 6
black dice penalty on all Concentration rolls. -x Health pips: The adventurer is damaged by x amount of
Health pips, unless she gets at least as many successes as
Illness the diseases Potency.
This can take place over days, weeks or even months
(Gamesmasters choice). Illness always affects an -x Health pips/potency: The adventurer suffers x damage
adventurers health in some way, but the effects can be for each Potency level of the disease that was not matched
extremely varied. In game terms, suffering from a disease by a success on her Fortitude roll.
is very similar to the process used for drugs and poisons.
However, a disease needs to be contracted first. Disease Effects
The following effects apply while the adventurer is
Every disease has an Infectiousness rating; adventurers who affected by the disease. All effects end when the disease
are exposed to the disease must make a Fortitude roll against ends, except for damage to Health pips, although at the
this rating. If the adventurer fails this roll, she has contracted Gamesmasters discretion a particularly unpleasant illness

Illness Table
Speed &
Disease Infectivity Vector Effects Potency
Lifespan
Measles 3 Contact Daily (14) Congestion, headache, lethargy, sores 1
Contaminated
Cholera 3 Hourly (72) Diarrhoea, nausea, fever (30), dehydration 3
food or water
Contaminated
Dysentery 4 Hourly (72) Diarrhoea, dehydration, -1 Fortitude 2
food or water
Diarrhoea, sores, fever (20), headache,
Small Pox 6 Contact Daily (14) 5
nausea, bleeding, delirium, -1 Fortitude
Diphtheria 4 Contact Daily (7) Congestion, -1 Fortitude 3
Syphilis 4 Blood, intercourse Daily (forever) -1 Resolve, delirium 2
Consumption 2 Contact Daily (forever) Fever (10), coughing 5
Common Cold 4 Contact Daily (7) Congestion, headaches, lethargy, -1 Fortitude
Diarrhoea, sores, fever (30), headache, nausea,
Plague 5 Contact Daily (30) 3
coughing, bleeding, -1 Fortitude, -1 Dexterity
Daily (2), then
Bleeding, nausea, delirium, -2 Perception, -2
Ebola 8 Blood hourly (forever) 8
Resolve, -2 Fortitude, -2 Dexterity
thereafter

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may leave a permanent legacy (e.g. scars for smallpox or of successes reaches the number in brackets after the fever
plague, a mental Complication of some kinds for syphilis, etc.). entry, e.g. Fever (20), the fever has broken. An adventurer
who does not have care provided receives a 3 black dice
-1 (Attribute): The Attribute or Attributes named are penalty on all Fortitude rolls against the diseases potency.
reduced by -1. This is cumulative with the effects of further
damage from the same illness, when applicable. Headache: A constant headache gives the adventurer a 6
black dice penalty on all Concentration rolls.
Bleeding: The adventurer loses blood, either from sores
(where present) or from the eyes, mouth, nostrils, etc. Lethargy: The adventurer must attempt a Resolve roll
Unless care is taken to slow the blood loss, she takes a 3 (usually Average) to do anything other than lie abed. In the
black dice penalty to all Fortitude rolls. event of a failed roll, she may not attempt another roll for at
least two hours, unless circumstances change radically. In
Congestion: The adventurers nose is completely blocked. the event of immediate personal danger (combat, fire, etc.),
As well as the obvious discomfort, this renders the lethargy is temporarily cancelled, but it will set in again
adventurers sense of smell almost entirely useless. Scent- once the threat is over.
based Perception rolls are impossible, and other activities
in which scent might play a part (e.g. attempting to identify Nausea: The adventurer is nauseous and prone to
an unknown chemical) may also be penalised. vomiting; treat as per the Bad Humours Complication (see
p.129). An adventurer who already has the Bad Humours
Coughing: The adventurer coughs almost continuously, with Complication is affected by an additional 6 black dice
particularly severe coughing fits under conditions of extreme penalty when resisting Bad Humours.
physical exertion, such as combat. At the start of each combat
or similar exertion, she must make an Average Fortitude roll Sores: Sores may be buboes, pocks, scabs, or other painful
or take a 3 black dice penalty to all rolls during the combat. skin complaints that cover the whole body. Presence-
The Gamesmaster can also make you cough in awkward related rolls that rely at all on physical appearance will have
moments (such as when you are trying to hide) at any time a 6 black dice penalty. The Gamesmaster should consider
her whim decides. applying additional unpleasant effects to adventurers who
insist on wearing armour, or performing other activities
Delirium: The adventurer is almost completely mentally likely to aggravate the sores.
detached from reality, and may imagine she is in a
different place, talking with people who arent there, Asphyxiation & Drowning
etc. The adventurer takes a 6 black dice penalty on all Asphyxiation or drowning does 5 dice of damage per round.
Perception rolls, and a 6 black dice penalty on all other rolls. Sitting quietly, you can hold your breath up to 8 rounds for
Furthermore, she must succeed at an average Resolve roll every point of Fortitude. If activity such as swimming or
whenever she wishes to perform an action, or spend the running is required, this falls to 2 rounds per point.
round mumbling to herself instead.
Falling
Diarrhoea: The adventurer spends approximately 25% of For every yard (or part thereof) that an adventurer falls,
her waking time on the privy, usually needing to head to the adventurer takes two dice of damage; apply the dice
the smallest room at the least convenient moment. as a single damage roll upon contact with the ground. As a
simple benchmark, assume that each storey of a building is
Fever: An adventurer suffering from fever must be given 3 yards high. When an adventurer makes a leap, she may
constant care (mopping the brow, ice-packs, etc.). So long as roll Athletics to halve the damage done when landing; this
this unskilled but attentive care is provided, the sufferer may represents rolling or tumbling with impact.
attempt to accumulate successes to break the fever. Only
diseases that deal damage have a fever effect and, once the Example: Let us assume we are leaping from a building with 3
fever is broken, no more damage is dealt from that particular storeys: jumping from a ground floor window incurs no damage,
instance of the disease. Each time the adventurer rolls against but jumping from the 1st floor bedroom window incurs 6 dice,
the diseases potency in the hope of avoiding damage, add jumping from the 2nd floor incurs 12 dice, and jumping from the
up the total number of successes she gains (whether or not roof would incur 18 dice.
she avoids damage). When the total cumulative number

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Strength To Lift a: To Bend or Break To Throw a ball:

-3 and below Light bag of groceries Thick balsa wood 1 yd
-2 to -1 Heavy bag of groceries Thin ply board, silk 5 yds
0 Child, 2 heavy bags of groceries Wood boards 10 yds
1-2 Adult female Copper bar/pipe 20 yds
3-5 Adult male Wooden door 30 yds
6-9 Street vendors cart Iron bar 40 yds
10-11 Rowing boat Prison bars 60yds
12-13 Adult Ogre Steel bar 80 yds
14-15 Very fat adult Ogre Telegraph pole 100 yds
16-17 Horse Street lamps 200 yds
18-19 Hansom cab Reinforced door 400 yds
20+ Coach Hardened steel 600 yds

Lifting, Throwing and Feats of Strength dangerous compared to cuts and gouges. The Gamesmaster
One action that doesnt fall into the realm of the everyday may rule that a certain amount of your damage is actually
is a feat of strength. This is one place where reality must only bruise damage. This sort of wound results from a
compromise with fiction, as in reality there are no Ogres! All bare knuckle fight or a cosh. Essentially, any trauma from
adventurers can perform some feats of strength; just how a blunt weapon can be considered bruise damage. Bruise
impressive these are is based on the table below. Look up damage heals a lot faster than normal damage.
your adventurers Strength on the table; you can perform
the strength feats listed for (and below) your Strength with
no roll required. If you need to perform a feat of strength
beyond those your Strength score gives you, you need to
make a roll. Strength feat rolls are made using Strength +
Might skill, and you need twice as many successes as the
feat outstrips your actual Strength.

Example: Sir Larry has a Strength of 1. He can easily pick up his

child and can just manage to lift his wife. If he was to try to break
open a wooden door, he would have to gain 4 successes on a Strength
+ Might roll. On the other hand, Big Joe the Ogre has a Strength
of 6. He doesnt even think about lifting grown men off their feet,
and isnt overly concerned about lifting barrows or smashing
a wooden door! If Joe took it into his head to bend a prison bar in
half, hed need 20successes on a Strength + Might roll to do it with.

Medicine & Recovering

Whenever an adventurer is hit by a weapon, drowns, falls,
suffocates or otherwise falls foul of her environment, she
takes damage. We have had a look at healing from combat
injuries, but there are a few more things to take into account.

Bruise Recovery
If you get knocked around in a fist fight, your wounds may
well heal quite quickly. Bruises and scrapes arent very

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You can heal two thirds of your bruise damage at a rate of and nurses rather than fully qualified physicians and there
1 Health pip per half hour. If magical healing is used, the are frequent tales of patients going missing in the middle
magic heals the more life threatening non-bruise damage of the night. We have detailed the ways you can give
first. Should you die from only bruise damage, you are medical attention in the field to heal injured adventurers in
just knocked unconscious until you heal and recover a little. the Combat section (see p.172). A further option is for the
However, one knife wound to a badly beaten man is still adventurers to opt for a stay in hospital. Hospital is both
enough to kill! the best and worst place you can try to heal. On the one
hand, it is full of doctors, trained nurses and, on occasion,
Example: Pipkin is accosted by two ruffians, who engage him the odd charitable Guild healer. On the other hand, it is full
in a fist fight. He takes 6 Health pips of damage in the fight but of ill people. So, if an adventurer spends time in hospital,
manages to see them off. However, before they run, one pulls a they have an accelerated rate of healing. Instead of the
knife and stabs Pipkin for another 4 Health pips of damage. Pipkin usual 1 Health pip recovery, they can gain between 3 and 6
has taken 10 Health pips of damage in total, but the Gamesmaster Health pips every 2 days. The number of Health pips they
allows the 6 from the fistfight to count as bruise damage. He can receive depends on their Fortitude rating and is shown in
heal two thirds of this 6 points (4) at 1 pip per half hour, so in 2 the table below. However, each day an adventurer spends
hours he will have healed 4 Health pips. At this point he has 6 in hospital, they must succeed at Resolve roll to avoid
damage points, which will have to heal normally. catching something unpleasant. The first days roll has
a +4 dice bonus, but loses a die every day the adventurer
Long Term Recovery remains in hospital, eventually become a cumulative black
Most ill or wounded adventurers in Victoriana will recover die penalty. Should they fail the roll, they are assumed to be
in their own homes with regular visits from their doctor, infected (no need for an Infectiousness roll).
and perhaps an on-site nurse if the wound or illness is
serious. Of course, the poor might well be living in an Almost any disease can be contracted in the unclean wards
unhygienic abode, which could cause complications in its of a Victorian hospital, so an adventurer is at the mercy
own right, so most hospitals do have poor wards where of the Gamesmaster. However, adventurers who spend
the lower classes can go to heal effectively before returning their stay in the cleaner, more well-appointed parts of the
to their work. Poor wards are usually manned by students hospital have far less chance of contracting any disease.

Hospital Expenses
Given that there is not yet a National Health Service, a stay This grants the same game effect as being in hospital, but
in hospital or a doctors visit is expensive. Generally it costs without the chance of catching disease. The cost of the
a shilling a day to stay in hospital, or anything up to a guinea extra nurse, doctor visits and various prescriptions work s
for the doctor to visit your home. Many doctors reduce their out to 4 shillings a day. This isnt a specific daily charge,
fees for those who can afford less, or accept payment in kind just a useful game mechanic for working out the general
(such as labour or groceries, depending on the patients expense of home care.
business). If you are poor, recovering at home has the same
effect as going to hospital, but doesnt cost anything as long Finally, if you are very wealthy, you can just visit the local
as there is someone to look after you. However, you will need Guildhouse. Each of these has a small drawing room for
the doctor to visit at least once a week. healing spells to be applied. You can visit in comfort and
have a skilled magician perform her magic to heal you. Not
The rich can afford to pay more, and receive better, cleaner only is the Guildhouse a far more pleasant environment, but
treatment. For an extra 2 shillings per day, the hospital also the patient rarely needs to undress and be examined.
patients Resolve rolls against additional infection start with Needless to say, such healing is expensive, costing 5 shillings
a +6 dice bonus, counting down 1 die per day as described per Health pip healed (4 if you are a Guild Associate).
above. However, there is always a chance that a disease will There is no chance of an infection, but if the treating Guild
be contracted, no matter how much you pay. Many ill rich physician rolls a Foul Failure then a magical mishap occurs
folk forgo hospital and employ a nurse in their home to to the patient. What this mishap actually is should be left to
look after them and receive regular visits from the doctor. the devious and twisted consideration of the Gamesmaster.

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Fate Points can be added to any dice roll to add one

Adventurers Health Pips definite (or automatic) success to the result. However,
Fortitude Restored / 2 days this additional success can still be cancelled by black
-2 to 0 3 dice like any other success, and only a maximum of 3
Fate Points can be spent on any single dice roll.
1 to 3 4
4 to 6 5 You can use Fate Points to reduce the damage you take
from an attack. For every point you spend the attack
7+ 6
(somehow) did 1 less point of damage. However, you
cannot reduce the damage to zero; a successful attack
will always hurt at least a little. You may want to
Healing the Effects of Disease and Poisons explain this twist of fate by a well-placed cigarette case
Any physician or clinic can attempt to diagnose and treat or suchlike.
disease, by making a Wits + Medicine roll to diagnose the
patient. This is typically at an Average difficulty, but might A Fate Point can also be spent to grant a success on
rise as high as Very Difficult for rare diseases. Once the the Fortitude + Resolve roll required to stay conscious/
nature of the illness has been discerned, the physician can alive when you have taken severe damage. If you
attempt a cure. spend the Fate Point, you need not make the roll.

Health pip damage from illnesses is considered bruise Fate can extend the time you have to live. When you
damage; a successful Medicine roll halves the effects for have run out of Health pips, spending a Fate Point
the time period being treated (usually daily). For those who grants you an extra round (in addition to your Resolve
can afford the services of a Guild hermeticist, the use of the + Fortitude) before you expire.
Cure spell can quash most known diseases instantly.
It is also possible for adventurers to use Fate Points
Treating the effects of poisons or drugs is somewhat more for anothers roll. However, it costs twice as many
difficult. If the doctor is aware of the nature of the poison points to do so as it otherwise would. The adventurer
that was used then she can proceed to apply an antidote; spending the points must be in the same place as the
use the rules for curing diseases above. However, often benefactor, and you should decide how they helped.
the physician will not know what poison was used, and is Maybe they noticed something about the lock that
faced with a process of trial and error that can be potentially helped the adventurer open it, or the lady kneeling near
devastating to the patient. In such circumstances, the the wounded man accidentally staunched his wounds
physician must make a Very Difficult (6 black dice) Wits + with the folds of her skirts. As the costs of spending
Medicine roll with a base time of one hour to diagnose the Fate Points on anothers behalf are double, you can
type of poison used. Often the patient is dead before the spend up to 6 on a single roll.
nature of the poison can be determined.
Gaining Fate Points
Fate Points refresh at the start of each session. Complications
Fate Pool and Scripting Dice can be used to gain Fate Points over the course of a session.
There are many times when skill and courage will not Any unused Fate Points left at the end of a session are lost.
be enough for the adventurers to win the day. However,
fate usually chooses to reward the bold and the reckless Complications and Fate Points
(usually an adequate description of most adventurers) Whenever an adventurers Complication hinders her in
and often lends a hand at a critical moment. This ability some way, she gains a Fate Point. This can be triggered
to cheat fate (or ask pleadingly for its assistance) is mechanically (such as a missing eye, which automatically
represented by your adventurers Fate Pool. This pool of adds 3 black dice to sight-based Perception rolls) or through
points can be used in a number of ways to add to dice rolls circumstance (such as police harassment).
and reduce the penalties an adventurer might suffer for
their misadventures. While a Complication may plague the adventurer multiple
times per session, an adventurer can only gain one Fate
Fate Points can be used in the following way: Point per Complication per session; thus an Adventurer

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with three Complications can potentially gain 3 points per the Gamesmaster. However, to be on the safe side, and to
session (a Gamesmaster may adjust this for particularly protect the Gamesmaster from the pleas of her players, it is
long sessions). Any free Complications, such as those only fair we offer you some guidelines:
granted for subspecies, do not generate Fate Points.
A Scripting Die may be spent to reroll an action or effect
The player need not wait for the Gamesmaster to call on roll. The player must decide to reroll the dice before the
a Complication; if a player feels that a particular situation effects of the dice roll in question are applied (in other
warrants her adventurers Complication surfacing then she words, immediately). If the new dice roll is worse, the
is certainly free to unleash it and gain her Fate Point. player can choose to keep the original roll. However,
you cannot spend another Scripting Die to have a third
Fate Adventure Rewards roll. By using Scripting Dice in this manner, a hero (or
At the end of an adventure, a Gamesmaster will award villain) can optimise her chances of success when it
you between 1 and 3 Fate Points, depending on what your counts the most.
adventurer achieved as part of the party. Additionally, if the
Gamesmaster considers that your adventurer has achieved A Scripting Die can be spent to avoid a permanent
something individually (perhaps a personal quest, a injury.
successful mission for the team, or merely saving the world
again), you may gain another Fate Point. An adventurer When an adventurer dies, a Scripting Die can be spent
who sits back, lets others do the work and doesnt try to to save them from their fate. The adventurer does not
achieve anything gains nothing. suddenly leap up from their death bed or miraculously
heal their wounds. Instead, what was thought to have
destroyed them turns out not to be so dreadful. A
Gaining Fate in Play mortal wound turns out to have been not as bad as first
thought, simply knocking the adventurer unconscious.
As an optional rule, the Gamesmaster may allow an If they suffer a deadly fall, they may land on something
adventurer to gain a Fate Point whenever she does soft enough to survive, or land on a precipice, injured
something spectacular that supports the style of play for but alive. An adventurer lost at sea might return,
that particular campaign. Using a witty phrase, performing days later, with little memory of their accident. The
a daredevil stunt, accepting danger so that others may adventurer doesnt get any Health back (beyond being
escape, or simply acting in a manner that causes chuckles stabilised), but they are alive.
all around the game table could all be worth Fate Points.
Gamesmasters using this rule should be careful, as In a similar way, Scripting Dice can be used to
players tend to play to the camera for more Fate Points. grant the player power over the story, much like
We suggest that Gamesmasters wishing to run gritty the Gamesmaster has. They can be used to grant the
Victoriana campaigns ignore this rule, and those who do adventurers luck and coincidence that might help them
use it should limit which actions are worth Fate Points, defeat the villains. For instance, if a book is stolen from
so that adventurers arent building up large Fate Pools. an adventurer as she sleeps on the train, her player
might spend a Scripting Die for the most important
page to slip from the book and be hidden under her
Scripting Dice skirts. During a carriage chase, a Scripting Die might
When you are really in trouble and you need a miracle, be spent for the horses harness to wear out and snap,
you can spend a Scripting Die. If you spend 6 Fate Points stopping the villains coach. When seeking an address,
at once, it is called a Scripting Die and you can do so at the players might spend a Scripting Die to locate where
any time, as the normal rules governing Fate Points do not they are looking for after getting hopelessly lost.
apply to Scripting Dice. Spending a Scripting Die is a major
invocation of fate, and it has a powerful effect. Only heroes There are three very important rules with using Scripting
or great villains can appeal to fate in this way. Dice like this. Firstly, the Gamesmaster may veto any use of a
Scripting Die they feel is too potent or disruptive to the story.
Players can spend a Scripting Die for major adjustments to Secondly, the player must use their imagination to explain
the story and their dice rolls. Essentially, the only limit to how the Scripting Die helps; they cannot just say I spend a
what you can do with a Scripting Die is the discretion of Scripting Die to stop that happening. If they cannot explain

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how and why they get a break, it doesnt happen; it is not the with no boundaries, where aetheric patterns can be woven
Gamesmasters job to invent reasons for the players. Thirdly, to create a utopian society where all sapients are free to do
a Scripting Die cannot change what has already happened. as they wish. In order to accomplish this, the world must be
It can adjust and amend what is unclear, but not what has unfettered from the political and social constructions that
definitely occurred, so you cannot use a Scripting Die to inhibit it.
make a guard fail to see you sneak past when they succeeded
in their roll. However, you can use one to ensure a ruffian As in all things, neither of these two philosophies is correct.
falls drunk out of a nearby tavern and brawls with him to Without the tempering effect of the other, each philosophy
allow you to escape. would doom the world. A world of absolute entropy would
unravel into the aether, while a world of absolute order
would deteriorate into a cold, dead husk. What is necessary
The Celestial Engine is Harmony between the two, a natural balance that blends
While the world of Victoriana is filled with diverse the best of both to create a stable yet dynamic world. It is
religions, philosophies, and ideals, there are two broad unfortunate that neither side truly understands that and
philosophies that have been waging war with each other simply rail against each other.
since the creation of the world. Some believe that the
struggle between the two is an eternal one, while others As above, so below. The Pale Archons tempt sapients
believe that at some point, perhaps soon, one philosophy through sin and Maleficia. Losing oneself to either ultimately
will finally prevail. The archons themselves are divided destroys ones life; the worst of these scar the world and
between these philosophies, some more so than others. threaten its existence. The Tarnished Archons, cold and
mechanical, demand the same from their adherents,
The Templars of Order strive for a logical and scientific transforming the world into a place where sapients are
universe, predictable and measured. The world was merely soulless cogs in a global machine, draining the
created from the aether and if left unchecked the aether planet of life.
will eventually destroy it. The only way to counter this
is to ensure that the world and its inhabitants insulate Sapients are constantly being drawn into this war; some
themselves from the aethers chaotic influences through of them are drawn to the creative and social freedom of
structured lives and routines. Entropy while others appreciate the stability and peace of
Order. In some cases this is innate; ones subspecies and
The Liberators of Entropy, on the other hand, strive for connection (or lack thereof) to the aether inclines them
creativity, change, and infinite variety. They posit a world toward Entropy or Order. Some sapients take this a step

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further, whether through faith, meditation, or simple Entropy is the tool of the magician and the revolutionary.
imposition of will, and embrace one of the philosophies. By contrast, Order can be used whenever the adventurer
They become Liberators or Templars themselves and gain wishes to strengthen society, science, and (Levantine)
benefit from it, even if they dont comprehend it. faith. Order values the good of society over the individual
and that, by acting together, a society can better combat
In play, the Celestial Engine is represented by a great wheel. problems than the individual alone. Order is the tool of the
Each sapient can only turn the wheel in one direction at a technologist and the priest.
time, gaining cogs in either Entropy or Order. Sapients that
progress towards Entropy find themselves rejecting social Magic and marvels are special cases. An adventurer may
norms and put greater reliance in magic, while sapients that always use her Entropy cogs when performing magic or her
progress towards Order find themselves advocating the Order cogs when using marvels, including firearms. Using
benefits of civilisation and encouraging advances in science cogs in this manner does not cost Fate Points.
and technology.
There is a downside to becoming a Liberator or Templar,
Using the Celestial Engine however. Magic is a potent tool of Entropy and Templars
A sapient with cogs in either Entropy or Order can call receive a black dice penalty equal to their cog rating when
upon its elemental force within the aether at critical times. magic is being used on them. Similarly, Liberators receive a
Whenever the sapient spends a Fate Point, she may add black dice penalty equal to their cog rating when marvels,
extra dice or successes to a skill roll. She may only do this including firearms, are being used on them. A marvel
when her roll advances the cause of her philosophy. A may be generally defined as any product of the industrial
socialite may use Order to aid her in social tasks at a party, revolution but there are exceptions (firearms have
using the rules of etiquette to her advantage. A magician been around for centuries). Generally, if the item feels
may use Entropy to help her manifest a powerful operation. technological then the penalty applies.

The number of dice or successes that the adventurer may Liberators and Templars are also susceptible to the extreme
add depends upon whether she is a Liberator or Templar. archons of their professed philosophy; they receive the
Magic is powerful but unpredictable, while Order is steady black dice penalty when dealing with Demons or Ophanim,
and reliable. A Liberator of Entropy receives 1 automatic respectively. Note that, unlike spending Fate Points, the
success + 3 additional pool dice for every Entropy cog, black die penalty is the same for both Entropy and Order; it
while a Templar of Order receives 1 automatic success + an is equal to the cog rating.
additional success for each Order cog.
If an adventurer spends a Fate Point to perform an action
Example: Dame Thecla is a Templar of Order at Cog 2. She is in the service of Entropy or Order while using a tool of the
stabbing a Demonologist with her sword and burns a Fate Point, other, then the black dice penalty is negated and the usual
granting her 3 automatic successes that are added to any successes Cog bonus for spending Fate Points is applied.
she rolls on her Dexterity + Swordplay. The Demonologist then
attacks with the Aether Ribbons operation. Since he is using Example: Brother Oswald is an Aluminat priest and magician
magic and has Entropy at Cog 2, he gets 1 automatic success + 6 with Order 2. While he normally finds using magic difficult,
extra dice to his pool. Brother Oswald determines to use an aetheric bolt against an
anarchist attacking the Queen. He spends 2 Fate Points and,
There are no hard-and-fast rules governing the use of cogs; rather than take his usual 2 black dice penalty for using magic,
Entropy and Order dont tie neatly into mechanical formulae instead gets 6 automatic successes. It may be rare for an Aluminat
(no matter how much the Ophanim may wish it!). That priest to use magic, but when one does its impressive!
said there are a few loose guidelines that a Gamesmaster
can follow to determine whether spending a Fate Point for Intangible Benefits
Entropy or Order is appropriate. As weve already stated, the struggle between Entropy
and Order cannot be mechanically defined. Adding a few
Generally, Entropy can be used whenever the adventure is successes to a skill roll is only a small part of the grand
advancing artistic creativity, magic, and social change (or celestial struggle. As an adventurer turns the cogs more
the flaunting of society). Entropy values the individual over closely towards Entropy or Order, she becomes more attuned
society and seeks to break the class system and conformity. to it; she becomes a greater player in the celestial struggle.

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Psychics, attuned to the aether, are already touching the angry Ophanim, master vampire, or Aluminat cardinal. This
forces of Entropy or, in the case of Goeticists, Order. They agent may wish to show the adventurer the error of her ways
may receive visions or even visitations from similarly- or simply punish her for abandoning the cause.
aligned archons goading them into performing some
action. Sometimes, these actions are clear and necessary
in the sapients mind; more often they are enigmatic and Reputation
mysterious. The archons directly or indirectly act through As you adventure about the world of Victoriana, you are
those most attuned to their philosophy and may act against going to gather a certain reputation. Sooner or later, all
a sapient attuned the other way. The Gamesmaster should those people whose lives you save are going to start talking
try to remember such intangible benefits when designing about you. Conversely, every time you end up in prison,
plot devices or looking for obstacles to help or hinder her become involved in scandal, or destroy property (for
players. A helping hand from a demonologist against an whatever reason), tongues will wag.
Aluminat purge could be quite jarring! Note also that an
adventurer that uses her cogs a lot in a short span of time is There are two types of reputation: Propriety and Notoriety.
going to attract a lot of celestial attention. Propriety tends to give one a good reputation, as it reflects the
adventurers honour and exemplary adherence to the moral
Gaining and Removing Cogs standards expected of her. Notoriety tends to give one a bad
As noted in Book II, all adventurers begin play at some reputation, as it reflects the adventurers disgrace and infamy.
point along the Celestial Engine. Moving along the Celestial
Engine requires the expenditure of 6 Scripting Dice per cog. Acquiring Reputation
No adventurer may have more than 5 cogs in either direction. All adventurers begin with a 0 reputation in both Propriety
Ticking the 6th cog means the adventurer is lost to Entropy and Notoriety unless modified by a Talent, Privilege,
and Order and only occurs at the Gamesmasters discretion. or Complication. Over the course of the campaign the
Gamesmaster may award Propriety and Notoriety points
Returning to Harmony is both easy and difficult, depending based on the actions of the adventurer.
on ones perspective and attachment to the elements. The
opposing celestial forces arent picky when it comes to their Reputation points (at least the Propriety points) should not
agents and they expect defections from time to time. Any be easily awarded. Most adventurers will be lucky to gain
adventurer can return to her beginning position by simply a single point of Propriety over the course of an adventure.
announcing her intention to do so. That said, all Scripting Dice In order for a Propriety or Notoriety point to be granted,
spent to acquire cogs are still lost, making it more painful for a the act must be public and newsworthy. Merely following
dedicated Liberator or Templar to reject her philosophy than ones profession or accomplishing a particular goal is not
someone who merely dabbled with Entropy or Order. Once worth a reputation point, unless the situation is particularly
returned to this starting position, the adventurer may either spectacular and made public (at least someone saw it and
stay there or start the path down a wheel once more, paying spread the word).
the Scripting Dice costs as normal. At the Gamesmasters
option, a seasoned Liberator or Templar that rejects Entropy Notoriety is a bit easier to acquire, as it is usually based
or Order may catch the ire of a dedicated agent, be that an on an adventurers own decisions. Viciously interrogating

Order and Entropy, not Good and Evil newly-formed popular government can be quite capable
of atrocities that the regime they overthrew would never
Its important to remember that the warring philosophies of contemplate.
Order and Entropy are not tied to notions of good or evil.
Each philosophy has adherents, even extremely dedicated When an adventurer selects a path she should keep this
ones, who may be considered good, evil, or anything in- in mind, especially as the path she chose was probably
between. A kindly Aluminat priest is a Templar; so is a influenced by other circumstances other than personal
ruthless Inquisitor. A sapient-sacrificing demonologist is a belief. Agents on the other side arent necessarily enemies
Liberator; so is a dedicated and pacifistic social reformer. and a bit of celestial friction within a group shouldnt
An authoritarian government may not be oppressive and a preclude them from working together or being friends.

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bound and helpless characters is likely going to garner the Reputation rolls arent subject to class modifiers, as they are
adventurer a point of Notoriety; so is letting an aerostat inherently built into the black dice already applied to social
full of passengers crash so the adventurer could follow the rolls when class is a factor. While a member of one social
flying saboteur rather than save the ship. class usually dismisses the achievements and foibles of a
member of another, a particularly good or bad reputation
Example: Thomas Willowpin is a private investigator. He will still affect an adventurers social rolls regardless of
doesnt get reputation points for simply solving a case. He would, class.
however, garner points if his investigation got his client killed
(Notoriety), or if the successful resolution of the case involved Puffery and Slander
saving a roomful of opera patrons from a particularly nasty Its possible to fake Propriety or Notoriety (using puffery
necromantic operation (Propriety). or slander, respectively) for oneself or another person,
usually to gain an advantage during a social scene. As
Using Reputation these changes to reputation are undeserved and may
Whenever an adventurer identifies herself (or is identified) contradict known facts, using puffery or slander carries
in a social situation, her reputation comes into play. The great risk.
adventurer rolls her Propriety and Notoriety as opposed
task rolls. Both rolls are modified by reputation difficulty. Attempting to influence ones reputation requires a
If she has Propriety successes remaining, then these are Presence + Bull roll (other social skills may be used as
added as a pool modifier to any social roll she makes during complementary skills). All successes above an Impressive
the remainder of the scene. If she has Notoriety successes success (6 dice) are added to the influencers choice of
remaining, then these are converted to 3 black dice for each Propriety or Notoriety for the affected adventurer. This
success. These are also added to any social roll she makes bonus is temporary and only lasts for one scene.
during the remainder of the scene.
Example: Sir David decides to help Lady Marissas reputation
Example: Lady Marissa attends a debutante ball. She has a by puffing, claiming that shed once saved his life while they
Propriety of 2 and a Notoriety of 1. She rolls her Propriety and gets were exploring the Congo. The Gamesmaster allows him to use his
1 success. She rolls her Notoriety and unfortunately gets a 6; when Conversation rank as a complementary skill. Sir David manages
she rerolls she gets a 1, for a total of 2 successes. As her Notoriety to roll 7 successes, so he can add 1 success to Lady Marissas
beat her Propriety by 1, the unfortunate Lady Marissa suffers 3 Propriety. This is enough to remove the 3 black dice from her
black dice on all of her social rolls for the remainder of the scene. social rolls for the rest of the scene.

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The problem with puffery or slander is that, inevitably, the If the slanderer loses the challenge, then she is embarrassed
truth comes out. If the Presence + Bull roll fails, then there and takes a 3 black dice penalty on all social rolls for the
is no additional effect; the few people that were told of the remainder of the scene (unlike puffery, where its discovery
puffery or slander simply failed to believe it or transmit it. can lead to permanent Notoriety). In both cases, challenges
However, once an adventurer takes advantage of a false can only be made once unless new evidence comes to light,
reputation, there will be consequences. or a new character makes the challenge. In all cases it is the
Gamesmasters decision as to whether puffery or slander
For puffery, the adventurer granted the benefit of a false may be challenged a second or third time in the same scene.
reputation is at risk. Should a character in the adventurers
presence challenge the assertion (likely because she has If an adventurer keeps her puffery or slander until the end of a
the knowledge to believe differently), then the adventurer scene, then she must make a Presence + Streetwise roll, using
must win an opposed Presence + Bull roll (Act may be used her puffery or slander as black dice (each point of puffery
as a complementary skill) against her opponents Presence counts as 3 black dice). On a Foul Failure, the adventurer
+ Social Skill (using any appropriate skill that would refute gains a permanent point of Notoriety. For puffery, this
the lie). The Gamesmaster should add black dice to the means her deception was discovered. For slander, this means
adventurers roll if her opponent has hard evidence to back that society believes the slander to be true.
her up.
Avoiding Ones Reputation
If the beneficiary of the puffery loses the challenge, then not There are times when an adventurer may wish to avoid her
only does she lose the temporary boost but she also gains reputation preceding her. This could be through puffery or
a permanent point of Notoriety. This is a fixed penalty; no slander (i.e. glossing over ones faults or playing down ones
matter how many successes the beneficiary gained from achievements), but there are times when an adventurer
the puffery, she only takes one point of Notoriety. On a truly wants to remain anonymous. This requires use of the
Foul Failure, the beneficiary loses her current reputation Disguise skill.
successes and all of her Notoriety points are converted into
black dice for the remainder of the scene. Prior to the social scene, the adventurer makes a Wits
+ Disguise roll with any black dice modifiers that the
Example: Sir Marshal finds Sir Davids claim about Lady Gamesmaster feels are appropriate. The adventurer notes
Marissas valour during the Congo trip rather preposterous, the number of successes on her adventurer sheet. When the
as hed overheard her tell Lady Cordelia that she spent most of adventurer enters the social scene, she rolls her reputation
the voyage upriver nursing a fever. He decides to challenge Lady as normal. If her Disguise task successes are greater than
Marissa by using his Presence + Conversation roll. As Lady her reputation successes (in the case of Notoriety winning,
Cordelia is in attendance and can add credence to the fever story, count successes not black dice), then she succeeds in being
the Gamesmaster determines that Lady Marissas ruse is a flimsy unnoticed. If she fails, then she is outed and uses her
one and assigns 6 black dice to her roll. reputation as normal. If she suffers a Foul Failure, then she
receives a permanent point of Notoriety for the deception.
Lady Marissa rolls poorly and gets 0 successes. She also rolls 3
black dice successes: a Foul Failure! Not only does Lady Marissa Example: Lady Marissa needs to infiltrate a dinner party.
acquire the new point of Notoriety, but she must convert her two Feeling ashamed over the debutante ball, she decides to invent
Notoriety points into 6 black dice for the remainder of the scene. a new persona for herself. She makes a Wits + Disguise roll and
How embarrassing for her! gets 3 successes. Lady Marissa enters the dinner party and makes
a reputation roll. She gets 1 success for her Propriety and 2
For Notoriety, the person spreading the slander is at risk. successes for Notoriety, leaving her with 1 success for Notoriety.
First, the slandered character must find her; this is usually Fortunately, this is less than her 3 Disguise successes, so Lady
a Difficult (3 black dice) Presence + Conversation roll. Once Marissas secret is safe for now.
the slanderer is challenged, the victim must win an opposed
Presence + Social Skill roll (using any appropriate skill that Losing Reputation
would refute the lie) against the slanderers Presence + There are times when an adventurer may wish to lose
Bull roll (Act may be used as a complementary skill). The Notoriety points or even Propriety points (if being recognised
Gamesmaster should add black dice to the slanderers roll is a bad thing). Such losses can only be accomplished through
if the victim has hard evidence to back her up. experience; see Gaining Experience.

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Giv ing Reputation More Flavour

The reputation rules are designed to emulate the effects of reputation point and rules that this is sufficiently similar
ones standing in society without making the system overly to his previously acquired brutal reputation. Rather than
complex. That said, there are certainly some Victoriana giving Fast Robbie a new descriptor, the Gamesmaster
campaigns where reputation is more likely to be a factor and simply increases his brutal reputation to Brutal x2.
the Gamesmaster may wish to have more detailed rules. If
this is the case then use the rules as given, but with an added For even more flavour, each reputation point can be rolled
element: each point of reputation is awarded a descriptor. In separately to indicate exactly which Propriety and Notoriety
some cases, a descriptor may enable the reputation point to points are currently affecting the adventurers reputation.
act as its opposite if circumstances warrant.
A Gamesmaster might even allow an adventurer to play
Example: Fast Robbie has a point of reputation up a missed reputation point in order to get the bonus
described as brutal, given his particularly vicious attack s (this requires an appropriate Conversation roll, modified
on two ruffians that tried to rob him. Normally, this by the adventurers Notoriety asking adventurers to dig
brutal reputation would count as Notoriety. However, into their memories sometimes brings out dirty laundry
local moneylender Silas Tanner wants to hire a ruffian as well!).
to intimidate one of his clients into paying; when Fast
Robbie applies for the job, his brutal reputation actually Example: Lady Marissa attends another debutante ball.
counts as Propriety in this instance. She has three reputation descriptors: brave, patriotic,
and unladylike. The Gamesmaster rules that brave and
You need not create a new descriptor for every point of patriotic count as Propriety, while unladylike counts as
reputation gained if it is sufficiently similar to a previously Notoriety at a debutante ball. Lady Marissa makes her
earned reputation point. Instead, you can group them rolls and gets a success on brave and two successes for
together and treat them as a single unit when determining unladylike. Obviously, the unfortunate circumstance with
whether they should be treated as Propriety or Notoriety Count Bartram three week s ago is still hounding her. Lady
in a particular instance. Marissa decides to accept the 3 black dice on her social
rolls rather than risk a Foul Failure trying to talk up her
Example: Fast Robbie gets into a pub fight and beats patriotic exploits in preventing an assassination attempt on
a man to a bloody pulp. The Gamesmaster grants him a the Queen.

the increase is justified through the adventurers actions

Experience during the course of an adventure; in other cases the
As adventurers explore the unknown, defeat foes, solve adventurer may seek to improve the attribute on his own
mysteries, and so on, it is only natural that they should by spending time in a gymnasium, going to school, or even
become better at what they do more skilled swordsmen, simply attending several social parties. Attributes may not
better shots, more adept at researching musty tomes, more normally be raised beyond the subspecies maximum.
powerful magicians, etc. For every game session in which
you participate, you gain experience points (XP) which can Raising Skills
be spent to improve elements of your adventurer. Raising a skill is probably the most common use of spending
XP. Again, justification is necessary. If the adventurer has
You will receive between 1 and 3 XP at the end of each game been using the skill frequently then she should be allowed to
session (as determined by the Gamesmaster, according to raise it; if not then shell have to come up with a reason why
your adventurers achievements). A few bonus XP may be she was able to raise an unused skill. Similar justification
awarded for finishing an adventure as well. XP can be used should be used for new skills.
to improve Attributes, Skills, Talents, and other elements
on the adventurers sheet. Note that magical skills cost more than common skills and
specialties. Also, be wary of spending too many points on a
Raising Attributes handful of skills; well-balanced adventurers stand a better
The quickest way to increase your chance of succeeding at chance of being effective (and staying alive!) throughout
several task rolls is to increase an Attribute. In some cases, the course of an adventure.

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Experience Point Costs

Experience Point Cost Experience Point Cost
Trait Trait
Equal to: Equal to:
Attribute Four times the new level* 12 points (and at least 3 months
New Magical Skill
Extra Health die 8 points training) - for a level of 0
Extra Quintessence Die 8 points New Marvel Twice the marvels build cost
Skill (Common or Specialty) The new level of skill Twice the Talents Build point
Talent cost
Magical Skill Twice the new level of skill
The Build point cost (and
New Spell Twice the (ritual) cost Privilege or Asset possibly a large amount of
New Psychical Ability 6 points money too)
New Sigil 6 points 10 points for each
Buy off a Complication Complication
New Specialty 4 points - for a level of 0
*a negative level or zero counts as 2 points

Study and Practice

As an optional rule, if you want to raise an Attribute or In order to practice a skill you need to find a teacher.
Skill that your adventurer doesnt use often or at least has Simply put, a teacher is someone that has the attribute
not used for some time, then the Gamesmaster may rule or skill at the level you wish to attain. You then make a
that you need to study or practice before the raise can be learning roll, which is a Resolve roll + your current level
allowed. of the Attribute or Skill you are trying to improve (yes,
this means you could theoretically be rolling Resolve +
Study Resolve); difficulty dice are equal to the level of attribute
One way to learn a new Skill (but not an Attribute) is simply or skill you wish to attain.
to read a book or two on it. This is the harder of the two
methods, as you have no idea where to begin and no one Your teacher may make a Presence + Teaching roll against
to correct your mistakes. It takes about a month to learn a the same difficulty and add her successes to your dice pool
new Skill or increase an old one. Common skills generally as per Group Effort (if your teacher lack s the skill, then she
cant be raised beyond 10 through study, while Specialties simply rolls Presence). If you get at least 2 successes, then
cant be raised above 3. youve earned the right to improve.

Practice While this can get difficult at higher levels, it is as it should

Another way to learn a new Skill or increase an Attribute is be. When learning something cold the basics are easy
by doing something under controlled conditions and with a to grasp compared to more advanced applications. Also,
teacher present to correct your mistakes. Practice is always remember that study and practice are only for skills that
superior to book learning and only takes about a week per havent been used much; if you start using them then you
attribute or skill. can side-step these rules.

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 book III

Adding Health and Quintessence Dice The Gamesmaster may allow the adventurer to purchase
While based on Attributes, an adventurers Health and a Privilege or Asset at its Build point cost to represent
Quintessence dice may be raised independently. This is an good fortune. Such fortune, though, needs an explanation:
attractive option for adventurers that want a bit more resilience perhaps the adventurers uncle was a baronet and he died
or magical power without paying the demanding costs for unexpectedly, leaving his favourite nephew with the title.
high Attributes (if your Fortitude or Resolve is 1 or less, then Perhaps the adventurer went to the races and had an
its more cost-efficient to raise them instead). An adventurers unexpected windfall that she used to purchase a fashionable
maximum Health and Quintessence dice are still limited by city flat.
their parent Attributes; see the tables for details.
At the Gamesmasters option all new Privileges and Assets
need to be paid for with XP if the adventurer expects to use
their benefits in future adventures.
Fortitude Maximum Health
-3 -1 ((+0 extra Health) Buying off Complications
-2 0 (+0 extra Health) With time and the Gamesmasters approval, some
-1 2 (+1 extra Health) Complications may be bought off. The adventurer needs to
0 3 (+1 extra Health) have a credible reason for doing so and this should be tied to
1 5 (+2 extra Health) her roleplay over the last few sessions prior to removing it.
2 6 (+2 extra Health)
3 8 (+3 extra Health) Gamesmasters should be careful with this, as some players
4 9 (+3 extra Health) may use Complications for the mechanical benefit and then
5 11 (+4 extra Health) buy them off before they become nuisances. A good rule of
6 12 (+4 extra Health) thumb is that the Complication had to have come into play
+2 Fortitude +1 extra Health a number of times equal to the Build points it granted the
adventurer. Thus, an adventurer that took the Narcissist
Resolve Maximum Quintessence Complication for 5 Build points needs to be hindered by it 5
Up to 0 0 times before it may be bought off, while an adventurer that
1 2 (+1 extra Quintessence) took the same complication for 2 Build points only needs to
2 3 (+1 extra Quintessence) be hindered by it twice before buying it off.
3 5 (+2 extra Quintessence)
4 6 (+2 extra Quintessence) Learning New Psychical Abilities
5 8 (+3 extra Quintessence) Psychical abilities generally arent learned in the traditional
6 9 (+3 extra Quintessence) sense, although there are some deeply spiritual souls that
+ 2 Resolve +1 extra Quintessence believe if you meditate often enough and open your mind
to the aether you can develop new psychical abilities.
Traumatic events often trigger them as well.

Adding new Talents, Privileges, and Assets In any case, learning a new psychical ability is the same as
Generally speaking, Talents are inborn abilities. While any Talent; the adventurer must pay double the normal
some may be improved over time, acquiring new Talents cost, or 6 XP, to learn it. She may also choose instead to
requires a good reason and Gamesmaster approval. A spend 6 XP to reduce the Difficulty of an ability she already
Talent that could be learned requires a teacher and a sum knows by 1 black die. No psychical abilitys difficulty
of money. may be reduced by more than 2 and a Difficulty of 0 is the
minimum Difficulty for any psychical ability.
Privileges and Assets are a bit more complicated as they
represent the things an adventurer has acquired prior to Example: Clarice is a Spiritualist with Magic Sense. She spends
her adventuring career. For the most part, adventurers 6 XP to reduce her Difficulty from 1 to 0. Although she could
acquire new Privileges and Assets through cash purchases normally reduce a psychical ability difficulty twice, she cannot
and roleplay. If the Queen knights an adventurer for saving do so again for Magic Sense because the Difficulty is already 0.
the realm, then he now has a Knighthood. If an adventurer
wants an opera box then she can purchase one.

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Learning New Sigils The cost of learning a new spell in game terms is rather
Sigil inscription is the practice of focusing your quintessence simple. At adventurer creation, spells cost a number of Build
into the symbol of a letter or pictogram. Learning a new points equal to their quintessence cost. After adventurer
sigil that can add 1 die or 1 black die to rolls costs 2 XP. creation, its a little more difficult. Based on the Difficulty
Raising the dice modifier of a sigil by 1 point also costs 2 and quintessence cost of the spell, it takes a certain amount
XP. You may never have more dice modifiers than you have of time, money and experience points.
Resolve.
First, the adventurer must find a source for the new spell.
Example: Rabbi Eli Bach has the Aleph sigil at 2. He can raise Conjurers usually pass their knowledge from master to
it to 4 at a cost of 4 XP, but he cannot raise it to 5 because he apprentice; occasionally a conjurer receives a dream visit
only has a Resolve of 4. Alternatively, he could take the Beth sigil, from an archon that imparts knowledge. Hermeticists
which he doesnt have, at any where from 1 to 4 dice modifiers, or usually learn their spells from the Guild, which charges a
an XP range of 2 to 8. fee equivalent to 10 x the cost of the spell.

Learning New Spells Independent teachers can also be found; they determine their
Learning magic of any kind is a time-consuming, arduous own fees. Alternatively, the magician may learn spells from
process, requiring study, research, experiment, ritual, books; in addition to old thaumaturgical and Maleficium
banishing, purification, consecration, practice, more grimoires, there are conjuring cookbooks available.
practice, and yet more practice; it also involves tutors
(mortal and supernatural alike), libraries, laboratories, Second, the adventurer must spend time studying the
quests, and forgotten grimoires. If the Guild is involved as new spell. This study time may be hand-waved between
well, it is also very, very expensive. adventures. Should a more precise measurement be needed,
then presume it takes a number of weeks equal to the cost
The secrets of magic are jealously guarded; few practitioners of the spell.
pass such knowledge on. Cunning folk will rarely take on
more than one apprentice (their successor), the Guild sets Third, the adventure must make a learning roll, which is
exams and extracts money, and independent hermetic equal to Wits + Magical Skill. Add 3 black dice per cost/
magicians (such as necromancers) may take apprentices on ritual cost of the spell to get the Difficulty. If you have a
as house slaves and servants. Such service will require a teacher, then the teacher may add his Teaching skill as a
little more than just scrubbing floors; it will include digging complementary skill (a teacher without the Teaching skill
up bodies and procuring (or even being) a sacrifice. is able to provide the spell that she knows, but offers no

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Magical Tome Rating Date Value Subject Type

Rhiannons Herbal Remedies
0 1735 30 Conjure Commercial

Lord Maces Hermetic Primer 3 1854 20 Thaumaturgy Guild textbook
Scrolls of Lemuria 6 1585 1200 Thaumaturgy Ancient Knowledge
Kirchers Natural Principles 6 1670 1000 Conjure Guild textbook
The Brass Codex 6 ca 700 1500 Demonology Ancient Knowledge
Merlins Grimoire 9 ca 500 2500 Thaumaturgy Ancient Knowledge
Meditations of de Sade 9 1796 3000 Demonology Banned
Dr Dees Hermetic Principles 12 1802 600 Thaumaturgy Guild textbook
Secret Book of Simon Paul 18 ca 30 600 Thaumaturgy Ancient Knowledge
The Book of the Dead 24 ? ? Necromancy Ancient Knowledge

bonus to the roll). All magical tomes have Ratings that act as It is presumed that an adventurer has the time between
complementary skills (roll the Rating and add the successes adventures to build anything that she wishes, so long as she
as extra dice). Some sample tomes are given here. makes her skill roll and pays the XP cost. The adventurer
usually only gets one chance to create a marvel between
If the magician succeeds in her learning roll then she may adventures, although the Gamesmaster may adjust this if
pay the XP cost (Cost or Ritual cost x2) and she now has there is a particularly long break (conversely, she may rule
the spell. If she failed, then she does not learn it; she may that there isnt enough time between adventures to build a
remove a black die from her Difficulty for each attempt to large marvel).
learn the spell after the first.
Some marvels are marked with an asterisk (*). These marvels
Purchasing New Marvels require magic to operate and thus require the services of
Purchasing marvels is a straightforward process and similar a magician to complete, usually a conjurer, hermeticist, or
to the rules for purchasing spells. First, the adventurer must sigil scribe. There are two possible avenues to take in order
have the Technologist Talent. While any sapient could to complete the marvel.
theoretically own and use a marvel, the marvels listed in
this section are prototypes and trade secrets; should one The first is that the technologist is also a magician. In
of them find their way to the marketplace they would be this case, the adventurer simply rolls Wits + Engineer
prohibitively expensive. (mechanical) + Magical Skill roll against the marvels
Difficulty and, if she succeeds, the marvel is built. All costs
At adventurer creation, marvels may be purchased at their are considered to be covered with this roll.
Build point cost.
The second, employed by technologists that lack magic,
After adventurer creation, marvels must be built. This is to employ the services of a magician. If this is the case,
usually requires an Engineer (mechanical) roll at the then the adventurer must first roll a Wits + Engineer
listed difficulty. The adventurer may enlist assistants to (mechanical) + Lore skill roll against the marvels Difficulty.
help with building the marvel. If the roll is made, then If she succeeds, then the adventurer is ready to seek magical
the adventurer may spend twice the marvels cost in Build assistance. The magician need only make a Difficult Wits
points in order to own it. If the Engineer roll is failed, then + Magical Skill roll in order to finish the item. In addition
the adventurer fails to build the marvel but suffers no to this roll, magicians generally charge a guinea (1.1) as a
other penalties. professional fee.

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 VICTORIANA

Which Skill Do I Use to Purchase a Marvel?

A perusal through the Purchasing Marvels section reveals that the Engineer (mechanical) skill is used for all marvels.
While this can be a real head-scratcher for things like aetheric goggles or electric pistols it is not an oversight; after
careful consideration and for game balance reasons weve decided to treat a technologist like a magician; she can rely on a
single skill when constructing new marvels. Given the genre and its applicability to a wide range of marvels, weve chosen
Engineer (mechanical) to be that skill.

During game play, however, the adventurer needs to rely on particular Craft and Engineer skills depending on the situation.
If an electric pistol is damaged then the adventurer must use her Craft (gunsmith) or Engineer (electrical) to get it
working again. Similarly, shoring up a mine or a pipe falls under the Engineer (construction) skill.

Creating New Magic and Marvels exploitable weakness. He decides that the Aetheric Disc will cost
While the lists of magic types and marvels in this book the same as an Aetheric Shield but lowers the Difficulty to 0.
are fairly large, invariably one or more of your players is
going to want something that isnt listed. We didnt have Creating new marvels is slightly more complicated. If you
room to include these rules in the core rulebook; extensive wish to create something new, then you can compare an
rules for creating magic and marvels are covered in the existing marvel with your new design, much as you would
Librum Arcanum and Marvels of Science and Steampunk, for a new spell. If your design is simply an improved version
respectively. of a listed marvel (e.g. an electric carriage as opposed to a
steam one) then the Gamesmaster may simply add an extra
That is not to say you need those supplements to create new 3 dice to the difficulty and perhaps an extra Build point. Be
magic and marvels. All you really need to do is determine careful of new marvels that push the statistics too much;
the effect that you want and compare its potency against a an extra 2 dice, 20 mph, or hour of operation is probably
magic or marvel that is presented here. Once youve done enough.
that then all you need to do is assign costs and difficulties
accordingly. Example: Sherman Tuttle wants to get a little more power out of
his steam automotive. The Gamesmaster determines that he can
Example: Lady Grymm wants to create an Aetheric Disc that do this at an Average Difficulty, since tweaking an engine isnt
protects her from attack, but only from the front. The Gamesmaster that out of bounds. He rules that it only improves by 10 mph and
determines that this is similar to an Aetheric Shield with an doesnt impose an additional XP cost.

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 VICTORIANA

B o o k IV
Sorcery and Steam
In Book III we covered most of the rules systems in technologists, or artificers, are constantly finding ways to
Victoriana except for two major areas: magical practice and use magic to overcome current technological limitations.
technological invention. These two elements have reshaped Magic enables aerostats to be true luxury liners, and a little
the world and are responsible for many of its historical aetheric manipulation turns a pepperbox pistol into a truly
deviations from our own. frightening weapon.

Magic, although still very powerful, is in a period of decline. Within this book are the mechanics necessary for performing
Gone is the sorcery of old, when powerful magicians magic and using technological marvels. There are also lists
levelled armies with impressive and potent manifestations of spells and marvels for adventurers to choose from, as well
or piloted caravels in the sky through sheer will alone; as a section on the acquisition and use of clockwork limbs.
these are now the province of fairy tales. Magicians in the
current age tend to stick to rote aetheric manipulations that
bend reality in smaller ways, though no less impressive to
the modern observer.
~ T he E lements ~
In magics place rises science. Technological innovations of M agical P ractice
are reshaping the landscape as factories pump soot into the
air, railroads choke the countryside, and damaged limbs Magic has always been a part of the world; indeed most
are replaced with steel. Grand railroad engines and ocean- people still believe it to be the controlling force in the
going ships are pushed through the power of steam, while universe in spite of its recent bending of the knee to science.
gas and electricity enable factories to stay open all night. They are quick to point out that the greatest scientific
Comforts previously only available to the aristocracy are marvels of the age owe a debt to magic, as aerostats would
finding their way to the lower classes. not take flight without it, and the aristocrats remain in
peak physical health due to magics smoothing over the
Still, in spite of the waxing of science and the waning limitations of mundane medicine. Sapients still rely on
of magic, the grandest inventions of the modern world wards and bindings to protect them from hostile spirits, as
fuse the two in creative and effective ways. Magic-using science has yet to provide a solution.

Second Edition Magic and Marvels

Owners of Victorianas previous editions will note a few simplified the process for budding technologists here.
tweak s in the magic systems; we took a fresh look at the For the core rulebook, our main focus was enabling the
previous editions of Victoriana and rebuilt the magic system adventurers to be quickly designed and played; having a
to better reflect Victorian themes and to provide better game list of ready marvels achieves that goal.
balance. The language may be a bit different, but a player
familiar with the second edition should have little trouble Given that Second Edition was based in 1867, some of the
and some pleasant surprises when using this edition. technological innovations in Marvels havent been invented
yet in 1856, but in a world of aerostats and ornithopters a
On the question of steam, Gamesmasters familiar with Gamesmaster can easily have more advanced marvels built
Marvels of Science and Steampunk will find that weve a decade earlier than presented in that supplement.

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 book IV

It is said that magic was once as prolific and easily except as directed by the Aluminat. In turn, the Aluminat
obtained as technology is today. Great magical civilisations permitted magic use only to heal or combat the Aluminats
expanded across the world. Some say that the sapients, enemies. The Aluminat later created a lucrative revenue
flush with aetheric power, dared believe themselves to be stream by offering Indulgences to those that wished to
the equal of archons. Others believe that these great magical practice hermeticism and enforced its regulation through
civilisations were corrupted by Maleficium and controlled the Inquisition.
by demons. Still others claim that invaders from beyond
Earth devastated the world. Whether as punishment for With the splintering of the Aluminat, the legitimacy of
arrogance or an attempt to destroy entrenched evil, the Indulgences and the authority of the Inquisition were
Heavenly Host acted decisively, shaking the world to its challenged by aristocrats and religious leaders dedicated to
foundations and wreaking cataclysms across the planet that the new faiths. Some, like the Greek and Anglican Aluminats,
reshaped the map, sinking continents and creating others. attempted to create their own Orders, while others, most
notably the German and Scottish Aluminats, condemned
If it was the Heavenly Hosts intention to remove magic Maleficium while rejecting any authority to perform witch
from the world, then ultimately they failed. While magic hunts in areas under their control. Tensions amongst
would never again achieve the prominence it once had, its the various groups, as well as Maleficium cabals taking
secrets were kept alive through shadowy cabals that sprang advantage, led to the explosion of the Thirty Years War.
up in the new civilisations rising from the ashes of the old
world. And once again, magic infiltrated the aristocracies. The horrors of the Thirty Years War, which saw some of
Where magic went, the Maleficium soon followed. the most ambitious Maleficium plots since the Black Death,
caused the various Aluminat sects to gather at the Council
The prophets of Order railed against the use of magic of Geneva in 1649. The representatives of the various groups
precisely because of Maleficium. The Maleficium are always agreed to limit their arguments to polite debate while
tempting magicians with power and instant gratification pooling their resources to create an effective organisation
in return for their service in the afterlife. Some prophets for combating the Pale demons and their mortal agents. The
argued against the use of any magic, as it was better to go Consortium of Hermetic Guilds (or the Guild for short) was
without than be seduced by the Pale. created and established a set of guidelines that all member
magical organisations should follow. Many nations already
In Europe, the Aluminat condemned the use of magic had their own Guilds; these simply adopted the new rules
for centuries. One of the Eight Voices, Simon Paul, was in return for international resources and support. In return,
a hermetic magician that renounced the use of magic the Roman Aluminat officially disbanded the Inquisition.

One Guild or Several?

In previous editions of Victoriana there is a single Guild in Aluminat and ultimately answerable to the Queen, while
the civilised world that is overseen by the equally dominant a hermeticist in Boston belongs to the Hermetic Order of
and unified Aluminat. With the fracturing of the Aluminat Columbia, an independent Guild that is officially religion-
in Third Edition, it stands to reason that any international neutral and follows the laws of the United States of America.
organisation would be more of a loose alliance than a central Both Guilds have similar practices, as the latter broke off from
authority. Regional Guilds are autonomous and usually the former during the American Revolution and continued to
national in character; their ultimate authorities are the follow most of the Anglican Guilds practices.
dominant religious and temporal leaders of their regions.
Nevertheless, each of these regional Guilds has agreed to This is not to say that the Roman Aluminat Church doesnt
adhere to the standards set by the Guild and pledges to aid retain a powerful voice in the Consortium; the various
members of other member Guilds in matters of malfeasance. Guilds in Roman Aluminat nations often act as one. The
Roman Aluminat had a lot of influence on the design of the
Thus, a hermeticist in London belongs to the Worshipful model charter and often the last word on what constitutes
Company of Hermeticists, a Guild influenced by the Anglican malfeasance, no matter what a regional Guild charter says.

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Chief amongst these rules is the suppression of Maleficium. be high magic. Hermeticism is the ability to draw upon
Each regional Guild sets its own standards as to the the raw aether of the universe and channel it through
identification and punishment of Maleficium practitioners, ones own body. Most uses of hermeticism are relatively
which unfortunately led to the persecution and execution instantaneous; the magician uses quick incantations and
of many conjurers and magnetists over the next couple of gestures to draw aetheric energy to her and shape it into
centuries. With colonial and imperial expansion, the Guild the desired pattern.
has spread throughout the Americas, South Asia, and
Australia, with a growing presence in Africa and East Asia. Next is Petty Conjuration, also known as enchantment, folk
magic, or low magic. Conjuration is the manipulation of
While technically open to anyone interested in the study aetheric energy present in physical substances. The magician
of hermeticism, in practice though, only middle and upper does not hold magic within herself; rather, she expends her
class students are able to attend the universities offering own quintessence to conjure magical effects from natural
hermetical degrees. In Great Britain, the Worshipful ingredients. The Guild considers conjuration to be a petty
Company of Hermeticists regulates the use of magic. The magic although it is quite popular in the countryside, where
main Guildhouse is in London, with other major Guildhouses practitioners are known as cunning folk.
in Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow and York.
It is a matter of scholarly debate whether sigils belong to
petty conjuring or thaumaturgy, as the magician infuses
an object (usually stone) with an aetheric pattern derived
~ T he F orms of M agic ~ from the magicians own quintessence, rather than any
aetheric energy within the object itself. Regardless of its
As an entropic force, it should come as no surprise that classification, sigils are often studied by artificers and used
magic takes many forms. The Consortium of Hermetic to bolster engineering projects.
Guilds currently recognises three broad categories of magic:
empirical thaumaturgy, magnetism, and petty conjuring. While all sapients, are connected to the aether, there are
Each form carries its own practices and traditions, largely some with a more intimate relationship; indeed, the Eldren
determined by how it manipulates magic. subspecies as a whole shares this deeper connection. Such
individuals manifest abilities which are magic-like without
The Guild follows the teachings of Voice Simon Paul and the need for study. Called by many names in the past,
considers Empirical Thaumaturgy, or Hermeticism, to including medium, oracle, and seer, noted Eldren scholar

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Dr Franz Anton Mesmer has coined the term magnetism

to identify these abilities. The Consortium prefers to call
such users magnetists rather than admit that they are
What is a spell?
technically magicians. While magnetists prefer abilities and sigil scribes
inscriptions, we use spell in this section to cover all
One subset of magnetism, goeticism, is not recognised as magical effects as a convenient shorthand.
such due to pressure from the Aluminat. Any suggestion
that miracles of faith are merely a form of magic is
summarily dismissed, and attempts to do so in universities
across Europe are vigorously suppressed. The official Cost
doctrine is that such abilities are Holy Miracles and not All spells require the magician to expend quintessence.
accidents of birth. That said goeticism follows the same Quintessence is reduced by an amount of pips equal to the
rules of magic as other magnetic abilities. spells cost. Magnetic abilities have a cost of 2 quintessence.
Conjuration has two costs: a ritual cost to create the focus,
In addition to the three basic forms of magic, there are and an activation cost to use it.
magical practices that are almost universally banned
under canonical and temporal law. Collectively known If the magician lacks the amount of quintessence necessary
as the Maleficium, the two most commonly known to cast, then she may still attempt to do so by reducing
are demonology, and necromancy. Only hermeticists her Health by a number of pips equal to the outstanding
specifically licensed by the Guild may study these arts and quintessence. This is considered lethal damage.
severe restrictions are placed on spell-casting.
Example: Vivienne wants to blast an attacking demon with an
aetheric bolt. Her Resolve is 4 and her Thaumaturgy skill is 4,
giving her a dice pool of 8. This costs Vivienne 2 quintessence,
~ T he R ules of M agic ~ but she only has 1quintessence left. Gritting her teeth she casts
anyway, draining her Quintessence pool and taking a pip of lethal
While there are multiple magical arts, they all follow the damage to her Health.
same basic rules. All forms of magic, for example, utilise
skills to perform and quintessence to power; these are For hermeticism, the cost indicates the number of actions
described below. Rules that are specific to a particular art needed to cast using the formula of Cost -1. If the cost is 0
are detailed under its description. or 1 then the manifestation occurs on the magicians first
action. If the cost is 2, then the magician either needs to wait
for the second round or take a multiple action penalty. No
Performing Magic matter what, all spells take at least one action.
Performing magic, or spell-casting, is the same as using
any other skill. The magician rolls her appropriate Example: The cost of Aetheric Bolt is 2, so Vivienne can cast
Attribute + Magical Skill, and if she scores at least two it in a single action. She could cast it twice in a single round by
successes then she correctly casts the spell. All spells also splitting her dice pool in half.
have a cost, which is the amount of quintessence needed
to fuel them. When taking more than one action to cast, the magician is
considered to be conducting the rituals necessary (chanting
In addition, each spell has a Difficulty rating, which is the arcane phrases, waving arms, etc.) to cast the spell. During
number of black dice you must add to your roll. Trying to this time, a break in Concentration can cause the magician to
manipulate powers you do not understand is dangerous. If lose the spell, forcing her to begin anew while being charged
the black dice cancel all your successes and there are black its cost. If someone attempts to disrupt the magician, then
dice successes left, then you take 1 pip of Health damage for the magician may attempt a Resolve + Concentration roll to
each remaining black dice success. ignore the interruption or distraction.

Most spells also have a range and duration. The range is The size of the distraction defines how many black dice
how far the spell can affect something. Duration is the are applied to the roll (see table below). Many people are
length of time the spell is active. aware of this difficulty in magic use, and do their best to

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disrupt magicians. Demons and spirits also try to distract

magnetists by banging doors and crashing about as much
as they can, which is often a sign that the magnetist is
Interruptions and Distractions
winning. While Performing Magic
If the magician chooses to defend herself, then she needs Difficulty Interruption or distraction
to split her dice pools as per multiple actions between her (black dice)
defence roll and her Resolve + Concentration roll. Brief and terse conversation with an ally
0
or associate
Example: Upon seeing a large group of ruffians, Vivienne Argument; sudden and unexpected
decides to cast Aetheric Inferno. This normally takes 3 actions, appearance of another character; sudden
but Vivienne takes 3 black dice to do it in 2. Unfortunately, one 2
change in temperature, lighting, or other
of the ruffians has a pistol and shoots at Vivienne during the first environmental conditions
round. Vivienne is already badly wounded and opts to Dodge but
Attacked in combat or physically pushed,
wishes to maintain concentration, so she splits her dice pools in 4
but not hurt
half.
Attacked and wounded (1 or more Health
8
Normally, Vivienne has 5 Dice for her Dodge pool but she now pips lost)
only has 2 dice. She rolls 1 success but the Ruffian gets 2, hitting Attacked and grievously wounded
her. Fortunately, her armour and a bad damage roll leaves her 12 (reduced below a third of your maximum
unharmed. Health)

Unfortunately, Vivienne must now make a Resolve +

Concentration roll. Normally this is 8 dice but since she split Difficulty
her pool it is now 4 dice. She also takes a 4 black die penalty for All spells have a difficulty, usually between Average and
being attacked but not her. Fate isnt with Vivienne on this roll Extremely Difficult. The magician must overcome this
and she only gets 1 success, losing the spell. She still loses 4 difficulty by getting at least two successes on her casting
quintessence, and shell have to start again if she wants to cast roll. In some cases the total number of successes remaining
the spell. affects how well the spell performs.

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If the magician fails the casting roll then the magic is lost but to the magician. The Gamesmaster may increase or decrease
the magician still pays the full cost of the spell. If the result the difficulty depending on environmental modifiers.
is a Foul Failure, then any outstanding black die successes
are also added to the cost.

Example: Vivienne casts aetheric bolt. The bolt has a 3 Difficulty.

The Gamesmaster rolls 3 black dice and comes up with 2 successes.
~ M agnetism ~
Vivienne therefore needs to roll at least 4 successes in order to Some individuals, and the Eldren subspecies as a whole, have
manifest an aetheric bolt. Unfortunately she only rolls 1 success. an innate, magnetic connection to the aether that permeates
Not only did she fail to cast the spell but she adds the remaining the universe. Some can see into the past and future, if only
black die to the cost. As she is already out of quintessence, she through brief glimpses. Others are able to communicate with
takes an additional Health pip of lethal damage. the spirit world and channel its power. Still others can feel the
aether flow inside them and manipulate their quintessence to
Duration perform physically impossible feats.
Some spells have a duration, which is usually given in
segments of time (e.g. rounds, minutes, hours, etc). When a Such abilities are not the result of study and practice;
spell is cast, it lasts a number of time segments equal to the they are as much a part of the magnetist as moving or
magicians Resolve plus 1 for every degree of success that thinking. A magnetist may not fully understand how or
is Good or better. why she has such abilities; moreover she cant fully control
them. Magnetic abilities sometimes manifest on instinct
Example: Vivienne casts Aetheric Shield. She gets 3 successes, or external triggers rather than the magnetists will. The
which is a Good Success. As her Resolve is 4, Viviennes Aetheric information she gets from her abilities is often inaccurate
Shield lasts for 5 minutes. and incomplete; she may receive fragmented visions,
impressions of sound or smell, or other tantalising clues
Resistance that may assist her, but she is unlikely to solve problems on
Some spells allow the victim a chance to resist their the basis of magnetism alone.
effects. In such a case, the victim should make a Resolve +
Concentration roll (unless the spell description calls for a Most magnetists are gifted at birth and rarely manifest
different task roll) against the spell-casting roll. If the victim more than one or two abilities over the course of their
rolls more successes, then the spell is resisted. lifetimes. Because they are born with these connections,
many non-Eldren magnetists feel estranged from their
Example: Vivienne casts Botheration against Mr Tibbs and gets peers throughout childhood; they simply see the world
4 successes. Mr Tibbs rolls Resolve + Concentration and gets 4 differently and, often, more clearly than those around them.
successes as well. Unfortunately for Mr Tibbs, he needs to beat Few non-magnetists ever develop such abilities later in life.
Viviennes successes, as a tie goes to the caster. Even rarer is the magnetist that connects to the aether in
more than one way and manifests magnetic abilities from
Recovering Quintessence different branches.
Quintessence replenishes reasonably quickly. A good
nights sleep restores a magicians Quintessence dice to her While acknowledging that magnetism is inborn and cant
full level. Otherwise, she can regain 1 pip for each 2 hours be taught, the Worshipful Company of Hermeticists has
of completely inactive rest. A magician who is undergoing recently offered degrees in psychodunamy (power of
light exercise (walking and talking, but not combat) receives the soul), determining that, whilst magnetic abilities are
a Quintessence pip every 4 hours. Any more activity than inherited, magnetists can be taught to sharpen their skills.
that doesnt allow quintessence to replenish in a measurable Most Guild magnetists enter the medical profession as
amount. If a magician has a Resolve of 4 or more, she can alienists, using their abilities to treat those being adversely
add 1 to the recovery rate. affected by aetheric connections.

In addition, a magician with the Concentration skill may Because of their close connection to the aether, magnetists
make a Difficult (3 black dice) Resolve + Concentration roll to rarely have to worry about range or duration; common
recover quintessence. This takes an hour; the magician must sense applies and difficulties for range or duration often
make 2 successes. Each success returns 1 quintessence pip arent factors.

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Clairvoyance Many clairvoyants make a good living as fortune-tellers and

Clairvoyants attune their own perceptive abilities, including investigators, although many gambling-dens have strict
extrasensory perception of various types, rather than calling no clairvoyants policies and gamblers have been known
upon external forces. They enhance their own senses, and to be kicked out of a gambling den for associating with
sometimes add new sixth senses or other sensory abilities, clairvoyants. The judicial system is currently considering
enabling them to gather information about the real world whether clairvoyant evidence is admissible; while it has
that might otherwise be near impossible to discover, such traditionally been banned there have been exceptions, most
as observing the contents of a locked box. notably in the Star Chamber.

Clai rvoyant Abilities magic. If the clairvoyant wishes to investigate a living being
that isnt performing magic, then a Presence + Clairvoyance roll
Clairvoyants see the natural world through an aetheric lens; their reveals that the person or creature has magical ability. Only with
magnetic abilities enhance their senses and sometimes even grant an Impressive success can the clairvoyant determine the type of
new ones. magic.

Aura Reading Psychometry

Difficulty: 1 Difficulty: 1
A successful roll allows the clairvoyant to gauge the mood, temper This is the ability to gain information about the past of an object
and intentions of the observed person. Aura reading is only or area. The clairvoyant must hold the object or be in the area
applied to individuals, not to groups. Only one aura reading can and reach out to sense its history. On a successful Presence +
be conducted with one action. Clairvoyance roll, she gains glimpses of the people who have been
around the object or area, as well as snippets of conversations.
Glimpse The more powerful the event, the more likely it is to be sensed.
Difficulty: 2 Sometimes the feelings of the people connected to the object and
By using this power, the clairvoyant is hit with a powerful and area can be sensed as well.
vivid vision of an event that is due to happen. The clairvoyant has
little control over what she sees (she cant try to see the outcome See the Supernatural
of this years Grand National, for instance), but it is imminent, Difficulty: 0
certainly within the next week. With this power, the clairvoyant focuses her senses to see spirits.
Possessing demons appear as if fully manifest, demons between
Know Living History hosts seem as nebulous clouds. Ghosts and invisible creatures can
Difficulty: 1 be seen with this ability, no matter what ability they have to hide.
This ability allows a clairvoyant to see the recent past of a However, the clairvoyant must know to look for the spirit to see it.
living being. A successful roll grants knowledge of recent events
occurring around the person being studied. The nature of the Sixth Sense
knowledge gleaned from such an observation is often incomplete Difficulty: 1
and fragmented, and is often trivial and of no obvious use. This magnetic ability grants an uncanny and instinctive knowledge
of events around the corner. With use of this ability, a clairvoyant
Magic Sense may finish the sentences of others, know what someone is about
Difficulty: 0 to ask for, and avoid the effects of a surprise attack. At any time,
When within 10 yards of a magical effect, focus, magical artefact or the clairvoyant may make a Presence + Clairvoyance roll and,
other active magical manifestation, the clairvoyant gets a tingling if successful, can claim to be prepared for anything that the
feeling. The Gamesmaster should give her a Wits + Perception Gamesmaster has just announced. She isnt surprised, may have
roll to notice this sensation. If the clairvoyant wants to define the a weapon in hand, or tell another character to duck. However,
nature of the magic (conjure, hermetic, necromantic, etc.), then the clairvoyant can only make one action (and warning the other
she must make a Presence + Clairvoyance roll. characters counts as an action), and she cannot change an action
that has already happened. Note that the clairvoyant only gets a
Magical creatures such as archons and other magicians are not hazy picture of what is to come and the Gamesmaster may veto
detected automatically by this ability unless they are performing any action she feels is based on too detailed information.

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Spiritualism cause possession of the spiritualist by a spirit. Any spirit

A magnetist with an aetheric connection to the spirit world may possess the spiritualist as if it were an archon except
is commonly known as a spiritualist (spiritualists prefer to be that other spirits may not attempt to maintain possession
called mediums rather than magnetists as they often connect when the initial duration is over.
the living with the dead). A spiritualist can enter a trance state
to commune with spirits through the aether and channel their Due to this danger, most spiritualists prefer to conduct
energies into the material world. While she typically calls a sance in the company of others, which provides some
upon the spirits of the dead, a spiritualists connection touches security. Each person joined in a circle of hands with a
other types of spirits and even demons and devils. spiritualist at a sance adds + 1 to the spiritualists Resolve
in any possession contest; if the circle of hands is broken,
Sances in particular are beacons to the Pale and possessing then the bonus becomes non-effective.
spirits in general. A Foul Failure when using this ability can

Spi ritualist Abilities Know Historical Events

Difficulty: 1
Spiritualists have a strong connection with other planes; they can This ability allows the spiritualist to contact spirits who saw the
reach across the aether and contact spirits. Their dreams and past first hand, and relive those events as if present at the time.
visions are filled with alien landscapes and bizarre visions of the This ability is impossible to fully control; it usually feels like
realms beyond the material. the spiritualist is viewing events through a distorted lens. Some
events leave stronger impressions than others; when a spiritualist
Aura Reading uses this ability, the exact events and nature of the visions is
Difficulty: 1 always at the Gamesmasters discretion. The spiritualists prior
A successful roll allows the spiritualist to gauge the mood, temper knowledge of the event bears heavily on what she sees.
and intentions of the observed person. Aura reading is only
applied to individuals, not to groups. Only one aura reading can
be conducted with one action.

Grace
Difficulty: 1
Use of this ability allows the spiritualist to dispel the restless
dead. For each attempt she makes, the spiritualist rolls Presence
+ Spiritualism against the spirits Mental Competence. If the
spiritualist gets more successes, the spirit is driven out, but
if not, she takes 1 die of Health damage from exhaustion. The
spiritualist may spend 1 Health pip and/or add a black die to
improve her dice pool by one, but only once for each dice roll.
If the spiritualist fails, she can try again; if dealing with powerful
spirits, this can be an exhausting business.

Heal
Difficulty: 0
The spiritualist can call upon spiritual energy to heal a deadly
wound. The spiritualist needs to physically touch the injured
person and focus her will to draw the power. Success stabilizes
even a mortal wound, allowing the character to heal normally.
The spiritualist may choose up to as many black dice as she has
rank s in her Spiritualism skill to add to the Heal roll. If the roll
is a success, 1 Health pip is restored to the healed character for
each black die added to the roll.

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A Magic Sense Sance

Difficulty: 0 Difficulty: 1
When within 10 yards of a magical effect, focus, magical artefact or Summons a spirit to temporarily possess and speak through
other active magical manifestation, the spiritualist gets a tingling the spiritualist. With success, an individual spirit or ghost may
feeling. The Gamesmaster should give her a Wits + Perception be brought forth at request. Such a spirit may be questioned on
roll to notice this sensation. If the spiritualist wants to define the the welfare of other dead souls or on events during their life. In
nature of the magic (conjure, hermetic, necromantic, etc.), then addition to the quintessence cost, Sance also costs the spiritualist
she must make a Presence + Spiritualism roll. 1 quintessence pip for every ten minutes they remain possessed.

Magical creatures such as archons and other magicians are not See the Supernatural
detected automatically by this ability unless they are performing Difficulty: 0
magic. If the spiritualist wishes to investigate a living being With this power, the spiritualist focuses her senses to see spirits.
that isnt performing magic, then a Presence + Spiritualism roll Possessing spirits appear as if fully manifest; spirits between hosts
reveals that the person or creature has magical ability. Only with seem to be nebulous clouds. Ghosts and invisible creatures can be
an Impressive success can the spiritualist determine the type of seen with this ability, no matter what ability they have to hide.
magic. However, the spiritualist must know to look for the spirit to see it.

Goeticism the Heavenly Host doesnt always answer, the goeticist

While there are certainly priests and other people of faith rolls Presence + Goeticism in the same way as any other
that wield magics gained through the study of hermetic and magnetist.
folk magic, there are some who are born with an aetheric
connection to the Host of Heaven. Indeed, many holy men As they cannot call on their power that often, goeticists arent
and women meditate and focus all their lives to achieve limited to one or two specific abilities, but can make use of
what goeticists have been granted at birth: a communion any of the abilities listed for goeticism. However, they dont
with angels. have access to them all of the time. When the goeticist buys
goetic abilities with the Goeticism Talent, she doesnt get
The Aluminat, as well as many other faiths, refuse to to decide what they are. Instead, the Gamesmaster decides
see goeticism as a form of magnetism; they believe it is a which goetic abilities the adventurer actually has at the start
blessing bestowed by the Host of Heaven. They insist that of a session, but doesnt tell the player what has been chosen.
goetic abilities are, in fact, miracles of faith and the evidence When the adventurer prays for help, the Gamesmaster
for this is that a goeticist cant rely on a single magnetic checks her list and decides if the prayer is heard (making the
ability manifesting as desired; instead, the goeticist is goetic ability available). If it is, the player can make a roll to
subject to the Hosts will as to what abilities she can call see if it is answered (if the roll is successful). It should also
upon on a given day. be borne in mind that its far more likely that the Ophanim
will answer than the Karabim, especially if the adventurer
On the other hand, goetic abilities function as other has more than 2 Order Cogs.
magnetic abilities do and goeticists can often call upon the
same magnetic abilities found amongst the other branches. When the Gamesmaster chooses to change the listing is up
Furthermore, many goeticists arent particularly faithful to her; she may pick new goetic abilities each day, or keep
people when chosen. This often occurs at puberty, leading the same list for each adventure or session. She may only
the new goeticist to seek the comforts of religion once her replenish the list when all the abilities have been used. She
abilities manifest (once you start hearing the voices of could even replace an ability each time it is used. This way
angels, where would you go for advice?). The Church, as the player, as well as the adventurer, must rely on faith, and
expected, embraces goeticists with open arms. the stronger her power the more likely the Host will answer
her call. Players are allowed to know the details of their
Goeticism relies on a lot less show than other magical forms; potential abilities so they know what might be appropriate to
all the goeticist needs to do is pray. She essentially focuses pray for. The Gamesmaster might allow a goeticist to choose
her mind on the heavens and reaches out for a miracle. As one of their powers themselves by spending a Fate Point.

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For all its power, faith can be a fragile thing. If a goeticist the adventurer). Examples of atonement may include:
uses her power and does not get even a single success building a new church or shrine, giving away all her
(before any black dice are counted, or by a Foul Failure), her money to charity, a pilgrimage to a distant place,
faith has been shaken. This has any or all of the following service in a monastic community, or even self-harm of
consequences, at the Gamesmasters discretion: some kind, such as flagellation or mutilation.

She may be unable to use goeticism again until she An archon (most likely Ophanim) may appear and
has confessed her sins to a priest and performed any chastise the character.
penance required of her by the priest.
She may be especially vulnerable (2 black dice to all
She may be unable to use goeticism again until she has Resolve rolls) to the magical and other temptations of
performed a specific act of atonement (this need not be demonologists and related entities; again, this may last
given by a priest, but will be known instinctively by till she has performed penance or atonement, as above.

Goetic Abilities
The power of Heaven is vast and sometimes overwhelming for a mortal. Goeticists can command terrible powers, but many are very
draining and exhausting.

Becalm Blessing
Difficulty: 1 Difficulty: 2
The goeticist can call upon the heavens to halt a battle; if With a successful manifestation roll, the goeticist can cure disease;
successful, the heavens answer with a portent, perhaps even the Gamesmaster may add additional black dice if the disease is
an angelic appearance, for the fighting to stop. All combat especially virulent. The patient doesnt recover instantly; however,
participants must roll Resolve (with 4 black dice). Those with the disease itself is purged as the goeticist lays on hands. The
good souls stop fighting and gaze in wonder, while those with victim is no longer infectious and heals the damage the disease
evil in their hearts are struck with fear and run away in terror. has done naturally. The effects of most diseases are gone in the
The Gamesmaster is the final judge of who is essentially good and space of a week or two. Until they see some sort of recovery, the
who is evil. However, those who are really neither one nor the goeticist also has no idea if the power has worked either. The
other are struck unconscious. The effect of this power lasts for goeticist is reminded that this power doesnt make them immune
the remainder of the scene. to disease, so they had best keep an eye on their health if they
spend too long around the sick and ailing!

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Exorcism to her Presence + Goeticism roll. If the roll is a success, 1 Health

Difficulty: 0 die is restored to the healed character for each black die added
Use of this ability allows the goeticist to dispel demons from their to the roll.
hosts. If the power is activated, the goeticist may attempt to drive
out the possessing demon. For each attempt she makes, she rolls Magic Sense
Presence + Goeticism against the demons Mental Competence. If Difficulty: 0
the goeticist gets more successes, the demon is driven out; if not When within 10 yards of a magical effect, focus, magical artefact
she takes a number of damage dice equal to the successes that or other active magical manifestation, the goeticist gets a tingling
the demon beat her by. feeling. The Gamesmaster should give her a Wits + Perception
roll to notice this sensation. If the goeticist wants to define the
Glimpse nature of the magic (conjure, hermetic, necromantic, etc.), then
Difficulty: 2 she must make a Presence + Goeticism roll.
By using this power, the goeticist is hit with a powerful and vivid
vision of an event that is due to happen. The goeticist has little Magical creatures such as archons and other magicians are not
control over what she sees (she cant try to see the outcome of this detected automatically by this ability unless they are performing
years Grand National, for instance), but it is imminent, certainly magic. If the goeticist wishes to investigate a living being that
within the next week. isnt performing magic, then a Presence + Goeticism roll reveals
that the person or creature has magical ability. Only with an
Guardian Archon Impressive success can the goeticist determine the type of magic.
Difficulty: 1
The goeticist can pray for advice from the heavens. If successful, Saints Candour
an archon appears in a vision and answers three yes or no Difficulty: 1
questions from the Goeticist. The Archon may refuse to answer A successful manifestation roll allows the goeticist to gauge the
a question, but it still counts as an asked question. Archons are mood, temper and intentions of the observed person. A single
not omniscient, but do have a wider perspective than mortals. insight may be gained with one action.
Alternatively, in lieu of the three questions the Goeticist can
simply ask for guidance and the archon will offer him a cryptic
warning for the future. Saints Sight
Difficulty: 0
Heal With this power, the goeticist focuses her senses to see spirits.
Difficulty: 0 Possessing demons appear as if fully manifest, demons between
The goeticist can call upon the power of Heaven to heal a deadly hosts seem as nebulous clouds. Ghosts and invisible creatures
wound. Success stabilizes even a mortal wound, allowing the can be seen with this ability, no matter what ability they have
character to heal normally. The goeticist may choose up to as to hide. However, the goeticist must know to look for the spirit
many black dice as she has rank s in her Goeticism skill to add to see it.

~ E mpirical T haumaturgy ~
the limited nature of magnetism (either one has it or one
doesnt). It is based on millennia of research, study, and
Empirical Thaumaturgy is the province of highly trained experimentation. Hermeticists spend long hours each
and focused magicians. Hermeticists can pull the aether, day poring through ancient grimoires and refining their
measured in quintessence, from within themselves and operations. The Guild provides extensive libraries for such
perform spells, or operations in hermetic parlance. They research, although seasoned hermeticists often have large
prefer to use lengthy ceremonies, but, when pressed for time, private libraries of their own in which to study.
a good hermeticist can perform an operation within seconds.
As might be expected from a group that classifies its own
Empirical Thaumaturgy is the dominant form of magic in form as high and folk magic as low, hermeticists tend
Europe, largely due to the persecution of conjurers and to see petty conjurers as sloppy amateurs at best and

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as dangerous frauds at worst. Hermeticists believe that obvious effect that negates it. One may cast an aetheric bolt
such cunning folk dont really understand what they discreetly, but the blue fire launching from ones fingertips
are doing, putting their faith in pagan gods as they mix tends to give the game away.
dangerous energies together because they simply lack the
education to know better. As proof, hermeticists often point
to enchantments that have similar results to operations, Hermetic Operations
conveniently overlooking the fact that there are many
enchantments and operations unique to each form.

To be a hermeticist, an adventurer must have training in

Hermetic Language
the magical arts (by having the Thaumaturgist Talent). The official language of the Consortium of Hermetic
To actually be able to cast operations, the magician must Guilds is Latin. When writing magical texts or operations,
also have a Resolve of at least 2 - anything less, and she Guild hermeticists tend to use Enochian script for the
simply doesnt have the will to tear open the universe. Most Latin words, as Enochian is an ancient magical writing
hermeticists have a Thaumaturgical Degree and are part of used by Simon Paul, one of the Voices.
the Guild; faith in the Aluminat, while not a prerequisite, is
strongly encouraged.

Discretion Aer Clava avalCreA

Generally, a hermeticist has to make hand gestures and Aetheric Bludgeon
say a few words to perform operations. A magician who Cost: 2
wishes to conceal her efforts can make a Dexterity + Sleight Difficulty: 0
of Hand roll; success means that she can attempt the Range: 20 yards (bolt range)
operation without being obvious. This comes at a price; the Duration: Instant
hermeticist must add 3 black dice to her casting roll as the Upon completion of this operation a pale bolt of energy
muted gestures weaken the operation. forms around the hermeticists hand and is hurled at a
target. The bolt does 8 dice of bruise damage. The bolt is not
A hermeticist cannot use discretion if the spell requirements resisted with Resolve; the rules for dodging ranged attacks
are obvious, such as Scholars Guard. Also, there are some apply. One operation provides one bolt.
operations that, while they can be cast discreetly, have an

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 VICTORIANA

Aer Telum muleTreA In addition to determining duration, each success in this

Aetheric Bolt operation adds 5 mph to the speed of the item/vehicle.
Cost: 2
Difficulty: 3 Turbatio oitabruT
Range: 20 yards (bolt range) Botheration
Duration: Instant Cost: 1
Upon completion of the operation, an aetheric bolt of green Difficulty: 0
energy forms around the hermeticists hand and is hurled at Range: Touch
a target. The bolt does 8 dice of lethal damage. Aetheric bolt Duration: Rounds
is not resisted with Resolve; instead, the rules for dodging Once cast, the victim may make a resistance roll. If she
ranged attacks apply. One operation provides one bolt. fails, the target becomes totally confused. A confused target
cannot concentrate on even simple tasks, and applies an
Aer Flamma ammalfrea additional 6 black dice to all tasks.
Aetheric Inferno
Cost: 4 Remedium muidemer
Difficulty: 9 Cure
Range: 100 yards (bolt range) Cost: 3
Duration: Rounds Difficulty: 3
This operation channels the energy around the hermeticist Range: Touch
into a seething stream of fire. For the duration of the Duration: Instant
operation, she may throw streams of energy at opponents This operation instantly cleanses the target of any diseases
using Resolve + Thaumaturgy at no additional cost. The or infections afflicting them of potency 5 or less. Poisons
hermeticist can throw any amount of barrages from one and physical wounds cannot be treated with Cure.
casting (at a cost of one action each) until the duration
expires. Each blast does 8 dice of lethal damage, which may Obscure erucsbo
be dodged like a ranged attack. Darkness
Cost: 2
Aer Sinus suniSreA Difficulty: 0
Aetheric Pocket Range: 20 yards
Cost: 2 Duration: Minutes
Difficulty: 0 This operation creates a billowing black cloud of absolute
Range: Touch darkness. From outside the operations 5 yard radius, the
Duration: Hours cloud appears to be thick, roiling smoke. From within, there
The hermeticist creates an extra-dimensional pocket into is absolute darkness, with no suggestion of smoke or a gas
which she can put items for later retrieval. The aetheric of any kind.
pocket is 2 cubic feet in size, although it need not be square.
Anything the hermeticist slips into the aetheric pocket may Phasmatis Vinculum m u l u c n i V s i t a m s a h P
be retrieved as if it were a normal pocket (which means an Ectoplasmic Bonds
aetheric pocket can get cluttered). When the duration ends, Cost: 2
anything inside the aetheric pocket immediately appears at Difficulty: 3
eye level with the hermeticist and drops to the ground. Range: 40 yards
Duration: Hours
Animo omina Tendrils of ectoplasmic slime materialise to ensnare the
Animate target of this spell. The bonds may stick a target to a surface,
Cost: 2 such as a wall, floor or ceiling. Breaking free from the slime
Difficulty: 3 requires a Strength + Might roll with a 5 black dice penalty.
Range: Touch Winning breaks free, losing remains entangled. After 2
Duration: Minutes hours, the slime starts to lose coherence, and the difficulty
This operation animates an object. Animate is a popular drops by 1 black die each half hour from that point until the
operation amongst artificers as it enables them to animate end of the duration.
an axle so that a carriage or coach can move without horses.

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Phasmatis Manus sunaMsitamsahP Lumen nemuL

Ectoplasmic Hand Gaslight
Cost: 2 Cost: 1
Difficulty: 0 Difficulty: 0
Range: 20 yards Range: 5 yards
Duration: Rounds Duration: Minutes
The hermeticist creates an ectoplasmic hand that mimics This operation creates a small ball of light in the hermeticists
what his own hand does. The hand can appear anywhere hand. The light has the power of a good gas lamp and
the hermeticist can see. He can use it to pick up something illuminates a radius of approximately 5 yards. The ball can
from across the room and bring it to him or he can use it to float, and may be mentally directed by the hermeticist to
reach inside a marvel to make repairs. any position within range.

Eminus Loqui iuqolsunime Refoveo oevofeR

Farspeech Groom
Cost: 1 Cost: 1
Difficulty: 0 Difficulty: 0
Range: Sight Range: Self
Duration: Minutes Duration: Instant
This operation allows whispered conversation to be passed This operation washes, refreshes, oils and combs hair,
as far as the eye can see. As long as the target can be seen, trims the moustache, even dusts down and presses the
they can hear the hermeticists words. This operation does hermeticists clothes. Observers will see the hermeticist
not grant two-way communications. improving in appearance as if tended to by invisible hands,
with creases and folds in clothing ironed out while still
Ignicule elucingi worn.
Firespark
Cost: 1 Siccus s u cc i S
Difficulty: 0 Hair of the Dog
Range: Self Cost: 3
Duration: Rounds Difficulty: 3
A small gas flame appears from the finger or thumb of the Range: Touch
hermeticist. The flame lasts several seconds and is sufficient Duration: Instant
to light a pipe, cigarette, lamp, candle or fire. The hermeticist must incant the formulae to this operation
loudly in Latin. Upon completion, all of the targets hangover
Wyver Volatus sutalovrevyw symptoms are gone. The operation relieves headache,
Flight of the Wyvern dizziness, lethargy, bloodshot eyes, and bowel trouble.
Cost: 2 Note that none of the above symptoms can be cured unless
Difficulty: 0 they are symptoms of a hangover. The Gamesmaster should
Range: Self be reminded to increase the Difficulty of the operation if the
Duration: Minutes hermeticist is the one with the hangover!
The hermeticist can command aethereal forces to
counterbalance the forces of gravity, thereby granting Vigeas saegiv
the power of flight. The hermeticist gains a flying combat Heal
speed of 16 yards/round. As the air is not a native element Cost: 2
to sapientkind, flight is slow and unsteady at first, with Difficulty: 0
manoeuvres relying on intellect alone. Frequent flyers, Range: Touch
however, may study the speciality skill Flight. When the Duration: Instant
operation expires, the hermeticist falls slowly to earth. She This operation knits flesh and dispels infection, instantly
suffers no damage from the fall, but might still end up in a healing 1 Health die per success. The application of this
tree if she mismanages her descent. operation has made the Guild renowned as miracle healers.
Diseases cannot be treated with Heal; they must be treated
with Cure.

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Decoro oroceD No object may be raised higher than 6 yards from the
Instant Beauty ground, and no more objects than the hermeticists Wits + 1
Cost: 2 may be raised at one time. Levitation simply moves objects
Difficulty: 0 upwards; it confers no further movement ability.
Range: Touch
Duration: Hours Plures Offa affOserulP
This operation increases the desirability of the recipient. Pepperbox Volley
No discernible change occurs, but others find the recipient Cost: 2 per barrel
attractive anyway, possibly being puzzled as to why. The Difficulty: 0
Presence of the recipient increases by 2 for the duration Range: Touch
of the operation. Magnetists should take note that such Duration: Instant
glamours have little effect on spirits and so the bonus may An enterprising hermeticist in the Boston Guild discovered
not be added to magnetism rolls. that she could focus aetheric energy into the barrels of
her pepperbox, causing multiple barrels to fire at once.
Invisibilis silibisivnI Unlike typical volley fire, the hermeticist can select how
Invisibility many barrels she wishes to fire at the same time. Damage
Cost: 2 and penalties are as listed for a typical volley shot. This
Difficulty: 3 operation can also be used on harmonica guns, but the
Range: Self maximum bullets affected are 1 or 2 less than the total (or,
Duration: Minutes in the case of brick guns, 2 or 4), based on the positioning
When cast, this renders the hermeticist totally invisible to of the slide, as it blocks them from firing. With no barrels
normal sight. Some creatures and uses of Second Sight will to guide them, the extra bullets only have a 10 yard range.
be able to detect the hermeticist. The operation will only
render the body invisible; clothes and items are not invisible Fortitudo Fumus sumufodutitrof
unless swallowed or otherwise enclosed in a body cavity Power of Steam
Cost: 2
Levatio oitavel Difficulty: 0
Levitate Range: Touch
Cost: 1 Duration: Minutes
Difficulty: 0 The hermeticist may confer the motive power of a steam
Range: 10 yards train into a vehicle. When travelling in such a manner,
Duration: Rounds multi-hued steam pours from the vehicle, often obscuring
The hermeticist can command aethereal forces to sight (+3 black dice to all driving rolls). Each success adds
counterbalance the forces of gravity, allowing the levitation 10mph to the vehicles speed.
of herself or other persons and objects.
If applied to a person, their running speed is doubled and
they gain +2 Strength. However, they also go bright red as
magical steam gushes from ears, mouth, nose, and through
the seams of clothing. Living creatures take 6 dice of bruise
damage each minute as a result of the unnatural exertions
the body undergoes in this state.

Restituo outitseR
Repair
Cost: 2
Difficulty: 0
Range: Touch
Duration: Instant
This operation repairs damaged objects. Each success
repairs 1 Structure die (or 2 pips, if the object has more than
two pips per die).

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Philologi Tutelae ealetutigololiph Lingua augniL

Scholars Guard Tongues
Cost: 1 Cost: 1
Difficulty: 0 Difficulty: 0
Range: Touch Range: 20 yards
Duration: Hours Duration: Minutes
The hermeticist traces an imaginary perimeter with This operation enables the hermeticist to understand any
pointed finger. The perimeter may be up to 3 yards radius. language as if she had 3 Language ranks, and also allows
Anything stepping through the perimeter sets off a magical anyone to understand the hermeticist for the duration of
alarm. The nature of the highly audible alarm is left to the the operation.
hermeticist.
Offirmo Vere erevomriffo
Visus Praeter retearpsusiv True Lock
Second Sight Cost: 1
Cost: 1 Difficulty: 0
Difficulty: 0 Range: Touch
Range: 20 yards Duration: Hours
Duration: Rounds This operation is cast upon a portal such as a door, window,
With this operation active, the hermeticist can see box lid or other such scalable opening. The magic of the
supernatural effects clearly. Possessing demons appear operation permeates the material of the portal and knits it
as if fully manifested through second sight; experiment together with strong, magic glue. The portal can no longer
effects appear as glowing energy and their nature may be be opened normally, and must be forced.
discerned with Perception rolls. Creatures such as ghosts
are always visible through second sight.

While second sight is active, mundane sight is dim and

darkened; all Perception tests relating to the mundane
~ P etty C onjuring ~
world apply a 2 black dice penalty. Conjure is often dismissed as petty conjuring or low
magic by hermeticists, a crude magic worked by primitive
Procul Oculus sulucolucorp or ignorant people that have little business dabbling with
Spyglass Eyes the aether. For their part, conjurers pay little heed to the
Cost: 1 haughty aristocrats, correctly pointing out that their magic
Difficulty: 0 has worked for centuries and they often have the support of
Range: Self their customers, who can purchase and use the enchantments
Duration: Minutes themselves.
This operation allows the hermeticist to see with up to x20
magnification, as if using a powerful spyglass. The spyglass While conjurers do need to tap into their own quintessence
effect may be turned on or off during the duration. to spark the aether, the true power comes from nature. This
explanation is of course denounced as heresy by Aluminat
Chalybs Corium muirocsbylahc authorities who are all too eager to replace nature with
Steely Skin demons.
Cost: 3
Difficulty: 3 Conjurers often walk a fine line not to be condemned as
Range: Touch heretics (or worse) and generally attribute their enchantments
Duration: Minutes to saints or angels. Urban conjurers regularly attend church
This operation enables a hermeticist to weave an invisible in order to ward off accusations of witchcraft.
aetheric shield around the recipient, granting an Armour
Value of 6. This AV is added to any other armour worn. Privately, many conjurers still practice the old faiths and
prefer to be called cunning folk or herbalists (urban
conjurers prefer apothecaries) rather than the Guild-
imposed classification of petty conjurer.

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 VICTORIANA

They show reverence for ancient holidays and often gather preparation time. With a single success die, she may salvage
in secret to celebrate them. Unlike the typical Aluminat her ingredients and only loses the preparation time.
priest, who barely tolerates other branches of the Aluminat
much less Yehudites or Nithami, conjurers tend to see If the conjure is successful, then the conjurer has created
practitioners of other old faiths as brethren, even though a focus and pays the quintessence cost normally. The
their customs, practices, and magical rituals differ. conjurer should also note her successes, as each success
level of Good and higher adds an extra Resolve point to
As the industrial revolution marches onward, some the Activation Duration.
conjurers have turned their attention towards invention.
Ironically, this is one area where conjuration is gaining If the conjurer is unsuccessful, then she loses twice her
respect within Guild circles. In this sense, conjuration quintessence cost. She may start the ritual again assuming
is treated much the same way as sigil magic, as magical she has enough quintessence remaining. Once enchanted,
enhancements to the operation of machines. Many middle the focus remains dormant until activated.
class engineers seek conjurers as spouses, considering
magical aid as part of the dowry. Activating a Focus
No training is required to activate a magical focus.
Anyone can do it so long as she knows it is a focus and
Creating Enchantments has a genuine belief in its magical power (obviously, an
Conjuration is the act of drawing out the quintessence adventurer who receives a focus from a conjurer knows of
locked within particular objects and combining them to its power). A focus is also easily revealed to anyone who
create a focus. The resulting magic imbued in the focus looks at it with some form of magic sense or spirit sight.
can then be released at a later time. Anyone can release Additionally, anyone who truly believes in the old ways
the magic within a focus as long as he performs the will also just know whenever they touch an enchanted
activation ritual. Conjurers tend to refer to their charms as focus. However, a Wits + Conjure roll is the only way to
enchantments. divine what it actually does, and even then the answer is
usually a little vague.
Preparation Time
Conjuring takes time. Even if a conjurer has the ingredients To activate a focus, the user need only be touching the item
at hand, she needs to be properly prepared and blended and perform a physical action (this is usually described in
together in a series of ritualised actions. Ritual times are the enchantment description). The user must also pay the
always of varying lengths; different ingredients require Activation Cost in quintessence. The user need not be a
different preparations. Once the ritual time is up, the magician, but the usual rules for quintessence loss apply.
conjurer makes a Resolve + Conjure roll. If she fails, then The users Resolve determines the length of time a focus
the batch is ruined and shes lost both ingredients and the remains in effect, if appropriate.

A Sack-full of Goodies
Players can make convincing arguments that their conjurers have made several foci prior to the current adventure, allowing
them to outstrip their hermetic allies with almost unlimited magic and dole out the benefits to the entire party. That said its
generally not fair to start a conjurer with nothing, as shed be ineffective until she could set aside a few hours to power up.
A balance needs to be struck.

A good rule of thumb is to allow the conjurer to start an adventure with a number of foci equal to twice her Conjure skill
rating. As an alternative, you could allow the conjurer to create foci normally, ignoring preparation times, until she runs out
of quintessence.

Between adventures you should be able to gauge the amount of time the conjurer has to make more foci, keeping in mind
that she can normally only spend a few hours a day enchanting foci.

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Enchantments Penndaga
Befuddle
Ritual Cost: 1 Difficulty: 0
Ritual length: 2 hrs Activation range: Touch
Languages of Conjuration Activation cost: 1 Duration: Rounds
Most conjurers in Southern England follow variations
The focus must be dowsed 9 times in a mixture of herbs
of the Anglo-Saxon or Celtic traditions. Anglo-Saxon
while the enchantment is cast. When activated, the focus
conjurers simply use English (albeit occasionally archaic
must be touching the bare flesh of the victim or the activator
forms) for their enchantments, while Celtic conjurers
is affected. If the victim cannot score 2 successes on a Resolve
use modern forms of older languages. The terms here
roll, they become disoriented and confused, applying a
are presented in Cornish, although there are many
penalty of 6 black dice to all actions. Success by the target
conjurers in London that use Gaelic or Welsh.
results in no effect at all.
Conjurers rarely write their enchantments down,
Kath Uskis
relying on memory and practice. Occasionally, Anglo-
Cat Nimble
Saxon conjurers use runes or simply English, while
Ritual Cost: 1 Difficulty: 0
Celtic conjurers rely on Ogham. Ogham can be written
Ritual length: 1 hr Activation range: Self
vertically or horizontally. When written horizontally it is
Activation cost: 1 Duration: Rounds
read from right to left.
To perform this ritual, the conjurer must playact hunting for
mice, as if she were a cat. During the ritual, the focus must
be carried or worn; at the finish of the ritual, the focus is
Enyval Dov imbued. Once activated, the focus grants the activator the
Animal Companion dexterity and grace of a cat (+2 Dexterity) for the duration.
Ritual Cost: 3 Difficulty: 6
Ritual length: 2 hrs Activation range: n/a Huk-Skeus
Activation cost: n/a Duration: A year and a day Cloak of Shadows
Ritual Cost: 1 Difficulty: 0
This ritual enchants a living animal, granting it additional Ritual length: 1 hr Activation range: Touch
intelligence and durability. The conjurer must gather herbs Activation cost: 1 Duration: Minutes
to prepare a magical concoction. This enchantment increases
the Mental and Physical Competence of the animal by 1 each. The focus must be cloth and is sprinkled with powdered
The activator must sip the concoction and coax the animal to cobwebs; ripping the cloth activates the item. The item and
do so as well. If the animal is not domestic, then this requires anything enclosed (such as a man within a coat) become
an average Wits + Animal Handling roll. semi-transparent, blending with surroundings and becoming
easier to hide. Any Hide & Sneak or Conceal actions gain +4
The enchantment creates a bond of friendship, although to the dice pool.
there is no compulsion to stay with the activator if the
animal is being badly treated. Also, the conjurer and the Formya Tegenn-Kolonn
companion animal are able to communicate telepathically. Create Heartstone
The enchantment lasts for a year and a day, after which time Ritual Cost: 2 Difficulty: 0
the enchantment must be cast again. Ritual length: 4 hrs Activation range: Self
Activation cost: n/a Duration: See description
In spite of conjure being looked down upon in aristocratic
circles, the Animal Companion enchantment is well-received, This ritual creates a heartstone; using a heartstone while
especially by those who own Frendal lizards. Indeed, ladies performing rituals halves all ritual times. In addition,
find it quite fashionably scandalous to visit a local apothecary heartstones can store quintessence for later use. The
in an undesirable part of the city just to get the focus for this conjurer chooses her focus (usually a stone) and spends the
enchantment. ritual time personalising and enchanting it and, during the
process, transferring up to 12 Quintessence pips into the

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 VICTORIANA

item. The amount of quintessence to be transferred must be Konnar

specified before the casting roll and, if the roll is a failure, Fury
half the Quintessence pips are lost. This quintessence stays Ritual Cost: 1 Difficulty: 0
within the item and may be called upon at a later date by Ritual length: 1 hr Activation range: Sight
any magician (of any type) who touches it. Activation cost: 1 Duration: Minutes

To enact this ritual, the conjurer must rage at the heavens

in a pitched argument for a whole hour while wearing or
Heartstones for Other Traditions carrying a focus. At the end of the hour, the focus is imbued.

While heartstones may only be created through Once activated, the enchantment causes the target to burst
conjuring, conjurers of any tradition may reap the into an uncontrollable outburst of anger and hatred. All
benefits of one. Ranking members of the Guild scoff at of her slightest dislikes and annoyances become ferocious
this, as they believe that a true hermeticist doesnt need hatreds. If the victim cannot score 2 successes on a Resolve
to resort to petty conjuring to maintain an adequate roll, they become violent and enraged, attacking anything
level of quintessence. Magnetists have no such qualms nearby that may draw their wrath. Success by the victim
and many clairvoyants and spiritualists use heartstones as results in no effect at all, although they are confused for
a matter of course. Those hermeticists that risk ridicule a round as the rage washes over them. If the activator is
from their betters often incorporate heartstones into a conjurer, aware of the focus effect, they may add up to
walking stick handles or broaches. as many black dice to the victims Resolve roll (to resist
the effects) as they have skill in Enchanting. This costs
2 additional Quintessence pips from the activator per
additional black die.
Lymma
Edge Sharp Gul Keser
Ritual Cost: 1 Difficulty: 0 Hailstorm
Ritual length: 3 hrs Activation range: Touch Ritual Cost: 1 Difficulty: 0
Activation cost: 1 Duration: Rounds Ritual length: 4 hrs Activation range: Sight
Activation cost: 1 Duration: Instant
This ritual makes a mundane item into a weapon, or increases
the effectiveness of an existing weapon. During the ritual, the The conjurer must collect dew from the grass and wet the
item that is to be affected must be prayed over at dawn. To focus with it, while singing an ancient dirge. The conjurer
activate the focus, simply attack with the focus as a weapon. must make a successful Presence + Art (singing) roll, as well as
The weapon does 3 dice of lethal damage as well as any the usual magic roll for the ritual to succeed. Once the focus is
normal damage rolled for the weapon type. If the conjurer activated, a howling torrent of huge hailstones descends from
increases the Difficulty of the enchantment (but by no more the sky (or ceiling) onto the target for 8 dice of bruise damage at
than her Enchanting skill), the weapon does an additional ground zero, losing 1 dice of damage for each yard radius out.
die of damage for each point the Difficulty goes up.
Past Yaghus
Millamma Healing Poultice
Far Leap Ritual Cost: 2 Difficulty: 0
Ritual Cost: 2 Difficulty: 0 Ritual length: 1 hr Activation range: Touch
Ritual length: 3 hrs Activation range: Self Activation cost: 1 Duration: Instant
Activation cost: 1 Duration: Rounds
The herbs for the focus (the poultice) must be correctly
The conjurer strings the focus to a kite, which is then flown gathered and prepared. The poultice is activated when
at sunset. Once activated, the enchantment enables the applied to a wound and has only one use. It immediately
leaping of huge distances with little effort. From a standing restores 2 Health pips per focus roll success to the recipient.
start, the activator may jump up to her running movement Conventional medicine may be used to treat the same
horizontally or vertically, and land with no exertion. wound and more than one poultice can be applied at a time.

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Pareusi Desempis seeds to the ground, which then erupt in thick, entangling
Instant Reload vines and creepers. The vines cover an area equal to
Ritual Cost: 2 Difficulty: 0 double the activators Resolve +1 in square feet, and hinder
Ritual length: 1 hour Activation range: Touch enemies but not allies. Any enemy who cannot succeed in a
Activation cost: 1 Duration: Instant Dexterity + Athletics roll in the area receives a 6 black dice
penalty to all physical actions.
This ritual enables a conjurer to enchant ammunition so
that it instantly appears in the weapon after its been fired.
Ammunition will only appear if there are available spaces
for it.

Gul War-Lergh Enyval

Liken Shape
Ritual Cost: 3 Difficulty: 3+
Ritual length: 6 hrs Activation range: Self
Activation cost: 2 Duration: Hours

This charm lets the activator assume the form of a natural

animal. The activator temporarily takes on the new shape and
corresponding attacks for the duration of the enchantment.
The enchantment also grants a limited communication with
other animals of the same kind. An animals skill knowledge
(such as hunting or fighting) is not inherited with the form.
The conjurer adds 1 black die for each die of additional
damage the new form would grant over the conjurers usual
unarmed attack (the conjurers best unarmed attack; usually
kick). If the new form grants more than one type of attack,
then only the attack with the most damage dice is counted
when determining Difficulty.

Example: Nevin takes the form of a unicorn. The unicorn has two
attacks, impale (6 dice) and kick (5 dice). Nevin has 1 Strength
and usually does 3 dice damage when kicking. Since impale does
the most damage, he subtracts his unarmed damage dice and gets
(6 -3) 3 dice damage total. He adds this to the Difficulty so he
needs to roll (3 +3) black dice when conjuring.

The conjurer must make a necklace of bones gathered Ro a-Keynvor

from the corpse of an animal of the type she intends to Oceans Gift
impersonate; she is not allowed to kill the creature herself. Ritual Cost: 1 Difficulty: 0
Donning the necklace allows the animal form to be adopted. Ritual length: 20 mins Activation range: Self
Activation cost: 1 Duration: Minutes
Gwinbrennyer Byw
Living Vines During the ritual, the conjurer must totally immerse
Ritual Cost: 2 Difficulty: 3 herself in the sea and, while doing so, take something
Ritual length: 3 hrs Activation range: Thrown from beneath the waves, such as a shell. Subsequently
Activation cost: 2 Duration: Minutes breaking this object underwater activates the effect. The
enchantment allows the activator to breathe normally
During the ritual, the conjurer collects acorns and berries for the duration as long as a piece of the broken focus is
from the ground, and paints them with bark resin. To clasped in the activators hand. If the broken item is lost,
activate the enchantment, the activator simply throws the the enchantment is broken.

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 VICTORIANA

Menkann Gwithya rag Glaw

Pebble Shine Rainguard
Ritual Cost: 1 Difficulty: 0 Ritual Cost: 1 Difficulty: 0
Ritual length: 1 hr Activation range: Touch Ritual length: 30 mins Activation range: Self
Activation cost: 1 Duration: Hours Activation cost: 1 Duration: Hours

The focus is a pebble; it must be danced around in the light This enchantment, once activated, keeps the activator
of sunrise. Subsequent activation causes the focus to glow dry even in the fiercest downpour (although it offers no
with enough light to fully illuminate a 20ft radius. If the protection against water-based enchantments). The conjurer
conjurer wishes, he or she can hold the pebble and move must gather rainwater in a copper container, then soak the
it about. Activation is caused by rubbing the pebble three focus (usually clothing) in the water; the enchantment is
times. activated whenever the item contacts rainwater.

Pedri Hunya
Power of Decay Sleep
Ritual Cost: 2 Difficulty: 3 Ritual Cost: 2 Difficulty: 0
Ritual length: 6 hrs Activation range: Touch Ritual length: see description Activation range: Touch
Activation cost: 1 Duration: Instant Activation cost: 1 Duration: Hours

This ritual requires the conjurer to collect some decaying The conjurer stays awake from dusk till dawn, singing to
animal and plant matter, mould it into the shape of a the focus. The focus activates when it touches flesh. If the
man and burn it slowly. The conjurer then keeps the ash; victim cannot score 2 successes on a Resolve roll, she falls
throwing the ash in the air and pointing at the target into a deep sleep and will be extremely difficult to wake
activates the enchantment. before the duration of the enchantment runs out. If the
victim succeeds, she is hit with a wave of exhaustion, giving
The enchantment only affects inanimate objects, and speeds her a penalty of 3 black dice on all actions.
the passage of time, ageing things by 2D units. Following is
a list of examples of what can be accomplished by different If the activator is a conjurer, aware of the focus effect, they
amounts of units: to rust a sword or gun to uselessness may add up to as many black dice to the victims Resolve
10 units; to totally dissolve clothes 5 units; to completely roll (to resist the effects) as they have skill in Conjure. This
rot wooden beams 8 units. The range is touch (of the ash costs 2 additional Quintessence pips from the activator per
to the target) so a bag of ash could be thrown to increase additional black die.
range.
Qeth-Meyn
Tenn Tawesek Stone Cloth
Quiet Shot Ritual Cost: 2 Difficulty: 0
Ritual Cost: 1 Difficulty: 0 Ritual length: 3 hrs Activation range: Self
Ritual length: 20 minutes Activation range: Touch Activation cost: 1 Duration: Hours
Activation cost: 1 Duration: Instant
The conjurer must grind up sandstone into powder and
This ritual quiets the sound of a fired gun. The enchantment cover the focus (typically clothes) with the dust; the
only works for one shot, so the conjurer will usually get conjurer must also stick a large pin into the item. The focus
herself into the most advantageous position possible is activated when this pin is removed (1 action).
to use it. Hearing a firearm being shot whilst using this
enchantment requires a Very Difficult (6 black dice) Wits + The enchantment toughens the focus with an AV of 6,
Perception skill check. which is added to any previous AV of the item and other
armour worn (many conjurers layer themselves with this
The enchantment ritual involves wrapping a soft cloth enchantment, such as putting it on a shirt, waistcoat, and
around the barrel of the gun. When the cloth is removed, jacket, to maximise the effect). A stone cloth enchantment
the enchantment will activate on the weapons next shot. lasts for the duration of the enchantment, or until the dust
is washed off.

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Menwel For instance, the Futhorc rune of strength could apply

Stone Sight to physical power or mental forbearance; it is up to the
Ritual Cost: 2 Difficulty: 3 magician to decide which as she crafts it.
Ritual length: 2 hr Activation range: Touch
Activation cost: 2 Duration: Hours
Sigil Inscription
This crafting uses two small stones as focuses. During the A sigil may be drawn or inscribed on any material object.
ritual, they are painstakingly painted to resemble eyes. The Inscription is the preferred method, as sigils inscribed in
enchantment allows the activator to see through the first stone or metal are more durable, but when time is of the
focus by holding the second to her forehead - the activator essence, a scrawled sigil on a piece of paper will suffice.
can see from all directions of the object by turning, as if she The power is in the magician, who creates the sigil and
were at the location of the first focus herself. then infuses it with her quintessence. Because of this, a sigil
scribe needs a Resolve of 1 or more to create sigils.

~ S igil M agic ~
In ancient societies, a letter was often more than a sound:
it was a symbol. The first writings were pictures; each
picture represented a word or thought. As time went on,
pictures became abstract and the first pictograms came into
being. Like the pictures before them, the simpler and more
abstract pictograms continued to convey entire words and
meanings. When the pictograms evolved into letters, these
letters continued to carry complex meanings with them.

Sigil magic is the infusion of these meanings into objects

in order to give their wielders a boon. Contrary to popular
belief, it is not the letter itself that is magical, but rather the
force of will of the magician who inscribed it. The magician
focuses on the meaning of the letter as she draws upon
her own quintessence to infuse an object, usually a small
pebble, with aetheric energy. This sigil (or rune, as Anglo-
Saxon conjurers tend to call it) can then be given to anyone
to activate at a later time.

Since the letters themselves arent important, magicians use

different alphabets when inscribing an object. Celtic scribes
prefer Ogham, while Germanic scribes prefer runes. Guild- Prior to inscribing a sigil, the magician needs to decide how
trained magicians tend to use Enochian, while Yehudi to interpret it. A sigil either grants bonus dice or a reduction
magicians prefer Hebrew. So long as each magician and of black dice to a certain situation. For example, a magician
her culture continue to reinforce the meanings of the letters may use the Enochian letter Ceph to grant +2 dice to ranged
in her preferred alphabet, she will be able to inscribe the attacks or -3 black dice when shooting at opponents behind
magical power of those meanings into objects. cover. This guideline is left deliberately vague; a good
magician is always thinking of creative ways to apply
While sigil magic isnt as powerful as the other forms of sigils. Sigils never modify Attributes or Skills directly; they
magic (and it is a matter of debate as to whether it is a form always modify situations.
at all, or more properly part of conjuration or hermeticism),
it is much more versatile. Even if a magician studies only Creating a sigil works the same as any other spell; the
a single letter, she can inscribe objects with various effects magician rolls her Resolve + Inscription against a Difficulty
so long as they relate to the general meaning of the letter. number and then pays the quintessence cost. It is important

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to note that the sigil scribe needs a sigil to meditate upon explodes, doing 3 dice damage to both Gordon, whos holding it,
and such a sigil must be crafted by her own hand. The time and Rhiannon, who was trying to wrest it back. The two pieces of
taken to create the sigil is not included in the ritual time, the stick are now on fire.
and takes about an hour.

The Difficulty in inscribing a sigil is equal to 3 plus the

bonus dice or reduced black dice that the magician wishes
Stacking Sigils
to place on it. Thus, a sigil that grants a +1 bonus has a Ordinarily, sigil bonuses do not stack; an adventurer
Difficulty of 4. A magician can only inscribe a maximum only uses the highest bonus applicable to her situation.
bonus equal to her Resolve.
Example: Sir Thomas has the Futhorc runes Cen (+3 to
Once inscribed, a sigil can be activated at any time with one attack s during the night) and Ur (+2 to melee attack s).
caveat: if the sigil is marred in any way (ink smudged, a When getting into fisticuffs during the night, Sir Thomas
chip in the carving, burning a paper sigil, smashing a stone only receives a +3 bonus, not +5.
sigil), then the sigil loses its aetheric energy and becomes
useless. This stacking prohibition only applies to single rolls.
An adventurer can use multiple sigils within the same
round, provided they are granting bonuses to different
Sigil Activation rolls.
Sigil activation has elements of both conjuration and
hermeticism. A sigil must be activated by the magician Example: If Sir Thomas also had the Eoh (3 points of
that created it, but the power of the sigil remains with it, protection against melee attack s) rune, then he could
allowing the sigil to be given to someone else to use for the use both Cen and Eoh in the same round, one to attack
duration. This effectively means that a sigil can be stolen and one to protect himself.
and used by anyone, even those hostile to the magician that
created it.

Activating a sigil requires a Resolve + Inscription roll with

a Difficulty equal to half the Difficulty when creating it
(round up). The Quintessence cost is 1 + (dice modifier) and
the duration is in hours
~ S ample S igil A lphabets ~
While there are likely hundreds of magical alphabets in the
As with inscription, the sigil only remains active so long as world, most of those found in southern England tend to be
it is unmolested. Any alteration or destruction of the sigil Futhorc, Ogham and Enochian. Each is detailed here.
releases the aetheric energy. Once the duration is over the
sigil becomes powerless, but the magician who created it Enochian
can re-use it in another ritual, thereby eliminating the need Enochian letters often have hidden realms within their
to paint or carve another sigil. meanings, so that opposite forces can exist within the same
letter.

Sigil Destruction Un ( A ) Aether, magic, the Unknowable One

Since sigils are infused with aetheric energy, destroying Pe ( B ) Blessing, comfort
a sigil violently expels that energy. Paper burns, stones Ged ( G ) Nourishment, justice, recompense
explode, and metal sparks and melts. Anyone within 5 feet Gal ( D ) Hunger, physicality, poverty
of a sigil when it is damaged takes a number of damage dice Graph ( E ) Power of being
equal to the sigils bonus. Orth ( F ) Connection, unification
Ceph ( Z ) Destruction, movement, war
Example: Rhiannon is using the Ogham Ur sigil, which is carved Nah ( H ) Life, quintessence
on her walking stick. The sigil grants a +3 bonus to resist Charm Hath (T ) Good, hidden, secret
attempts. Gordon, an Ogre, grabs the staff from Rhiannons Gon ( I ) Spirituality, will
hand and snaps it like a twig, breaking the sigil in half. The sigil Veh ( C ) Glory, great achievement, honour, respect

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Ur ( L ) Learning, teaching b Eihwaz/Eoh (Yew) - Protection, blocking, defence,

Tal ( M ) Completion, perfection control, patience
Drun ( N ) Emergence, fallen archons R Per/Peor (Mystery) - Secrets, arcane lore, initiation,
Pal ( X ) - Support magic
Med ( O ) Consciousness, guilt, insight a Algiz/Eolh (Feelings) - Emotions, the spirit, feelings,
Mals ( P ) Diminishing value, flaw, freedom, speech opportunities, mirrors, intuitions
Ger ( Q ) Humility, righteousness U Sowilo/Sigel (Sun) - Wholeness, light, life, healing,
Don ( R ) Collapse, growth, holiness repairing, mending, warmth
Fam ( S ) Cosmic container, unrighteousness, wickedness V Tiwaz/Tiw (Chaos) - Demonology, disorder, insanity,
Gisa ( T ) Cosmic nourishment, depressed, negligent the Pale, sin
Vau ( U ) Pestilence, sickness, true law D Berkanan/Beorc (Birch) - Growth, fairness, waiting,
endurance, blossoming
Futhark/Futhorc G Ehwaz/Eh (Horse) - Movement, travel, journeying,
The Futhark was Odins gift to the Germanic peoples horses, progress, transport
around the same time the Voices rebellion shook the O Mannaz/Mann (Sapient) - The self, the individual, man,
Roman Empire. Some say that is was Odins wish to protect woman, introversion, self-discovery
the Germanic peoples from Rome; others believe he merely N Iaguz/Lagu (Lake) - Eddy and flow, water, transitions,
wished to unite the various traditions of Northern magic. transformations, living, relationships
d Inqwaz/Ing (Fertility) - New beginnings, fertility, life,
The Anglo-Saxons brought the Futhark with them when the moon, harmony, auspicious time
they invaded England and expanded upon them. While Q Oila/el (Estate) - Property, land, inheritance,
the Futhark has 25 runes, the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc has divergent paths, separation, retreat
29. The runes of each are functionally identical; the Futhark F Dagaz/Dg (Day) - Illness, darkness, corruption,
name is given first, followed by the equivalent Futhorc transcendence, overcoming
name. A pure Norse natural magician wont use the last h Ac (Oak) Growth, potential, support, unwavering
five runes (Ac, sc, Yr, Ior, and Ear), although many do, as C sc (Order) Karabim, Ophanim, natural law, steadfast
the Anglo-Saxon Five are quite potent. i Yr (Bow) Craftsfolkhip, industry, technology
Z Ior (Eel) Arbitration, Balance, judgement, omniscience,
H Fe/Feoh (Wealth) - Possessions, wealth, money, opposing forces
nourishment, the mundane j Ear (Grave) Death, rotting, Necromancy, spirits of the
e Uruz/Ur (Strength) - Strength, power, life and death, the dead
cycle of life, progression, change
E urisaz /orn (Thorn) - Opening, portal, gateway, Ogham
locking, unlocking, awakening Ogham is a Celtic writing form that is often carved into
f Ansuz/Os (Information) - Messages, communication, wood. It runs up and down, making it useful for putting on
connections, surprises staves, trees, and posts.
T Raido/Rad (Ride) - Togetherness, love, self-discovery,
healing, union, connections, binding H Beith (Birch) Beginnings, purification, renewal, youth
K Kuanan/Cen (Torch) - Release, opening, fire, dispelling D Luis (Rowan) Healing, magic, protection
K

the darkness, intent, concentration T Fearn (Alder) Guidance, passion, strength

I Gebo/Gyfu (Gift) - Partnership, gifts, sharing, duality, debt C Sail (Willow) Balance, divination, intuition
c Wynjo/Wynn (Joy) - Light, life, happiness, joy, Q Nion (Ash) Acceptance, binding, fate
knowledge, insight, reward B Huath (Hawthorn) Consequences, imprisonment,
J Haglaz/Hgl (Precipitation) - Disruption, elemental indecisive
power, weight, revenge, breaking free, just desserts L Dair (Oak) Nobility, perseverance, security, strength
P Naudiz/Nyd (Need) - Necessity, restraint, desires, F Tinne (Holly) Action, assertion, courage, judgment
needs, wants, hunger S Coll (Hazel) Arbitration, creativity, perception
K Isaz/Is (Ice) - Stillness, frozen, ice, blocking, standstill, N Ceirt (Apple) Beauty, choice, generosity, love
withdrawal, hesitation M Muin (Vine) Development, introspection, relaxation
g
K Jera/Ger (Harvest) - Harvest, time, the seasons, year, G Gort (Ivy) Change, determination, patience
annual Y Ngadal (Fern) Growth, health, surprise

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Z Straif (Blackthorn) Confusion, resentment, make pacts with Pale archons and simply call them all
stubbornness demonologists. Demonology generally follows the rules
R Ruis (Elder) Learning, profession, wisdom of hermeticism, although demonologists prefer the term
A Ailm (Pine) Foresight, planning, magnetism invocation to operation.
O Onn (Furze) Resourcefulness, transmutation
U r (Heather) Dreams, emotions, illusion, willpower Summoning Demons
E Eadhadh (Aspen) Doubts, fears, obstacles, omens As well as casting demonic invocations, the Demonology
I Iodhadh (Yew) Death, possession, rebirth, spirit skill can be used for summoning and commanding Pale
archons. Demons despise, or at best envy, their summoners,
but are bound by contracts to do their bidding. Most love to
be summoned (so that they can bring Entropy to the world)
~ T he M aleficium ~ but hate being bound. Since they serve against their will,
demons will almost invariably attempt to do the minimum
Collectively, the Maleficium, or Dark Arts, are areas within amount of work possible to fulfil the letter of the contract
other forms of magical study that are deemed dangerous and, if at all possible, will pervert the intent of the contract
and forbidden by the Guild. Of course, the seductive lure of so as to actively cause problems for the summoner.
these arts attracts many curious students with little regard
for their own safety; indeed, the price often far outweighs Devils, on the other hand, truly enjoy the art of the bargain
the benefits. Part of the lure is that it doesnt require the and always attempt to craft contracts for their ultimate
student to be a magician, although most practitioners benefit. Many a diabolist has thought that he bargained for
generally are. All that is required is study, as demons, one thing, only to find that hed signed away something
devils, and perhaps even darker beings, connect the disciple far more dear to him or become bound by terms he cant
to the aether. stomach in the fine print. The devil, they say, is in the details.

Not all students of the Maleficium are tortured souls ready The first time a demonologist summons a particular
to embrace sin or seeking immortality. The Guild has long demon, a lengthy summoning ritual must be carried out,
understood that in order to combat practitioners of the Dark complete with assorted paraphernalia. The ritual works in
Arts it must first understand those Dark Arts. Thus, worthy the same way as spell-casting but summoning rituals often
members of the Guild are granted Maleficium licences to take hours, not rounds, and, as with conjuration, often
probe at the edges of these forbidden lores in the hopes that have material requirements. The duration of such spells
they learn something worthwhile without becoming lost to is not applicable (effectively Instant), as is the range. If
the Maleficium themselves. successful, the adventurer summons the desired demon and
may commence contract negotiations. If the demonologist
In this section two Maleficium, demonology and necromancy, does not even get a single success, some dire consequence
are covered, although there are many more. These will be will result, typically the accidental summoning of a hostile
dealt with in future Victoriana supplements. demon of a different kind, or the attraction of a minor curse
to the adventurer. The details are left to the vindictiveness
of the individual Gamesmaster.

~ D emonology ~ It is also possible that a grimoire or object is primed,

allowing an adventurer with no magical knowledge to
Demonologists are magicians who have bargained with summon a Pale archon to perform a particular service
Pale archons for knowledge or power in the mortal merely by reading a passage or performing some act. The
world. In some cases demonology is learned through devil (it is usually a devil; demons have little time for such
study of forgotten grimoires, but most accomplished games) then offers to fulfil the promise of the primed object.
demonologists were directly taught by a Pale archon. As the devil now has a relationship with the adventurer, he
Demonologist is a bit of an umbrella term; demonologists is free to lead the unwitting soul further astray.
that make pacts with devils are more properly diabolists,
and it is whispered that some demonologists bargain with When summoned, the demon appears in its physical
indescribable creatures from beyond the Pale. Almost form. As long as it remains in the summoning circle the
every society has a terror of, and loathing for, those that demonologist has created for it in the ritual, it need not

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spend quintessence to maintain this form. So, while it wont If either party to the contract fails to fulfil its end of the
like to leave the circle, there is nothing stopping it doing so, bargain, the contract is immediately regarded as broken.
unless the demonologist has taken extra precautions. The demon will do its best to fulfil its end of the bargain
(as it sees it), as the contract temporally and magically
Demonic Contract Negotiation binds it to the Earthy plane where it can do more harm. So,
Summoning the demon is only half the job; the summoner when the contract is broken, the demon must make a roll to
must also negotiate a contract with the creature. Depending remain as detailed above.
on the power of the demon and the terms of any eventually
agreed contract, it may be possible to dispense with the If the summoner breaks the contract, but the demon
lengthy summoning ritual on future occasions, with the manages to remain on Earth, the demon is still forced to
demon coming on command, though this is unusual. fulfil its end of the bargain (but the summoner need not do
so). Needless to say, summoners who break contracts tend
Once the demon has been summoned, the demonologist to attract the eternal hatred of the demon involved, and
explains what she wishes from the contract, and makes a summoners who make a habit of it may find it much harder
demonic contract roll. If successful, she is able to negotiate to negotiate future contracts (adding a black dice penalty of
peacefully with the demon, though the terms of the 1 for each contract broken to future demonic contract rolls
contract may not be entirely favourable to her in any case. with any demon).
A powerful demon, contracted to perform a major task, will
certainly demand a suitably momentous payment in return, Demonic Possession
up to and including such things as: While it is possible for a demon to form a body for itself
when summoned on the Earthly plane, it is easier for it
The summoners immortal soul (a perennial favourite) to possess someone elses. This also gives the demon a
Sapient and/or animal sacrifices, in quantity disguise to use when working its mischief. Devils tend
Desecration of the buildings of, or physical attack on, not to possess people; as creatures of Order they respect
Aluminat people and property free will (although they do everything in their power to
Corruption of innocents influence people).
Temptation of the moral and upright
When a demon possesses another creature, it takes
The demonic contract roll is made using Presence + complete control of his body. If the host body dies, the
Demonology opposed to the demons Mental Competence demon must successfully possess a replacement body
(or Presence + Bull, or Presence + Demonology). If within a number of rounds equal to its Resolve, or else
successful, the number of successes the caster gains more be forced back to its home plane. The demon can decide
than the demon did are recorded as the control margin. to incarnate a physical form during this time, but it costs
A summoner who rolls a decent-sized control margin may 1 quintessence for each round it remains incarnated to
drive a more favourable bargain, but a single success will maintain the form.
only be sufficient to begin negotiations. A failure on the
demonic contract roll indicates that the demon is under no It takes the demon one action to make a Demonic Possession
obligation to even negotiate peacefully, or indeed at all, and Roll, which is an opposed roll of the Demons Resolve +
will typically attack the summoner before laying waste to Concentration against the targets Resolve + Concentration.
the region. Devils simply question the will of the summoner
and leave, knowing that the summoner will call again. Success indicates that the demon has inhabited the body,
though it may still vie with the host for precise control
Fulfilling or Breaking a Demonic Contract of the bodys actions. It may make full use of the hosts
Once the contract is completed, the demon is, in theory, senses, and may communicate with the host and try to
compelled to return to its home plane. While devils do, tempt it to co-operate but, if the host resists, the demon
demons may attempt to resist the compulsion with an must make a further Demonic Possession Roll to take full
average Resolve roll, with the control margin acting as a control. The winner of this opposed roll has control over
black dice penalty to the roll. If it resists, it may remain on the body for a number of hours equal to its own Resolve,
the Earthly plane as long as it desires or is able to. Most try after which a further Demonic Possession Roll may be
to possess a host (of any form) as quickly as they can before made. If either party gains control five times in succession,
they run out of quintessence. it may permanently force the other party out of the body

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(even if the other party was the original owner). Demons in may warp the host body in the most horrific and twisted
possession of hosts also enjoy tempting them to do terrible manner, so that it resembles the demons own original form.
things as a seductive voice in the back of their mind. The
most subtle demons can remain on earth in this state,
quietly corrupting a soul for years. Demonic Corruption
The use of Demonology is inherently corrupting to the
Holy items, holy water and the power of Faith can all help Demonologists mind, body, and soul, but particularly the
force a demon from a host by making the host body painful soul. The Gamemaster must record all the quintessence
to it. Such things hurt the demon without usually hurting spent when a character uses Demonology this number
the physical body. This pain is distracting to the demon; is the number of Corruption Points the character has. No
should the host attempt to reassert control, it penalises the distinction is made between invocations used for good or
Demons roll by a number of black dice. The number of dice evil. Even the operations that destroy demons draw on
is up to the Gamesmaster, depending on the power of the corrupting energy to perform them.
faith and the holy resources at their command.
As with Entropy and Order, a demonologists corruption
At the Gamesmasters discretion, the results of a Demonic tracks on a wheel. She starts at Cog 0; it moves each time
Possession Roll may or may not be readily physically she attains the necessary corruption for a particular cog.
apparent in the hosts person. A particularly strong demon Once she attains a new cog, she gains all the effects.

Demonic Corruption
The number in parentheses is the total number of corruption points needed to attain that cog. The effects below are for
typical demonologists that deal with the Pale Court; the Gamesmaster should feel free to adjust them for particular demons
and devils.

Cog 1 (100) Skin becomes unnaturally pale, OR demonologist becomes unnaturally thin, OR hair becomes unnatural
colour, OR eyes have unnatural glow, OR teeth appear sharper and more fang-like, OR fingernails become
long curving talons. She loses one point of Presence.

Cog 2 (600) Any three of the above; the total effect is highly unnerving. She loses an additional point of Presence.

Cog 3 (1000) Demonologist becomes very obviously unhinged erratic, shifty, and paranoid are the usual effects. She
loses an additional point of Presence.

Cog 4 (2000) The demonologist is tested personally by a powerful demonic entity, usually one sexually attractive to
the demonologist. A failure in this depraved test indicates that the character still has some kind of moral
sensitivity or virtues, and the entity will destroy her utterly for such failure. Success can only be achieved
if the character has eradicated all trace whatsoever of conscience. She loses a point of Fortitude.

Cog 5 (3000) The demonologist either becomes faceless, with only soft pale skin where her features should be (and
unable to eat, other than by magical or medical means), or becomes fully demonic in terms of facial
features: horns, fangs, bright red skin, tusk s, etc. with a ravenous appetite for human flesh. She loses an
additional point of Presence and an additional point of Fortitude.

Cog 6 (6000) The demonologist has worked her way into the lowest level of demon-hood. She is now a First Circle
demon.

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Demonic Invocations Maledictum ex Deformitas

Invocations with asterisks (*) are available for a Maleficia s a t i m r o f e Dx e m u tc i d e l a M
Licence. Curse of Entropy
Cost: 2
Aer Taenia aineatrea Difficulty: 3
Aether Ribbons Range: Touch
Cost: 1 Duration: Hours
Difficulty: 0 If the victim fails a resistance roll, they become deformed
Range: 10 yards and demonic in appearance. The nature of the deformity
Duration: Minutes cannot be chosen unless a Good success (3 successes) is
Upon manifestation, this invocation creates aethereal made when performing the invocation. The abnormality is
sinews of shadow that entwine around a victim, grabbing usually unpleasant to behold, adding a 4 black dice penalty
them with an effective Strength of 5. In addition, the on social rolls. The curse may be regressed with a casting
demonic strands have a life of their own; tickling, pricking of Quiet.
and probing where decency forbids. Some demonologists
cast this on themselves for their own entertainment. Principatus Snimi Evertitur
rutitreveiminssutapicnirp
Aer Amiculum mulucimAreA Demonic Dominion
Aethereal Cloak Cost: 3
Cost: 2 Difficulty: 6
Difficulty: 3 Range: Touch
Range: Self Duration: See description
Duration: Minutes This invocation deteriorates the mind of the victim if
The invocation makes the demonologist and her apparel they fail a resistance roll. The victims Wits and Resolve
incorporeal; she is unaffected by and unable to affect the are reduced by 1 point each. The effects are permanent
mundane world, and is able to walk through solid objects. and cumulative, taking the victim closer to gibbering
The demonologist is still visible as a ghostly imprint on the lunacy with each casting. The purpose of the invocation
retina as she passes. However, if the invocation wears off is to reduce a prospective hosts resistance to demonic
while the demonologist is moving through something, the possession. Time (and Experience Points) can heal the
damage is quite severe. damage.

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Sigillum Daemoniaci* Tutela Domus* sumodaletut

icainomeadmulligis Protected Domain
Demonic Sigil Cost: 2
Cost: 2 Difficulty: 3
Difficulty: 3 Range: 10 yards
Range: Touch Duration: Days
Duration: Minutes This invocation protects an open area from demonic
This invocation creates a symbol which the demonologist intrusion. The area extends in a 10 yard radius of the
marks on their chest in their own blood. If a manifested demonologist (but stays where it is if she moves!). If a
demon wishes to attack the demonologist, it must succeed demon (whether manifest or possessing a host) wishes to
in a Resolve roll with a penalty of 2 black dice. The enter (or leave) the room, they must succeed in a Resolve
demonologist may increase the number of black dice for the roll with a penalty of 2 black dice. The demonologist may
penalty by adding 1 to the invocations Difficulty per black increase the number of black dice for the penalty by adding
die added. The demonologist cannot add more black dice 1 to the invocations Difficulty per black die added. The
than she has points in Demonology. demonologist cannot add more black dice than she has
points in Demonology. The demonologist may extend
Marcescebat tabecsecraM the radius of the invocation at a rate of 5 yards for each
Fade additional Quintessence pip spent during manifestation.
Cost: 3
Difficulty: 6 Quies* seiuq
Range: 10 yards Quiet
Duration: Instant Cost: see description
This invocation causes one victim to fade from existence, Difficulty: resistance roll
becoming increasingly transparent until she is gone. Range: 10 yards
There is no half effect for this spell. If the victim rolls Duration: Instant
better than the demonologist, the invocation is a failure; if This invocation forces a demon from a host. If the demon
the demonologist wins, then the victim fades. The whole is physically manifesting, the invocation sends them back
process takes several seconds, allowing a fading character beyond the Pale. However, this can only occur if the demon
a single round of hasty actions before finally disappearing. fails the resistance roll. The base quintessence cost of the
The victim has actually been sent to the Pale Court, directly invocation is equal to half the demons Mental Competence.
to the Pale Queens feet, never to return.
Acclaro ex Totum m u t o tx e o r a l cc a
Era Celebratio oitarbeleCarE The Revelation of All
The Ladys Audience Cost: 2
Cost: 5 Difficulty: 3
Difficulty: 12 Range: Eye contact
Range: Self Duration: Days
Duration: Minutes This spell reveals the true beauty of Entropy and the glory
Often this invocation is disguised as a less auspicious of the planes to the victim, but in about 2 seconds flat.
invocation, in order to better capture innocents. The spell The result is a coma that lasts for as long as the spells
transports the demonologist to the Pale Court for an duration (although sometimes longer, even for life, at the
immediate audience with the Pale Queen. There is no way Gamesmasters discretion). The shock of the revelation
of ensuring safety against such power, but the demonologist often turns the victims hair white.
should be sure to have something interesting to say or do
for the duration. Castimonia Subtrahar* rahartbusainomitsac
Stolen Decency
When the duration expires, the demonologist is thrown Cost: 3
back to reality, taking 2 Health pips per success in damage Difficulty: 6
from the shock. What she looks like when she returns is Ritual Length: 1 hour (this is an exception to other invocations)
variable to say the least. Range: Touch
Duration: Instant

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Demonologists would love to be rid of this invocation but, The descriptions of demons in this section relate to the
as the Pale despises weakness, demons enjoy teaching it to Pale Court. Other demons and devils may have different
as many as they can. The ritual to complete the spell takes characteristics.
about an hour, at the end of which the invoker sacrifices
another demonologist. The victim is free to do what VolatilisViator rotaiVsilitaloV
they can to resist, so the demonologist better have him Fleeting Messenger
restrained. If the invocation is a success, the caster loses an Cost: 2
amount of Corruption Points equal to half the Corruption Difficulty: 0
Points the victim had. If it fails, well, there is still one less Ritual length: 1 hr
demonologist in the world. Ritual needs: One bird or bat
The ritual to summon this creature requires one bird or
Tutela* aletut bat, and summons a small demonic gargoyle-like demon to
Warding possess the mortal creature. The messenger will deliver one
Cost: 2 written message for the summoner, like a carrier pigeon.
Difficulty: 3 The messenger demon has an unerring sense of direction
Range: Touch and a homing ability, and can follow even a moving target.
Duration: Days Flickering between the planes for speed, the messenger
This operation protects an enclosed space from demonic always delivers on the 11th hour from summoning. A
intrusion. All the doors and windows of the room are messenger delivers one message to anywhere in the world
marked with sigils (which usually takes about an hour to and then disappears.
prepare). If a demon (whether manifest of possessing a
host) wishes to enter (or leave) the room, they must succeed Evoco Puer reupocove
in a Resolve roll with a penalty of 2 black dice. The magician Imp Calling
can increase the number of black dice by adding 1 to the Cost: 2
operations Difficulty per black dice added. Difficulty: 0
Ritual length: 1 hr
Susurrus Vexilli illixeVsurrusuS Ritual needs: None
Whispering Colours While they are not technically demons, this ritual summons
Cost: 2 an imp from the Labyrinth. Summoning imps does not
Difficulty: 3 require an offering of any kind and imps are too weak-
Range: Touch willed to bargain for contract terms; having said that, they
Duration: Days arent very good at following orders either. Only the nastiest
The victim is exposed to chaotic emanations that appear imps are called by such dark magic. The malicious beasts
to the victim as shimmering unearthly colours, though the make truly awful servants, but are easily commanded. The
energy is invisible to others. The energy causes insanity and Labyrinth is close enough for imps to be able to manifest
catatonia for as long as it is present. Every 12 hours, the without a host, despite their lack of Resolve. Any sorcerer
victim may make a Resolve + Concentration roll. Success calling one of these creatures really gets what they deserve.
for the victim dismisses the effect immediately.
Primarius Orbis Damoniaci Evoco
Summoning Invocations ocoveicainomadsibrosuiramirp
These invocations contain the key phrases that open Summon First Circle Demon
a pathway of communication to the other planes. The Cost: 4
phrases are complex and laborious, detailing the particular Difficulty: 3
requirements for the demon or creature being summoned, Ritual length: 2 hrs
and the devotion of the caster to the Pale archons. Each Ritual needs: A live captive, to be offered up as host.
ritual takes a varying amount of time, corresponding to Success in this invocation summons a demon from beyond
the power of the entity being summoned, and requires the First Pale to possess the provided host, usually with a
a copious supply of incense and ritual ornamentation. flash of flame that incinerates clothing and bindings alike,
Summoning invocations frequently require a living sapient without even singeing the demons new body. These demons
offering to serve as host or as a sacrifice to the summoned are usually summoned as familiars by demonologists who
being. lack mortal servants.

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 VICTORIANA

Secundus Orbis Damoniaci Evoco The phrases of this invocation are complex and laborious,
ocoveicainomadsibrosudnuces detailing the depravity of the demonologist and his
Summon Second Circle Demon worthiness of admission into the ranks of the Ladys
Cost: 6 favoured. The ritual itself may take varying amounts of
Difficulty: 4 time to complete. Success brings one of Palines daughters
Ritual length: 4 hrs forth from the Pale Court. Palines daughters do not need to
Ritual needs: A live captive, to be offered up as sacrifice, possess; they are able to manifest fully in the mortal world,
and a mastiff to be offered as host. only spending 1 quintessence per hour to remain manifest.
Success in this invocation brings a demon from beyond the A demonologist can opt not to draw a contract with a
Second Pale to possess the provided host. Once in control, daughter. The demonologist who does not attempt to bind
the demon will then proceed to satisfy its appetites with the daughter is guaranteed a demonic companion until he
the sacrifice. These demons are savage guardians and are finds the limit of his depravities. At such time, the daughter
usually summoned as protectors or killers. Their appetites will drive him insane and slaughter him, although a true
are both insatiable and deplorable. devotee of the Pale Queen has no limits.

Tertius Orbis Damoniaci Evoco

~ N ecromancy ~
ocoveicainomadsibrosuitret
Summon Third Circle Demon
Cost: 6
Difficulty: 5 Like demonology, necromancy is at best frowned upon
Ritual length: 6 hrs and, more likely, abhorred by even the most amoral
Ritual needs: Two live captives, one to be offered as a sacrifice; societies. While a mixture of arrogance and foolishness
the other, female and virtuous, to be offered up as host. is enough to set a demonologist on the dark path, there
Success brings a demon from beyond the Third Pale to is something inherently twisted about anyone who seeks
possess the provided host. These demons are usually out necromantic lore. Trafficking in the spirits of the dead
summoned as courtiers or concubines, and they have a may not be regarded as quite so inherently evil as making
burning passion for inflicting mental cruelty. pacts with demons, but it is clearly unnatural and not a
little disgusting. It is also against the precepts of Aluminat
Quartus Orbis Damoniaci Evoco teaching, not to mention decidedly disrespectful to those
ocoveicainomadsibrosutrauq who have passed on. Still, like demonology, it is a sure route
Summon Fourth Circle Demon to power and knowledge. Most necromancers learn their vile
Cost: 8 art by studying tomes of ancient lore, though this is often
Difficulty: 6 supplemented by direct, pseudo-scientific investigation of,
Ritual length: 8 hrs and experimentation on, fresh corpses. Necromancy spells
Ritual needs: A live sapient of pure virtue to be offered up are cast using the same rules as hermeticism.
as a spouse.
Success brings a demon from beyond the Fourth Pale.
These demons are the mighty generals of the Ladys court The Undead
and have no need to possess, as they are strong enough to The undead are the spirits of those who have died but
manifest fully when summoned. They need only spend 1 who, for whatever reason, have not fully moved on from
Quintessence pip for each half hour they remain physically the Earthly plane. They are called back from beyond the
manifest. Once the demons contract is fulfilled, it returns to grave by power-hungry necromancers. For convenience,
the Pale with its spouse. necromancers classify the undead into two categories:
lesser and greater.
Paline Filia Evoco
ocoveailifenilap Lesser undead have lost many of their mental faculties,
Summon Palines Daughter running solely on emotion or the commands of their
Cost: 10 master. Their horrible existence makes them invariably hate
Difficulty: 10 the living, and their betters in general. They always inhabit
Ritual length: 12 hrs corpses as host bodies, being unable to manifest without
Ritual needs: Eight live sapients of either gender, but with hosts.
virtue and innocence intact, to be offered up as slaves.

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Greater undead are those who were exceptional in life and time the necromancer summons new undead creatures,
remain exceptional in death (or undeath). Greater undead she gets a little closer to undeath herself. While demonic
are highly intelligent. Powerful mages, charming courtiers, corruption taints and twists the soul, necromancy stains it
and cunning warriors may all become greater undead, and in death. The more death the necromancer brings into the
all will retain some of their talents, but perverted to a new world, the greater the stain.
and deadly form. A powerful hermeticist might become
an undead necromancer after death, or a deceased Earthly As with demonology, necromantic corruption is represented
general may be capable of leading great armies of the by a wheel. The necromancer starts at Cog 0; it moves each
undead. Like their lesser brethren, greater undead require time she attains the necessary corruption for a particular
host bodies to function. cog. Once she attains a new cog, she gains all the effects.

Also like lesser undead, greater undead have a particular The Gamesmaster should keep track of all the Undead
hatred for humanity. Usually, the best spirits pass on to a the character creates, since each Undead creation grants
better place, leaving those with the seeds of greed, revenge the character a number of Corruption Points. However, a
and envy behind to hate the living. However, greater necromancer can also destroy Undead and send a little of
undead are clever enough to watch, wait, and draw out any their own taint beyond with the freed spirit to reduce their
torments they may have in mind for their eternal foes. own corruption. The more Corruption Points she has, the
more serious and unpleasant the effects of necromancy are on
Once successfully raised, the undead stay in the service of the body. See the Gaining and Losing Necromantic Corruption
the necromancer until the necromancer dies, and will stay and the Necromantic Corruption tables for full details.
on this plane until the body that it occupies is destroyed.
Although lesser undead are too simple-minded to reach the
obvious conclusion, greater undead often hatch elaborate Gaining and Losing
plots to murder their necromancers so they may then
walk the earth freely. Necromancers powerful enough
Necromantic Corruption
to summon greater undead are usually savvy enough to Corruption Action
realise this, and bind these spirits with geas to prevent such Gain/Loss
treachery. +5 Raise one lesser undead
+40 Raise one greater undead

Nocturnal Power +X
Cast a necrotic operation of X
quintessence
It is commonly believed that the aethereal barrier between
Lay to rest one lesser undead with Rest
life and death is weakest during the night, enabling the -5 operation
living to contact the spirits of the dead and vice versa.
Lay to rest one greater undead with Rest
While spiritualists and other magicians have not noticed -10 operation
any significant variation in performing magic during the
-1 Unsuccessful manifestation of Rest
night as opposed to day, necromancers clearly have an
advantage. Take a heartfelt religious vow to renounce
-100 necromancy and serve a specific good
deity
Between sunset and sunrise the Difficulty for necromantic
Destroy one lesser undead after taking
operations decreases by 1. Lunar phase is also important; -5 above vow
the Difficulty of a necromantic operation is reduced by a
further 1 (or -2 Difficulty total) seven days before and after
Destroy one greater undead after taking
-20 above vow
a new moon. The Difficulty is reduced by another 2 (or -4
Difficulty total) on the night of a new moon.
Destroy one necromancer after taking
-30 above vow
-80 Destroy one litche after taking above vow
Necromantic Corruption Break above vow (using necromancy
Like demonologists, all necromancers risk being tainted by of any kind); may not ever appeal to
+100 specified good deity again, and also loses
their dark magics, their flesh and souls gradually bending 2 Resolve dice.
towards the undead state that so appeal to them. Every

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Necromantic Corruption Table

The number in parentheses is the total number of corruption points needed to attain that cog.

Cog 1 (200) The necromancers eyes appear dull and lifeless; she has a very heavy, dolorous, saturnine demeanour. She
loses one point of Presence.
Cog 2 (600) The necromancers skin takes on a waxy, stiff, dry consistency, and a pale, ghostly colour. She loses an
additional point of Presence.
Cog 3 (1000) The necromancer appears to have no fat or muscle between her bones and her skin; its astonishing that
anyone so thin could still be alive, if she truly is.. She loses an additional point of Presence.
Cog 4 (2000) The necromancers weak appearance is matched by frail flesh. She loses a point of Fortitude.
Cog 5 (3000) The characters flesh is rotting off her body, completing her cadaverous appearance. She loses an additional
point of Presence and an additional point of Fortitude.
Cog 6 (6000) Even the finest doctor in the land would be hard pressed to say at what point the necromancer finally
crossed over from the land of the living to that of the dead, but she is now a true litche.

~ N ecromantic O perations ~
Mortifer Sanctimonia*
a i n o m i tc n a S r e f i t r o M
Operations marked with an asterisk (*) are typically Deadly Purity
permitted with a Maleficia License. Cost: 3
Difficulty: 3
Anathema amehtanA Ritual Length: 1 hour
Anathema Range: Touch
Cost: 4 Duration: Instant
Difficulty: 12 Necromancers use this operation much like demonologists
Ritual Length: see description do, and rarely teach it to their apprentices. The ritual to
Range: Worldwide complete the operation takes about an hour, at the end of
Duration: See description which the necromancer sacrifices another necromancer. The
This potent curse is a complex but swift ritual, victim is free to do what they can to resist, so the necromancer
accomplished by handing or posting the victim a single better have him restrained. If the operation is a success, the
raven feather. When the victim receiving the feather sees it necromancer loses a number of Corruption Points equal to
for the first time, the curse comes into effect. The victims half the Corruption Points the victim had. If it fails, well,
20 most loved items, people or institutions are destroyed, there is still one fewer necromancer in the world.
killed, or suffer shattering blows to reputation (in that
order). Persons and objects on the hit list all suffer a bout Tactus Mortis Frigus
of terminal bad luck with mysterious accidents (usually s u g i r f s i t r o m s u tc a t
causing 10 damage dice each); victims may resist the Deaths Cold Touch
accidents with luck and anything else they can muster. Cost: 4
Difficulty: 12
Institutions and the effects of a blow to their reputation Range: Touch
are left to the Gamesmasters discretion. Each item on Duration: Rounds
the top 20 list is subject to one attack, and then the curse Once cast, the necromancers hands become cadaverous,
passes them over. and radiate cold. Anything touched ages; the extent of the
ageing is dependent upon the number of rounds it remains

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Necromancers and Clockwork Limbs

As a necromancer grows increasingly feeble, she look s for ways to increase her durability. Sometimes she turns to magic,
especially body grafting, but with the advent of the industrial revolution she finds mechanical replacements increasingly
desirable. Most such limbs are spirit-driven clockwork devices, but several modern day necromancers are sporting steam-
powered augmentations.

in contact. With 1 round, cloth dissolves into dust; with summoning it, the necromancer can ensure that the creature
two, wood becomes weak and fragile. With three, a young cannot directly act against her. The spirit may attempt a
man becomes an elderly cripple. With four, metal devices resistance roll (using its Mental Competence) to ignore the
such as locks, guns and swords turn to flakes and chunks effects.
of rust. Living targets may spend quintessence to resist the
effects (2 Quintessence pips buys them an extra round) but Vita Adficio oicifdAatiV
they still take 4 dice of Health damage. Life Drain
Cost: 4
Segnis Foetor Mortis Difficulty: 6
sitromrotoefsinges Ritual Length: 1 hour
Deaths Lingering Stench Range: Touch
Cost: 3 Duration: Instant
Difficulty: 3 Firstly, the necromancer procures a live sapient victim. She
Range: See description binds him to her ritual operating table, and she concocts a
Duration: Instant magical infusion to keep him alive and conscious through
Creates a poisonous cloud of stinking corpse gas around the the ordeal to come. Next, using a sharpened bone knife, she
necromancer; the gas has a radius of 10 yards plus 5 yards flays the victim alive and rearranges the internal organs
per success. The gas is also a potency 6 poison, to which the into sigils of great power that draw the victims life energy
necromancer is immune. This operation presumes actual into the eyes. Lastly, the eyes are removed, finally killing
corpse material is used in the preparation. the victim. The eyes are pickled until use.

Pulvis* sivluP To use the eyes, any magic user eats them and gains that
Dust victims Resolve as a bonus to her own until the next
Cost: 1 sunrise.
Difficulty: 0
Range: Touch Palus Lumen* nemulsulap
Duration: Instant Marsh lights
This showy operation rots inanimate matter to dust at the Cost: 2
touch. Each operation rots one cubic foot of matter. Dust Difficulty: 0
has no effect on living flesh. Range: Sight
Duration: Minutes
Imperium Mortuus Phasmus* This sorcery creates 1D small, nebulous glowing orbs.
sumsahPsuutroMmuirepmI Each orb produces light equivalent to a gas lamp. The orbs
Geas may be controlled by the necromancer, and directed to go
Cost: 3 anywhere, but only while in sight. Sending orbs out of sight
Difficulty: 3 destroys them, and they fade away over 3 rounds unless the
Range: One spirit necromancer comes into sight of them again beforehand.
Duration: Minutes Left to their whims, the orbs try to find a treacherous
The geas is a means of controlling a greater undead spirit. piece of terrain (quicksand, sheer cliff) and float about it to
The geas forces compliance, very much like the contracts encourage others to their doom.
of demonology. By casting a geas over a spirit before

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 VICTORIANA

Oraculum ex Nox* x o Nx e m u l u c a r O Erigo Maior Victus ex Morti

Oracle of Night i t r o m x e s u tc i v r o i a m o g i r e
Cost: 4 Raise Greater Undead
Difficulty: 6 Cost: 4
Ritual Length: See description Difficulty: 6
Range: Touch Range: Touch
Duration: Minutes Duration: Instant
The souls of the future dead, or oracle of night, are a potent This operation reanimates a corpse with a touch; one
source of premonitory information to a necromancer. The casting reanimates one corpse with a greater undead
future dead may be questioned on matters present and to spirit. The undead will respond to the necromancers every
come. The ritual of the oracle is involved and lengthy. The spoken instruction, although it may not like it. Foul Failure
necromancer needs an Eldren skull at least 1000 years old, while summoning greater spirits causes a greater spirit to
and the eye sockets must each be filled with a ruby (4 per appear, and possess the necromancers live body, killing it
ruby). When performing the ritual, the skull must be soaked in the process if the victim cannot resist. If the necromancer
in fresh blood, each pint of which gives the oracle 1 die can hold this attack off until she or someone else can
(maximum 8 dice) to roll in order to answer any question perform Rest then the character will survive; if she fails,
concerning the future or present: 6 successes are needed for the spirit stays in the necromancers body, retaining all the
completely accurate information; a lesser number grants necromancers memories and abilities.
information of varying accuracy based on the successes
rolled. The oracle can answer any question concerning the Erigo Minor Victus ex Morti
future or the past. Once created, a single jewelled skull will i t r o m x e s u tc i v r o n i m o g i r e
last indefinitely; the blood, however, must always be fresh Raise Lesser Undead
and warm. The necromancer can ask as many questions Cost: 2
and receive answers (and one at a time only) as the duration Difficulty: 3
allows, but the answers may come slowly. Range: Touch
Duration: Rounds
This operation allows a necromancer to reanimate a
corpse as a lesser undead with a touch. The necromancer
can animate as many corpses as he can touch in the
operations duration (it takes 1 action for each raising).
However, each raising after the first costs 4 Quintessence
pips, spent as each corpse is touched. The undead will
respond to the necromancers every spoken instruction
as best their intelligence will allow. Each undead remains
as they are until destroyed or Rested. Each zombie is
considered a typical example from Book V unless the
necromancer increases the Difficulty in order to increase
the competencies.

Requietum* muteiuqeR
Rest
Cost: 3
Difficulty: 3
Range: Touch
Duration: Instant
This operation can put a dead spirit to rest, sending it home
to the netherworld. The spirit may attempt to resist using
its Mental Competence with a 3 black dice penalty. The
necromancer can also use this operation to force a dead
spirit just to leave a host body, although its first action will
be to attempt to possess another.

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 book IV

Oro Morti Phasmatis* new body but also acts as a preservation agent. Despite
sitamsahpitromoro not being alive, the skin wont begin rotting for a month.
Sance Because there are no blood vessels the skin is cold to the
Cost: 4 touch. The skin will be patchwork; where the various pieces
Difficulty: 0 come together, scars will form.
Ritual Length: 1 hour
Range: Self The nature of this operation is such that the flesh must be
Duration: Minutes from a sapient that died within the past week; animal skin
The necromancer attempts to communicate with specific will not suffice.
spirits from the netherworld. With success, the spirit
requested is found, but information gleaned may be Vox Dominor ronimodxov
nebulous, unrelated or meaningless. With a Good success, Voice of Control
the information gleaned is relevant to the questions and Cost: 3
accurate. With failure, nothing useful comes of the attempt; Difficulty: 3
a Foul Failure calls the attention of the Void. The dead may Range: Eye contact
only be questioned concerning matters of the past. Duration: Hours
With this operation, the necromancers eyes and voice
Occupo Victum Mortuum* become captivating. Any victim looking into her eyes
m u u t r o m m u tc i v o p u cc o must make a resistance test or be overcome by an
Seize Undead unnatural obsession for the necromancer, which lasts for
Cost: 3 the operations remaining duration. Note that this is not a
Difficulty: 3 charm operation: the victim may loathe the necromancer
Range: Sight but find herself compelled to do as the necromancer
Duration: Rounds whims in any endeavour, be it amorous or murderous.
During the duration of this operation, a necromancer can Specifically, the victim cannot bring herself to directly harm
attempt to seize control of already raised undead or enslave the necromancer; also, they must obey any orders given by
an independent undead. A resistance roll must be made the necromancer.
by the undead or, if already controlled, by the controlling
necromancer. Whoever fails takes 4 dice of bruise damage The necromancer may charm multiple victims during
and loses a point of Resolve (which returns in an hour). If the operation duration but, if one manages to resist, the
both necromancers fail their rolls, the undead is free from operation is broken for everyone.
both of their control. Once controlled, the undead follows
their new controller until it is once more enslaved or the Pando Victum Mortuum
controller dies. Independent undead, such as vampires, m u u t r o m m u tc i v o d n a p
do not give in so easily and can attempt to resist the Warp Dead
necromancers demands. Once a day, an independent Cost: 4
undead may defy her controllers commands if she can beat Difficulty: 12
her controller in an opposed Resolve + Concentration (or Ritual Length: see description
Mental Competence) test. If the undead wins the contest, Range: Touch
she is free of command, and may look for revenge. Duration: Instant
The necromancer permanently endows an undead target
Cuticula alucituc with an unnatural attribute; it requires several hours of
Skin necromantic ritual and operation each time it is used.
Cost: 3 Gamesmasters must supervise and approve the nature
Difficulty: 3 of such an attribute; examples are batwings, fiery breath,
Ritual Length: 30 minutes or a hypnotic gaze. Once cast upon the undead, treat this
Range: Touch attribute as a Skill that can rise with experience, but never
Duration: Instant above 4.
With the skin operation, a necromancer can take skin
thats been flayed from one being and magically graft it
onto another. The magic not only adheres the skin to the

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~ R elics ~
Bright Blades
A beautiful sword hilt, finely carved in pale silver, it will
not corrode or age - when found and when not in use the
Relics in Victoriana are usually ancient survivors from the weapon is just that, a hilt. When in the presence (within 9
past, when magic was stronger. It is possible to create new yards) of an unearthly or unnatural being such as a demon
relics, although this is the province of truly great sorcery - or vampire, a blade of shimmering, shifting colours appears,
only a handful of Guild members could create such an item. bright enough to light up an entire room. This blade will
Sometimes, the archons may favour a character with a relic damage an unnatural/unearthly being without leaving a
as a reward for faith, or as bait for their souls. For globe- physical trace; the blade can also parry attacks from such
trotting adventurers, relics are often the sought-after prize a being.
for braving the dangers of ancient ruins. To use a relic, no
spell manifestation or Resolve or quintessence expenditure This weapon can be useful for dispatching possessing
is needed. The object functions without limit to its duration, demons as it will not harm the physical host. The blade
regardless of the users nature. A relic can be stolen, sold, or does 6 dice of lethal damage to spirits and demons, with
given away, and still work its magical effect. a further +3 damage against demons of Palines court.
However, Bright Blades do no damage at all to physical
A relics power is only limited by the Gamesmaster devising opponents. The Bright Blades hilt, the only physical part
it. Relics are usually meant to be unique and devastatingly of it, is indestructible by mortal means. A Bright Blade hilt
powerful; however, a few minor creations also stand the may only be destroyed by powerful beings, such as Paline
tests of time. Most relics have a purpose and were made for herself, whose kiss can destroy it. Once destroyed, the
a reason. As long as they do what they were made for, relics weapon is useless and cannot be reformed.
can do anything else the Gamesmaster chooses.
Horn of the Hunt
Most relics dont come with owners manuals and old A long and curved antique huntsmans horn carved from
legends often only describe the relics effects in vague terms. some strange animals horn. Sounding the horn summons
Adventurers that come into possession of a relic generally forth the Dark Hunt, a hideous collection of twisted,
only learn its powers through trial and error. What seems demonic riders and their hounds. Once summoned, the
powerful and useful at first glance might reveal very Hunt appears on the near horizon, sounds its hunting
unwelcome abilities later on. horns and mercilessly hunts down one person, eventually
catching and slaughtering them.
Amorous Ring of Companionship
A silver ring fashioned as naked, entwined figures. The Treat the awesome power of the Hunt as an abstract entity,
wearer of this ring has the ability to completely captivate with Competencies of at least 15. As a non-corporeal entity,
and fascinate anyone they wish. Those targeted must physical attacks are useless against the Hunt. When using
contest their Resolve + Concentration against the rings physical combat against the Hunt, roll as normal; if the
competence of 8. Those who succeed are not beguiled and Hunt wins in hand-to-hand combat, the victim takes 8 dice
are not aware that an attempt was made; those who fail are of lethal damage. If the victim wins, make it look like you
enslaved to the wearer of the ring, compliant to his/her crossed off some Health pips, or have a rider crumple, only
every whim, no matter how foul or despicable. They, too, to reform before the victims eyes.
are unaware that they have been charmed. The wearer may
enslave up to 1D + 3 (4 - 9) people at any one time in this The truth is that attacks always fail against the power of
manner. This number is determined by the Gamesmaster the Hunt. Why didnt we say that in the first place? Ah,
when the ring is given, and not revealed to the player. now you see what your players will feel like... Bright
Should the wielder try to enslave more than that many Blades might be effective against the aethereal riders, but
people, the next person they attempt to charm develops a there are as many riders and hounds as are needed to
powerful loathing for the wielder instead; they will seek to overpower the fool who stands to fight. Really, the only
destroy the rings wielder at any and every opportunity. way to escape the Hunt is to find the horn and blow it; this
The loathing is difficult to hide, but the victim does not sets the Hunt onto the initial summoner. This in itself is
change their character, so subtle characters remain so, while no mean feat. The horn can only be blown on the longest
brutish ones become raging beasts. This item is a favourite night of the year.
gift from Paline.

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The Hunt cannot pass flowing water, and only appears by lens, or with magnetic abilities. This mask can also only be
night. Should the prey survive till dawn, the respite only removed by the wearer.
lasts until the next evening when the Hunt once again rises.
If the victim cannot gain the horn and blow it on the longest The Mirror of the Void
night, she must try to evade the Hunt for a whole year, until Should someone with a Presence of 2 or higher gaze into
the next solstice when they can finally end their chase. this mirror more than three times, a servitor appears and
tries to rip the users face off. The attack causes at least 4
Masks of Shadow Health dice worth of damage (12 pips) on the user if it is
There are three types of mask. The first appears to be a fine a success, and reduces their Presence to -1. This item is a
china mask, such as those worn at masquerade balls but, favourite gift to ambitious and vain hermeticists from the
when worn, the mask seems to disappear and alters the Ophanim of the Void.
appearance, build, voice, bearing, and even gender of the
character to that of someone else, presumably long dead. Oubliette Key
The mask can only be removed by the person who put it on. These archaic rusted keys open a door in reality to a small
The second kind of mask appears to be a mask of bronze, Void. The key is simply pushed into the air in front of the
beaten into the visage of some grotesque demonic form. user and twisted, as if unlocking an invisible door. Upon
activation the key opens a physical door in reality into a
small cupboard 6 feet high, 2 feet wide and 4 feet deep.
Each key opens into its one Void, so one key cannot access
the Void of another.

The user can place items and even people inside the Void,
which will still be there when and wherever the door is
opened again. However, the Void is not a pleasant place
to be. People have gone mad when trapped inside one, and
owners of the key often report hearing strange voices when
they are alone that plead to be freed.

Pale Seers Stone

A white stone shot with glassy streaks, usually worked
into a piece of jewellery. If worn while asleep, the stone
grants the user visions of the future (see the Spiritualist
ability Glimpse). In addition, whilst worn, the wearer can
always see a few seconds ahead of herself and so cannot
be surprised, and is able to finish sentences for those she is
talking to (see the Clairvoyant ability Sixth Sense).

Speech Stone
A palm sized piece of red jade, this flat stone allows the user
to understand and converse in any language that she hears
while the stone is held in one hand.

Spirit Lens
This large shard of strangely tinted glass allows someone
to view the world as though through the operation Second
Donning the mask likewise alters the appearance of Sight, but without fogging up the real world as well. Also,
the wearer to that of a hideous shambling mound; this things are magnified, so all sight related Perception tests
grotesque visage can only be dispelled by a hermeticist are increased by a third and, while worn, the glasses allow
or other potent sorcerer. The third version appears to be a sight in the dark as if it were day. Often, this glass is found
mask of glass; donning the mask makes the wearer invisible crafted into a pair of spectacles or a monocle.
to all. The only ways to see the wearer are through a spirit

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 VICTORIANA

~ T he E ngines I ndustry ~ Technology is a very different creature to magic. As a

of pathway to Order, technology operates according to well-
defined natural laws; it does not require a magician to weave
For centuries, lifes conveniences were in the hands of the through the ebbs and flows of aether with some arcane ritual
few: sorcerers capable of performing great works and the in order to make it work. In this way technological marvels
wealthy that were able to afford their services. As civilisation are more akin to magical artefacts in that they can be used by
advanced and the middle class began to thrive, its members anyone with the relevant skills and knowledge.
wanted the same conveniences available to the aristocracy.
While some of them did purchase such magical amenities, That said while the fruits of technology are more available
many more turned their resources towards a new power, to the masses, they still require germination in the form
one that didnt need sorcery to create great works. They of the technologist, a scientist or engineer that dreams up
invested in scientific and technological advancement. The industrial solutions to societys problems. These remarkably
dreams of technologists, as the Guild dubbed them, soon intelligent souls put their faith in Order as they push back
transformed the planet. the boundaries of science while in many cases mocking the
hermeticists that cling to a fading power and settle for pale
The industrial revolution has bound the world together imitations of former glories. Magic may have been a great
as never before. Railroads criss-cross the countryside and force in the romantic past, but technology is the future.
create new communities along their tracks. Old communities
find their boundaries redrawn to accommodate the iron What separates the true technologist from the engineer is the
and wood intruders. The same machines that invade the technologists creative spark and ability to make her dream a
countryside carry their peoples back to the cities, where reality. Most engineers rely on tested designs and use tried-
they toil in factories belching coal-smoke and steam, casting and-true methods; the technologist employs her imagination
out a yellow-brown fog. Ocean-going vessels are no longer to solve problems. Thus the technologist always sets herself
bound by the winds and travel the seas at their leisure, apart through her brash manners, keen intellect, and always-
bringing back the raw materials taken from colonies for present marvels that she employs.
home manufacture. These same vessels return to their ports
to sell back the now-transformed fruits of their labour. Of course, imagination isnt always enough to overcome
Balloons and ornithopers take to the skies, formerly the the limitations of science and many technologists turn to
province of natural birds and beasts. The battlefields of magic when science fails them. While this is often scoffed at
the world continue to unveil new, strange, wondrous, and by the Aluminat, technologists rationalise that the aether is
deadly weapons. just as natural as steam and electricity and rarely hesitate

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to incorporate a little magic into their designs to fill in Time/Uses

scientific gaps. Without them, incredible marvels such as Time/Uses is the amount of time you have to use a marvel.
aerostats, automata, and clockwork limbs simply would not If the value is a number, then it is the number of times you
work or only do so at a greatly diminished capacity. Some can use it. A chain sword, for example, can be used 10 times
of these technologists employ Guild artificers to aid them before it needs a recharge.
while others become magicians themselves, combining the
disciplines of sorcery and science to create grand marvels. If the value is a span of time, then that is how long the
marvel remains in effect. An autogyro has 1 hours worth
of power before it loses power. In some cases, this time can
be broken up. If an autogyro is flown for 15 minutes and
Technologist or Engineer? then allowed to cool down, it still has almost 45 minutes of
power remaining; the engine needs to be started up again
While the Guild has eponymously dubbed those that to use it. Allowing a steam engine to idle doesnt extend
work with technology technologists, there is actually the time.
great variation amongst them. Calling an engineer a
technologist is no different to calling a spiritualist a A marvel with a permanent duration has an unlimited
magician; its a broad term that covers a number of fields. number of uses.

The earliest technologists were craftsmen or smiths; Fuel

those that added magic to their designs were dubbed Fuel is the element necessary to keep the marvel operating.
artificers. As technology improved, especially during There are no hard and fast rules here, as every engine is
the Industrial Revolution, a new term emerged, the different and thus the Gamesmasters call. Some marvels
engineer. An engineer is simply one that work s with have multiple sources of fuel.
engines, whether magical or technological in design.
Muscle refers to a sapient moving the pieces of
Of course, it wasnt long before the class system imposed machinery, such as pedalling a bicycle.
itself. As the term artificer has been traditionally tied
to magic, it carries an aristocratic connotation while Ammunition means that the marvel works as long as
engineer soon became reserved for middle class its loaded.
inventors that, due to cost, left magic out of their
designs as much as possible. This has broadened to the Chemical means that the marvel requires a chemical
point that lower or middle class gunsmiths may call reaction to operate.
themselves engineers, while an upper class tinkerer
of steam cars may call himself an artificer even if she Spring refers to the mainspring of most clockwork
doesnt bother to add magic to her engines. marvels. Once the power runs out, the spring needs to
be rewound. This can take several minutes.

Steam refers to the heating of water. Usually the water

Using Marvels needs to be replaced in the boiler and the heating source
Most marvels act just like any other piece of equipment; relit (generally coals). Vehicle-sized steam engines
one only needs to handle it and, in some cases, roll the usually take about a half-hour to warm up before they
appropriate skill in order to use it. All necessary information can be used.
is given in the marvels description.
Battery refers to a marvel that requires a source of
Difficulty electricity.
This is the number of black dice added to the Engineer roll
when the engineer wants to create this marvel. Marvels with Quintessence refers to a marvel powered by magic.
asterisks (*) require two rolls, one for Engineer and one for Generally, any magician can refuel a quintessence-
Magic. The engineer makes a Wits + Engineer + Lore roll and based marvel by transferring the Build point (BP) cost
the aiding magician makes a Difficult Wits + Magic Skill roll. in quintessence and making an Average Resolve +
Both must succeed for the marvel to work. Magical Skill roll.

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 VICTORIANA

Build Point Cost Owl goggles have light red lenses and reduce darkness
This is the cost in Build points for the marvel if the adventurer penalties by 3 black dice.
is purchasing it during adventurer creation. In play, the
adventurer must first design the marvel (see Difficulty Pea-souper goggles have light blue lenses and reduce rain
above) and then pay twice the Build point cost in XP. and fog penalties by 3 black dice.

Tell goggles, named after the legendary William Tell, have

light yellow lenses and add +1 to any ranged attack roll.
The Rule of Reasonableness
Aetheric Lens
While Victorianas rules encourage the budding
Difficulty: 3
technologist to outfit herself with a variety of marvels,
Time/Uses: see description
there are some marvels that would necessarily preclude
Fuel: n/a
others from being worn or carried at the same time. It
BP Cost: 2
would be, for example, impossible for a technologist to
Canadian engineer Louis Le Brock theorised that magic,
be wearing a Neptune Harness and a Winged Harness
like all energies, must follow scientific principles and
while carrying a Vulcan carbine; all take up real estate on
therefore science should be able to identify and quantify
the technologists back. In such cases, the technologist
it. This theory has, of course, made the funny Canadian
needs to choose what she is wearing/carrying and leave
Goose the laughing stock of the Guild. To prove his theory
the other marvels somewhere else.
he created the aetheric lens, a ruby quartz monocle that, in
theory, causes magical energies to glow purple when one
Should a player make a convincing argument as to how
sees them through the lens.
her adventurer can carry two seemingly-incompatible
marvels at the same time and the Gamesmaster wishes to
Unfortunately for the Canadian Goose, magic is an element
consider it, then have the adventurer make an Engineer
of Entropy and acts accordingly. Roll a Very Difficult (6
roll at a reasonable Difficulty (anywhere between
black dice) Wits + Perception roll when using an aetheric
Difficult and Extremely Difficult generally falls within
lens (this is separate from the Difficulty to build the
reason). If she succeeds, then she can carry both. If she
Aetheric Lens). The Gamesmaster secretly rolls 1 die; this
gets a Foul Failure, then she not only doesnt succeed
is the number of successes that the user needs to succeed. If
but her attempt damages one or more of the affected
successful the user sees magical energy as if the user had a
marvels.
monocle of magic detection. On a Foul Failure, the aetheric
lens shatters.

Aetheric Tintype
Marvels List Difficulty: 1*
Difficulties with an asterisk require a Magical Skill check as Time/Uses: 1
well. Fuel: quintessence
BP Cost: 2
Aetheric Goggles The aetheric tintype is an aetherically-infused plate that
Difficulty: 1* captures not only an image but also the auras of everyone
Time/Uses: permanent in the photograph, as well as any magic that is in use at the
Fuel: quintessence time of the photograph (making this a combination of both
BP Cost: 1 Aura Reading and Magic Sense).
No self-respecting technologist is without a pair of goggles
to protect the eyes from foreign substances as well as allow The aetheric tintype renders the auras and magical/
her to see while moving at high speeds. Logrims Spectacles preternatural images in colours; it takes someone with
in Hexem is the most well-known brand; in addition to magnetic ability to make sense of it: treat as Wits + Magnetic
standard goggles Logrims offers a selection of magically- Skill (as opposed to Presence) in order to decipher the
treated quartz goggles (each pair requires a separate colours. A non-magician can also decipher the colours with
purchase of this marvel): a Very Difficult (6 black dice) Wits + Lore roll.

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Aldershot Steam Soldier automaton servants as an extra set of hands in the workshop
Difficulty: 14* and often have them equipped with extra tools. While
Time/Uses: 1 day they act like (and can be designed to look like) sapients,
Fuel: steam (30 minute start up) automaton servants are machines and tend to follow orders
BP Cost: 5 very literally. The clockwork automaton needs to be wound
This battlefield monstrosity is a 20-foot tall humanoid war each day. In addition, it needs 3 quintessence. These are
machine powered by a custom Guild boiler. The pilot sits in usually provided by a heartstone mounted in the chest,
a suspended pilots chair (more of a hanging harness) and although a magician may channel the quintessence needed
his arm and leg movements are mimicked by the machine. from her own reserve.
Due to military testing in Aldershot and the display of a
prototype at the Great Exhibition, Aldershot has become Initiative: 5 Physical Competence: 6
slang for any giant humanoid enclosed combat harness. Mental Competence: 3 Social Competence: 2
Health: 5 dice Quintessence: none
Handling: -2 Movement: 5mph Scale: Large Special Traits: Built-in toolbox Armour: Armour skin (AV 4)
Health: 5 Armour: 8 Crew: 1 Damage: Punch (5), Large Wrench (7)

As the Aldershot steam soldier completely encloses the Basker Hound

operator, any damage must go through the Soldiers Health Difficulty: 5*
before affecting the adventurer. Time/Uses: 3 hours
Fuel: steam (can refuel itself)
Many steam soldiers are equipped with weapons; these BP Cost: 3
must be purchased separately and added to the main West Country squire and steam car enthusiast Sir Richard
cost. The prototype held a Gatling Gun and a large sabre Basker, with the aid of Dwarf Guild artificer Robin Fletcher,
(10 damage dice), pushing the BP cost to 15 (we dont created a steam-driven hound capable of protecting his
recommend that adventurers run around with Gatling home and his prized racing cars. The Basker hound is a
Guns at the ready unless they are Royal Steam Lancers, but brass automaton that resembles a pudgy mastiff. The magic
its your campaign!). animating it gives it an animal cunning and it takes orders
only from its master. Of particular note is a large electric
Autogyro light bulb affixed in the throat. When its mouth is open
Difficulty: 9 the Basker Hound can illuminate the area in front of it like
Time/Uses: 1 hour an electric torch. The Basker hound needs to be refuelled
Fuel: steam (30 minute start up) normally; it is trained to periodically scoop up coals that
BP Cost: 5 are digested in the engine, as well as to lap water needed
These are rotary wing vehicles with small propulsion to refill the boiler. It also needs two quintessence pips per
motors that face to the rear. They are nimble and day (the steam engine alleviates the need for more); these
surprisingly reliable. One and two-person versions have are usually provided by a heartstone mounted in the chest,
been constructed by enterprising inventors in France and although a magician may channel the quintessence needed
Italy. The autogyro is usually powered by a small steam from her own reserve.
boiler or Guild boiler.
Initiative: 6 Physical: 7
Handling: 7 Movement: 50 mph Scale: Medium Mental: 4 Health: 6 dice
Health: 5 Armour: 0 Crew: 1 Armour: Brass skin (AV 5) Damage: Bite (7)
Passengers: 1
Chain sword
Automaton Servant Difficulty: 0
Difficulty: 9* Time/Uses: 10
Time/Uses: 1 Day Fuel: steam (10 minutes)
Fuel: clockwork (5 minutes), magic (1 Quintessence pip) BP Cost: 1
BP Cost: 4 More accurately a slim chainsaw, this weapon requires a
More curiosity than practical, the automaton servant makes heavy steam backpack (or small Guild boiler) that runs a
a great conversation piece at parties. Engineers tend to use power line to the unwieldy but very effective weapon. It

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 VICTORIANA

does 10 dice of cutting damage when operational; while Unfortunately, as the dart does little damage, opponents
inert the chain sword can be used as a club for 4 dice wearing heavy armour are often spared the poisons effects
damage. The chain sword is only good for 10 uses before (the dart must do at least 1 pip of damage for the poison
the boiler needs refuelling. Domestic versions are attached to take effect). Because of this, users of this weapon often
to larger engines, allowing the user to chop wood or trim make called shots to unarmoured areas to lessen the chance
hedges for hours. A chain sword connected to a steam- of the dart harmlessly bouncing off.
powered vehicle can operate for as long as the vehicle can.
It has been known for particularly wicked users to substitute
Clockwork Puppet Hand stonefish venom for the poison, but this is illegal and its
Difficulty: 1* use carries a stiff penalty (likely transportation to the land
Time/Uses: 10 closest to the stonefish, Australia).
Fuel: quintessence
BP Cost: 2 Damage Dice: 2, ROF: 1, Shots: 1, Reload: 1, Range: 20 yds,
This ingenious infusion of magic and technology is a fully Special Attacks: poison
articulated hand that, when magically connected to the
owner, allows him to move the clockwork hand simply by Poison: Potency: 3, Duration: 2 hours, Virility: 6, Fortitude
moving his own. Originally created by a Guild hermeticist Success: -1 Strength, -1 Dexterity, Fortitude Failure:
that wanted to scratch his back, enterprising vendors Incapacitation (unconsciousness), -1 Strength, -1 Dexterity
have found an almost unlimited use for the remote hand.
Engineers, especially those with short arms, find it useful Electric Pistol
to work in difficult-to-reach areas of a marvel. A clockwork Difficulty: 3
puppet hand acts like an actual hand and replicates any and Time/Uses: 8
all movements made by the hand with which it is magically Fuel: battery
bonded. The hand still needs to be physically attached to the BP Cost: 2
user, usually through the use of a small pole. The clockwork More properly an electromagnetic weapon, the electric
puppet hand loses its power beyond a distance of 30 feet. A pistol is the technologists solution to an accurate hand-held
clockwork hand cannot move on its own beyond the ability firearm with a high rate of fire. By using electromagnetism,
of the user to mimic it (thus it is reduced to the poles range the pistol is able to force a bullet through the barrel and at
as well as the length of the owners arm). a target without the need for an explosive propellant or
a discarded case. Due to the relatively low weight of the
Clockwork Puppet Eye ammunition, the electric pistol sports a magazine that pushes
Difficulty: 1* the next bullet into place once the previous bullet is fired.
Time/Uses: 10
Fuel: quintessence While the electric pistol is capable of holding magazines
BP Cost: 2 with larger bullet capacities (the Exhibition model held 20
Given the success of the clockwork puppet hand, it was only rounds), its self-contained battery only has enough power
a matter of time before an artificer would develop a version for 8 shots. Some owners wear a belt battery harness to
that used an eye instead of a hand. The clockwork eye has triple the magazine load, simply switching out magazines
the same limitations as the hand and the user must have after every 8th round is fired.
both eyes closed in order to use it. Most clockwork puppet
eyes are built into the grip of an ornate cane, although other Damage Dice: 10, ROF: 2, Shots: 8, Reload: 1, Range: 100
creative designs are available. yds, Special Attacks: none

Dart Gun Engineers Pet

Difficulty: 0 Difficulty: 5*
Time/Uses: 1 Time/Uses: 1 day
Fuel: compressed air Fuel: spring/quintessence
BP Cost: 1 BP Cost: 3
This compressed-air pistol fires a single dart that is tipped Engineers of large marvels have discovered that a tiny
with poison. The poison is a special concoction designed flying assistant can often be of great help, even when its
to incapacitate but not permanently harm a victim. just to retrieve something, slot something into place, or

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patch a hole. This clockwork creation does just that. The The main problem with a glider cape is that the lightweight
engineers pet is usually designed as a bird that perches on rods need to perfectly extend and retract each time; they
the engineers shoulder, although some models use Frendal are prone to getting stuck or shifting out of place. Each
lizards. One Birmingham engineer is rumoured to have a time the glider cape is used, roll 1D. On a 1, the rods are
clockwork flying monkey as an Engineers pet. Regardless damaged and an Average Ad-hoc Repair roll is necessary
of form, all have the same statistics. to fix it. This can take several minutes, which may be a
consideration under duress.
The armour on the engineers pet is very light to better enable
it to fly although, in spite of the obvious craftsmanship, it Grappling Gun
still takes magical assistance to truly animate the marvel. Difficulty: 0
The engineers pet requires two quintessence pips per day; Time/Uses: 1
these are usually provided by a heartstone mounted in the Fuel: ammunition
chest, although a magician may channel the quintessence BP Cost: 2
needed from her own reserve. This device enables the user to fire a grappling hook and use
it to climb sheer surfaces. While technically not a weapon,
Initiative: 6 Physical: 4 the use of a grappling gun is about the size of a shotgun and
Mental: 4 Health: 5 dice requires the Firearms skill. The user must make a Dexterity
Armour: Brass skin (AV 2) Damage: Bite (5) + Firearms roll to fire the gun and catch something with the
hook (the Gamesmaster sets the Difficulty based on where
For an extra BP, the engineers pet can have a ranged the hook lands most rolls will be Difficult (3 black dice)).
weapon installed; this is usually a burst of fire breath (3 dice Once the hook is caught the user may scale the wall. Using
fire damage) or a one-shot derringer (4 damage dice). This a grappling gun reduces the Difficulty of scaling the wall by
option is popular with the Frendal lizard models. two levels (so an Average Difficulty becomes Easy).

Gas Mask The grappling gun usually has a range of 50 feet, although
Difficulty: 0 the user can attach a rope of different length. It includes a
Time/Uses: permanent crank to recover the rope and this crank can be used while
Fuel: n/a climbing (this doesnt change the difficulty for scaling walls,
BP Cost: 2 but does allow the user to instantly retrieve the rope).
With the advances in technology come the soot and smoke
of industry. Engineers working in especially hazardous Guild Glass
conditions have designed gas masks to filter the dust and Difficulty: 1*
smoke from the air they breathe. Such gas masks work Time/Uses: permanent
well against gaseous poisons and disease as well. The Fuel: n/a
potency of any poison or disease is reduced by 2 if one is BP Cost: 1
wearing a gas mask. In addition, if the wearer rolls a Good This magically-enhanced magnifying glass made with pure
success (3+ more than the potency) then she suffers no ill quartz. It has a 6x magnification (so objects 18 feet away
effects at all. look like they are 3 feet away). While some engineers scoff
at using a Guild artefact in their work, there is nothing
Glider Cape inherently magical about the Guild glass (the magic is in
Difficulty: 3 the creation). As with a regular magnifying glass, some
Time/Uses: see below engineers build them into headbands or hats.
Fuel: n/a
BP Cost: 2 Guild Steam Boiler
For centuries the magical flying carpet has inspired Difficulty: 9*
technologists to seek a mundane equivalent. While the non- Time/Uses: see description
powered glider cape still wont allow one to fly or even Fuel: steam
glide very far, it does enable one to fall with a bit more BP Cost: 4
grace. Users of a glider cape only take 2 dice of damage for These magically enhanced boilers only require half the fuel
every 3 yards fallen; they may halve the damage dealt with of regular boilers but put out two or three times as much
a Dexterity + Athletics roll. power. The quintessence is stronger in smaller boilers (3

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 VICTORIANA

times as much) while its only twice as strong in the larger clockwork creation powered by magic. It is a bit slower
boilers. When adding a Guild steam boiler to a vehicular than its living counterpart, but it does not need to eat or
marvel, the Range is tripled for small vehicles or personal sleep so long as it gets its magical fuel. The iron horse
harnesses and doubled for all other vehicles. requires 3 quintessence pips a day to operate, usually
provided by a heartstone mounted in the chest, although
Hawkeye Scope a magician may channel the quintessence needed from her
Difficulty: 1* own reserve.
Time/Uses: permanent
Fuel: n/a Initiative: 2 Physical: 6
BP Cost: 1 Mental: 1 Health: 6 dice
Named after an American literary hero, the Hawkeye scope Armour: Armoured Hide (AV 7) Damage: Kick (7)
is an advanced telescope sight that uses finely crafted Guild
quartz crystals. Using the scope reduces the difficulty of the Kantwells Magnificent Adhesive
shot by 6 black dice at medium and long ranges. Difficulty: 3
Time/Uses: See description
India Harness Fuel: n/a
Difficulty: 9* BP Cost: 2
Time/Uses: 1 day Invented by Cambridge Professor Godwin Kantwell,
Fuel: spring/quintessence who is perhaps known more for having glued his hand
BP Cost: 4 to a workshop doorknob for a week rather than for the
The India harness gets its name from various interpretations invention that caused the unfortunate situation to occur in
of Vedic archons portrayed as having multiple arms. It is a the first place, Kantwells Magnificent Adhesive is powerful
pair of clockwork arms attached to the technologist via a glue that instantly bonds material together with a Strength
reinforced girdle (which is necessary for the extra weight). of 3. Using Kantwells Magnificent Adhesive lowers the
These arms are typically lighter and slimmer than their difficulty of Ad-hoc Repair skill rolls by 1.
biological counterparts, although the steel used gives them
each a Strength of 2. Kantwells Magnificent Adhesive can only be easily
dissolved by a patented solution (choosing this marvel
The two arms of the India harness have the same limitations also gives the adventurer the solution as well), although
as regular clockwork arms but can only accommodate one prolonged exposure to high heat also dries the adhesive;
modification due to their smaller size. The extra arms do not this runs the risk of burning any living tissue bonded to it.
grant extra attacks, but they do allow the user to hold four
hands worth of weapons. When grappling, one set of arms Kantwells Magnificent Adhesive needs to be carried in
may remain free to attack. Characters attempting to fully special tubes. The size of the tube carried determines how
grapple someone wearing an India harness add 3 black dice much of the adhesive an adventurer has on her at any given
to their rolls. Success means that the character is grappled in time.
such a way that his clockwork arms are also pinned.
Magnetic Harness
The arms are powered by a heartstone mounted in the Difficulty: 0
harness band. The arms require 2 quintessence pips a day to Time/Uses: permanent
operate, although a magician may channel the quintessence Fuel: n/a
needed from her own reserve. In addition to the extra arms, BP Cost: 2
the India Harness offers an additional 2 AV protection. Popular amongst engineers designing large machines, a
magnetic harness is a series of magnets that are strapped
Iron Horse to the engineers clothes, making it easier for her to climb
Difficulty: 5* over and under machines without slipping and falling. A
Time/Uses: 1 day magnetic harness reduces the difficulty of Athletics rolls by
Fuel: spring/quintessence one when used while moving over iron or steel. Brass is
BP Cost: 4 only magnetic if it is plated over iron or steel; solid brass
This automaton is popular with artificers, who still like to is not.
hark back to an age where magic ruled. The iron horse is a

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Monocle of Magic Detection sealed, but the air supply is limited; some engineers add air
Difficulty: 1* tanks to increase the length of time underwater, but most
Time/Uses: 1 per day pilots simply surface and replenish the supply for free. The
Fuel: quintessence personal submersible is designed for subterfuge, not deep-
BP Cost: 2 sea diving, and can only move about 100 feet below the
This Dwarvish invention enables the wearer to see magic surface of the water.
and magical auras. The auras appear through the monocle
as a shimmering multi-hued haze, which surrounds the Handling: 1 Movement: 20 mph Scale: Small
item or creature in question. The range of the monocle is Health: 18 Armour: 6 Crew: 1
20 feet. The vision rendered through the monocle lasts for
10 rounds per use and the item may only be used once per Personal Wireless Telegraph
day. To use it more often gets no result and strains the eyes. Difficulty: 5*
Time/Uses: 1 week
Neptune Harness Fuel: quintessence
Difficulty: 3 BP Cost: 3
Time/Uses: 1 hour While the telegraph has made communication much
Fuel: air quicker, a telegraph is only as good as its network. While
BP Cost: 2 technologists have yet to make the breakthrough for
A step further than the gas mask, the Neptune harness wireless communication, magic has been able to make the
enables the wearer to draw oxygen from an independent connection. A personal wireless telegraph actually consists
supply, enabling him to go into places where it is difficult of two telegraph keys. The magic binds the two, so that
or impossible to breathe. The Neptune harness comes with a when one is used the other taps in unison. The telegraph
face mask and tube attached to a cylinder strapped to ones code must be known by both parties in order for the
back. The current popular model is of Prussian design, which communication to be effective.
requires two metal supply tanks. It contains enough air for
one hours use. Neptune harnesses are often combined with The range of the personal wireless telegraph is effectively
deep sea suits, granting the diver independence. unlimited and they are an indulgence of the aristocracy for
keeping tabs on far-flung family members.
Ornithopter
Difficulty: 9 Plate Steel Armour
Time/Uses: 1 hour Difficulty: 0
Fuel: steam/quintessence Time/Uses: permanent
BP Cost: 6 Fuel: n/a
Powered by various methods, the ornithopter is a one or BP Cost: 2
two person vehicle that stays aloft by flapping its wings This armoured suit is made from thick plate steel usually
like a bird. The first recorded use of an ornithopter was from steam boilers and padded against shock, fashioned
a sorcerous-powered design by Leonardo da Vinci, and into a suit with helmet, providing AV 12. Plate steel armour,
first flown a few years after the famed artists death. The while intimidating, is heavy and hot to move effectively,
wingspan is about 40 and they are usually made of canvas and the wearers ability to hear or see is badly compromised.
and light woods to keep the weight low. Add an extra level of difficulty to any tests made in the suit.
Walking speed is halved and it is impossible to run in the
Handling: 1 Movement: 30 mph Scale: Medium armour.
Health: 15 Armour: 0 Crew: 1
Pocket Bomb
Personal Submersible Difficulty: 0
Difficulty: 6 Time/Uses: 1
Time/Uses: half hour Fuel: see below
Fuel: muscle BP Cost: 2
BP Cost: 4 A pocket bomb is a small glass globe filled with chemicals
This submersible is best described as an underwater that, when the globe breaks, creates an effect. There are
bicycle, as it is propelled by pedalling. The submersible is several varieties of pocket bomb; the adventurer chooses

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the chemicals while creating them (so an engineer may Schwertbergers Cap
have several types available). Difficulty: 5*
Time/Uses: see description
Fire: the bomb covers a person with flammable oil, which Fuel: n/a
is ignited by a lit fuse. When thrown, the fuse has a 2 in 6 BP Cost: 3
chance of blowing out. Austrian Gnome Otto Schwertberger has an obsession with
Grenade: the bomb explodes for fire intensity 6 in an area machinery and has no problem greasing up and getting
Smoke: the bomb obscures vision within an area for two in the gears to work. Unfortunately, that has made it
rounds; all sight-based rolls are made with 6 black dice to difficult for him to carry a lot of equipment or to retrieve
see through it what he needs. Taking inspiration from his Swiss knife,
Water: the bomb can extinguish a small flame. Schwertberger created a cap-and-goggles set with a variety
of removable lenses. His current design features an aetheric
Reinforced Coveralls lens, Guild glass, and a microscope. The aetheric lens may
Difficulty: 0 be replaced with a monocle of magic detection but this
Time/Uses: permanent increases the BP cost by 1.
Fuel: n/a
BP Cost: 1 Spider Cap
True technologists design their clothes with numerous Difficulty: 5*
pockets and padding for fragile instruments; it wasnt long Time/Uses: see description
before one discovered a practical application. Reinforced Fuel: quintessence
coveralls have extra padding and plates woven into their BP Cost: 3
design that provide the wearer with AV 6. Unfortunately, A favourite of artificers, the spider cap is a hat that has
they are rather distinctive, making the wearing of reinforced several magical eyes positioned around it, effectively giving
coveralls highly unsuitable for social occasions (raising all the wearer all-around vision. The spider cap was invented
social difficulties by 1). in Southwest Asia and European artificers emulated their
appearance, so most spider caps resemble fezzes, kufi, taqiyas,
Rocket Pistol or tubeteikas. The caps tend to be elaborately embroidered,
Difficulty: 0 disguising the jewels that are used for the other eyes.
Time/Uses: 6
Fuel: n/a In the workshop, a spider cap is more special effect than
BP Cost: 2 useful; the ability of an engineer to see all around her is
A variation on the volcanic pistol, the rocket pistol helpful, but doesnt significantly lessen her workload.
is a lever-action firearm that fires exploding balls of Where the spider cap finds its greatest use is in combat,
lead, giving it the impact of a 12 bore shotgun. As the where the ability to see all around oneself eliminates the
ammunition is bigger, the rocket pistol has fewer shots chance of surprise. Unfortunately, the spider cap is designed
than a volcanic pistol. for the wearer to focus on one side or top; trying to do all
at once is a strain on the brain. Adventurers using it in this
Damage Dice: 12, ROF: 2, Shots: 6, Reload: 5, Range: 30 yds, manner take a 3 black dice penalty on all actions while the
Special Attacks: none spider cap has all eyes open. After the adventurers Resolve
in rounds passes, the black dice penalty increases to 6 (and
Roller Skates so on, raising it by another 3 every Resolve number of
Difficulty: 0 rounds). On the plus side, each round the spider cap is used
Time/Uses: permanent this way the wearer cannot be surprised.
Fuel: n/a
BP Cost: 1 Spider Harness
These wonderful devices allow the user to zip along with Difficulty: 6
the greatest of ease. They consist of a set of wheels either Time/Uses: 1 hour
four, like a carriage, or two in tandem, like a bicycle - which Fuel: steam
are attached to each foot. They are powered by the user, BP Cost: 4
who must push off to gain momentum. Roller skates double This clockwork and steam monstrosity enables a
walking and running movement speeds. technologist to quickly change heights while working on a

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marvel. The harness is more of a seat that the technologist Steam automotive
sits in and has six spindly legs protruding from it. The Difficulty: 9
boiler sits behind the seat and a compartment for keeping Time/Uses: 1 hour
tools and extra coal in wraps around the front. Using the Fuel: steam
controls in front of her, the technologist can lower the legs BP Cost: 5
to where she can step out of the seat or she can raise herself This is a lightweight, open air carriage that has been crafted
up to 12 feet high. for racing. A steam automotive is designed for quick
acceleration (at least after the boiler warms up!), giving its
In addition to its other benefits, the Spider Harness offers operator a +2 to his first dice pool in any Chase sequence.
an additional 2 AV protection.
Handling: 7 Movement: 60mph Scale: Medium
Handling: 1 Movement: 10 mph Scale: medium Health: 3 Armour: 0 Crew: 1
Health: 2 Armour: 2 Crew: 1 Passengers: 1

Spring-Heeled Boots Steam carriage

Difficulty: 0 Difficulty: 9
Time/Uses: see description Time/Uses: 2 hours
Fuel: n/a Fuel: steam
BP Cost: 2 BP Cost: 5
Made famous by a London gang known as the Spring- This is a typical carriage that has been converted to steam
heeled Jacks around the turn of the century, spring-heeled power, doing away with the need for horses. The statistics
boots are boots with springs attached. The springs are here are for an open-air steam carriage. With a top, the
tucked inside the soles of the boots and sprung when the Armour becomes 1 AV to protect enclosed passengers.
proper pressure is provided. The only drawback for those
using the boots for mischief or escape is that they must be Handling: 4 Movement: 40 mph Scale: Medium
manually reset in order to recoil the springs, an act that Health: 3 Armour: 0/1 Crew: 1
takes 2 rounds per boot. Passengers: 2-4

Use of this marvel increases the users base leaping Steam Roller Skates
movement to 4 + Dexterity for horizontal leaps (halving Difficulty: 6
that for vertical jumps). Time/Uses: 30 minutes
Fuel: steam
St Elmos Torch BP Cost: 3
Difficulty: 1* This is a steam-driven version of the roller skate; the boiler
Time/Uses: 6 hours is affixed to the users back and only contains enough power
Fuel: battery/quintessence to operate for 30 minutes.
BP Cost: 1
This marvel is essentially a floating spherical light bulb Handling: 4 Movement: 30mph Scale: Small
atop a brass base that contains the battery that lights it. Health: 1 die Armour: 0 Passenger: 1
The base itself is animated by magic and is attuned to the
owner, automatically floating where needed. St. Elmos Steam tools
Torch provides good lighting for about a 5 yard radius. Difficulty: 3
Time/Uses: 2 hours
The battery provides enough power for 6 hours of Fuel: steam
continuous use before needing a recharge. The torch also BP Cost: 2
needs to be primed with 1 quintessence every 6 hours of Powered tools alleviate strain on the user as well as applying
use, so the technologist usually replaces both battery and greater force than a handheld tool. Currently, most power
magic at the same time. tools are either magically enchanted or hooked to steam
engines; no engineers workshop is complete without one
or more small steam engines powering several tools. Steam
tools add +2 dice to Ad-hoc Repair or Engineer rolls.

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Steam Velocipede In addition to producing a flame, the Vulcan carbine also

Difficulty: 6 produces a thick black smoke that obscures the user and
Time/Uses: 2 hours anyone close by, granting anyone shooting into or out of
Fuel: steam the cloud a 3 black dice penalty.
BP Cost: 4
This is a velocipede with a steam motor attached. While Damage Dice: 12 (spread), ROF: see description, Shots: 1,
most commonly created in a bicycle version with the Reload: 2, Range: 20 yds, Special Attacks: obscure (3 black
wheels of roughly the same size, tricycle and even dice)
quadricycle velocipedes arent unknown (there is a thin
and disappearing line between a quadricycle velocipede Winged Harness
and a steam carriage). Difficulty: 9
Time/Uses: 50 miles
Handling: 6 Movement: 40mph Scale: Small Fuel: steam
Health: 2 Armour: 0 Crew: 1 BP Cost: 5
Also known as the Wings of the Gentleman Aviator, this
Vienna glove harness is actually a backpack version of an ornithopter.
Difficulty: 1* Unfortunately, the combined weight of steam engine and
Time/Uses: 1 week pilot is not enough for the bursts of steam and wings to
Fuel: quintessence overcome, so the winged harness doesnt actually allow flight
BP Cost: 2 as much as controlled descent. This means that the operator
Perfected in the Guild headquarters in Vienna, a Guild usually needs to start in a higher location than where he
glove is a magical marvel that has tool bits on the finger tips. intends to end his flight. An average Wits roll (or Routine (+3
When the tip is applied to a surface and the appropriate to dice pool) Pilot roll is needed to achieve flight; each level
power word spoken, it acts as if the user were using the of success beyond Success allows the pilot to climb 3 yards,
appropriate tool. Several configurations of a Vienna glove while a partial success forces the pilot to drop 3 yards. Every
exist and most are custom-made. The most common 3 yards climbed cuts 5 miles off the duration.
configuration is nail puller (thumb), hammer (index finger),
drill (middle finger) screwdriver (ring finger), and 6-inch Once airborne, no additional skill rolls are necessary,
saw (little finger). When used as a weapon, the Vienna glove although a pilot may choose to do so to get more lift.
is considered a melee weapon that does 3 dice damage. These are Difficult tasks (not including any environmental
modifiers that the Gamesmaster wishes to impose) and a
Vulcan Carbine Foul Failure means that the pilot has lost control and starts
Difficulty: 3 falling; this can be detrimental indeed if the pilot is at a great
Time/Uses: 6 height. In addition to flight, the Winged Harness offers an
Fuel: chemical additional 2 AV protection.
BP Cost: 3
The Vulcan carbine is the British technologists answer
to the frightening Prussian flammenwerfer. While many
believe it to be a magical weapon, the Vulcan carbine is Buying from the Equipment List
entirely a product of science, using a secret chemical mixture
(rumoured to be the legendary Greek fire, hence the use of In addition to the marvels listed here, technologists may
the Roman archon Vulcan) to create gouts of flame. purchase equipment from the lists in Book II with
Build points rather than currency, presuming that the
The Vulcan carbine consists of a harness that holds a Gamesmaster deems it a legitimate purchase. In such
cylinder of propellant (usually 10 shots worth) and a cases you can use 1 BP (or 2 XP) per 12 (round up) as a
gun, which requires two hands to use (hence the carbine rough guideline. Thus a LeMat revolver would cost 1 BP,
appellation, even though its more pistol-length). The gun while a Gatling gun would cost 7 BP. As these purchases
fires a stream of flame that lasts for 1 round; the operator are for off the rack items there is no need to make a
may use multiple attacks with the same stream within that Difficulty roll.
round. The ignition cartridge is spent after one shot; it must
be moved and replaced between shots.

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Clockwork Limbs Failure on the first roll means the limb was not attached
Clockwork limbs are clearly superior to prosthetics, as properly and the doctor will have to attempt the attachment
sorcery allows the wearer to feel and control her artificial again. Once the limb is successfully attached then the second
limb. Clockwork limbs also have several advantages of check occurs two weeks later after the limb is tweaked and
their own in addition to returning functionality to their any signs of infection are dealt with by a Guild healer (or an
wearers. That said, clockwork limbs often have several unlicensed mage using the Heal spell).
disadvantages above and beyond their high cost (prosthetic
surgeons generally charge upwards of 100 for the surgery). Failure on the second roll indicates that either the limb
was over-tweaked and needs to be reset, or the body
Without an Artisans Touch (see Book II), a clockwork limb is too infected for the healer to repair and the limb must
is anything but lifelike. Arms consist of metal plating that be removed. Once the infection is over, the limb can be
surround a combination of gears and pulleys that actuate reattached.
to bend the arm at the elbow and move the digits that form
the fingers. Fine detail work is almost impossible. Someone
with a clockwork arm/hand suffers a 2 black dice penalty
for any action requiring real dexterity and fine manipulation
(such as repair work, writing or even firing a handgun
accurately). However, any melee attacks damage causes an
additional +2 lethal damage because the clockwork in the
arm amplifies the force of a normal swing (and is made of
metal!); for a clockwork hand this extra damage is limited
to punching only.

A clockwork leg bears a resemblance to the arm in the fact

that it is gears and pulleys wreathed in hammered metal.
The leg barely bends at the knee and doesnt actuate at the
ankle. Generally, movement is fine, but an adventurer with
a clockwork leg has her running speed halved.

Clockwork eyes take time to focus. A character with a

clockwork eye suffers a 3 black dice penalty to Initiative
when trying to use the eye in combat. Multiples of the same
clockwork eye dont confer multiple bonuses. Multiple eyes
do, however, confer a 6 black dice penalty.

Limb Health Dice (Pips) Cost
Basic arm 3 (6) 40
Basic hand 2 (4) 25
Basic leg 4 (8) 50 Operating a Clockwork Limb
Basic foot 2 (4) 30 Each clockwork limb has a certain amount of magic to
Basic eye 1 (2) 75 make it work. This sorcerous energy draws small amounts
from the owners quintessence to function. Each morning
the owner loses 1 Quintessence pip for each clockwork
Attaching a Clockwork Limb limb they have. If the owner has no quintessence the limb
Two successive Very Difficult (6 black dice) Dexterity + cannot drain the characters life force; instead, it waits for
Medicine rolls are necessary to attach the limb and get it the quintessence to recuperate and takes what it needs at
working properly. A Foul Failure on either roll ruins the that time. The Heal operation activates the quintessence-
limb, which must be repurchased before attaching can sapping process; if the limb was attached without one then
continue. the wearer must wait for the limbs sorcery to awaken on its

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own. Each day the owner rolls 1D for each limb, and if a 6 is the same statistics as the Allen & Thurber 0.36 except it
rolled the limb begins drawing quintessence and activates takes twice as long to reload because an access hatch must
properly. Until that time it acts as if it had no quintessence, be opened on the arm before the cylinder can be accessed.
even though it will still draw quintessence as if activated; As a catch must be released, the weapon is no quicker to
in this way it attunes itself to the available power. With or draw than any other. A cruel Gamesmaster might cause the
without magic, each limb must be wound up once every 2 catch to open if the hand takes a lot of damage. The hand
days, earlier if the user has been especially active. So those can still work about half as well when hanging open.
with 2 clockwork arms had best ensure they keep at least
one wound properly. Some owners of this modification like to grab an opponent
by the neck with the hand and then open the clip, to force
the gun in their face.
One Size Fits All? Arm with Concealed Compartment, 30 (+1 BP)
The rules presume that all prosthetics are treated the This arm contains a compartment that is nearly invisible
same whether designed for a Huldu, Human, or Ogre. to the naked eye. If the arm is inspected closely, a difficult
This is done for simplicity and to be consistent with Perception roll is necessary to see the compartment. The
the rest of the rules (body armour, for example, has no compartment is large enough to hold a leFraux revolver or
consideration for size in its cost). It can also be presumed similarly sized item.
that an engineer, with the right tools and spare parts,
can modify a clockwork limb to stretch or shrink it to Armour 6 (+1 BP)
accommodate its new wearer. Ill-fitting prosthetics are The limb has a reinforced shell that protects it from damage.
covered under Complications. The limb receives AV 2 protection. This may be purchased
multiple times; however every 2 purchases eliminate one
Still, some Gamesmasters may prefer a greater distinction modification. Once the limb is out of modification slots, you
between small, medium, and large limbs. A small limb can may no longer purchase this modification.
be treated as having one less modification available, while
large limbs gain an extra modification. To compensate, Centaur, 120 (+6 BP)
small limbs cost 1 Build point less (or half the price), while The centaur is available to people whove lost both legs.
large limbs cost 1 Build point more (and cost 150% of the Rather than equipping a clockwork leg to each stump, the
price). Clockwork eyes are unchanged amongst the sizes. person opts to have a four-legged harness built that bears
You may also grant one pip per Health die to small limbs a passing resemblance to a horse. The character gains +5
and three pips per Health die to large limbs. to her movement and the ability to have somebody ride
on her back, but she loses the ability to enter almost any
establishment except for stables and barns - they just
werent designed with horses in mind.
Modifications
What makes clockwork limbs more interesting are the Centaur limbs carry the usual 4 Health dice (8 pips) for each
gadgets that can be installed. Gamesmasters should feel leg as well as 8 Health dice (16 pips) for the base.
free to create more potential modifications. Arms and legs
can take up to 2 modifications although some modifications Its rumoured that the military is experimenting with a six-
count as 2 due to the space they take up. Eyes, hands and legged spider leg replacement that has better climbing
feet can take only a single modification. abilities and more easily traverses rough terrain, but there
are no civilian models yet. Society probably couldnt handle
In addition to its cost, each modification has a Build point it.
modifier. This modifier is added to the clockwork limbs
Build point cost when a character takes a clockwork limb as Climbers Toes, 35 (+1 BP)
an Asset during adventurer creation. These prosthetic toes end in small pitons to assist in
climbing. A character climbing barefoot with Climbers
Allen & Thurber 0.36, 28.3 (+2 BP) Toes gains +1 dice to climbing checks. If the character
The hand on this arm flips down, revealing a modified otherwise walks around barefoot, the metal pitons clicking
version of the Allen & Thurber pepperbox. This pistol uses against the floor result in +1 black die added to any Hide &

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Sneak rolls. The Climbers Toes will tear a characters shoes Lightning Power Sword Arm, 34 (+3 BP)
to ribbons in a week if worn inside shoes. Climbers Toes This version of the sword arm described below has an
take up no modification slots. additional feature. It can draw on additional quintessence
energy to carry an electrical charge along the blade.
Climbing Arm, 28.4 (+3 BP) Anyone touching the blade takes 4 additional dice of
The hand on this arm can be fired out with a percussion cap electrical damage. This counts when they are struck with
to grasp objects like a small grappling hook. Coiled tightly the weapon, but also if they touch it with something
in the arm is 20ft of thin steel cable and a small winch able conductive (such as another sword). The lightning crackles
to lift up to 200lbs. The steel cable carries power to the across the blade when activated and costs 2 Quintessence
hand, allowing the user to open and close it at will. The pips each round to keep active. However, the sword
hand can grab at any reasonable handhold and lock in to cannot drain the users life force and shuts down when
create a firm hold. For an additional 10, the hand can be quintessence is no longer available. This modification
fitted with spikes that fire out as it is released to allow it to counts as 2 modifications.
jam into sheer surfaces like a piton or crampon. Firing the
hand requires a Dexterity + Firearms roll to hit the place Mariette Surprise, 30 (+2 BP)
you were after. Made for those situations where one barrel wont do, this
arm contains a modified Mariette 0.36 pepperbox in the
Enterprising characters may use this as a weapon. As such, forearm. When the hand is flipped open, the barrels are
it has an accuracy modifier of +1 black die and does 4 dice exposed, allowing the gun to be fired. This pistol uses the
of lethal damage (and has a maximum range of 20ft for same statistics as the Marriette 0.36 pepperbox except it
obvious reasons). If a character is attempting to snare an takes twice as long to reload because an access hatch must
opponent (by grabbing them and reeling them in), they be opened on the arm before the gun can be reloaded. Apart
need at least 2 more successes than the opponent gets on from the gun being different, this modification works the
their combat or Dodge roll. If the target is successfully same as the Allen 0.36 modification above.
ensnared, she can be reeled in if she weighs less than 200lbs.
Quintessence Store, 40 (+2 BP)
However, she can attempt to pull her attacker towards her Your limb is fitted with a magical matrix that can store
by matching their Strengths. If she can cut the steel cable quintessence. The modification can be fitted twice and each
she can escape, but that needs something pretty sharp! This modification can store one full Quintessence die (6 pips).
modification counts as two modifications given the space The sorcerer can decide to use either her own quintessence
it requires. or what is stored in the limb, or even both when casting
a spell. The quintessence in the matrix does not replenish
Fine Detail Modification, 50 (+3 BP) itself and must be placed there from the sorcerers own
This modification is expensive but well worth it. Extra store. However, once the matrix is full, the wizard regains
pistons and finer gears are used in the construction to give quintessence as normal.
the user better dexterity in the hand. It means the hand no
longer suffers the 2 black dice penalty for detailed work Reinforced Limb 30 (+1 BP)
inherent in the basic limb. Youve sacrificed space for stronger limbs. Each purchase of
this modification grants the limb an extra Health die.
Hypodermic Finger, 40 (+2 BP)
This prosthetic finger hides a small vial and a retractable Retractable Dagger, 12 (+2 BP)
needle. With a successful Fisticuffs check, an adventurer Spring blades can be fitted to the elbows or knee of an arm
can inject the contents of the vial into an unwilling target. or leg, or to spring out of a hand or foot. The blades might
Theres no check to inject a willing target. The vial only be designed to help cut bonds but are usually used as a
holds one dose, so an injection is all or nothing. An empty weapon. The knife is wielded using Fisticuffs rather than
vial can be used to extract fluid from a target. Swordplay unless it extends from the hand (in which case
either skill can be used). The knife does the same damage
Leg with Concealed Compartment, 32 (+1 BP) as a bayonet. As it is drawn very quickly, it may be used
Similar in all respects to the arm with a concealed in a single action with only a 1 black die penalty to the
compartment, except the compartment is large enough to Swordplay roll.
hold an Adams 0.36 revolver.

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 VICTORIANA

Specialty Eye, 50 (+1 BP) Spring-heeled Leg, 40 (+1 BP)

Clockwork eyes come in a variety of types. Here are some The torsion on the springs in this legs joints is wound extra
of the most common: tight. Any character with a spring-heeled leg adds +3 dice to
Athletics checks for the purpose of jumping. Unfortunately,
Eagles Eye: This clockwork eye allows the character to see the spring is wound so tight that normal movement is only
long distances and at incredible detail close up. A character 3 + Dexterity.
with the Eagles Eye gains +3 to Perception checks. Its
rumoured that Dominic McDowall has one of these in his Sprinters Legs, 50 (+2 BP)
employ. These legs propel a wearer to twice their normal running
speed. However, they are very difficult to stop. A runner
Marksmans Eye: The Marksmans Eye allows a wearer to using these legs must succeed at a Difficult Dexterity +
more easily aim at a target. A target equipped with the Athletics checks or go careening out of control, taking 2 dice
Marksmans Eye reduces the difficulty threshold for range of damage. A Foul Failure with the Dexterity + Athletics
by one step. The Marksmans Eye is only calibrated to work check results in 4 dice of damage. This modification only
at Medium, Long, or Extreme range. It provides no bonus works if the wearer has two clockwork legs and both are
for closer targets. fitted with this modification.

Example: A character with the Marksmans Eye is lining up a Sword Arm, 28 (+2 BP)
long range shot with a pistol. Instead of it being an Extremely With this modification, the hand folds back and a short
Difficult shot, it is merely a Very Difficult shot. sabre springs out, extending from the opening. This sword
has the same characteristics as the sabre except it deals the
Mesmerists Eye: The purpose of this eye is to entrance additional damage for being wielded by a clockwork limb.
people who see it. The visible parts of the eye are highly For obvious reasons the wielder cannot drop the sword or
polished and painted in alternating white and black. When be disarmed. The sabre springs out so quickly the wielder
the wearer uses the eye, the colours spin in a hypnotic may use it in a single action with only a 1 black die penalty
pattern. It gives a +1 die bonus to Charm, Interrogation, to the Swordplay roll. If already at point blank, the weapon
and Sleight of Hand because it keeps the viewers attention can be sprung out as a surprise attack, actually gaining +3
focused on the eye instead of whats going on around to Initiative and +2 to the combat roll for the first attack.
them.
Thaumically Compressed Actuator, 15 (+2 BP)
Owls Eye: The Owls Eye contains a complex set of mirrors Combining a tight gear ratio, several pistons and the power
that amplify the available light. A character with an Owls of the Power of Steam spell, this limb has greater power
Eye can see just as well at dusk as she can at noon, and just than the basic model. As this limb is put through its paces, it
as well at the dark of the night as she can at dusk. hisses steam and often belches smoke under pressure. The
modification is too big to fit into a hand or foot. An arm with
Veristic Eye: The Veristic Eye looks like a real eyeball. They a thaumically compressed actuator has +1 Strength, adding
are available in any colour the purchaser requires. For an to melee damage and lifting ability. A leg with a thaumically
extra fee, the wearer can change the colour of the iris at her compressed actuator gives its user a +1 to the characters
whim. base movement, increasing running speed and vertical or
horizontal jumping, etc. The user also no longer suffers the
Vulcans Eye: A character with Vulcans Eye sees in the reduction in running speed for an unmodified leg. If the
infrared spectrum as well as the visible light spectrum. character has 2 clockwork legs with this modification she
It can detect heat on the other side obstacles 6 or less in can add their bonuses together. However, the same cannot
thickness. be said for the strength bonus for arms. The Gamesmaster
might allow half of the bonus to be added from a second
Spring-heeled Foot, 30 (+1 BP) modified arm if the character is lifting a large item that
These work on the same principle as the Spring-heeled requires two hands. This modification can be placed in a
Legs, but only add +1 to the Athletics Roll for the purpose limb twice, making the bonus +2, but this counts as a second
of jumping. Due to the nature of their construction, they modification. This modification is complicated and difficult
wont work when in a shoe. and is usually built into the limb during construction. If
added to an existing limb the cost is doubled.

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Thiefs Fingers, 35 (+2 BP) up a cup with your clockwork arm, the spirit may instead
These articulated fingers are covered in a very fine mesh that try to dash the cup against the floor. Whenever the spirit
makes it easier to grasp very small items. An adventurer attempts to exert control over the limb, you must succeed
with Thiefs Fingers gains +1 die to Pick Pocket checks. at a Difficult Resolve roll to compel the limb to do your
Thiefs Fingers take up no modification slots. bidding. Should you ever fail five successive Resolve rolls,
the spirit possesses you instead!

Attachments The Gamesmaster determines when the spirit attempts to

control the limb. An Exorcism, Grace magnetic ability or
Detachable Socket: +30 arm/leg +20 hand or Rest operation may remove the spirits and some magnetic
foot (+1 BP) abilities might manage to contact it and ask what it wants. If
This is a modification that needs to be added before a limb the spirit is removed then the limb is purged of its magical
is attached. Instead of grafting the limb directly onto the power. Re-empowering the limb can be a very expensive
body, a universal socket is grafted on first. This means that business, as the Guild knows you have no option but to pay
if the limb is broken the character can just undo it and place their price.
another there instead without needing a doctor. When an
old limb is replaced, a Guild healer still needs to activate Remote Control
its magic as before, but that is no more essential than You have had an additional modification installed in your
usual. Some very rich clockwork limbed characters keep limb: a remote control. Someone else has a device that they
a selection of different limbs for different occasions and can use to take control of the limb when and where they
change them over as they see fit. If the limb is undamaged like. It may be that you owe them money or maybe they
and has already aligned its magic with the user, it can be dont trust you with it. Usually they will have to be in line
switched over in moments with no further trouble. While it of sight to take control so they can see what you are doing.
is very rare to find people who can afford to change whole However, if they are really cruel they might just randomly
arms or legs, it is not uncommon for the very rich to have a use the remote just to remind you whos boss.
couple of spare hands with different modifications.
Tracer
Whether by magic or artifice, a tracking device is fitted
Clockwork Complications to your limb. You may not even know about it yourself.
If you choose to have a clockwork limb, there are a few However, it means there is nowhere you can go that this
additional Complications you can choose to take as well. person cannot find you.
Characters who acquire clockwork limbs during the game
might still take Complications from this list to reduce the Unchanging
cost. The limb you bought is a cheap model designed to simply
replace something missing. It can carry one less modification
Debt than usual, 1 for an arm or leg and none for a hand or foot.
You couldnt quite afford the limb you own, so you came
to an arrangement. It might be that you owe a significant Winding Down
amount of money to the Guild. However, it is more likely The clockwork in your limb is not especially good. It needs
you owe the money to a group of dangerous criminals who winding up at least twice a day, if not more often. The
found you a black market limb at short notice. The penalty Gamesmaster can insist it is winding down and becoming
for not paying the debt is severe: the loss of a limb at least! useless after any heavy activity and it takes a good ten
The debt is also too large for you to pay off in anything but minutes to wind it up again.
instalments. Until you pay them off, you might be able to
reduce the amount by offering your services in some way.
The exact arrangement is up to the Gamesmaster.

Possessed Clockwork Limb

Unfortunately, your clockwork limb is possessed by a
malign spirit. The spirit occasionally seeks to contradict the
will of the character. For example, when you want to pick

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BOOK V
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 book V

Book V
Trials and Tribulations
~ R unning G ame ~ different style, every gaming group has different preferences
the in the stories they tell together. So, while we cant give you a
definitive set of instructions, we can give you some tips.
So, you are the mad creative genius who decided to run the
game. What on earth were you thinking? There are all these
rules, you have to create a story that the players will do their Adventures by Association
best to make a mess of and you have a cast of thousands to Victoriana is a rather large place, given that it encompasses
turn into believable characters. Why would you want to put an entire world. Add to it the elements of fantasy,
yourself through all that? steampunk, and alternate history, and creating an adventure
can seem quite daunting. Associations are designed to give
Still reading? Good, youll do just fine. both Gamesmasters and players a narrower focus which
explains the types of conflicts that can be expected, as well
Running a game can sometimes be a thankless and as ensuring that the adventurers have the tools necessary to
frustrating task, but usually it is also far more rewarding overcome those conflicts.
and creative than playing the game can ever be. You have
the opportunity to create a whole world, and fill it with Each sample Association offered in Book II highlights
as many people and creatures as you can imagine. You a particular type of adventure which Victoriana is well
get to form stories that will intrigue, scare and amaze suited to emulate. These adventure types are detailed here,
your players. If you do it well, youll create a game and along with the sample Association built around it.
an experience people will be talking about for a long time
afterwards. There arent many things that can compete with Armed Conflict
that, and even fewer that can do it every week. Currently, Great Britain has joined France and the Ottoman
Empire in a war that they are losing. The Russians have
However, for all the fun and creativity of being a proven just as resilient in the Crimea as they did during
Gamesmaster, it is still a hell of a responsibility. Just about the Napoleonic Wars. Austria is considering whether to
everything rests on your shoulders, so this Book is to join while threatening some of the Italian States. China has
help you out. The main thing to remember is that, when exploded into rebellion. The United States of America is on
running a game, you get out of it exactly what you put in. the brink of a civil war and Spain may follow suit.
A lacklustre Gamesmaster will create a lacklustre game, but
a Gamesmaster who puts a bit of heart and soul into the Even in areas not marked by major war, colonial and
game can create something truly brilliant. You need not tear imperialist expansion is leading to conflicts with native
the adventure from your soul or act so brilliantly you pass tribes who are understandably reluctant to lose control over
out at the end of the session - this is meant to be fun, after their own lands. Nor are they the only threat; imperialist
all! However, if you see the task as an opportunity rather powers often war with each other over perceived boundary
than a chore, youll do a lot better (and have a lot more fun). lines, many of which have no relation to the native cultures
So, while you need not take a month off work locked in they randomly divide. All of these conflicts need soldiers
a basement crafting the adventure, you need to set aside and, in spite of the dangers, Britain still has a volunteer
some time outside the game to prepare. army and navy. India has professional armies run by a
corporation. Both offer incentives for adventurers to join
The rules for Victoriana are relatively compact, but cover the fight in protecting their interests. The Royal Steam
a lot of topics, and the one thing those rules dont tell you Lancers is an example of such a group; upper class officers
is how to run a game. In truth, there is no definitive advice who purchase and maintain steam harnesses that bring
on how best to run Victoriana. Every Gamesmaster has a great strength and firepower to the battlefield.

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Big Game Hunting Scotland Yard, including the Aetheric Branch, often hire a
Hunting is one of the oldest professions. Originally used Selenium hunter once theyve identified a threat that needs
for survival, many in the middle and upper classes now tracking and killing.
hunt for sport. Some creatures are more challenging to hunt
than others and, in a world with preternatural beasts, the Criminals Most Foul
question is often not whether one has the skill to kill such a London is a large city and known as the Centre of the
creature but whether the creature can be killed at all. World. Its rookeries are crammed with poor immigrants
and the working class, many of whom turn to crime to
Safaris are a new concept, spurred on by European reporting survive. The Metropolitan Police was created to protect the
of strange new beasts in ever-receding wildernesses, and inhabitants of the city from those who would prey upon
aerostats that are able to take paying travellers to remote them and they do their job reasonably well.
areas to observe and shoot exotic creatures. Hunting isnt
limited to the wild; hunters are often hired to track strange Yet not all criminals are poor, nor are they limited to the
beasts through the rookeries and sewers of London. damage they can do with a knife or a pistol. Some of them
manipulate the aether to get what they want and others
The Selenium is a good example of a society dedicated to are true monsters, preying on the weak and the surprised.
monster hunting. Its members are well-versed in tracking Mesmerists use their powers to manipulate people, while
the most dangerous of beasts and preternatural creatures. demonologists sacrifice the homeless to Pale archons.

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Litches, lycanthropes, and vampires prey on people from the American Pinkertons play a great game of their own against
shadows, taking lives to increase their own. Such criminals the Texian Rangers, and across the Channel royalists are
can hardly go unchecked in the city and Scotland Yard has attempting to overthrow the French republic and return
created the Aetheric Branch to deal with them. The Aetheric King Louis to the throne.
Branch is also tasked with investigating criminals who use
science rather than magic, as one often seems like the other Espionage need not always involve foreign agents or exotic
prior to initial investigation. Utilising the latest investigative locations. Many plots against Queen and Country are
techniques both mundane and preternatural, the detectives hatched during tea time and society balls. An inopportune
of the Aetheric Branch uncover the truth and put an end to scandal can ruin a good bureaucrat and enable a less
the perpetrators, often with aid from capable allies. trustful one to take his place. Vices are used against ones
enemies and, where the participants are Peers, Scotland
Espionage Yard hesitates to get involved without ironclad evidence.
There are many that would like to see the British Empire fall. Even then, a Peer has the right to be tried in the House of
Britain and Russia are already engaged in the Great Game Lords, and a Peer that has ingratiated himself with enough
in South Asia and the Crimean War has only increased other Lords can become untouchable.
covert operations. British agents also work furiously in
the German states to prevent Prussian expansion. Nor is To combat these threats, the Queen has created the Star
espionage limited to the British Empire; across the Pond Chamber. The Chambers agents answer to no-one but the

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Queen and her hand-picked court. They infiltrate the upper Private investigation is a relatively new profession in
class, both at home and abroad, to ferret out threats to the Victoriana. Given the costs, it is difficult for a private
Empire and to bring those responsible to book. detective to helm an agency as a sole occupation; most
detectives are either wealthy or have a patron willing to
Exploration sponsor their investigations. A private detective lacks the
There are still many areas of the world map that have yet to authority of a police detective and often has to make do
be filled in, and some of those that are filled in rely largely with a charming smile and quick wits in order to investigate
on myth and fourth or fifth-hand accounts. Along with these areas that suspects would rather remain closed.
myths come stories of great treasures locked in the tombs of
forgotten civilisations, and ancient beasts that surely only Willowpin and Associates is a good example of a private
exist in legend. There are people and governments who detective agency and the experts it often employs. For more
would reward those willing to discover these secrets and information about Willowpin, see Streets of Shadow.
make the maps a bit more accurate.
Revolution
Large swathes of Africa, Australia, and the Americas are The Time of Troubles may be over, but the proletariats
still unseen by European eyes. The entire continent of desire for political change has not abated. Absolutist
Antarctica is unexplored and no one has yet laid eyes on regimes like Russia treat the large serf class poorly; the
the North Pole. It is said that ancient civilisations, or at least United States of America still practices slavery, and
their remains, are hidden in the Andes, the Himalayas, and imperialism keeps the native populations subservient
the Rockies. Exploring these places requires more than a to their European masters. India is effectively run by a
stout heart and an iron will; one must be respectful toward corporation. Even in democracies, there still isnt universal
native cultures and enlist their aid when possible. suffrage and it is the poor who often have to go and fight
in foreign wars.
The Royal Geographical Society is an example of an
organisation that would sponsor overseas expeditions. Revolutionary movements, such as anarchism, communism,
and socialism, are on the rise in Europe, largely under
Investigation the umbrella of Bolshevism. In Victoriana, many of these
In addition to crimes handled by Scotland Yard, there are groups are getting aid from conjurers and mesmerists who
crimes and other matters for which a victim may feel more have long been persecuted by the Consortium and the
comfortable employing a private detective. Sometimes Aluminat Church. They are also getting aid from frustrated
the victim has been rejected by Scotland Yard for offering technicians who have stolen plans and devices from
a hopeless case; other times she may feel she cant trust the ungrateful employers. Emboldened by such assistance,
police, or simply needs someone to look into a private matter. revolutionary groups are preparing to make government
And then there are times when police detectives feel that they listen and act on their grievances, if not to destroy
need an expert to examine a particularly frustrating case. government altogether.

Bolshev ists?
Previous editions of Victoriana placed an emphasis on more aggressive communists that they dubbed Bolshevik s. While
this term is obviously anachronistic, it has become such a part of the setting that, in spite of all the changes Third Edition
makes, it would feel odd to leave them out. Second Edition attributed this group to be the followers of Maxim Bolshev, a
substitute for the historical Mikhail Bakunin (who does not exist in Victoriana).

Maxim Bolshev is a Russian Bearman who believes in the equality of all sapients and advocates violent revolution to ensure
that this happens; he is especially critical of the Tsarina. His followers are properly known as Bolshevists. Bolshevik is a
soft British slur, insinuating that Bolshevism is a Russian, not British, philosophy. This term is gaining traction in political
circles as a way of preventing the development of a budding Labour Party, which counts many communists amongst its
members. It is primarily due to such shenanigans that many of Bolshevs followers have adopted the term Bolshevik as a
badge of honour.

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When these groups do act, governments tend to respond with Atmosphere

prejudice. Innocents are rounded up and pushed through the One of the most important elements in a Victoriana
courts in order to satisfy a frightened populace that justice adventure or campaign is the atmosphere. The atmosphere
was done. Many revolutionaries find themselves spending helps transport the players back to a past that never was but
more time keeping themselves and their friends out of prison could almost have been; it also enhances the overall themes
than plotting the next move against the government. of the particular campaign. Think of it as the backdrop to a
play or the art direction in a film; a good atmosphere makes
The Cobblestone Club is an example of a Bolshevist cell whose the players feel a particular way and influences the playing
members would be involved in revolutionary adventures. of their adventurers.

Serendipity The easiest part of making a game session atmospheric is

There are some people who just always seem to be in the the window dressing. How would Victorian adventurers
right place at the right time; danger is attracted to them like a dress themselves? How do they greet each other on the
magnet. Such adventurers, through no fault of their own, get street and what would be the current acceptable topics of
caught up in conspiracies, murderous schemes, and even the conversation? A perusal of Book I answers many of these
occasional monster hunt just because they happened to be questions, but more information is only a few clicks away.
standing there when the threat reared its ugly head. There are several websites (some listed in the Appendix)
that cover the Victorian era, and even a couple of hours
True to the notion of serendipity, adventurers are usually in front of the telly watching a period film or programme
well-suited to the adventures thrown their way by fate in should give you a general sense of mood, manner and dress.
spite of their desire to lead relatively normal lives. One of
them may be versed in mesmeric magic, another may be a Other considerations include the Celestial Engine, history,
retired Company officer, another may be a police detective, society, the fantastic, and industry. Each is briefly described
and still another may be well-connected in London below, hopefully in sufficient detail to inspire you.
society. All of them have elements in their Backgrounds or
Complications that can hook them into such adventures. The Celestial Engine
The adventurers, in fact, are often the best suited to solve At its most elemental, Victoriana is a battleground between
the mystery or deal with the threat. the forces of Entropy and Order. Entropy represents
creativity, change, freedom, and magic, while Order
The Havering Household is an excellent example of a party represents law, science, society and faith. Harmony, the
that gets involved due to serendipity. For more information balance of both, sits in the middle. Agents on each side,
on them, see The Havering Adventures. whether of Entropy or Order, arent trying to completely

Religion in Victoriana
In a world where evil is evident and tangible, its tough for people of generally like-mind to sweat the small stuff. Having
differences on how to best worship the Divine is okay, but when the demons and litches attack, those petty differences
need to be set aside. Thus, in Victoriana, the leaders of the various sects (especially within the Aluminat) often come
together to find common ground and protection when something truly evil manifests itself. That was what led to the
Council of Geneva, where the various Aluminat denominations agreed to tolerate each others existence while forming a
united front against identifiable sources of evil.

For example, in Great Britain, there are three major sects: the Anglican, Roman, and Scottish Aluminat. Each has its own
rites, rituals, and doctrines, and each believes itself to be the purest path to Order. When a source of evil like a vampire,
werewolf, or demonic coven threaten a particular region, the agents of all three will work together to stop it.

This spirit of cooperation does not mean that the various sects always get along. Indeed, there are occasions when one sect
may accuse the other of being infiltrated by dark forces. Such mistrust, of course, is actively cultivated by Pale archons
and their agents precisely to divide the agents of Order and weaken their power.

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eradicate the other so much as wage battles to move Its important to note that, in Victoriana, even where
Harmony a bit closer to them. Every stable government history generally remains the same, the details are often
supports Order, while every revolutionary movement different. Weve kept most of the real history in place for
supports Entropy. ease of research, but please dont see it as a straightjacket.
Yes, the American Revolution occurred in the latter part of
Try to keep the Celestial Engine in mind when creating the 18th century, but if you need to add a general or a battle
adventures. Where do the Liberators of Entropy and the that never was then please feel free to do so! We take it as
Templars of Order stand? Which archons would influence a point of fact that the details are almost always different
the adventure? Note that, in spite of the fact that certain between Victoriana and our own world. With magic and
elements, like magic and science, are generally tied to marvellous machinery, how could it be otherwise?
one side, there are times when each supports the other.
If magic is being used, is it supporting Entropy? Is a new Social Divide
technological weapon being used to topple a government? Victoriana is a world in the midst of social change. Magic
Is an Aluminat priest railing against corruption within his has long been the convenience of the aristocracy while
church? the commoner toiled in fields and fought battles for their
lords. Over the last few decades science has been catching
Its also very important to remember that Entropy and up, offering new conveniences for the benefit of all, raising
Order are not good and evil, especially in Victoriana. the standard of living for the commoners and creating
Motives are complex, and what could be seen as good by a new, stronger middle class in the process. With these
one character could easily be interpreted as evil by another. new amenities come new demands for political and social
Colonial soldiers charging into the jungle to rescue British change, threatening the old order.
subjects from hostile forces could be seen as good, but
not to the natives for whom those in need of rescue are The upper class sees the rise of the lower classes as a
guilty of atrocities. An adventurer may accept aid from an challenge to society and the way its always been, especially
Ophanim because she needs to stop an anarchist plot, but amongst older Eldren. Their children are marrying into the
that does not mean she has to be dedicated to Aluminat upper middle class, attracted by its wealth and potential
dogma. spouses that grew up free from aristocratic conventions or
responsibilities. Industrialists are buying and carving up
History ancestral lands from income-starved aristocratic landowners
What has probably attracted most players to a game of to build mines and factories. Worst of all, the nouveau riche,
Victoriana is, rather obviously, the Victorian period and all their hands calloused and dirty from years of working, dare
that it entails. While there are a few differences, for the most to believe that they are the equal of well-heeled aristocrats
part Victoriana is a close reflection of our world in 1856. It with noble lineages that have run for centuries!
is a theatre in which industrial and social revolutions are
reshaping the world and the sun never sets on the British The middle class is seeing a rise in power. For the upper
Empire. It is the world of Charles Dickens and Florence middle class, even magic is not closed to them, as the Guild
Nightingale, a place where most people begrudgingly is open to anyone who shows both talent and the ability
accept their station in life and adhere to social convention, to pay. Many of them have become wealthy building,
while a few shining stars offer glimpses of a world without sponsoring, and utilising the new technologies. The middle
boundaries. class also holds the vast majority of seats in the increasingly
powerful House of Commons. This is why they are so
Where events do diverge, we have attempted to look to frustrated with an aristocracy that refuses to treat them, the
actual history to divine how the alterations would occur as builders of empire, as equals. Instead, the middle class apes
realistically as possible. Most of the time, this was a game their betters as best they can, dressing well, throwing lavish
of what if What if the Crimean War was going poorly parties, and generally recreating rituals that the aristocracy
for the allies? What if the British East India Company have long enjoyed.
maintained their autonomous power? What if the French
King was able to flee another social revolution and into Perhaps they travel in steam carriages and discard their
the arms of French Canadians frustrated with British rule? goggles and pepperboxes before entering gas-lit ballrooms,
What if Alexander Hamilton and Louis Napoleon survived but otherwise it would be hard to discern an upper class
until today? ball from a middle class one.

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or Brighton for holidays. They long for the opportunities

that the middle class offers, but their lack of education holds
Social Div ide as a Benefit them back. While there are free schools available, these are of
Enforcing social etiquette in Victoriana has a side varying quality and, without compulsory education, families
benefit for adventuring parties of mixed social classes; are hard-pressed to send their children to school when they
it ensures that there are some things that only certain could be making money in the workforce. The lower classes
adventurers can do. It is difficult for one player to feel that the government does not represent them, and many
dominate the others in an investigation, as there are are motivated to join socialist causes or even anarchist cells
likely to be many supporting characters that wouldnt to make politicians respond to their needs.
give her the time of day or wouldnt hesitate to give her
incorrect information. For adventurers, the social divide provides a bit of a
challenge if the individual adventurers come from different
Similarly, the social divide enables an adventurer to classes. Much of this is resolved by their shared association,
discern anothers social class merely by looking at her. although this does not protect them from the prejudices
Upper class characters tend to look like the historically and conventions of society. An aristocrat may allow a lower
wealthy, perhaps with a few magical trinkets. Many of class adventurer to accompany her upper class associate
the longer-lived sapients still dress in the Georgian and into the drawing room, but said aristocrat will treat her, as
early Victorian fashions, providing a gothic air. The with any servant, as if she isnt there. Similarly, an upper
middle class, on the other hand, is enamoured with all class adventurer couldnt walk into a rookery, dockside
of the latest gadgetry that the industrial revolution has pub, or opium den without risking social scandal and the
to offer. They stroll down cobblestone streets with their very real possibility of assault.
goggles and rifle canes, taking the locomotives to and
from work. The lower class dresses in third and fourth- Gothic Fantasy
hand clothing. While Victoriana is a magical world in the throes of an
industrial revolution, there are still many gothic castles
full of aristocratic and preternatural intrigue, as well as
monsters that prey on the weak and isolated. Horrific
For the lower classes life is still hard, although the benefits creatures roam the moors and crawl through the sewers.
of industry still touch them. Railroads have made travel
convenient, enabling labourers and factory workers to live Ancient structures and old family homes should have a
further afield, and providing a way to escape to the country gothic horror feel, especially amongst the long-lived Eldren.

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Its possible that the current residents were among the future of convenience and prosperity; they simply dont ask
first to enjoy tea in England (the mid-17th century) and, in too many questions as to what makes it possible.
some cases, the local noble may actually be the parent of a
horror in the night, protecting their wayward child from Clearly, the industrial revolution has benefited all classes.
those who would destroy her. The aethereal Peregrines are Workers can move out of the pea-souper of London and
also attuned to gothic fantasy, as some of them have been into outer neighbourhoods, as their jobs are only a quick
walking the earth for hundreds of years. train ride away. Street lights are making evening strolls
safer, and even the poorest worker can afford a day trip
Gothic fantasy is not just about magic and tradition; it is also to the seaside. The benefits are even clearer for the middle
about the fear of unbridled science. Technology threatens to and upper classes as industrial conveniences take the place
replace sapients by automating factories, destroying living of magic. Even the most hide-bound aristocrat enjoys an
areas, and even fighting wars. Injured soldiers replace aerostat ride from London to Paris.
destroyed body parts with clockwork; how long before
clockwork rules the man? Terrible war machines drop Industry does have a dark side, though. With the advent
from the clouds or propel beneath the waves, preying on of gas and electric lamps, workers slave through the night
unsuspecting targets. in factories. Chimneys belch yellow-brown smoke, creating
sulphurous clouds that hang over the cities. There simply
The Maleficium figure prominently in gothic fantasy arent enough hermeticists to heal all of the diseases and
adventures. Demonologists make pacts with demons that illnesses that an industrial city attracts and medicine has yet
involve sapient sacrifice. Necromancers combine the worst to find all the answers.
of magic with technology to extend their unnatural half-
lives. These villains often find willing accomplices amongst
the displaced lower classes of society that have lost jobs Scripting an Adventure
to automation or reputation through scandal. And, if they The most challenging and rewarding job of a Gamesmaster
should fall, a dark magician need only prowl the nearest is running adventures. Victoriana has several published and
rookery or opium den for more minions. downloadable adventures for you to run, but eventually
youre going to want to create your own. This may seem
Industry a daunting task if youve never Gamesmastered before or
Currently, Great Britain is the most industrialised nation are used to running other types of games, but with a little
on the planet, although several nations, especially France, creativity and planning you can easily create adventures for
Prussia and America, are catching up. In spite of the wistful your Victoriana campaign.
nostalgia of magical days past, most Britons look toward a

A Different World
While we certainly hope that you find the setting of Victoriana interesting enough to use as-is, we understand that each
Gamesmaster is going to make the world her own, and that this may modify some of the canonical setting material. Weve
tried to keep things modular enough so that you can easily craft the setting into the game you want to run and play. For
example, its entirely possible to play Victoriana as a historical (or alternate historical) game with no fantastic elements.
Simply limit adventurers to the Human subspecies and strip out the magic and the more marvellous science.

You can also de-emphasise parts of the setting. Previous editions of Victoriana left the steampunk to supplements. If you
want to recapture the fantasy feel, then leave out the engineering rules and technologies. You could also make the setting
more steampunk by stripping out the subspecies and the magic. On a lesser scale, you could strip out Beastfolk if you find
them jarring, or you could have a Victoriana setting where all the characters are Beastfolk.

Finally, you can even change the world. You can select a different historical year or, as mentioned in the Introduction, use
the default setting of the earlier editions. Or, if you prefer to go further afield, you can take a fantasy world and update it
to the Victorian era (this was, in fact, the original plan for Victoriana while the First Edition was being drafted).

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Set a Goal or five challenges (these map nicely into the Five Act and
Every adventure should have at least one goal: basically, Three Act structure).
what the adventurers are trying to achieve. For most
adventures, the goal is related to the adventurers While they often go together, a challenge is not the same as
Association. The Selenium needs a monster to defeat. The a scene. Having your adventurers join a lady for afternoon
Royal Steam Lancers need to accomplish a mission in the tea is a scene; trying to discover whether she has knowledge
Crimea. Willowpin & Associates need a case to solve. of her husbands dealings in Limehouse is a challenge. A
scene can even be a string of challenges, such as a running
A single goal keeps an adventure simple. Chasing a gun battle aboard an ocean steamer.
lycanthrope through the sewers of London and stopping
her before she can kill again is enough plot to entertain a Ideally, the overcoming of each challenge brings the
group for an entire evenings play. A single goal need not be adventurers closer to the goal. Getting a pub owner to
easy; there are many goals that can require several sessions reveal the name of the man working for a suspected litche
to resolve. Trying to figure out who killed a baron while could be one challenge, while chasing down the fleeing man
on an aerostat flight to Paris could take several evenings of himself to get the location of the litches lair could be the
interviews, false leads, and misdirections. next challenge. There are many ways to map challenges;
we discuss four common ones here.
A complex adventure may have multiple goals, some
of which may not be evident to the players at first. The The Dungeon
lycanthrope may be hunting the members of a demonic A time-honoured method in role-playing games, the
coven; the victim may have been working for Prussia and dungeon is simply an adventure where the choices needed
there is a hidden Prussian agenda concerning the aerostat. to get closer to the goal are clearly evident. Infiltrating
The danger with multiple goals is that they may frustrate a vampires country cottage to rescue a noble while
the players (too many goals may seem like the Gamesmaster destroying the vampire is a dungeon; so is delving into an
is just throwing spaghetti at the wall), but when carefully ancient city ruin beneath the sea in search of artefacts.
handled they can lead to memorable adventures.
One of the most important parts of dungeon design is
Create Challenges getting the adventurers to the dungeon. Exploring a lost
Once you have a goal in mind, you need to create challenges temple in South America requires getting there and finding
for the adventurers to overcome. This can be as simple as the temple (otherwise, why is it lost?). There may be a
killing a vampire that has infiltrated a society ball, or as local tribe or government interested in keeping the temples
complex as trying to root out a necromancers highly placed location secret; there may also be a rival expedition. All of
minions within Londons bureaucracy and industries. these are challenges that need to be overcome before the
adventurers ever set foot inside the dungeon. Also, youll
An individual challenge can be overcome through rolling need to determine when the adventure ends. Does it end
dice (defeating a ruffian in a fistfight) or role-play (convincing with the adventurers killing the vampire or finding the
a Countess that its a good idea to let you rummage through hidden treasure, or do they need to escape the dungeon or
her luggage). In some cases, youll use a combination of make their way back to the London docks in order to finish?
both and the players may be able to fall back on one or the These are extra challenges that move the goal posts.
other if they fail the first time. For example, an adventurer
may convince a ruffian to stop fighting and listen to him The Sandbox
even as the adventurer is being pounded into the ground, Loosely defined, a sandbox is an adventure that throws the
or a frustrated adventurer may use the Bull skill to convince doors open to the adventurers to interact with it as they see
the Countess to open her luggage. Whether challenges can fit. There could be many goals hidden in a sandbox, and
be resolved through dice, role-play, or a combination of the the adventurers only pursue those that interest them. On
two is up to you and your groups style of play. the other hand, a sandbox may only have one goal but the
adventurers have free rein in accomplishing it.
Generally speaking, a challenge is likely to take about an
hour of real-time unless it can be resolved with a single dice An example of the former would be the adventurers being
roll. If your game session is scheduled for four hours play invited to a dinner party and interacting with the guests,
then you should probably plan on running through three pursuing whatever goals tickle their fancy. There could

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also be a bit more structure, such as a private investigator squadron; the adventurers defeat the Pimlico Murderer
being offered four cases and having to decide which one and his master, not only getting paid but also receiving
she wants to pursue. favourable press).

An example of the latter is a cosy murder mystery (or A good way to divide the Five-Act Structure is to run it
whodunit?) where a criminal act, usually a murder, takes over two sessions. The first session leads to the climax; the
place in a relatively isolated location where all of the second session starts with the falling action and ends with
suspects are identifiable. The adventurers are usually the resolution. Not only does this cut down on confusion
free to wander the premises, interviewing the suspects (the adventurers arent picking up an investigation in the
and collecting evidence before reaching their goal and middle of the rising action), but it leaves a nice climactic twist
determining the identity of the murderer. hanging to whet the players appetites for the next session.

Five-Act Structure Three-Act Structure

The five-act structure has been around since Roman theatre The Three-Act Structure is a simpler adventure model that is
and is frequently used in television series. Basically, more suited to an evenings play. The Three-Act Structure is
you group your challenges into five parts. First is the basically the Five-Act Structure with the adventure ending
introduction, which can be as simple as a mission briefing at the climax, which now doubles as the resolution (the
(for Royal Steam Lancer or Star Chamber adventures) or Royal Steam Lancers rescue the trapped squadron from an
a request for assistance (Willowpin & Associates). The advancing enemy; the adventurers piece together the clues
perceived goal is given to the players in this part (rescue a and defeat the vampiric Pimlico Murderer).
trapped squadron from behind enemy lines; discover who
is behind the Pimlico murders). Identify the Supporting Cast
Once you have your adventure in place, you need to define
The second part is the rising action. The adventurers follow the important supporting characters in your adventure.
leads, search for clues, or deal with minions on their way These characters need to be fleshed out in a bit more detail
towards achieving their goal (the Royal Steam Lancers to either aid or hinder the adventurers in overcoming their
head to the squadrons last known location and track them challenges. To help keep your creative juices flowing for
down while fending off enemy attacks; the adventurers personalities and motivations, weve made the mechanical
investigate the murder scenes and interview witnesses). bits (supporting cast statistic blocks) easy to design.
Each challenge gets them closer to their goal until they
finally reach it in the climax (the Royal Steam Lancers find The Antagonist
the trapped squadron; the clues have led the adventurers to Many adventures will have an antagonist, or team of
the Pimlico Murderer). antagonists. While the antagonist can simply be a moustache-
twirling villain, it is often more satisfying to give him or her
The climax is also where the adventurers discover that real motivations. Villains rarely see themselves as being evil
their goal is not as easily obtainable as theyd thought for evils sake; even demonologists and necromancers are
(the trapped squadron has changed sides; the Pimlico more victims of their own shortcomings than villains for
Murderers strings are being pulled by a vampire!). This the sake of being villains. Perhaps the goal is noble (ending
leads to the falling action, where the adventurers must a war, curing a disease, preserving relics) but the means is
now deal with the consequences of the climax (having been wrong.
led into a trap, the Royal Steam Lancers must fight their
way back to the allied line; the adventurers fend off the Another question you might consider is how the antagonist
vampires minions as they seek out its lair). perceives the adventurers. Does she respect them? Does
she fear them? Or does she think that they are way out of
The adventure ends with the resolution, or the attainment their league? How the antagonist perceives the adventurers
of the real goal, which may or may not be the same as (once she is aware of them) will certainly impact her actions
the perceived goal, based on what happened during the for the rest of the adventure, as antagonists rarely wait for
climax. This often includes a final confrontation with adventurers to come to them.
the villain, as well as any in-game rewards reaped for
participating in the adventure (the Royal Steam Lancers Also note any minions or trusted lieutenants that the
just make it home after facing and defeating the rogue antagonist may have. These characters are persons in their

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own right and often have their own motivations. They can fashionable lady with a large social circle is a great source
also provide a weakness for the antagonist. Maybe the of information, but dont expect her to go around the city
adventurers cant talk the antagonist out of weaving a spell with you grilling her friends. Similarly, a dockworker may
that will turn everyone in London into a zombie, but they be able to point the adventurers in the right direction, but
may be able to talk some sense into her lieutenant. hed rarely do anything that could seriously jeopardise his
weekly wage or, worse, his ability to breathe.
Contacts
When your players created their adventurers they also came Bit Players
up with a few contacts for them. Its your job to work them Bit players are characters that are only designed for one
into the adventures. Every contact doesnt need to make an purpose and usually only show up for a single scene. They
appearance in every adventure, but you should ensure that are designed to offer a bit of information or provide a one-
the contacts pop up often enough from each adventurer time challenge to the adventurers. The hotel doorman,
sheet to make them worthwhile (yes, the player can bring the bartender, and the lady riding along Rotten Row are
in a contact, but thats not the same thing). all examples of bit players. Many bit players are potential
contacts and, over the course of the campaign, some bit
players may gradually become proper contacts.

If your bit player is intended simply to impart information,

then you dont even need statistics; the bit player obviously
succeeds in transmitting the information so she doesnt
need to make a roll. Should the need for statistics arise,
then simply use one of the examples as a model, or conjure
competency numbers as appropriate.

The Rival
One way to introduce a wrinkle into an adventure is the
introduction of a rival. This character is usually working
against the adventurers, but not necessarily in an
antagonistic way. Its entirely possible that the rival is a
relative or even a friend; her presence simply complicates
the overcoming of obstacles.

A classic rival is the second expedition team that is

trying to find the treasure of the lost temple before the
adventurers, or a secret agent from another country that
wants the blueprint for the new steam knight harness the
adventurers are trying to steal from Prussia.

Rivals can sometimes become allies once the competitor

makes her presence known. Rival investigators may have
to join forces when the rivals minions try to kill them both,
or competitors may be forced to work together in order to
Keep a list of adventurer contacts handy when scripting survive a magical trap-laden ancient ruin. In these cases the
an adventure and judge whether any of them can be alliance only lasts until the rival gets the upper hand and
incorporated into it. If the contact is placed in a ubiquitous takes advantage of the situation to achieve her goal.
position, such as a hansom cab driver, then be sure to have
him occasionally learn specific information for a particular Subplots
adventurer he needs to be more than just a cabbie. One way to spice up an adventure is through the use of
subplots, or adventurer-driven plots that take place within
Remember too that contacts have personalities of their own an adventure. Complications are excellent for this, as an
and often lack the adventuring spirit of the adventurers. A entire subplot can be woven around one. Is one of the

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adventurers absent-minded? Perhaps she forgot to attend a Story Arcs

social function and the aggrieved party slanders her. Does Some goals and subplots are too big for a single adventure.
one of your adventurers have a criminal reputation? Now is Sometimes you need a subtle build, or otherwise want to
the time that the Peelers come calling over a crime that they promote an antagonist before the adventurers finally face
are certain she committed. Does an adventurer have a vow? her. Perhaps the recent string of art crimes across London
Now she has to keep it, even though it interferes with the is the work of a single master thief, or a particular Russian
current adventure. general is behind the most brutal attacks against the
Royal Steam Lancers. A good story arc can span an entire
Inspiration for Subplots need not only come from campaign, making its resolution a campaign goal.
Complications. An adventurer who belongs to the Guild
may get caught up in Consortium politics, a scrapyard Subplots can be story arcs too. Perhaps an adventurer is
source may need a hand against a local gang, and there trying to shake an opium addiction or restore her familys
may be shenanigans going on at an adventurers ancestral good name. If an adventurer is a spy, then her superiors
estate. Remember that several supporting characters can will be checking in on her from time to time and perhaps
be found within middle and upper class households, and Scotland Yard suspects her. Perhaps a lecherous adventurer
any of these family members or servants can provide has found his One True Love, but unfortunately she knows
subplots. his reputation.

A word of caution dont let your subplots overshadow the Be careful when developing story arcs, especially subplot-
adventure. If a subplot is that compelling then it ought to inspired ones, and ensure that they are meaningful to all the
be elevated to the status of an adventure, rather than keep players. No one likes to be a part of a campaign where all of
the adventurers from attaining their goal. A good subplot the interesting stuff is happening to everyone else. Its okay
helps flesh out the lives of the adventurers, although you to have a story arc that involves one or two adventurers;
can certainly dovetail or parallel it with the main story. just be sure to create similar story arcs for the others.

Entertainments
One of the ways you can make an adventure come alive The Ballet
is to set a scene, or even an entire adventure, around an The ballet is a popular entertainment for the wealthy, and
entertainment venue. Such places often see some class is among the most expensive. There is only one specialised
mingling and enable adventurers to gather gossip or meet ballet house in London: the Royal Ballet. The Royal
people where they otherwise wouldnt. Ballet Company is attached to the premises, and delights
audiences every season with its performances. Travelling
The Art Gallery ballet companies also make appearances at the Royal.
Artists of all stripes used to rely on finding a patron The most anticipated of such travelling companies is the
in order to make a living at their art. With the rise of Moscow Ballet Company.
the art dealer it is becoming easier for artists to find
such benefactors. Most recently, the culmination of the The Baths
collaboration of artist and art dealer is the art gallery. Twenty-first century style swimming pools are rare. Turkish
bathhouses proliferate, containing sauna rooms, hot pools,
Art galleries display the work s of painters and sculptors. massage and baths. Taking a bath is considered to be an
Some art dealers incorporate magic into these displays in invigorating event.
order to make the experience more exciting, and several
artists even incorporate magic into their work s (one The Brothel
enterprising artist bound spirits in his pastoral painting in The brothel is possibly Londons second most frequented
order to have animated characters; unfortunately someone entertainment, if only because brothels can be found
allowed the spirits to escape and they terrorised the catering to all classes. The nature of a brothel depends
patrons with practical jokes before fleeing). entirely upon its desired clientele. Brothels for the upper
and middle classes can be quite lavish, with a hostess to

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take bookings, a bar and possibly a casino. Usually, the bar The Music Hall
or casino would be the legitimate front for the business if A working class entertainment, the music hall provides
a society scandal should threaten. Such an establishment theatrical drama, farce, song, comedy and dance for the
might provide escorts, and take accounts as well as cash. working man. Performances are often of a poor standard,
sometimes amateur. Rather than being one single show, a
A working-class brothel is probably an old lodging house, music hall performance is made up of several short acts
with rooms rented by a group of prostitutes, inviting (turns) by a variety of performers. The most popular
customers to stay the night in the house to provide ones return to perform other things from their repertoire
payment for their own rooms and preferred vices. as the evening progresses. The evening is compered by
a chairman who introduces each act and fills the time
The Cinematograph during any setting up an act requires. Music hall performers
While true moving pictures are not available, photography are poorly paid and usually working class themselves. They
itself is both popular and advancing swiftly. The often have vast theatrical stamina, having to perform their
cinematograph is a vulgar entertainment and a frequent act several times a night (sometimes in multiple theatres) to
haunt of both the working classes and photography make ends meet. Somewhat unfairly, art critics do not rate
enthusiasts. Little more than an enhanced slideshow, the music hall performance among genuine artistic pursuits.
cinematograph slides can be of diverse subject material.
Slideshows range from news to soft pornography (magazine Even with magic as a real force in Victoriana, people still
cover girl shots, by 21st century standards) and artists delight in seeing the performances of stage magicians.
prints are used as often as photo technology in the However, worried that it may cheapen the art, the
production of a slide. Guild forbade its members from performing trick s for a
paying public. They send agents to the performances of
The magic lantern effects are used in more civilised stage magicians to ensure they are not using real magic
company to create phantasmagorias. These magic lantern to impress the crowd. However, a test case has recently
shows send pictures of ghosts, witches and demons reminded the Guild how little control it really has.
marching across the walls of darkened rooms to the Convinced that a particular magician from Vienna called
delight and terror of the audience. The church detests Edwardo Norvich was a real magician, they attempted to
these exhibitions, believing they are at best ill-advised ban his amazing performances. He argued in court that he
and at worst may even conjure evils spirits or release couldnt announce to anyone how he did his trick s and if
demons. As youd expect, this has made them even more the Guild couldnt either, that wasnt his problem. When
popular. the Guild protested he calmly said: Is it right to demand
my secrets without showing me your own? which ended
The Gin Palace the matter for the jury. While Norvich won his case, it only
The gin palace is a cheap and dirty public house, and the made relations with the Guild even worse. A showdown
exclusive haunt of the working classes. Gin palaces sell between the sorcerers and the illusionists is now inevitable.
only spirits, never beer. Spirits on sale are usually gin and
rum, both cheap intoxicants of the 19th century. The gin The Opera
palace is usually a ramshackle building, rented as cheaply The opera house is specially built for harmonic
as possible. performance. Whether the expense of design (and
subsequently of admission) is justified by any difference in
The Hunt sound quality is not immediately apparent to the untrained
In rural areas, the foxhunt is a primary social occasion ear. Many operas are performed in theatres; only the most
with the upper and selected middle class citizens joining lavish are performed in specialised opera houses.
in the pursuit of some unsuspecting animal. The hunt is
not an entertainment that may be visited at will; one must The Opium Den
be invited to participate. A few odd traditions and rituals Opium dens are considered the scourge of society. They
surround foxhunting, many of which might have occult are always small, ramshackle affairs, hidden away in slum
significance. attics or under disused warehouses. It is to these places

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that those addicted to the black smoke go to satisfy their The Theatre
addiction, and continue their descent into madness. Although The theatre is the centre of drama, comedy and often
not technically illegal, the police (as defenders of society, not opera for the middle and upper classes. The working class
the public) often raid them when revealed. Upon entry and love theatre too, but mostly as a form of employment rather
after paying the standard charge of a shilling, the addict is than entertainment. London is littered with theatres, some
allocated a couch or floor space and given a pipe of opium grand, others little more than music halls. Victorian theatre
with which to escape the world. Many opium dens are can often be a far more raucous affair than in the modern
notorious murder pits, where the unsuspecting can find their age, depending on the patrons. Many patrons do their best
throats slit while intoxicated and defenceless. to get back stage after a performance to gain the attentions
of the actresses, in the hope they may also be free with
The Prize Fight their favours. As theatre is a night-time affair, many
Bare-knuckle boxing is illegal, but prize-fighters often theatricals pursue a vigorous nightlife that outsiders enjoy
find an audience from all classes ready to wager on their tagging along for.
gladiatorial pugilism. The usual venue is the back room of
a public house or a derelict courtyard. The fighters brawl While electric lighting is yet to become widespread,
until one falls and stays down. Bookmakers promote a great gaslights and limelights illuminate the stage. Limelights
deal of corruption in these events, giving handsome purses produce a powerful light and are used as spotlights, but
to fighters willing to take a fall in the bookies favour. have a remarkable tendency to explode on the operator.
The most advanced theatres can employ Guild mages to
The Public House provide special effects. Those theatres that cant afford such
The public house is actually an extension of the coach house. luxuries might spare a few extra pennies for a back stage
Coach houses were the inevitable destination of any rural hand that turns out to be a true conjurer. However, many
worker who enjoyed and could afford alcohol. When the impressive theatrical effects can be achieved without the
urban migration began in the 1830s, public houses started to aid of sorcery.
become common in the poorer districts of towns. A public
house is officially open to any member of the public who The Gentlemans Club
desires its services; often it provides a communal meeting Every major city of England is littered with several clubs
place for a neighbourhood. In reality, many public houses of this sort. In such an establishment, a gentleman may
are dens of organised crime, prostitution and unlicensed drink, socialise and pass the time with reading or indoor
gambling. Public houses are not the exclusive province of the games such as cards, snooker or billiards. Many clubs have
working class ruffian, but the coarse few control the many in rigorous criteria for membership, leading to a high degree
such places, and they are to be avoided by a gentleman with of snobbery when discussing who belongs to which club.
no desire for violence or contempt. Usually, the club is an entire building. There is usually
no bar as such; a steward takes orders for drink s or
The Races food, which are then delivered. Since in a gentlemans
Gambling is beloved by many, and all who can afford the establishment no money changes hands within the walls, all
travel and admittance attend the frequent race meetings. expenses are billed and settled by invoice.
Most counties have weekly races, with a major event each
month. Nationally, the two major race meetings are the A committee of gentlemen voted from the rank s by the
Grand National, an international contest, and the Aston Air other members conducts the business decisions of a club.
Races, an exclusively high society event. Most race meetings To be barred from a club is a mark of great shame for a
are for horse racing, although many wealthy individuals gentleman, as it invariably means being effectively divorced
hold wyvern races. Wyvern races are usually held on the from his peers. Barring offences include: not paying the bill,
same course as a horse race. Flagpoles are erected at disrupting other members, ungentlemanly conduct in or
regular intervals around the course and during the race outside the club, becoming bankrupt or losing ones class
the beasts and riders slalom around these obstacles at a position.
height of 2-10 yards. Wyvern racing is an expensive pastime,
both in terms of participation and observation.

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The Big Fight! To set the scene for you, weve built a few big fight sets
When it comes to combat, its easy to find yourself talking ready for you to use. With each comes detail on the sort
exclusively in numbers and forgetting the description of of props that might be available, along with complications,
these exciting scenes. To get around this, you should try atmospheric details, and a deus ex machina.
introducing a cinematic feel to the action. So before the
fighting even begins, imagine the surroundings. Describe The Rooftop Chase
the weather (especially important if its raining imagine This set is up on the closely packed rooftops, amongst
how slick cobblestones are when wet), the lighting, what the howling wind and rain. Buffeted by the elements, the
might be lying around, what cover is available and the adventurers are pursuing (or fleeing from) the villains. With
general feeling of the place. As London is a relatively the bustle of the streets 4 or 5 storeys down, the only way
ordered place, skulduggery will usually take place at night: out is to leap onto the next building until theyve gained
in the rookeries, in abandoned warehouses and docks, at sufficient distance to be able to shin down a drainpipe
remote locations, etc. London is also covered periodically in without being easy pickings.
smog, which is so thick that one cannot see more than a few
feet (even inches) in front of ones face. Rain is also very, Props & Cover
very common in England. There are little in the way of loose props up on the roofs,
but there is cover. Many buildings, almost all in poor or old
You might add things to the scene that could be useful if areas, have peaked roofs which can be used as cover from
the players pick up on them. Barrels of oil could be easily an assailant firing from the other side of the building (or
ignited; crates could contain weapons and tools. Place these another rooftop); also, all buildings have several chimneys,
at different locations, so that both the adventurers and continually belching out smoke, which can further obscure
supporting characters can hide behind them. These can then vision. Billboards are a common furnishing in commercial
be used both as obstacles and for cover, so they are both a areas, as are stone ornaments (such as gargoyles) and other
hindrance and a benefit to the adventurers. This will keep ornate masonry. All of these furnishings can come in a
combat modifiers high, and will waste ammunition like no- variety of sizes and could easily provide cover for a human-
ones business. Also, swashbuckling adventurers may wish sized (or smaller) combatant.
to use these as weapons or for diversionary tactics. Rooftop
chases are always good, as you automatically need to multi- Common Modifiers
task (running and keeping your footing is two actions in Fighting and moving up on the roofs is a perpetual balancing
itself - imagine what would happen if you had to fight as act did we mention that the street was 4 or 5 storeys
well!). below? Typical modifiers will come from the weather and
visibility, ranging from +1black die for light rain or fog up
Finally, you will never find anyone more tenacious than to +4 for a foggy night or heavy rainstorm. Often, footing
your players, so if you want your villain to live you should will be uneven; after all, roofs are covered in slate tiles and
have a ready supply of deus ex machina tricks standing frequently sloped at a steep angle, so a +2 uneven ground
by, just in case. There are plenty of times a scenario can be penalty is reasonable.
cut short by clever adventurers killing off the major villain
before she has a chance to get her plan into action! There Complications
are also plenty of times gun-toting adventurers might shoot Whenever moving up on the rooftops, this calls for at least
the villain before discovering vital information from her. As average Dexterity + Athletics rolls. Failure causes a loss
long as you dont stretch reality too much, you can invoke of footing, and a possible fall. Many buildings have attic
a little fudging here and there so that the adventurers can rooms, which may have skylight windows that adventurers
have a better showdown with the villain later. A watchman and villains alike may fall through. By far the biggest
who stumbles upon the adventurers, police arriving, rivals complication of a rooftop chase is leaping from roof to roof.
who are also trying to wipe out the villain or just good old Buildings in London (and especially in the rookeries) are
random encounters can enable your villain to escape; but be crammed together and, when not terraced, there is often
wary of pulling these stunts too often, or your players will as little as 8 feet between roofs. Even so, leaping between
become disheartened. Having said that, fixing it to make roofs is another Dexterity + Athletics roll with a black dice
sure the bad guys escape when your players have been difficulty equal to the distance in feet. Failure (naturally)
clever and outsmarted you is one of the best ways to foul results in a fall.
up their enjoyment of an adventure, so be careful.

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If an adventurer or villain does fall, then they will take speeding away from the players and waving bon voyage,
falling damage depending on the height. Fate Points leaving the adventurers watching in disbelief.
might be spent to reduce the damage, due to landing on
a passing vehicle, or falling onto an outbuilding rather The Kitchens
than plummeting straight to street level. A charitable This fight set is a busy kitchen. It could be in a stately home,
Gamesmaster may allow the adventurer a Difficult or or a restaurant but the key factors shared are food, ovens,
Very Difficult Dexterity + Athletics roll to break the fall by pans, and a full supporting cast of kitchen staff, who were
grabbing a precarious hold on a gutter, sign or flagpole. busy preparing the next meal until you burst in. There is
However, a Foul Failure would indicate an unusually a lot of comedy value in the staff continuing to desperately
unpleasant descent into a glass-roofed conservatory for prepare dinner as the battle rages around them.
further damage, or perhaps a cesspit for humiliation.
Props & Cover
All-out Dodges Plenty of both in the kitchen! Kitchen knives count as
An adventurer attempting an all-out dodge or dive for cover daggers, pots and pans count as frying pans (naturally),
while up on a roof should immediately roll Dexterity + bottles, and stew pots (which, if filled with boiling stew,
Athletics to avoid falling off. All-out dodges might include would also do 4 dice of fire damage) could all be improvised
hurling slates or chimney pots at the enemy, pushing the weapons, and let us not forget the comedy potential of large
supports out from under a billboard, or simply vaulting trifles and pies being thrown at enemies, or having your life
onto the other side of a sloped roof. saved by a deft parry with a prime black pudding Kitchen
counters and work surfaces could provide cover while
Deus ex machina Gnomes and Huldufolk may even try to avoid pursuit by
It might seem strained to suddenly have the police turn climbing into cupboards.
up on the roofs - but then again, running battles across
the attics and gables are most definitely not the activities Common Modifiers
of normal, law-abiding citizens, and a loud ruckus will Unless adventurers are callous enough to start blazing
most certainly attract attention, quickly amassing a crowd away at innocent bystanders, they are likely to be jostled
of whistle-blowing and rattle-waving police trailing the by kitchen staff (+3 black dice to all activities). Villains,
movement of the battle up above.The most effective escape naturally, are less inclined to take care of bystanders. As a
loophole for a villain from the roofs is the well-timed cart kitchen is a hive of activity, sudden distractions are also
or omnibus passing by below: with one leap the villain is common.

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Complications penny gaff to back room gambling over dog and rat fights,
Moving through the kitchens at anything but a walk is likely or even prize fights between bare knuckle boxers.
to knock over boiling hot pans etc., requiring Dexterity +
Athletics to avoid this. Failure will result in 3 dice of burn Props & Cover
damage. Remember, the kitchen is the place where you are A plethora of props and cover exist in a bar; spittoons,
most likely to have an accident regardless of whether or not tankards, bottles, broken chair legs, plates, tongs and pokers
you are in the middle of a battle. count as small clubs. Heating up a poker or tongs takes 1D
rounds, but does an additional 2 dice of fire damage. Glasses
Lesser complications can include precariously balanced and bottles break upon a successful hit or parry. Spittoons
carving knives: use Difficult Wits + Perception to notice, also break, and deposit their contents on the person; if on
Dexterity + Dodge to avoid and take 1-4 dice of damage for the head, this will count as Striking to Stun (see p.167) and
a failed roll. Grease on the floor is another common hazard the opponent must make a Resolve + Concentration roll not
(remember, this is before food hygiene laws!). A Difficult to start retching. Tables and stew pots count as large clubs,
Wits + Perception is required to notice it, and a Difficult with boiling stew doing 4 dice of fire damage.
Dexterity + Athletics roll is required not to fall flat on ones
backside for 2 dice of damage. Finally, the classic kitchen Cover includes pianos, tables and the bar itself. Adventurers
blunder (best saved for Foul Failures) must be putting can jump onto the bar or tables, giving them a +2 dice pool
your hand on (or sitting on) a hot stove for 4-6 dice of burn modifier to their combat roll due to advantageous position.
damage. If they take damage and are knocked off (see p.179), they
suffer fall damage and are prone.
All-out Dodges
Now, this is fun in kitchens! You can be flinging chicken Any swashbuckler will be unable to resist swinging upon
carcasses, pots, pans, meat cleavers, or trifles. You name it, if the chandeliers. This can either be an all-out dodge or part
its to do with food, you can throw it! You may deliberately of an attack. A Dexterity + Athletics roll is required to jump
fling over boiling pans of water, open cupboards, or even on, with the Difficulty depending on the distance and size of
throw down work surfaces not attached to walls. the chandelier. A Strength + Athletics roll is required every
round to stay there (if hanging one-handed). Any height
Deus ex machina advantage is cancelled by the awkwardness of attacking
The chef is one such possibility. This is his kitchen, and from this position; however, attacks against the swinger are
theres always a chance he will turn around and get violent 1 Difficulty level higher. Falling off the chandelier obviously
towards all parties with a meat cleaver. If in a restaurant, means you take falling damage.
there may be various patrons who might investigate whats
going on: off-duty policemen or have-a-go heroes are most Common modifiers
likely. If a fashionable restaurant or hotel, the police will A common modifier to Perception and combat rolls
be called immediately. If in the slums, there is a chance would be a +3 black dice penalty due to excessive tobacco
that this place is run by a gangland-style villain who will smoke. Tight conditions and distractions would also act as
not be impressed by outsiders smashing up his kitchen. modifiers.
Down Limehouse way, the kitchen might be run by oriental
foreigners who are skilled in various martial arts! Complications
Other people. Theres always a chance that with pint
Also, dont forget that kitchens are generally not dead ends, glasses being thrown and people being knocked back into
so adventurers and villains can both usually escape through third parties that others will get involved, either against the
the back door into the courtyard or alleyway. perpetrator or just for the hell of it. Roll 1D every round: on
a roll of 1, another person gets involved in the fight. If you
The Bar Room roll a 1 twice in a row, a whole table of bar patrons decide
The streets of Central and East London are littered with to get involved! Tavern brawls can quickly get out of hand,
these establishments, where the lower classes go to drink due to the large number of people fuelled by alcohol.
and unwind after a long day. In some, the drink and the
local working girls are the only entertainment, but in just as All-out Dodges
many there is an entertaining sideline of some sort. These Any prop can be thrown about to evade pursuit. Roll 1D
entertainments might range from the bards and bawds of a every time something is thrown: on a roll of 1-3 other

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people accidentally get involved, as the projectiles are Common modifiers

being randomly thrown, not aimed. Alternatively, you can Generally a ball room has a lot of space. However, if it is
intentionally involve others - a bystander can be pulled in full of people you may add as many as 6 black dice to any
front of you to take the incoming blow. Of course, if the actions involving running, dodging and chasing. However,
adventurer has already made her Dodge roll, shes covered if everyone is suffering the same difficulties, it may be
for that round! easier to call it quits and not add a modifier.

Deus ex machina Complications

The landlord himself may have a large club, or (in As usual, it is the other people who will cause the problems.
extremis), a shotgun or blunderbuss behind the bar and be Plenty of gentlemen and servants may leap in to grab the
none too impressed, thank you, at his tavern being trashed. fighters to stop the chaos. Ladies who arent involved in
The police are likely to arrive at some point, although the fight may be running about and screaming. Given the
they are just as likely to wait it out and arrest those who fashion for long trains and large dresses, the fighters might
cannot move. If by the docks, you could even introduce easily become entangled in the fabric.
press-gangs, leading to a possible naval adventure. People
who get drawn into the fight might join either side, with All-out Dodges
either the adventurers or the villains suddenly finding Avoiding the fight involves disappearing into the crowd.
themselves out-numbered. The fighting advantages a ball room offers in terms of space
make it hard to find cover. However, given the width of
The Ball Room ladies eveningwear (even without a crinoline), a lady might
The upper classes can be just as rough as the lower orders. hide someone under her skirts (as long as she did not fear
Most arguments in society are solved with a duel, but it for her reputation!).
isnt always the case. When a fight does break out, it has the
added pressure of being in public. No gentleman will want Deus ex machina
to lose or otherwise embarrass himself in front of his peers. There are plenty of important people who might be
attending the ball. A renowned hero might step in to break
Props & Cover things up, and the word of the host may also be enough to
Most ballrooms are quite bare, to allow dancing and stop ruffians in their tracks. Should the owner of the ball
socialising. However they are also littered with some quite room be highly placed, a cadre of soldiers may arrive to stop
dangerous items. If there are musicians, their instruments any brawling as well. It is also possible that an accidental
can be quite effective clubs (and make entertaining swing or shot might injure a lady or someone important;
twanging noises when smashed over your opponents such a shocking occurrence might well stop the combat.
head). However, this is a good way to get an angry musician If such is the case, the participants had better be ready to
chasing after you as well. accept the challenges to duels that will result.

Servants will be carrying bottles of wine or glasses at the The Pea Souper
very least, the contents of which can be thrown in your This is what gave London its nickname the Smoke. Caused
opponents face to momentarily blind them. If you win an by the large number of coal-burning industries, railways and
opposed Dexterity + Throwing against their Dexterity + coal fires, this early form of pollution could descend upon
Dodge, their initiative and combat pool are halved for the London without warning. People actually died during such
round as they wipe the liquid out of their eyes. Failing that, occurrences, due to the semi-toxic nature of the fog. So, this
glass bottles make effective clubs and wine glasses rather fight scene can be introduced by the Gamesmaster at will.
hurt (3 dice damage) when broken on people. The circular
silver drinks trays cover quite a long range when thrown Props & Cover
(for 2 dice damage). Such a setting is always outdoors, so props will depend
upon the original setting (rooftop, rookery, docks, etc.)
As in the Bar Room, any swashbuckler will be unable to However, whatever cover and props are around are more
resist swinging upon the chandeliers. However, you may likely to be a hindrance due to the poor visibility (Whered
have to leap from a high balcony to reach them in the that barrel come from?). Cover is provided by the choking
ball room. So instead of a swashbuckling manoeuvre, be fog itself, with any Hide & Sneak rolls being made 1 or even
prepared to smack into the marble floor from a great height. 2 Difficulty levels easier.

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Common Modifiers Props could include dead dogs, old battered parts of
+4 black dice (at least) to all ranged attacks and Perception carts (e.g. wheels), bits of two by four, loose cobblestones,
rolls, in addition to all other penalties. housewives brooms, or even the sewage from the open
slops channels which line many of the streets.
Complications
The smog itself is the biggest complication. First, if you are Common Modifiers
not a resident of the locale, you will have to make a (usually Unless a native of the rookery, all adventurers must make
Difficult) Wits + Perception roll just to figure out how to a Wits + Streetwise roll to navigate the complex lanes and
move around the place. Failure indicates getting lost, or just alleyways. If involved in a chase this can become a major
simply standing still out of frustration. This Difficulty might complication, as failure indicates that you have blundered
be reduced for those with Direction Sense, Local Expert or down a dead end, or are otherwise lost.
Night Vision Talents. Secondly, smog is fog mixed with
acrid fumes: all people outside in the smog must make a Complications
Resolve + Fortitude each round to not be overcome with a The rookeries are closed communities in many respects.
coughing fit. Foul Failure indicates the loss of 1 Health pip Outsiders (even lower class ones) will stick out like a
from smoke inhalation. sore thumb, and are unlikely to receive aid from locals
(especially if upper or middle class). Possible complications
All-out Dodges include mud or faeces on cracked cobblestones, requiring
These simply involve disappearing into the fog. Before Dexterity + Athletics not to slip over, taking 1 die of damage
your opponent can even try to attack you, she must make a and making Fashion rolls 2 Difficulty levels harder until
Wits + Perception roll against your Dexterity + Dodge roll. cleaned up if failed.
There isnt a further modifier as the thickness of the smog
allows you the roll, but in especially thick pea-soupers, the All-out Dodges
Gamesmaster might offer a bonus. These could involve running through houses (provoking
the ire of the occupants), dashing among washing lines, or
Deus ex machina flinging refuse at the enemy.
This could be good Samaritans who hear your coughing fit,
and let you into their house. Police would have to be very Deus ex machina
lucky to stumble into the adventurers, so dont use them The police are unlikely to come to the rookeries in anything
too often. In some ways, it could be argued that the pea- less than platoon strength, and are likely to beat up and
souper is a deus ex machina in its own right, as it can be arrest any lower class adventurer (middle and upper
used by the Gamesmaster to aid or hinder the adventurers. class adventurers will almost certainly be protected by
A villain should find it easy to escape by just running in the the bobbies). Gangs can also come out to get rid of the
right direction! interlopers, whilst salvation may arrive in the form of a local
priest or missionary offering a safe place to hide. Locals
The Rookery Warrens may help lower class adventurers (especially if opponents
Every city of Europe has its oldest quarters. In London, are upper class), whilst more well-to-do adventurers may
these warrens of old lanes are so dense that even at midday be mugged by footpads or highwaymen (especially if they
the streets are in perpetual shadow. These old slums are are on their own and failed their Streetwise roll).
known as rookeries, and act as home and shelter for
criminals, the poor, the dispossessed, and quite probably Finally, a local gang boss or revolutionaries may help the
your adventurers. Law and order does not trespass into the adventurers out, but then they owe them a favour (possibly
rookeries, preferring to keep the violence and problems of leading in to a new adventure).
the slums out of sight and out of mind.
The Docks
Props & Cover By day, London is the busiest port in the world. By night,
Dark alleyways spring to mind as excellent sources of cover the docks are just as busy, populated by drunken sailors
(lower the Difficulty of Hide &Sneak rolls by 1). Piles of heading off with harlots, or heading back to their ship. The
refuse provide limited cover, as do items such as carts. scattered River Police wage a constant war with smugglers
There are also washing lines full of clothes (for partial and river pirates, while mudlarks sweep the quays, looking
cover), outhouses (full cover) and coalhouses (full cover). for anything that can be carried off.

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 VICTORIANA

Props & Cover Deus ex machina

The corners of warehouses, coils of rope, barrels, crates and The night watchman is always a possibility (maybe he is
walls make good cover under most circumstances. in league with your opponents, or will just attack anyone).
The Police, either the River Patrol or the Metropolitan,
Props could include winches, which can be flung as could turn up reasonably quickly, as docks are sources of
improvised weapons (damage as for small club), oars revenue, and therefore sacrosanct. Smugglers uninvolved
(improvised, large club), barrels of oil (could be ignited, with the squabble could turn up, and decide that all sides
doing half the damage of a barrel of gunpowder), belaying are witnesses who should be wasted. Finally, as in the
pins (improvised, small club). Barrels or crates could tavern, there could be a press-gang looking for shipmates
be used as missiles (Strength + Athletics roll to pick up, for an unpopular voyage.
thrown as improvised weapon, opponent takes 6 dice of
bruise damage). The Aerostat
The quintessential steam luxury transport, the aerostat is
When using barrels and crates, the contents are always of bound to be the setting for one or more battles in Victoriana
vital importance. Imagine your adventurers dismay when (indeed, it is the setting for the second adventure in The
they notice their cover is actually a huge pile of flammable Havering Adventures). The aerostat has more in common
lamp oil barrels just as the enemy opens fire. Broken barrels with a steam ship than a locomotive train, as it is limited
of fish or crates of ball bearings would make the footing to a few decks, and being kicked off is a life-threatening
treacherous, requiring Difficult Dexterity + Athletics rolls proposition. Most aerostats have access to the outside,
to remain standing; quicklime barrels are especially nasty usually surrounding a common area, where getting
when broken, as every combatant needs to make a Wits knocked off-balance can send one plunging down to earth.
+ Fortitude roll (to avoid and resist the substance) or be
blinded for 2D rounds by the caustic powder. Props & Cover
Props and cover varies depending on where the
Barrels of nails could be used to produce makeshift caltrops, adventurers are and the time of day. The common area is
or in combination with explosives to create huge shrapnel filled with dining tables and chairs during meal times, but
bombs. Use your imagination, and apply some common- during off-hours there are only a few cocktail tables and
sense rules. Try to avoid using the same contents over and couches. The bar is a mainstay, however. The passenger
over again. cabin deck is rows of corridors lined with cabin doors;
there is not much room to manoeuvre. The crew and
Common Modifiers bridge areas are a combination of common areas (crews
If footing is slippery, all participants must make Dexterity mess, captains table) and small corridors (crew cabins).
+ Athletics rolls to avoid falling over. If on the waterfront, The largest area, of course, is the engineering level, which
then a failure might mean falling into the water. is open to the balloon.

Complications Common Modifiers

Crates and barrels may be punctured by gunfire. If one is Aerostats are subject to bad weather, and heavy winds could
destroyed, the rest may come tumbling down, requiring cause the aerostat to rock, adding an additional 3 black dice
a Dexterity + Dodge roll to avoid being crushed for 6-10 modifier to any actions taken; a particularly violent storm
dice of damage. Falling in the water will always require could increase this to a 6 or even 9 black dice modifier. If
Dexterity + Athletics rolls to swim back to shore. the adventurers are in the balloon when one of the air bags
rips they may need to make a Resolve roll in order to stay
All-out Dodges conscious (as the helium chokes them).
These could involve bobbing and weaving amongst the
props and cover like a demented dervish (opponents must Complications
make an opposed Wits + Perception roll against your Wits The biggest complication is, of course, the crew and other
or Dexterity + Dodge to keep up with you). It may also passengers. In spite of their majesty, aerostats can be fickle
involve toppling stacked crates, spilling their contents, as and fragile marvels and the last thing anyone wants is for
above. Also, one could leap into a warehouse, or even jump someone to cause an aerostat to crash. Those rushing in to
onto a ship. prevent a fight often simply get in the way, granting villains
human shields and hostages.

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Fighting outside is also dangerous, as a thin wooden or iron arranged into a makeshift barricade. You could determine
railing is generally all that prevents someone from falling that there are other items (golf clubs, fishing rods, perhaps
off. Adventurers may have to make Dexterity + Athletic even guns) in the baggage.
rolls with an appropriate black dice modifier to keep their
footing, and particularly malicious villains may try to steer Common modifiers
an opponent over the side. The suspension on trains is still a developing technology,
and all train activity suffers an uneven footing modifier,
All-Out Dodges and if the action is taking place on the roof of the train or
An all-out dodge on an aerostat differs depending on between carriages, then the howling wind from the trains
where it occurs. On the bridge, adventurers will be diving passage causes an additional 2 black dice penalty. You
behind chairs or consoles, and errant bullets run the risk of should also consider the steam from the engine trailing
shattering windows and destroying controls which can send back over the roof.
the aerostat plummeting out of control. On the gangplank
and observation deck, adventurers can grab rails to swing Complications
out over the edge. In the cabins, bunks, beds, and steamer If on the roof of the train, multiple actions are the order of
trunks can be tossed around. Engineering holds the Guild the day. Every round requires a Dexterity + Athletics roll
boiler and all the tools necessary to maintain it. Tools can in order to be able to do anything other than cling to the
be flung, workbenches up-ended, and steam valves opened roof; taking other actions requires splitting dice pools as per
to create a fog of war. Its also possible to swing from the multiple actions. Foul Failure indicates a fall, causing twice
many guide ropes that hold the balloon together. the normal falling damage as you smash into the ground
at high speed. The Gamesmaster might also rule you are
Deus ex Machina unconscious unless you can make a Resolve + Fortitude
Crew members or even well-armed travellers could show roll.
up to help the adventurers if they run into trouble. A cohort
of Dwarven engineers angry at the villain for tearing apart There will also be hazards such as bridges, requiring a Wits
their aerostat can be a fearsome sight indeed. The villain + Perception roll to notice, and a Dexterity + Dodge roll
meanwhile can have a personal ornithopter or wyvern to duck under. Failure forces you to jump from the train
hidden just out of sight so that she can make her escape. (taking damage as above) and Foul Failure deals you an
She might even need to jump from the observation deck additional 12 dice of damage from hitting the bridge at
to reach it, leading the adventurers to think she fell to her speed.
death.
Inside the train, complications include other passengers
The Train (who might be upset that someone with a second class ticket
If the cinema is to be believed (and who are we to argue?), is in their carriage!) and the possibility that the train will
any attempt to flee by train is doomed to a chase and suddenly stop (particularly if theres firing involved). If this
running battle up and down the carriages. Most trains in happens, all standing adventurers have to make Dexterity +
Victoriana have a cab open to the elements, followed by a Athletics rolls to remain standing.
coal waggon and several passenger carriages, and finally
luggage or cargo cars. Passenger space is made up of All-out dodges
compartments joined by a single narrow corridor along one In the car, these may involve leaping over other passengers
side of the carriage; the space between carriages is open to seats (causing similar reactions to those described in the
the elements. tavern brawl), or flinging valises and bags, scattering their
contents in the way, and also annoying their owners. On the
Props & cover roof, they are more likely to involve Dexterity + Athletics,
If fighting or chasing down the aisles, there is no cover as you leap from car to car, or swing back down to the
(except other passengers) unless combatants duck into compartments.
the compartments. However, this can leave you trapped
(possibly with someone who doesnt like your impudence), Deus ex machina
with only the window for an exit. If in compartments or This could be the conductor or engineer (who may be
luggage cars, then the valises and baggage of the other armed), or railway detectives (especially in America or
passengers are often useful: they can be flung, or even Australia). Mounted yeomanry in the countryside are also

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 VICTORIANA

a possibility, as are have-a-go hero passengers. Perhaps the off in a crowded room (or even the open!), vision will be
villain detaches a car, or leaps from the train while it passes obscured accordingly. Imposed modifiers are likely to be
a lake or river how stupid would you have to be to follow? between +2 black dice (open), +4 black dice (in a ventilated
building) or up to +8 black dice in an enclosed space. A
Creating your own fight sets good rule of thumb is to roll 1D at the end of each round; if
These scenes are not the only places a fight could break out. the number is equal to or less than the continual number of
In fact, with many adventurers you should be prepared rounds where gunpowder weapons have been fired, then
for a fight at any time! So here are a few notes to help you the area is obscured by smoke.
create more sets for exciting action scenes:
Other Props
Obstacles Using the examples above as a guide, consider what might
These serve a useful purpose for the Gamesmaster and be lying around in the area. Can it be used as cover, as a
players alike. Corners of buildings, large strategically weapon, or even as a distraction? One of the trademarks
placed crates and alleyways are excellent firing points of a good storyteller is their ability to create the details, so
(probably granting cover, as mentioned on p.164-165, at the think about your fight set as more than a combat space. Who
Gamesmasters discretion.) lives or works here? What might they leave lying around?
Are there people who regularly use this place, and how do
Vision they keep it. Remember, no two places are ever exactly the
Being able to see an opponent is the prerequisite for actually same, even if they do the same job. Imagine the difference
shooting him. London is violent but not lawless, so shadier between two factories, one where everything is looked after
deals will almost certainly take place at night (increasing and well managed, and the other where things are left lying
the Difficulty to hit). Carrying a lantern may not help, as the around and the workers are slovenly.
carrier is just as likely to highlight herself as she is the enemy!
It is really up to the players to decide what they are going
Weather will probably have an effect on vision as well. You to use and how theyll use it, so be prepared to improvise
may be lucky, and have a beautifully clear day (or most rules to accommodate what they want to do (You want to
likely night), but London is known for its smog. do what with that chicken?!). But they need to know what is
around before they can do so, so make sure you describe the
Smoke will also have an effect on vision. Smokeless powder scene well to the players. While you do need to provide good
is still a long way off in Victoriana, so if a lot of guns go detail and description, you need not spend hours on it. The

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 book V

players are allowed to ask if they can find certain items lying possibly pistols. In an upper class area, a bystander could
about after a decent description of the general area: Were in also be a Guild thaumaturge!
a paint factory right? So can I find a tin of paint?
Deus ex machina ploys are excellent Gamesmaster tools.
Bystanders, Deus ex machina, As well as the Police, they could include inquisitive night
and the Forces of Law and Order. watchmen, local gossips seeing whats up (if no obvious
As stated previously, London is a lawful place (except in firepower is shown), beggars, itinerants, naval press-gangs,
the slums), so therefore huge apocalyptic battles fought curious children or just nosy people. They could also
with the noisy (and smelly) firearms of the period and include allies or enemies of the adventurers opponents.
great thaumaturgical displays are likely to attract attention.
If there are civilians in the area, they will most likely run The London Police are not in the main armed, at least in
(getting in the way of players), freeze (effectively becoming theory. In practice, they may be carrying non-regulation
obstacles) or dive for cover. Some are likely to call the kit such as metal truncheons covered in leather, knuckle-
Police. When the Police arrive is up to you (depending upon dusters, knives and even pistols (especially easily concealed
when you want them to). Some more choleric bystanders pistols). If the adventurers are obviously respectable, they
may attempt to tackle the adventurers or opponents (based may be able to bluff their way out or, failing that, bribery
on circumstance or reputation: proper, English-looking is possible. This also applies to respectable-looking villains.
adventurers are likely to be aided, especially in higher- If not, they may get beaten up, have evidence planted on
class areas; notorious adventurers are likely to be hindered, them, and be framed for crimes they did not commit. This
especially if they are obviously foreign). Bystanders may can lead to a sub-adventure of getting out of jail, or being
have clubs (canes or improvised weapons) and knives, or deported to Australia...

The Law
The judicial system of Europe is geared towards the class message to whomever she wishes to represent her interests.
system. The police service, still in its infancy, is dreadfully (2) The felon is taken by police coach to the court. (3) The
inefficient (sometimes through no fault of its own) and in court case follows, resulting in the release or sentencing of
some areas, corruption is high. In addition, the police do not the offender.
have the manpower to properly investigate as many reports
as they would like. The same lack of manpower means When at court, the following points should be borne in mind:
that policemen dare not enter the poorer sections of the
slums. When resentment of authority is running high, a blue An upper class offender will rarely have a public trial. She is
uniform is a prime target. unlikely to be put in prison and her indiscretion will be kept
secret to avoid scandal.
The laws of England and Europe are crude versions of our
own modern-day laws. Many spheres of modern law, such as A middle class offender will receive a trial, is allowed a lawyer
gun control laws, have yet to be instigated by 1856, and will if she has the means to hire one, and will probably be sent
not be so until the turn of the 20th century. to prison. Even if found innocent, her peers would shun her.

The law of Europe is directed toward property crime. There A lower class offender will receive a trial, often without
is a documented case where a costermonger who assaulted the chance to contact a lawyer. The court case would be
a police officer and almost murdered him with the savagery conducted and the offender sent to prison, deported to
of the assault received a mere 6 week s in jail. Conversely, a Australia or hanged, as appropriate.
street urchin arrested for shoplifting an apple was sentenced
to 1 year in prison. An Ogre could expect to be told that she is guilty and
immediately sent to prison - guilty or not. Other subspecies
Usual procedure once the purported felon is caught is as should be treated as for the class from which they originate.
follows: (1) The felon is incarcerated at the arresting police The usual punishment for most offences is either a fine or
station until the court date and has the right to send a prison sentence; some crimes are considered punishable by

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 VICTORIANA

either, but for extreme crimes the death sentence exists; shillings. There is also an array of bizarre minor exceptions
in such a case the judge makes the decision. Prison is not such as kicking a Chelsea pensioner and desertion during
a pleasant place; the Victorian philosophy for prisons is a time of war. Hangings are carried out in public, and are
that they are a place of punishment rather than detention often a source of great entertainment. Unfortunately, these
or rehabilitation. Nineteenth century prisons bear more public occasions themselves frequently inspire crimes such
resemblance to a filthy dungeon than to a modern prison, and as theft, fraud and assault.
each day inmates would be tortured on ghastly contraptions
such as giant treadmills and subjected to sand-papering (just Deportation initially seems to be an easier option. After all,
what it sounds like). Disease is rampant in jail, and even you go to a foreign country, work for the settlers for a few
if an inmate survives her sentence, she will probably have years and - hey presto! - youre free. Wrong. Approximately
contracted something unpleasant. A final note on the prisons one quarter to one third of deportees die on the journey
is that there is no minimum age for prison confinement. over to Australia and, when they arrive, they face several
years of poor food, hard labour and the cruelty of sadistic
The number of crimes carrying the death sentence has guards. Australia itself is a cruel and inhospitable continent,
waxed and waned over the last century. Before the American with one fifth of the land unfit for sapient habitation, a
War of Independence, there were 50 crimes that held the plethora of dangerous animals unheard of in Britain and
death penalty, rising to 200 during the Napoleonic Wars. occasional attack s by aborigines. The Governor of the colony
Today, the main crimes that lead to the death penalty are can actually release you at any time, but this depends on the
murder, treason, piracy, demonology, necromancy and liberality of the official and on current government policy.
setting fire to the royal dockyards. Crimes punishable by Deportation is rare in the 1850s, as the original penal colony
death or deportation include sodomy, rape and theft of at Botany Bay stopped taking convicts in 1844.
articles of clothing, livestock or items worth more than five

Typical Sentences
Crime Typical punishment Crime Typical punishment
Armed robbery 2 years deportation Petty theft 6s fine or 6 week s detention
Arson 6 years detention Piracy Death by public hanging
Blackmail 1 fine or 3 months detention Private Unlicensed 1 fine
Bribery 10s fine or 3 months detention Spell Use
Demonology Death by public hanging Public Unlicensed 2 fine
Disturbing the peace 1s fine or 1 week detention Spell Use, no harm
Fraud 10 fine or 1 year detention Public Unlicensed Spell 10 fine + reparations
Use, minor damage
Grand theft (more 1 year deportation
than 5 shillings) Public Unlicensed 50 fine + reparations, revocation
Spell Use, major of license for 1 year and possible
Kidnap 2 years deportation
damage imprisonment
Manslaughter 5 fine or 6 months detention
Rape 12s fine or 3 months detention*
Murder Death by public hanging
Treason Death by public hanging
Necromancy Death by public hanging
Vandalism 6s fine or 6 week s detention
Obstructing the law 6 week s detention

*The sad truth is it depended who got raped by whom. The rape of a noble woman would certainly be discretely punished by death/
deportation. Sadly the women of the middle classes are nowhere near as protected and paltry fines are considered to be enough
compensation for their inconvenience & discomfort. The women of the lower classes had no real legal recourse for wrongs done to
them. Its also worth pointing out that under Victorian law it is legally impossible for a husband to rape his wife, as he is owed his
conjugal rights. Its an unpleasant subject, but such a brutal husband may make a villain that your players will love to hate.

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The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1836 is found for two months, the family is sent to the workhouse.
The care of paupers is allocated to the Board of Guardians of Many families go hungry for several week s at a time and then
a local authority. The nature of this care is highly dependant reapply for subsidy, rather than enter such dreadful places.
upon the nature of that Board: in some areas the poor law is
enforced beneficially; in others, the workhouses are factories The Workhouse
for local industry and the poor law a curse to any without Workhouse residence is usually reserved for the elderly,
wages. infirm, single poor, orphans, residents children, the lazy,
vagrants and imbeciles. Admission into the workhouse is, for
The poor law was established to enable able-bodied workers the Victorian poor, the end of life within civilisation. Once
without work to be brought into a districts workhouse and admitted into its walls, escape is often impossible for them.
put to work productively until external employment became The long, hard work leaves them tired and drained, with
available. The amendment act of 1836 allows a Board to little or no energy to earn their way out of this poverty trap
allocate funds to support workers outside a workhouse if by other means.
means of gainful employment seem to be realistically within
reach. Most authorities Boards use this amendment to their The living conditions within the workhouse can only be
full ability. By allocating a family enough funds for a roof and described as dreadful. Inmates are expected to work a ten to
food in subsidy to the familys wages, total expenditure is cut fourteen hour day and then to sleep around the machines
down in comparison with the total care of that family. and work areas. Wash and work areas are separate for men
and women, although within these segregated sections there
Usually each Board of Guardians maintains several inspectors is little or no privacy.
for its district. The inspectors review applications for subsidy
and decide for individual cases whether to provide funds In rural areas, workhouses are still rare. Usually, there is a
or to admit to the workhouse. Families who gain subsidised poor lodge for the destitute to live in, with meagre food and
living are under constant threat of the workhouse. If no work shelter until employed

~ T he S upporting C ast ~ Designing Supporting Characters

Depending on the type of adventure you run, you could
No one can predict the future accurately, and no literally have a cast of thousands contained within a single
Gamesmaster can (or should) totally predetermine what adventure. Not all of these will be dastardly villains or
players will want to do. One of the best things about a role- gullible henchmen, but incidental characters that become
playing game is the free roaming nature of the game. Your important, if only for a moment, because of the adventurers
imagination really is your only limit, both for locations actions. When these characters become important, its
and situations. To add weight and life to any situation you useful to have statistics at hand to resolve conflicts.
dream up, youll need a supporting cast.
Fortunately, you dont need to create a full adventurer
While they might like to think otherwise, the players sheet for supporting characters; in most cases supporting
adventurers are not the only people of any importance in characters can be summed up with three characteristics, or
Victoriana. The world is full of people, monsters, tribes and competencies.
organisations that may be allies or enemies. Each of these
needs a character and personality so they can come alive Physical Competence (PC) measures a supporting characters
in your game. Luckily, you need not create a full character physical abilities. Rather than determine separate physical
for every henchman and fishwife that happens to cross the Attributes and Skills, you simply roll a number of dice equal
adventurers path. In this chapter we give you some basic to the characters Physical Competence.
statistics and details for a host of ready-made supporting
cast. This way you will have something to hand when the Mental Competence (MC) measures a supporting characters
adventurers step outside what youve planned; and youll mental abilities. Rather than determine separate Wits, Resolve,
also have somewhere to start when creating supporting and related skills, you simply roll a number of dice equal to
characters of your own for adventures. the characters Mental Competence.

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Social Competence (SC) measures a supporting characters A competence rating is used for skills in which the character
social abilities and overall reputation. Rather than determine can be expected to be competent. Other skill rolls within
Presence and related skills separately, you simply roll a that competency may be lower at the Gamesmasters
number of dice equal to the characters Social Competence. discretion. Thus, a soldier with a PC 6 certainly rolls six
dice whenever he is using a combat skill and likely when
performing athletics rolls as well. Hes probably not as
competent with Hide & Sneak, so the Gamesmaster may
Why Social Competence? choose to only roll 4 dice when the soldier needs to make a
Hide & Sneak roll.
Previous editions of Victoriana only had two
competencies, Physical and Mental. When the decision In cases where a Group Skill is involved, such as Engineer,
was made to streamline supporting character stat MC is usually only representative of one or two fields. All
block s for the Third Edition, we felt that additional other fields are at least a couple of ranks behind.
differentiation was necessary - one can be charismatic
without being particularly smart and vice versa. It made Example: Sir Tristan is a technologist with an MC 8. The
sense to have a competency that reflects ones charisma Gamesmaster decides that Sir Tristan is a very competent
and reputation. mechanical engineer, so he gets the full MC 8, while his chemical
and electrical skills are at MC 6. Sir Tristan is rarely involved
On the other hand, dividing Physical Competence with building structures, so he only gets MC 4 (if anything)
into combat and non-combat or strong and dextrous when constructing structures.
seemed more akin to splitting hairs. Almost all physical
skills are Dexterity-based, and deviations for Strength The Gamesmaster may occasionally find it useful to
or Fortitude are better handled as modifiers to melee determine an Attribute rating without the skill. To
damage and Health, respectively. determine Dexterity, Fortitude, or Strength, use PC/3.
To determine Resolve or Wits, use MC/3. Presence is
If you prefer to keep the competencies at two, slightly more complicated, as the Gamesmaster should first
then simply use the better of the Mental and Social determine how much of the SC score is due to Reputation
Competence ratings for all Mental Competence rolls. and subtract that before dividing the remainder by 3 to get
the Presence score.

Competence Ratings

-5-0 Challenged This character is physically disabled or enfeebled. Mentally, he might be a lunatic
and is certainly uneducated.
1-3 Everyday Most people fall into this category. There is nothing remarkable about this person;
physically, she is healthy, but not fit. Mentally, she is of average ability, but poorly educated.
4-7 Competent This character is still pedestrian, but displays some noteworthy ability in the rated
area. Physically, she is healthy and reasonably fit; mentally, she is either highly
intelligent but uneducated or of average intelligence with a fair education.
8-11 Experienced This character displays a highly developed physical capability, intellect or an
excellent education.
12-15 Incredible This character is in excellent health and is exceptionally fit. Intellectually, she is
among the best in her field of expertise.
16+ Legendary This is the realm of Captain Nemo or Sherlock Holmes. Careful thought should be
given to the introduction of supporting characters with ratings at this level; if they are
this good, why are they supporting characters?

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Example: Lady Morgana has SC 12, making her a formidable Individual spells and marvels are only suggestions based
force in social settings. Her personality, however, is abrasive, on what the character is likely to use. Feel free to adjust as
blunt, and cutting; she could hardly be called a charismatic necessary.
individual. Thus, the Gamesmaster determines that half of her SC
is due to her station and reputation, meaning that to derive her Complications are any Eldren eccentricities or other
Presence Attribute she must divide 6, rather than 12, by 3, for a complications that might affect the character in a scene.
Presence score of 2. These are only noted if applicable. In the case of Eldren, the
first complication listed is the eccentricity.
Occasionally, the Gamesmaster may want more
diversification, especially amongst physical attributes. Finally, there are two entries that are directly applicable for
In this case, she may alter derived attributes (but not the physical conflicts; Armour Value and damage.
competencies) accordingly. Note that Dexterity and Wits
are especially tied to PC and MC (as they are used for most Damage usually has a couple of entries for different
skills) so absent a subspecies modifier they shouldnt drift weapons that the character may use, including punches
more than 1 or 2 points away from 1/3 the appropriate and spell damage Remember that punches and kicks do 1
competency. and 2 damage dice respectively, and all melee attacks are
modified for Strength.
Example: Sir Thomas is a soldier and the Gamesmaster uses the
soldier statistics block. Sir Thomas considers himself a capable
boxer, but the Gamesmaster determines that this is more due to
his ability to take punishment (Fortitude) rather than his ability Subspecies and Competences
to land blows (Dexterity). The Gamesmaster decides to increase
his Fortitude by 2 and lower his Dexterity by 1. The Gamesmaster Generally, theres little need to adjust competencies for the
thus modifies the soldier statistics block for Sir Thomas by raising subspecies of a supporting character, as the Gamesmaster
his Health to 12 and lowering his Initiative to 2. generally takes this into consideration when assigning
competence ratings. An Ogre will obviously have a better
Initiative dice are determined by adding 1/3 PC and 1/2 Physical Competence than usual and a worse Mental one.
MC (this assumes that the character has at least some Still, there may be times when you want to present a group
Perception skill ranks). of roughly equal characters, such as a band of ruffians or a
group of soldiers, but make tweak s to each member based
Health dice are determined by starting with 2 dice and on their subspecies. To do this simply use the Subspecies
adding Fortitude. Ogres always get double their Fortitude Attribute Modifiers Table in Book II to modify values.
when determining Health. Experienced characters may There is no need to modify competencies; it is assumed
have additional Health dice. For convenience, only Health that the character accommodated the Attribute change.
pips are noted. Dexterity and Wits modifiers affect Initiative, Resolve
modifiers affect Quintessence, and Strength modifiers
Quintessence dice are equal to Resolve. Experienced affect damage.
characters may have additional quintessence dice. For
convenience, only Quintessence pips are noted. A quick and dirty method is to simply apply Dexterity,
Wits, and Presence modifiers to PC, MC, and SC
Armour Value takes into account any armour the character accordingly. With a bit of practice, however, it is a
is wearing, as well as talents or spells that add to the simple matter to remember that Dexterity modifiers are
characters AV. applied to Initiative and PC, Strength modifiers apply to
damage, Fortitude modifiers apply to Health, and so on.
Special Traits is a catch-all category which lists things that
are special about the character. Position on the Celestial Example: The Gamesmaster decides that a police
Engine, clockwork limbs, social acumen, and relevant constable is a Beastman (dog). Such Beastfolk get a +1
Talents would all be examples of special traits. A descriptor to Strength and a -1 to Presence, so the Gamesmaster
may also be used (e.g. seductive, loyal, sneaky) that the increases Punch damage to 4 and club damage to 5
Gamesmaster can apply to competence rolls when she while reducing Social Competence to 4.
thinks the descriptor would apply.

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Mobs Mobs dont take damage in the same way as adventurers.

An adventurers life is fraught with peril and there are going What makes them dangerous is that they can make an
to be times when she finds herself facing large numbers attack on pretty much anything, as there are enough people
of angry tribesmen, Peelers, soldiers, or simple mobs. to engage any opponent. The mob has as many actions
Obviously, handling such large groups of people can bog as it needs. If the mob has ranged weapons, it can attack
down a combat (not counting the rather unlikely scenario of anything it can see. So while the mob is one opponent, it
an adventurer actually dodging 40 short spears or thrown can also engage every adventurer that closes into combat
bottles), so weve included some rules to make such scenes range with it. However, instead of using the rules for
easier to run. If you have less than 10 members of a mob multiple opponents, each player fights it as an individual.
then its probably best to treat them as individuals. You cannot gang up on a mob, as it is effectively ganging
up on you with the combined strength of its members. So
Weve made a few assumptions for this system to work. the mob can generate an opponent for every attacker in
First, all mobs presume that their members are of roughly range without splitting its actions, although it does roll a
equal competence. Subspecies is not taken into account single initiative.
unless the vast majority of mob members belong to a
particular subspecies. Mobs also dont have health in quite the same way as
individuals. Damaging one member of the mob makes little
Second, all mob members are similarly armed and equipped. difference. Instead, the mobs opponents are considered to
Should you desire to split mobs into distinctive groups (e.g. be eliminating the weak individuals to reduce the overall
Peelers and shopkeepers) then you can certainly do so, but strength of the mob. An adventurer calculates damage
youll be increasing the number of attacks made against the normally, including subtracting successes from any AV,
adventurers. and each success remaining eliminates one mob member.

Each mob has a Physical and Mental Competence rating Its important to note that eliminate does not necessarily
which is determined as if the mob was an individual person. mean knock out or kill, as to claim so would make some
A mob with at least 10 members gets a +2 competence attack results seem rather silly, such as a single bullet killing
bonus. For every 20 members in a mob, it gets an additional 8 mob members. Instead, the damage is an abstraction,
+1 competence bonus (all of these bonuses are applied to indicating a lack of will on the part of some mob members.
both PC and MC). Shooting into a crowd may only graze one mob member

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and hit another, but the 6 mob members around them may remaining mob members give up pursuit as Sir Giles disappears
break and run; it is up to the Gamesmaster to interpret the into a nearby alley.
results. Note that a mob loses any competency bonuses if
attrition brings it below the appropriate threshold. Villains
Streamlined figures for pedestrians and supporting cast
Example: Sir Giles is making enquiries in a local pub when are all well and good but, when it comes to the crunch and
his nemesis, Shady Fulson, incites the patrons to subdue him. the adventurers have penetrated the conspiracy or solved
There are roughly 25 patrons in the pub and the Gamesmaster the crime, there is usually a mastermind behind it. These
determines that, as the patrons are primarily dockworkers, they villains are a match for all the adventurers and more than a
have PC 4. She further determines the vast majority of them are match for any one of the adventurers alone. The adventurers
Beastfolk, so she raises the PC to 5. The dockworkers also get a should have to work as a team to defeat a villain. The same
+2 to PC for being a mob as well as a +1 for being more than 20 villain can return again and again to foil (and be foiled by)
people, for a grand total of PC 7. the adventurers. For such villains, the simplicity of the
supporting cast does not do them justice.
Fortunately, Sir Giles acts first and weaves an aetheric bludgeon
that rips through the crowd. He manages to score 6 successes. Villains should have motivations and goals just like the
The Gamesmaster determines that the bolt hit two patrons and adventurers. Once they have met a couple of times, your
a domino effect took out the other four. Furthermore, the patrons adventurers will want to know more about the villain
now collectively have PC 6, since the damage reduced their that they keep crossing and her previous experiences will
effective numbers to 19. become important. Villains might start out as supporting
cast, and grow in ability alongside the adventurers,
Mob Morale thwarting them time and time again before finally meeting
To avoid having to utterly destroy a mob to get rid of it, their end at the end of a campaign in a dramatic big fight.
mobs also have a morale rating. People tend to lose their The adventurers might even be responsible for creating
rage when they notice their group isnt quite so big. Once the villain themselves, committing some real or imagined
a mob loses a third of its number, it must make a morale slight that leads her to a life of crime.
check each time the mob takes damage.
Villains are individual, important antagonists. They
At the end of each round after the mob has lost at least a generally need to be as detailed as adventurers, but the
third of its number, the mob rolls a morale check equal to Gamesmaster may prefer to keep the simplicity of the
its MC, rolling a number of black dice equal to the damage competence ratings. In this case, you should add a few
the mob took that round. If no successes are scored, the mob Talents, Assets, Privileges, and so forth to challenge the
loses its nerve, disbands, and runs. adventurers, as well as an increase in Health dice. If the
villain is a magician, then you may want to create a handful
Unless the mob is fanatical, it usually disbands on its own of signature manifestations. If the villain is an inventor,
once the trouble of dealing with adventurers seems no then youll most certainly want to design a few unique
longer worth it. A pub mob may chase an adventurer out of gadgets.
the pub and into nearby streets and alleys, but it is unlikely
to follow fleeing adventurers across London. When generating a character villain, bear in mind how
many adventurers this villain is going to be facing. As
Example: Having made it out the door of the pub with only a Gamesmaster, youre not constrained by points and limits,
slash across his arm, Sir Giles looses another aetheric bludgeon at so make sure that your villain is up to scratch and is a
the mob. He scores 4 successes, taking the mobs total down to 15, challenge for the players. This doesnt mean that every
which is more than a third less than its original number. The mob villain needs to be a combat juggernaut; if your villain is
strikes at Sir Giles again, but he is fortunately able to elude them. going to be a mastermind behind the scenes, then she may
At the end of the round the Gamesmaster makes a morale check well be easy to overcome in personal combat, but getting
for the mob, which currently has MC 2. As the mob took 4 points to her through the thugs and villains she has hired for
of damage, it adds 6 black dice to the roll. The mob rolls 1 success protection (or the demons she has summoned) might be
on the MC roll but 3 black dice successes more than negate it. The another story!

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Supporting Cast

A Life in Serv ice

Given that both upper and middle class people have a selection calls for great discretion, but can lead to a lot of wealth
of servants, it is worth spending a moment to describe the and favour. The valet travels with his master, working as
various types of servant that your heroes may run into. Indeed, his personal dresser and footman. Often a valet had to
some heroes may even be servants themselves. The exact job distinguish himself in service to rise to this position (which
of any given servant depended on the size of the household. is almost equal with the butler), but he may be picked out
For instance, if there were no footman, the butler would open from the footmen by luck with little experience.
the door for visitors. With no ladys maid, a housemaid might
have to assist the ladies in dressing.
Female Servants
The task s each of the servants were given generally divided
along gender lines. Usually, female servants prepared food, Housekeeper
cleaned and swept. Male servants took messages, served food The head female servant is responsible for running the
and wine, and polished things. To find employment in a house rather than the servants, and is considered the voice
house a servant needed a Character, which was a character of the lady of the house. She is in charge of all the laundry
reference from a respectable house they had previously and work s in partnership with the butler. She is also
served in. The Character might be a written reference, but considered the house nurse, brewing potions and healing
was usually given as a name for the butler, housekeeper or according to Mrs Beaton rather than a medical degree.
mistress of the house to obtain a reference from. In this way,
a servant might work for a day or two before any difficulties Housemaid
in their last employment became known, by which time, if The servants that have to get up earliest are the housemaids.
lucky, they will have distinguished themselves well enough Before the rest of the house has woken they must sweep and
not to get the sack. clean all the rooms and clear and prepare all the fireplaces.
When everyone is up they get time to help with sewing and
baking! Usually they go to bed very early, seeing very little
Male Servants of anyone but the other housemaids. Also, like footmen,
housemaids duties can vary quite considerably depending
Butler on the size of the house. They may take on the duties of any
The head of the servants is the butler, who is primarily other female servant, or even be employed as a maid of all
responsible for seeing that things get done, and for keeping work and be expected to do anything and everything.
the wine cellar. It is a position of great trust, and so the butler
is also the one that polishes the house silverware. It takes Ladys Maid
many years to gain enough experience to serve as a butler. The female counterpart to the valet is the ladys maid. She
occupies a similar position in terms of favour with the
Footman mistresses of the house, and like the valet is expected to
This is an all-purpose male servant. They serve at dinner have impeccable discretion and manners.
in their glamorously tasselled uniform and spend the day
polishing furniture and cleaning knives. They also go out Cook & Kitchen Maids
with any coach containing the gentry of the house, and While most cook s were female, it was considered far better
assist the servants in the households their masters visit. Most to have a male cook. Whatever their gender, the cook ruled
communication in Victoriana is delivered by a footman, the kitchen and was considered one of the upper servants.
meaning they see more of the real world than other servants. They rarely did the actual cooking; rather they supervised
the work of various kitchen maids. The only servant to be
Valet considered an artiste, the cook could get often away with
In large houses the gentlemen have a valet to help them tantrums and behaviour that would get any other servant
get dressed and see to their individual needs. The position sacked instantly.

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of middle class breeding and so wasnt technically a servant.

Scullery Maid However she was treated as one in almost every respect,
The lowest servant of all was the scullery maid. She was which often made her position a lonely one as she fitted in
essentially an apprentice, and did all the jobs no-one else with neither the servants nor masters.
wanted to do. The scullery maid was also expected to wait
on the upper servants when they had dinner, making her a Some players may want to play servant characters. If the
servant to servants. A scullery maid with a bit of experience adventures are set mainly in the same house or estate,
tends to find work as a housemaid (usually a maid of all this will cause no problems. However, adventures have a
work) as quickly as she can! tendency to move around and few servants are able to leave
their place of employment on a whim, so the best situation
N ursemaid / Governess for an adventurer servant is for them to be the personal
The children of the wealthy spent all their time in the nursery, servant of one of the other adventurers, such as their valet
far from their parents and the rest of the house. While they or ladys maid. However, this only work s if they are the same
were usually scrubbed and dressed up to visit their parents gender as their employer! If the servant doesnt work for
at dinner, they were mostly left in the care of the nursemaid one of the adventurers, a footman in a large house will also
or nanny. This maid was as much of a parent as they would have a great degree of freedom: they can often be sent out
ever have, and many were loved greatly by their charges. The for errands. In general, Victorian servants existed in what
nursemaid held a similar position of power to that of the valet the modern mind would easily consider a form of slavery,
and ladys maid by her closeness to the family, which could leaving them little or no free time. So the Gamesmaster will
often ostracise her from the other servants. In some families, have to think very carefully how to balance an adventurers
instead of employing a nursemaid (or when the children got servants duties with an adventuring career.
older), a governess was employed. The governess was a girl

A reservoir of cool reserve and pompous manners, the butler

is often accused of thinking above his station due to his habit
Adjusting the Supporting Cast of wearing clean clothes. For his part, he likes where he lives
The competence ratings for the supporting cast are and enjoys running the house, as he has a lifestyle that he
typical specimens. Feel free to add special traits or alter could never afford himself, and is thankful for it.
the competences as necessary to create more or less
effective versions. Perhaps a new Dollymop is shy and has Courtesan
a lower Social Competence, or a Fashionable Lady might Physical: 6 Initiative: 4
be a spiritualist medium or even a Guild Hermeticist. Mental : 5 Health: 8
Social: 9 Quintessence: 6
Armour Value: 2 (lined corset)
Special Traits: None
High Society Complications: None
These characters are the sort of people you might dine with Damage: Kick (2)
or meet at the club. Generally, they can be found where
proper ladies and gentlemen spend their time, either The courtesan is as much an escort as a prostitute. While
enjoying the party or serving the drinks. she may get a lot more attention and respect, her very
existence and presence is scandalous to those who know
Butler what she does. However, accusing her or throwing her out
Physical: 6 Initiative: 6 would be far more improper. Gentlemen pay highly for
Mental: 8 Health: 8 her conversation and company more frequently than for
Social: 6 Quintessence: 12 physical favours. She is educated and cultured and could
Armour Value: 0 provide much valuable information to the right listeners
Special Traits: None
Complications: Perfectionist A recent phenomenon is the sky nymph, a courtesan that
Damage: Punch (3) plies the new airways for lonely travellers. Such courtesans

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are generally experts on the locations that a particular anyone who disagrees. He is also a compulsive womaniser,
aerostat regularly visits and they sometimes act as both with several mistresses and always room for another.
guide and escort for their clients.
Fashionable Lady
Doctor Physical: 3 Initiative: 4
Physical: 6 Initiative: 5 Mental: 6 Health: 6
Mental: 10 Health: 8 Social: 8 Quintessence: 12
Social: 8 Quintessence: 18 Armour Value: 2 (lined corset)
Armour Value: 0 Special Traits: Clairvoyant (aura reading), Frendal Lizard
Special Traits: None Complications: Devious
Complications: None Damage: Derringer (4)
Damage: Punch (1)
Her family is rich. She is witty, dignified and quite the most
A professional physician, he trained hard through school and dazzling woman you have ever seen. Born to the upper
university to gain his doctorate. Now, thanks to his education classes, she knows that she is superior to you and, if you
and the profession that it has secured, he can afford the finer desire her, she will torment you for sport for as long as you
things in life. A genuinely caring fellow, one has to be in his let her. She could well be a worshipper of Paline; her secret
line of work. He is definitely a good friend to have, and is safe behind her position and reputation.
rarely attacked, despite his wealth, due to his work.
Guild Lecturer
Engineer Physical: 6 Initiative: 8
Physical: 8 Initiative: 6 Mental: 12 Health: 8
Mental: 9 Health: 8 Social: 8 Quintessence: 30
Social: 5 Quintessence: 15 Armour Value: 0
Armour Value: 1 (greatcoat) Special Traits: Entropy 1, Thaumaturgy (aetheric bolt,
Special Traits: Order 1 aetheric pocket, steely skin)
Complications: None Complications: None
Damage: Punch (3), large wrench (6) Damage: Punch (3), Aetheric Bolt (8)

Short, stocky, bristly, and stubborn, he glares up at you

and dares you to look down at him. He designed the mine
that brought so much prosperity to this valley, and now is
lord of his own mining town. He has only one problem:
his neighbours. These nasty gentry (many of whom are less
wealthy than him) have a heritage and titles, while he is
simply Mr Mine Designer. Hes tried shooting them, but
even that doesnt gain any respect.

Fashionable Gentleman
Physical: 3 Initiative: 4
Mental: 6 Health: 6
Social: 8 Quintessence: 12
Amour Value: 2 (lined waistcoat)
Special Traits: None
Complications: Show off
Damage: Punch (2), sword cane (6)

He is rich, dashing, witty, and at all the right places, at all the
right times. He never dresses in anything other than the latest
fashions. Born upper class, he has a highly inflated opinion
of himself and enough money to ram down the throat of

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A hermeticist of experience and high standing, he knows ridicule, along with his hare-brained inventions. Not that
many people and is invited to many social functions. His he cares, as he is too busy with his latest machine.
high lifestyle has made him somewhat lazy and indulgent.
He is ideally suited as a sponsor for adventurers, sending The Respectable Street
them on missions to recover items and rare flora and fauna. Between the salons and the rookeries live the hard working
decent folk. These people are mostly lower middle class or
Housemaid upper lower class people. They spend their time trying to
Physical: 5 Initiative: 2 make an honest living without falling to crime, and without
Mental: 3 Health: 6 the social and financial advantages of their betters.
Social: 2 Quintessence: 6
Armour Value: 0 Alienist
Special Traits: None Physical: 6 Initiative: 6
Complications: None Mental: 9 Health: 8
Damage: Kick (3), broom (3) Social: 10 Quintessence: 18
Armour Value: 4 (lined coat)
She knows that it is best to be seen and not heard. She is Special Traits: Spiritualist (aura reading, grace, see the
one of the luckier servants, being able to help the ladies supernatural)
dress and do housework rather than scrub the floors in the Complications: Vengeful Dead
kitchen. Like many servants, she hears all manner of things Damage: Punch (3), reinforced walking cane (5)
she shouldnt while waiting on the gentlefolk.
He works for one of the various mental institutions scattered
Barrister around the city. A Doctor of Psychodunamy, the alienist
Physical: 6 Initiative: 7 is regarded with suspicion by his thaumaturgical peers.
Mental: 10 Health: 8 Nevertheless, the alienist has proven critical in aiding many
Social: 9 Quintessence: 18 patients, examining troubled minds and casting out demons.
Armour Value: 2 (lined waistcoat)
Special Traits: None Clerk
Complications: None Physical: 2 Initiative: 3
Damage: Punch (3), walking cane (4) Mental: 6 Health: 4
Social: 4 Quintessence: 12
He is predatory, rakish, and appears distinctly devious Armour Value: 2 (lined waistcoat)
by nature. He has studied and connived his way up to his Special Traits: None
present position in the judicial structure. Nothing is too low Complications: Sheep
or villainous for this ambitious young rake to advance his Damage: Punch (1), reinforced walking cane (3)
career. He is quite capable of making the most intellectual
man appear a complete buffoon in the courtroom, and has He works in an office all day, aspiring to work his way up
made many enemies by doing just that. He always carries a and save enough coin to retire comfortably. Currently he is
life preserver for self-defence. no more than a cog in the machine, a faceless bureaucrat or
scrivener.
Professor
Physical: 3 Initiative: 6 Factory Worker
Mental: 10 Health: 6 Physical: 6 Initiative: 3
Social: 5 Quintessence: 18 Mental: 2 Health: 8
Armour Value: 4 (lined coat) Social: 2 Quintessence: 0
Special Traits: Clockwork Hand Armour Value: 0
Complications: None Special Traits: None
Damage: Punch (4) Complications: Cynical
Damage: Punch (3), pipe (4)
This dedicated academic has spent his life in the halls of
learning, often leaving little time to develop social skills. He/she works all day (6am to 8pm) to make an honest
He always dresses like a scarecrow and is often a subject of living. The smoke and noise within the factories are

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horrendous. Every day, they get home filthy and deaf, into the blackest heart. He is often found in his church or
wondering why they bother. Uneducated and living in within the parish of that church, tending to his middle
squalor, they sometimes think it seems as though they will class parishioners. The same statistics could be used for
never escape the grime and corruption of the city, and quite any religious leader, such as a Roman Aluminat priest, a
right they are, too. Yehudite rabbi, or a Nithami cleric.

Police Constable Shopkeeper

Physical: 6 Initiative: 3 Physical: 4 Initiative: 4
Mental: 3 Health: 8 Mental: 6 Health: 6
Social: 5 Quintessence: 6 Social: 6 Quintessence: 12
Armour Value: 2 (soldiers coat) Armour Value: 0
Special Traits: None Special Traits: None
Complications: Responsibilities Complications: None
Damage: Punch (3), club (4) Damage: Punch (2), broom (4)

The bobbie or Peeler is a relatively recent sight in The shopkeeper comes in many different shapes and sizes,
Victorian London. He is poorly trained for the most part, with as many different shopkeepers as there are shops.
and often indecisive if alone. Properly led and accompanied Each shop is usually a family business and it is a great
by his peers, he can be a threat to any character. Many of the struggle to make ends meet. There is little between those
infant police force are ill-disciplined and corrupt, so how with a shop of their own and those selling trinkets on the
honest is this officer? street. Look after the customers, and hope they come back
again.
Police Detective
Physical: 6 Initiative: 6 The Rookery
Mental: 8 Health: 8 Almost every vice and danger can be found in the twisted
Social: 6 Quintessence: 18 alleys of the rookery. The houses sit crammed together,
Armour Value: 4 (lined coat) often forming arches and tunnels rather than streets. Only
Special Traits: Clairvoyant (aura reading, know living history, the poorest of the poor are content with life in the squalid
psychometry), Thaumaturgy (aetheric bludgeon, aetheric and cramped conditions. Violence and crime are part of
pocket, gaslight) daily life here, but many are drawn to the place, mistaking
Complications: None danger for excitement.
Damage: Kick (4), parasol cane (6), Aetheric Bludgeon (8)
Apothecary
Shes an accomplished investigator, using her magical skills Physical: 5 Initiative: 6
to gather information that mundane methods cannot. Often Mental: 10 Health: 6
partnered with a male colleague to maintain a sense of Social: 6 Quintessence: 24
propriety and professionalism (there are many, if not most, Armour Value: 0
who wouldnt take a female investigator seriously), in truth Special Traits: Entropy 1, Conjure (edge sharp, healing
she is the more educated and proficient of the two. poultice, groom, instant beauty)
Complications: None
Priest Damage: Punch (2), club with Edge Sharp enchantment (5)
Physical: 2 Initiative: 4
Mental: 8 Health: 4 Overlooked by respectable society, the lower class and
Social: 6 Quintessence: 12 often foreign apothecary (the more respected ones are
Armour Value: 2 (lined waistcoat) now called dispensing chemists) provides the poor with
Special Traits: Order 2 affordable remedies. The apothecary is the urban version of
Complications: Stubborn the countrysides cunning man, mixing recipes to provide
Damage: Punch (1), walking stick (2) helpful enchantments.

A reverend priest of the Anglican Aluminat, this tall, dour

man can be enough to strike the fear of the Heavenly Host

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Charity Worker Hired Ruffian

Physical: 4 Initiative: 3 Physical: 6 Initiative: 3
Mental: 4 Health: 6 Mental: 2 Health: 8
Social: 6 Quintessence: 6 Social: 5 Quintessence: 0
Armour Value: 2 (lined corset) Armour Value: 4 (lined coat)
Special Traits: None Special Traits: Clockwork Arm
Complications: None Complications: None
Damage: Punch (2), Derringer (4) Damage: Punch (5), knife (8)

She is a very religious, middle class young lady. It is her Hired ruffians include footpads, thieves, hired muscle,
dedicated belief in the verses of the Aluminat Bible that drives and pimps: basically, a common criminal who will turn his
her to try and improve the lives of those born less fortunate hand to anything that seems to pay while requiring little
than herself. She has an inexplicable nave trust in all those thought, and few scruples.
she meets, so much so that few would dream of soiling it. She
can be a useful friend for characters who require a hostel bed Revolutionary
for the night, or who cannot afford a doctor. Physical: 6 Initiative: 5
Mental: 6 Health: 8
Dollymop Social: 6 Quintessence: 12
Physical: 4 Initiative: 3 Armour Value: 4 (lined coat)
Mental: 4 Health: 6 Special Traits: Clockwork Leg (Winding Down)
Social: 6 Quintessence: 6 Complications: Class Envy
Armour Value: 2 (lined corset) Damage: Punch (3), Tri-Colour (4)
Special Traits: Beautiful
Complications: Paranoid He might be an anarchist, communist, or libertarian; he
Damage: Kick (3), concealed knife (5) believes that the current state must be overthrown. He has
a brooding cast to his character, and glowers at anyone who
She is a working girl who plies the oldest trade, probably may be a scapegoat or example for his cause. He has many
because she cant survive on her day job. She might not be friends and even more enemies; the authorities would
the most beautiful girl in the world but shell be who you lock him up, but there would probably be a riot. He and
want for the night (well, up to a limit). She usually charges his revolutionary brothers make friends (comrades) and
6d for her services and takes the rest without asking. She enemies (bourgeoisie filth) for life.
has to make a living, after all, and dont assume she likes
her life in the slums. Scrapyard Mechanic
Physical: 6 Initiative: 7
Gutter Quack Mental: 10 Health: 6
Physical: 3 Initiative: 5 Social: 6 Quintessence: 18
Mental: 9 Health: 6 Armour Value: 2 (lined waistcoat)
Social: 4 Quintessence: 18 Special Traits: None
Armour Value: 0 Complications: Hoarder
Special Traits: Several healing poultice enchantments Damage: Punch (3), small club (4), shotgun (12)
purchased from a local apothecary
Complications: Addiction While technology is often seen as more reliable and
Damage: Punch (2) efficient than magic, one of its many downsides is the
debris it leaves behind. Broken parts and vehicles often
He was a professional physician, until the alcohol problem end up in technological graveyards. A good mechanic
turned into a laudanum habit and the Royal Society of knows that there is still life in pieces of broken equipment
Physicians found out. The gutter quack is a bitter, cynical that can be used to repair other vehicles. And sometimes
man. He left many principles behind him when he fell from the former owners of discarded devices accidentally leave
professional grace but, for many in the rookery, his shaking interesting things behind when they toss their machines
hands and opium-glazed eyes are the best medical attention away.
they can afford, and the best discretion that can be bought.

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of the big city is central to Victoriana, dont neglect the

possibilities and dangers of life in the country.

Automobile Aficionado
Physical: 8 Initiative: 7
Mental: 10 Health: 8
Social: 8 Quintessence: 18
Armour Value: 4 (lined coat)
Special Traits: Aetheric Goggles (Owl)
Complications: None
Damage: Punch (3), Mariette 0.36 6-shot (8)

It seems that steam automobiles are starting to pop up all

over the country roads of England, mechanical toys owned
by bored country squires and noblemen. True automobile
aficionados treat their vehicles like an equestrian treats
his horse, with tender loving care. Many automobile
aficionados are also engineering hobbyists, tweaking their
machines to get just a little more power or making the ride
more comfortable.

Gypsy
Physical: 6 Initiative: 5
Mental: 7 Health: 8
Social: 8 Quintessence: 18
Armour Value: 1 (soft leather)
Street Urchin Special Traits: Entropy 1, Clairvoyant (aura reading, glimpse)
Physical: 4 Initiative: 2 Complications: Foreigner
Mental: 1 Health: 6 Damage: Kick (4), knife (7)
Social: 4 Quintessence: 0
Armour Value: 0 The Gypsy is small, colourful and cheeky. He tells fortunes,
Special Traits: Angel face he sings, dances, sells what you want, and makes you think
Complications: Devious you need it. This cheeky shyster would certainly sell you
Damage: Kick (3) his grandmother for 6d if he were sure youd never find
her. Gypsies usually travel in bands of 5-25. Their wagons
A scruffy young tearaway, this child is often found with his are all loaded with the trinkets and tools of their trades.
friends, bumping into you and then departing with great
haste, clutching your wallet, laughing with the rest of his Labourer
gang all the way. If you can impress him, then his hero Physical: 6 Initiative: 3
worship can be most useful, as such children often know Mental: 2 Health: 6
the streets and goings-on in any town better than any man. Social: 4 Quintessence: 0
Take care, as they usually work in gangs. The one begging Armour Value: 0
for change is the distraction, while another picks your Special Traits: None
pocket and passes it on. Complications: Naive
Damage: Punch (3), field tool (7)
The Country
While it may be hard in the city, those in the country dont There is plenty of work in the fields and villages that needs
have it any better. The work is tough and heavy, with very doing. The labourer is tall, morose and a little inbred, but
few (if any) of the modern conveniences. Society is a little goes to the church every Sunday and stays honest. He has
more basic here as well, and there is a huge divide between never left the estate in all his years; he is too busy and too
city ways and country ways. While the smoke and grime poor to afford the train.

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Local Squire of plant leaves and berries. She always has cryptic advice
Physical: 8 Initiative: 6 for every occasion, ready and waiting for those with time
Mental: 8 Health: 8 to listen.
Social: 8 Quintessence: 12
Armour Value: 5 (lined soldiers coat) The Frontier
Special Traits: Country Squire The Frontier is a catch-all term for remote areas at the
Complications: Bon Vivant edges of civilisation, whether it be the American West,
Damage: Punch (3), Allen & Thurber 0.36 (8), Musket (12) the African interior, or the Australian Outback. As with
the country, work is tough and heavy, but society is even
The landed gentry, he is bored and possibly naturally more basic, concentrated in a few forts and trading posts.
malicious. He drinks, whores, torments, and gambles Dangers lurk around every corner and ones allies today
far too much, but he is lord of the local estate. All of the can be ones enemies tomorrow.
people on the estate defer to him in all matters, with the
only exception being travellers and gypsies on the way Big Game Hunter
through. He makes an excellent patron for adventurers, as Physical: 8 Initiative: 7
they investigate strange occurrences or hunt trolls upon Mental: 10 Health: 12
his land. His personality can also make him an interesting Social: 8 Quintessence: 18
opponent. He always carries a musket in case he sees some Armour Value: 1 (soft leather)
sport or a poacher in the act. Special Traits: Trusty Rifle (+3)
Complications: Jaded
Reclusive Inventor Damage: Punch (3), hunting knife (8), Whitworth rifle (13)
Physical: 6 Initiative: 9
Mental: 14 Health: 8 He is a hunter and spends most of his time in the wilds
Social: 4 Quintessence: 24 hunting big game or aiding others in doing the same. He
Armour Value: 6 (reinforced coveralls) also expands Imperial control through a keen eye and
Special Traits: Order 2, Schwertbergers Cap, Steam Tools, steady aim, leading parties into dangerous terrain and
Steam velocipede ensuring that they survive. Paradoxically, he often gets
Complications: Absent-minded along with the native peoples and enlists them as both
Damage: Punch (3), small club (4), Volcanic pistol (7) servant and warrior as needed.

He is tall, dark and dashing. His eyes glint with a brilliant Guide
intelligence unsullied by convention, scruples, or the Physical: 6 Initiative: 5
Heavenly Hosts laws. His familys money has bought him Mental: 6 Health: 8
his retreat and, day and night, he toils in it trying to combine Social: 8 Quintessence: 12
sorcery with science. Nobody is sure what his experiments Armour Value: 0
are. Maybe he is an innocent artificer, but he might also be Special Traits: None
a foul demonologist or necromancer... Complications: Foreigner
Damage: Punch (3), hunting knife (8)
Wise Woman
Physical: 3 Initiative: 7 He is a native who gladly shows foreigners around for
Mental: 12 Health: 6 a reasonable fee. He knows the lie of the land and has
Social: 8 Quintessence: 42 contacts strewn throughout it. He often adopts the dress
Armour Value: 1 (greatcoat) and manner of the foreigner, partly to make potential
Special Traits: Entropy 2, Conjure (animal companion, create employers more comfortable and partly because he simply
heartstone, healing poultice), Spiritualist (grace, sance) enjoys it. An expedition would be foolish to go anywhere
Complications: None without a guide but it should be cautious, for sometimes
Damage: Staff (5) guides betray them for better offers.

The Wise Woman is ancient, yet there is an elemental spark

in her eyes. She is small and withered with white hair. She
dresses in ragged skirts and shawls, with natural jewellery

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Monk Tribal Warrior

Physical: 9 Initiative: 7 Physical: 6 Initiative: 4
Mental: 9 Health: 10 Mental: 4 Health: 10
Social: 6 Quintessence: 18 Social: 3 Quintessence: 6
Armour Value: 0 Armour Value: 0
Special Traits: Clairvoyant (see the supernatural, sixth sense) Special Traits: Shield (2 black dice on attack rolls against
Complications: Code of Honour him)
Damage: Punch (4), kick (5), staff (8) Complications: None
Damage: Punch (3), knife (7), bow (8), short spear (8)
He has left civilisation behind to meditate on the mysteries
of the universe, often with others of like mind and He protects the tribe at all costs, whether from encroaching
philosophy. He hones mind, body, and spirit and through Europeans or other native tribes. He is a warrior who uses
his meditations he has become immersed in the aether and the land as an ally, using tactics that can overcome superior
is capable of performing great feats, some of which are weaponry. He fights to maintain his way of life and the
poorly understood even by hermeticists. freedom for his tribe to keep its land and culture intact.

Settler Witch Doctor

Physical: 5 Initiative: 3 Physical: 3 Initiative: 6
Mental: 4 Health: 8 Mental: 11 Health: 6
Social: 3 Quintessence: 6 Social: 8 Quintessence: 24
Armour Value: 1 (soft leather) Armour Value: 6 (stone cloth)
Special Traits: None Special Traits: Goeticism (glimpse, grace), Conjure (healing
Complications: None poultice, sleep, stone cloth)
Damage: Punch (2), knife (6), Baker rifle (10) Complications: None
Damage: Punch (2), knife (6), staff (5)
She has given up the conveniences of society to live on
the outskirts of civilisation. She is a stranger in her own He goes by many names: medicine man, rootworker,
country; fortunately, she is being joined by new settlers all shaman, witch doctor. He practices conjuration, not
the time. Even still, she must be careful, as shes probably unlike the cunning folk of Europe, but there is a spiritual
displaced some natives that arent too happy about it and component as well. He is the tribes connection to the
only their fear of redcoats and rifles keep them at bay. She supernatural world.
is a survivor and doesnt suffer fools gladly.

~ C reatures M onsters ~
Soldier
Physical: 6 Initiative: 3 and
Mental: 3 Health: 8
Social: 1 Quintessence: 6 Villains and mobs are not the only opponents the
Armour Value: 2 (soldiers coat) adventurers might face. The world of Victoriana is littered
Special Traits: None with an array of terrible monsters and violent horrors.
Complications: None Some of these creatures are natural beasts that can usually
Damage: Knife (8), Enfield rifle (12), rifle bayonet (8) be found in the darker places of the Empire, although some
have found a home in the cities as well. Some beings come
He may be a royal soldier defending Queen and country, he to Earth at the behest of foolish demonologists, who think
may be employed by John Company, or he may be a native they can control these immortal evils.
conscripted into an imperial force. Whatever the reason, he
now spends his days in a local garrison or the occasional The following creatures are not an exhaustive list of the
patrol, hoping the day never comes when he is called to denizens of Victoriana, and the Gamesmaster should
the battlefield to defend some Host-forsaken piece of land feel free to create new beasties with which to menace her
against its former owners. adventurers. When designing such a creature, take time
to consider where it lives and how it fits into the world
around it. Remember that it hasnt evolved just to attack the

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adventurers in scene 12, but to live and feed in a particular number is raised by one (e.g. one Fast quality raises the
environment. It is this environment and the instincts it creatures movement rate to 6 + PC/3, while taking Fast a
needs to feed that will determine how dangerous it is and second time increases this to 7 + PC/3).
why it might go after the adventurers.
Fear: The creature can scare opponents with an opposed
Creature Qualities Presence (or SC/3) versus Resolve test. If it wins, the
Just like adventurers, creatures have Talents similar to those opponent must either flee at full speed for (6 + the creatures
presented in Book II, which we call Qualities. Creatures Presence or SC/3) rounds, or add 6 black dice to all rolls for
are built more with special powers than raw statistics, (2 + the creatures Presence or SC/3) rounds. Which Fear
allowing you to build new ones quickly and easily. Each effect will be activated must be chosen when creating the
Quality is intended to be approximately balanced in power creature. If the creature loses the opposed roll, it may not
with the standard adventurer Talents. use Fear against the same target for 24 hours.

The Gamesmaster might rule that some creature Qualities Flight: The creature may fly, and carry a total of 3 x Strength
may be available to certain types of adventurers, too. If the pounds in flight with it (or 75% of Physical Competence,
Gamesmaster does permit adventurers to select from this rounded down).
list, she may decide to restrict the players choices as much
or as little as she feels is appropriate. Fluid: The creatures body is a mass of fluids, making it
difficult for weapons to affect it. Add AV 2 each time this
The adventurer might have special powers or actually be Quality is taken.
one of the creatures listed below.
Huge: The creature is enormous: significantly bigger than
Ageless: You never age, and are not subject to disease of a Human, and even a little bigger than an Ogre or large
any kind. Beastfolk. It gains +1 die to damage in all melee attacks, as
well as +2 dice of Health. However, the creature has -3 black
Damaging Body: The creature is wreathed in fire, or coated dice to all Hide & Sneak attempts, and anyone attacking it
in long quill-like spines, or jets acid from its pores, or has gains a +1 pool modifier to their roll to hit. This Quality
some similarly damaging effect on all those near it. Contact may be selected more than once, up to as many times as the
with its body (either because it grapples someone, or they creature has Strength dice (or PC/3).
grapple it, or either side makes an unarmed attack against
the other, etc.) deals its Fortitude (or PC/3) in damage dice Immunity: The creature is completely immune to one
to any other creature, in addition to any other effects the type of effect, selected from the following list or created in
contact would usually have. This Quality may be selected consultation with the Gamesmaster:
more than once, up to as many times as the creature has
Fortitude (or PC/3) dice; each time it is selected, either the One type of weapon (sharp melee, blunt melee,
damage dealt can be increased by +1 die, or increase the firearms, unarmed combat, etc).
radius out from its body at which it is dealt, firstly from
the creatures body out to 1 yard, then from 1 yard out to 2 One type of damaging effect, such as fire, cold,
yards, etc. electricity, poison, etc.

Face-change: Although the creature cannot take on a Mind-affecting magic (defined at the Gamesmasters
completely new form (as with Shapeshifter; see p.290), discretion).
or radically morph its existing body (as with Protean; see
p.290), it can assume the facial features of another creature Sleep & sleep-related magic (including paralysis,
of more-or-less its own height and build. The creatures stunning, etc).
Attributes, Competences, etc, do not change. It gains a +8
pool modifier in any Disguise rolls relating to impersonating Incapacitating Attack: The creature is capable of
another character. Making the change takes 1 round. incapacitating its victims. The incapacitation may be
paralysis, sleep, entanglement, or some form of hypnotism.
Fast: The creature moves faster than its Dexterity would The target will always be capable of attempting to resist the
normally allow. Each time this quality is taken the default incapacitation, usually with an opposed roll of some kind.

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 VICTORIANA

Depending on the attack, the incapacitation may be a specific other form, nor does it allow the creature to alter
consequence of the creature making a melee attack on the colour or texture of its body. It does allow the creature
the target, or may only require it to make eye contact, or to flow through small holes, plug up gaps, asphyxiate
otherwise be useable at range. adventurers it is grappling (use the asphyxiation rules on
p.179), completely block doorways, etc. and gives anyone
Infectious: If the creature reduces an adventurer to 0 Health grappling it or being grappled by it an extra 6 black dice on
using its natural weapons (claws, teeth, etc), it has a chance their grappling-related rolls.
of infecting her and turning her into another creature like
itself. She may appear dead, comatose, or simply very Regeneration: The creature has astonishingly rapid
badly hurt, until suddenly rising as another werewolf, recuperative powers. After it has been injured, the creature
vampire, or whatever it is that the creature is. The creature heals 1 Health pip per round until fully recovered. If it is
rolls its Fortitude (or PC/3) opposed to the adventurers reduced to 0 Health, the creature is killed or destroyed as
Fortitude; if it wins, the adventurer has been infected. This usual. This Quality may be selected more than once, up to
Quality may be selected a second time; if it is, the creature as many times as the creature has Fortitude dice (or PC/3);
has a chance of infecting its target just by wounding it with each time it is selected, increase the Regeneration by a
its natural weapons, so the opposed Fortitude roll must further +1 Health pip per round.
be made any time the opponent loses Health pips to the
creature. Regeneration (Limitless): The creature must already have
Regeneration to select this Quality. Usually a creature with
Insubstantial: The creatures body lacks physical form. It Regeneration will die as normal on reaching 0 Health, but
cannot be harmed by physical attacks, but it cannot affect this creature will continue regenerating even then. There
the physical realm either. The creature can also move must always be some means of destroying the creature
through solid objects unless magic or another vulnerability permanently, despite its advanced regeneration capability;
prevents it from doing so. The creature can choose to turn this may be related to a Bane or Vulnerability (see Creature
off this ability but, once physical, it has to wait until its next Complications, p.291), or may be a more complex and
turn to become insubstantial again. Insubstantial costs 12 lengthy process (Gamesmasters discretion).
Build points if taken as a Talent.
Rise Again: After the creature has apparently been
Life Drain: Select one of the creatures natural weapons destroyed or killed, it returns after a specified period of time
(punches, kicks, claws, fangs, etc.). Each time the creature (chosen when this Quality is selected, but at least one day).
injures an opponent with the weapon chosen, it adds half On its return, the creature is in full health, and has a full
the damage it dealt to the victim in Health pips (rounded memory of its latest death. This Quality may be selected
down) to its own Health, if it has lost any. This Quality may more than once; each time it is selected, the creature gains
be selected more than once. Each time it is selected either a number of additional returns before being destroyed
choose an additional natural weapon to life-drain with, or forever.
else increase the amount of life the creature drains with an
already-chosen weapon, from half the Health it dealt in Return after 1 day (1 return per Quality pick)
damage, to all the Health it dealt in damage. Return after 1 week (3 returns per Quality pick)
Return after 1 month (8 returns per Quality pick)
Poisonous Attack: One of the creatures natural attacks Return after 1 year (unlimited returns)
also injects a potency 1 poison. Vector, Onset, Duration and
Description should be determined by the Gamesmaster, There must always be some means of destroying the
using the example Poisons and Drugs on p.176 as a guide. creature permanently, despite its Rise Again capability;
Virility is generally twice the potency. This Quality may be this may be related to a Bane or Vulnerability (see Creature
taken more than once, up to as many times as the creature Complications, p.291), or may be a more complex and
has Fortitude (or PC/3). Each additional pick increases the lengthy process (Gamesmasters discretion).
potency of the poison by +1.
Shapeshifter: The creature is capable of changing to
Protean: The creature can alter the physical shape of its an alternate form. It has access to a new skill called
body at will. This is distinct from Shapeshifter, as Protean Shapeshifting. Shifting to an alternate form takes one
does not allow the kind of fine detail required to take on a full round to do, and requires an MC roll to accomplish

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(typically Average difficulty, but rising to Difficult if according to the Gamesmaster and usually dependent on
performing it under stress, such as while in combat). the type of creature (an undead creature, for example, might
Each alternate form receives its own stat block. Its Skills, have its spirit forced on to the afterlife, whereas a robot or
physical Attributes, Talents/Qualities, etc. may all be golem might simply be irreparably broken). Unstoppable
different, though it must have the Shapeshifter talent as costs 12 Build points if taken as a Talent.
well. All other traits, such as Assets and Privileges, must
all be identical to the original creatures, while its mental Wall-Crawler: The creature can walk on walls as if walking
Attributes must be equal to or lower. This Quality may be or running, even upside down. It is still subject to the forces
selected more than once; each selection grants the creature of gravity (if it gets knocked off the wall it falls), so many
access to a new alternate form. wall-crawlers move on all fours to minimise this threat.

Summon: The creature may call a specific type of creature Creature Complications
to itself. This is usually a minion of the creatures type, Like creature Qualities, these Complications are designed
though it could alternatively be a specific type of mundane to be balanced against the standard Complications list, and
animal. In the case of an animal, it will fight for the creature even added to it in certain types of game.
on arrival.
Bane: The creature can be grievously injured by a substance
Summon Weapon: The creature may summon a specific or effect that is not usually injurious. Examples are sunlight,
weapon that it habitually carries (even if it has been taken water, a specific foodstuff or plant (e.g. garlic), moonlight,
from it or destroyed). The weapon appears in the creatures or a specific metal (e.g. silver). Mere contact with the
hand or about its person immediately; summoning it does substance deals the creature damage at a rate of 4 dice per
not count as an action. The creature may take this Quality round, opposed by the creatures Fortitude (or PC/3) as
more than once, up to as many times as it has Resolve dice usual. If the creature is struck by any weapon made from or
(or MC/3). Each time it is taken, add an additional weapon coated in the substance, her roll opposing the damage has a
to the summoning arsenal. 3 black dice penalty. If the creature also has Regeneration,
any damage dealt by the Bane must be healed at the usual,
Telekinesis: The creature may move objects by thought slow rate, not Regenerated.
alone, as if an invisible hand was manipulating it. Objects
may be wielded as weapons or thrown, using the creatures Confused: The creature is easily confused. Whenever a
Mental Competence in place of Physical Competence new element enters its environment, or the environment
(or Wits and Resolve instead of Dexterity and Strength, otherwise changes significantly, (such as a creature arriving,
respectively). Distance manipulated is 5 yards per point of or a wyvern flying overhead, or a chest being opened), the
Social Competence. creature must make an Average Resolve roll (or Difficult,
if the change is something that would confuse ordinary
Tunneller: The creature may excavate its Physical people too), or become confused. A confused creature rolls
Competence in cubic feet of soil each round. If the creature on the Confusion Table:
has Attributes rather than Competences, it may excavate
4x Strength in cubic feet of soil each round. The creature
may excavate harder material such as rock, but this is done Roll 1D Confused Creature Action
at only 25% of the rate of soft material (round down). Any
Stand and ponder the situation for a round,
tunnel created in this manner will be reasonably resistant to
1-2 doing nothing (may defend if attacked, but at
collapse; soft material will collapse eventually, but usually
+6 black dice).
several minutes or hours after the creature has passed
through it. Harder material may not collapse at all. 3-4 Attack the nearest creature for one round.
Run away from the cause of the confusion for
Unstoppable: The creature is not debilitated by pain, shock, 5 one round.
bleeding or other forms of damage, though its body can
still be destroyed by inflicting sufficient damage. Thus, the Attempt to pick up and eat the cause of the
creature does not suffer from any wound-related penalties 6 confusion, if it is of a size for you to eat; if
until its Health is completely depleted. When the creatures not, roll again.
Health is reduced to 0, it is destroyed, with consequences

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The next round the confused creature may roll again to try An aquatic creature in a surface-based campaign,
to shake off the confusion; this gets easier by one Difficulty which needs to be immersed in water for much of each
level each round, so most of the time the creature will shake day or start to be damaged.
it off automatically after one round.
Slow: The creature moves slower than its Dexterity would
Drone: The creature has no independent thoughts but normally allow (use PC/3 to determine Dexterity). Each
enough intelligence to carry out a set of orders given to it time this Complication is taken the default number is
by its creator. lowered by one (e.g. one Slow Complication lowers the
creature movement rate to 4 + Dexterity, while taking Slow
Hunger: The creature hungers for the flesh (or perhaps a second time decreases this to 3 + Dexterity).
souls) of the living. It must feed on its required substance
(sapient flesh, blood, or whatever has been chosen) each Stupid: The creature suffers 6 black dice to its MC whenever
night, or else lose 1 Health pip. Health lost in this way making Perception-related skill rolls, or any rolls related to
cannot be recovered by any means until the creature has intellectual thought.
fed again. Alternatively, some creatures lose 1 Resolve die
per day instead (use MC/3 to determine Resolve), and on Vulnerability: Select one reasonably common attack
reaching a Resolve of -3 become effectively insane until they form, such as firearms, sharp melee weapons, blunt melee
have fed. The precise details of this complication are always weapons, fire, or cold. Each time the creature is attacked by
determined by the Gamesmaster on a case-by-case basis. the chosen attack form, her roll opposing the damage has a
penalty of 6 black dice. If the creature also has Regeneration
Mindless: A Mindless creature is classed as effectively (see p.290), any damage dealt by the Vulnerability must be
having a Wits, Presence, and Resolve of zero dice each. Such healed at the usual, slow rate, not Regenerated.
a creatures entire Mental Competence is considered a skill
rating and a Mindless creature can only perform mental
skills on an instinctual level (e.g. a mindless creature may Sample Monsters and Creatures
use its Mental Competence for Stealth but not for Craft). The following is a selection of the various beasts and beings
A Mindless creature must usually also take Immunity: that adventurers might run into in a Victoriana campaign.
Mind-affecting Magic; which counts as a separate Quality These creatures have the same stat blocks as the rest of the
as usual. supporting cast; in cases where a distinction needs to be
made (such as the competency bumps an adventurer gets
Repair: The creatures body does not heal normally, for becoming a vampire) the bonus for that creature type is
but it can be repaired. Most automata have the Repair given in parentheses.
complication.

Repelled: The creature is repelled by a particular object or

creature. Any such creature, or someone wielding any such Adjusting Monsters and Creatures
object, may instil Fear into the creature as per the creature As with the supporting cast, feel free to adjust the
Quality of the same name (see p.289). statistics for monsters and creatures. In addition to more
or less effective versions, some monsters or creatures
Requirement: This is an all-purpose, customisable may have entirely different qualities and complications
Complication for any creature that has an unusual that the adventurers will only discover when they
requirement for its continued existence, health, or general encounter them.
well-being. Examples include:

A vampires need to rest in a coffin, on soil from its

home country during the day. If this is not done, the Monsters
vampire is unable to properly recuperate overnight. Philosophical debate on the nature of evil aside, this
section of our bestiary deals with those beings that prefer
A corpse that needs a regular dose of aetheric energy or to remain secret. Many of these beings are thought long
electricity to perform activities. extinct, wiped out in the purges of the church long ago.
Others cannot exist on the earthly plane without being

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summoned. There is no global conspiracy or communication Automaton, Mechanical Man

network between these beings, but they all understand the Physical: 6 Initiative: 7
need for secrecy in a world hostile to their very nature. Mental: 10 Health: 8
Social: 8 Quintessence: 18
Automaton Armour Value: 6 (plated body)
Physical: 6 Initiative: 2 Special Traits: Thaumaturgy (darkness, flight of the wyvern,
Mental: 2 Health: 8 pepperbox volley, power of steam)
Social: 5 Quintessence: 0 Complications: Repair
Armour Value: 6 (plated body) Damage: Punch (3 dice), sword (10 dice), pepperbox pistol
Special Traits: None (8 dice)
Complications: Drone (has no independent thoughts), Repair
Damage: Punch (3 dice), tool blade (6 dice)

An automaton is a flexible puppet, often powered by

clockwork or steam and programmed with a set of magical
instructions. Most automata are labourers or servants, taking
advantage of never having to rest or sleep to work around
the clock. Others are guardians, protecting a particular area
from intrusion. Occasionally, these monstrosities of aether
and steel are magically corrupted and follow a perversion
of their orders, if not deliberately reprogrammed by an
artificer for nefarious purposes.

A mechanical man is an automaton that is powered by

a spirit, usually a sapient but sometimes possessed by
an embodiment of nature or a Pale archon (demon). The
mechanical man has the Physical Competence of its
clockwork form, but the Mental and Social Competences
and special traits of the possessing spirit.

Embodiments of Nature
Embodiments (or elementals) are manifestations of pure
natural force. There are four common forms of embodiment,
one for each of the primary natural forces: air, water, fire and
earth. Each embodiment possesses limited powers relating
to its elemental field of origin. Although only the four
primary embodiments are listed, there are doubtless others

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for lesser or more specific natural forces. Examples of lesser When called, this creature appears as a small cloud or
embodiments might be decay, night, light, or growth. Other a miniature tempest, depending upon its power. An
cultures, such as the Orient, may have different elements, embodiment of air can communicate verbally, its voice
including wood and metal. There are also embodiments of sounding like echoing whispers caught in the wind.
power, such as steam or electricity (but not the aether itself,
as that is essentially what archons are). Embodiments of air can make a ranged (as far as twice
their Physical Competence in feet) knockdown attack
Embodiments only manifest on the earthly plane as a result upon a target using their Physical Competence. The attack
of an evocation from a mortal sorcerer, or by the bidding of does only half the usual damage, but the target must
the old gods. Embodiments of nature vary in competences, also make a Strength + (Might or Athletics) against the
and have a variety of Qualities depending on their elemental embodiment of airs Physical Competence or be knocked
type. We present typical examples for the Gamesmasters to the ground.
convenience.
Embodiments of air can supply a lift to a falling or jumping
All embodiments are capable of elementary communication character or item. This slows the descent and protects from
with their summoner, but only embodiments of air or water the harmful effects of hitting the ground at speed. A more
are able to fully communicate with others. For embodiments advanced form of this ability can assist a character in flight.
of air, this is a gentle voice carried on the breeze; for water, An embodiment can lift an amount of body points equal to
it is a voice made of whale song and tide. its Physical Competence.

Embodiments of Earth A characters body points are defined by adding up their

Physical: 6 Initiative: 3 Strength and Fortitude Attributes. The distance travelled
Mental: 2 Health: 12 can be up to the embodiments Mental Competence in
Social: 0 Quintessence: 6 miles.
Armour Value: 12 (rock body)
Special Traits: Protean, Tunneller, Unstoppable Embodiments of Fire
Complications: None Physical: 8 Initiative: 6
Damage: Punch (7) Mental: 8 Health: 8
Social: 0 Quintessence: 12
Embodiments of earth are crude and bulky. They appear as Armour Value: 0
a hulk of whatever earthly material they were summoned Special Traits: Damaging Body: Fire (x2), Unstoppable
from (mud, rock, masonry, etc.). As youd expect, Complications: None
embodiments of earth are the most physical of the elements, Damage: Punch (3 + fire damage)
usually fighting with powerful stone fists.
Fire embodiments always appear in a masculine form, as
Embodiments of earth might use their Protean talent to fill a a fiery humanoid, varying in size and intensity. They are
hole, replacing either missing floor or wall. The replacement creatures of rage and passion and the most difficult for a
section is flat, glossy and seamless. They can also become summoner to control.
amorphous, spreading to block doors, windows, railway
lines, roads and other limited movement planes. They Like any fire, embodiments may ignite any flammable
might also suffocate or entangle a target, doing damage as materials by touch. They can extend this effect to a ranged
noted under the asphyxiation rules (see p.179). scorch attack which uses their Mental Competence. The
attack causes half the embodiments Physical Competence
Embodiments of Air in dice of damage and ignites all surrounding flammable
Physical: 4 Initiative: 4 items. The range extends a number of feet equal to the
Mental: 7 Health: 3 embodiments Physical Competence.
Social: 2 Quintessence: 6
Armour Value: 0 The embodiment may also engulf a target in fire, by
Special Traits: Flight, Insubstantial, Unstoppable grappling using its Damaging Body Quality. While
Complications: None engulfed, the target is considered entangled and must
Damage: Knockdown blast (1 die + knockdown) break free to escape the burning damage.

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Embodiments of Water employers who are willing to pay in flesh. This is another
Physical: 8 Initiative: 5 reason many believe they are undead minions, and are often
Mental: 6 Health: 8 surprised when destroying their controlling necromancer
Social: 2 Quintessence: 24 fails to lay them to rest.
Armour Value: 4 (fluid body)
Special Traits: Fluid x2, Thaumaturgy (ectoplasmic hand,
heal), Unstoppable
Complications: None
Damage: Punch (3)

Water is the element of illusion. Water embodiments can

create realistic illusions that affect all the senses. This
embodiment usually takes the form of a watery humanoid.
The scalp hair is a foaming cascade of water, the skin a
translucent ocean green. Water embodiments always appear
to be feminine, with an unusually fair countenance. Their
height and build vary with the power of the embodiment.

Like Earth embodiments, water embodiments can use

their amorphous form to cover a victim. The victim suffers
much as she would underwater, becoming subject to the
normal drowning rules. However, water embodiments
can offer the ability to sustain a character in water (saving
them from the pressure and supplying air), as long as they
remain in physical contact. Needless to say, they also swim
extraordinarily well, allowing them to whisk someone to
the surface or drag them down into the depths extremely Imps
quickly. Helpfully, a water embodiment can also wash Physical: 8 Initiative: 3
a character or item, leaving the person or item sparkling Mental: 3 Health: 8
clean and feeling invigorated in moments. Social: 4 Quintessence: 12
Armour Value: 0
Ghouls Special Traits: Entropy 3, Backstabber, Contortionist, Glib
Physical: 6 Initiative: 3 Complications: None
Mental: 3 Health: 8 Damage: Claws (4), knife (6)
Social: 0 Quintessence: 6
Armour Value: 0 The imps are the amoral denizens of the Labyrinth that lies
Special Traits: Fear (Howl), Mere Flesh Wounds (x3) in the shadow between the Earthly plane and the ascending
Complications: None planes of Entropy. The Labyrinth has always been
Damage: Claws (4*) essentially chaotic in nature, easily shaped by the dreams
and nightmares of Earth. It is said that a Prince rules
*any character wounded by a Ghoul claw has a very good the Labyrinth from a glittering ivory tower, although few
chance of catching some nasty disease, given the sort of people have ever seen it. Politics in the Labyrinth are brutal
thing a Ghouls claw tends to be covered in and simplistic the strong rule, the weak get squished.
Imps are sometimes summoned from the Labyrinth, and
Ghouls are demonic monsters that feed on the dead and sometimes even accidentally find their own way into
use a blood-chilling howl in combat. They look like walking Earthly reality.
corpses that have stepped out of a week-old grave, but they
are not actually undead. Any armour they possess is looted The Labyrinths chaotic and malicious denizens (for the
from graves or victims, and they usually fight with only most part, unwittingly) mimic and mock the plane of Earth
tooth and claw. Ghouls are sentient, and can sometimes in a parody of Earthly life. Indeed, life in the Labyrinth
be found serving necromancers or other unscrupulous could be imagined as a twisted cartoon image of life on

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Earth. Imps are short and scrawny, varying between 1 and (such as silver) will harm them: for example, a sabre or
3 feet tall. They have greenish skin, and sharp, exaggerated catapult stone with Edge Sharp cast upon it will inflict the
features and beady red eyes. They dress in a bizarre magical damage from the Edge Sharp; the sword itself will
mixture of exaggerated historical styles, and their religion, do nothing. The zoanthrope also has its natural armour to
such as it is, focuses on the worship of the Lady mainly defend against this magical damage. Poison will affect a
just in case she ever appeared to punish them for not doing zoanthrope, if the skin of the creature is penetrated, or the
so. However, imp society follows no rules or reason and poison is ingested. Zoanthropes need oxygen, as do most
changes constantly on a whim. Imps delight in mischief and other living things, and can be asphyxiated or drowned.
malice and have an instinctual fascination with fighting,
gorging, drinking, and fornicating, frequently falling into
cackling hysterics over fatal accidents and the misfortunes
of others.

The Labyrinth and its population of imps (also known as

goblins, boggarts, or felkins) feature prominently in Earthly
folklore, with many old stories about babies stolen away in
the night for the goblin prince, and the gremlins that delight
in tearing apart machinery (making them the bane of
engineers). At the same time, young imps listen in wonder
to stories about the land of the giants where the streets are
lined with filth, where beer & women are cheap, and the
weapons are BIG.

Zoanthropes (Template)
Strength: +4 Presence: -4
Dexterity: +6 Wits: -4
Fortitude: +4 Resolve: -2

Special Traits: (animal form) Immunity (non-magical &

non-silver weapons), Infectious
Armour: (animal form) Natural hide (2)
Damage: Claws (4 dice + Strength dice), Bite (6 dice +
Strength dice only used in grapple)

*Mental Competence is unchanged for the Perception and

Track skills.

Zoanthropes are sapients that can change into the form

of an animal. On nights of the full moon, zoanthropes Any race (except rather oddly Beastfolk) can be a
must change to beast form. Once in beast form, the person zoanthrope; the template gives only bonuses to an existing
becomes a terrible creature of instinct, driven by a powerful profile. You will have to create the person who is infected
hunger and the urge to kill. They are unresponsive to with this curse separately using the supporting cast rules
anything but the most basic forms of communication above. Different races might use the same rules but a
and unable to use cognitive thought. However, if the different animal, for example: an Ogre could well turn into
lycanthrope is a gentle soul, some of that tenderness may a bear, an Eldren to a big cat, a Dwarf to a wild boar. The
break through in animal form. The creature can make a characteristics show the changes when in animal form,
Resolve roll to avoid dealing a fatal bow to a victim and whatever the animal may be.
passing on the curse.
There are rumours of zoanthropes that are born with this
In animal form, zoanthropes are immune to most damage, curse and able to control it. They might shift form as easily
which simply bounces off. Only magic, fire, or pure metals as change their clothes and retain a sense of self when in

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beast form. Such beings may be the originators of the curse, Ghost
and may be able to avoid passing it on. Physical: -- Initiative: 2
Mental: 5 Health: --
A growing consensus amongst anthropologists is that Social: 3 Quintessence: 6
zoanthropy is an unintended side effect from the same Armour Value: 0
magical spells that created the Beastfolk subspecies; this Special Traits: Ageless, Fear (Flee), Rise Again, Telekinesis
would account for the Beastfolks immunity. Needless to Complications: Vow (cannot rest until something is resolved)
say, this theory is not well-received amongst the Beastfolk. Damage: Small Club (3)

Zoanthrope templates vary according to the animal type. Ghosts are spirits of the dead, specifically those sentient
The following modifiers are for a wolf (also known as a beings that have died of violence or in want, and are
lycanthrope). unable to rest. Ghosts are usually tied to a specific site,
such as a building, and can only move up to their Mental
Necromantic Horrors Competence in yards away from it. Ghosts can become
There are plenty of beings that do their best to resist the visible at will and scare intruders with their Fear talent.
sting of death. The unnatural power of necromancy locks If the ghost wins, the opponent also temporarily loses 1D
some spirits of the dead into this world. Some desperate Resolve. Lost Resolve regenerates at one point every three
creatures use their power to extend their lives far longer hours. The victim remains terrified until she has regained
than their due, others use the power to create slaves that a positive Resolve.
will obey unquestioningly. Whatever the reason for their
return, the undead existence is a half- life, a terrible state If she has a Resolve of 0 or less normally, she is permanently
where feeling and emotion lie forgotten in the dust. There traumatised by the event and gains a mental Complication.
is little joy, love or passion for the undead. Ghostly entities are frequently insane and malignant from
centuries of constant awareness and exposure to the aether.
So all undead, however intelligent or mindless, feel a However, recently formed ghosts may be communicative
loathing jealous hatred for the living, to whom the simple and might bargain with characters to lay them properly to
joy of life comes so easily. rest. Ghosts have no Physical Competence due to their very
nature.

Some ghosts can be put to rest by a casting of the spell

Undead Creature Templates Rest, while others require a task to be accomplished or
revenge to be taken, before they can know peace. There is
If some strange creature becomes an undead monstrosity, no reason why a ghost cannot use spell knowledge, as long
you need not recreate its stats. Simply apply the following as no material components are needed.
templates to the creature and you are good to go:
Litche
Greater Undead e.g. intelligent zombies, vampires: Physical: 8 Initiative: 9
(Totals: 7 Qualities, 1 Complication). Greater undead Mental: 15 Health: 10
have Ageless, Immunity: Poison, Immunity: Sleep & Social: 6 Quintessence: 30
Sleep Magic, Unstoppable, and the Vulnerability: Fire Armour Value: 0
Complication. Special Traits: Ageless, Attribute changes (+2 to Resolve
and Wits, -2 to Presence), Clockwork Arm (+2 damage),
Lesser Undead e.g. zombies: (Totals: 8 Qualities, 2 Clockwork Leg, Immunity: Non-magical Weapons,
Complications). Lesser undead have Ageless, Immunity: Immunity: Poison, Immunity: Sleep & Sleep Magic,
Poison, Immunity: Sleep & Sleep Magic, Immunity: Necromancy (all), Thaumaturgy (all), Unstoppable
Mind-affecting Magic, Unstoppable, the Vulnerability: Complications: Vulnerability: Fire
Fire Complication, and the Mindless Complication. Damage: Punch (6), sword cane (10)
Grant a +2 bonus to Physical Competence and a -4
penalty to Mental Competence. Litches are undead necromancers that became so corrupt in
life that, in death, they have been denied rest, and are now
undead themselves. Litches appear as rotting and shredded

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corpses, sometimes little more than skeletons; they often Vampires

wear once-fine clothes, now fallen to the rot of passing Physical: 12 Initiative: 8
time. Some of them have taken to grafting clockwork limbs Mental: 8 Health: 12
to their bodies to maintain some semblance of a sapient- Social: 12 Quintessence: 24
like appearance. Litches are filled with a hate of the living, Armour Value: 4
as they are a constant reminder of times past. Litches are Special Traits: Entropy 2, Ageless, Attribute Change (+3
always very powerful hermeticists. to Dexterity, Fortitude, and Strength, +4 to Presence),
Demonology (aetherial cloak, demonic dominion, the revelation
of all), Immunity: Poison, Immunity: Sleep & Sleep Magic,
Life Drain (blood drain via bite), Necromancy (raise
lesser undead, raise greater undead, voice of control, warp
dead), Regeneration (x2), Rise Again (may be stopped by
decapitation, so long as both head and body are burned),
Thaumaturgy (botheration, darkness, farspeech, flight of the
wyvern, instant beauty, steely skin), Unstoppable
Complications: Bane (garlic, wild rose, and other wholesome
herbs), Hunger (must feed on 6 pints of sapient blood
per night (enough to kill most sapients); a pint from a
sapient with the same sin of the vampire is worth 3 pints),
Requirement (nocturnal; a vampire can only regenerate and
use her vampiric talents during the night), Repelled (holy
symbol held by a believer), Vulnerability (wooden or iron
stake through the heart paralyses it).
Damage: Punch (5), bite (6; when bitten, the victim suffers
either a wave of euphoria or a draining paralysis; they
must make a Resolve roll and score at least 2 successes to
take any action while being bitten).

The creation of a vampire is a strange process, and

surrounded by much superstition. In truth, the vampires
existence is the result of a deadly sin completely
corrupting and consuming its body. This sin has a hold
over them even in death, transforming them into a low
form of demon. Generally, the proto-vampire is seduced
into a particular sin by another vampire, who feeds from
the victim while they both indulge in the sinful activity.
As if being an undead necromancer wasnt dangerous Eventually, the protg dies from the feeding and becomes
enough, a litche is likely to have at least one magical item or a vampire themselves.
relic. They also usually have a retinue of 2D lesser undead
and several greater undead under their direct control. Given Vampires are pale, graceful and sensual entities; they cast
that their state gives them a rather unique perspective on no reflection and their shadows seem to live a twisted life of
the undead, many necromancers gain even greater power their own. Vampires can begin as any of the sentient races,
upon becoming a litche. They gain +2 dice for any use of so their Attributes are modifiers that should be applied to
necromantic lore, and all their necromantic operations cost an adventurer or supporting cast member upon entering
2 less quintessence to cast. the vampiric state. While the eight bloodlines of vampires
are not necessarily antagonistic towards each other, they
However, should they use other forms of magic, the are territorial and often only tolerate vampires of their
bonuses are reversed due to their disconnection with true particular bloodline on their turf.
existence. Their severing from nature means litches cannot
cast any Enchantment spells or even awaken petty conjure Vampires depend upon the blood of sapients for sustenance.
fetishes. The blood of animals is impotent in comparison, and will

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not sate the vampires hunger. A vampire gains more that she is in. All the inhabitants are considered exposed
sustenance from a victim that is predisposed or indulging to the disease and must roll against its Infectiousness or
in the sin that drives the vampire, but any sapient can catch it. Only unusually powerful vampires can acquire
provide some sustenance. this Quality. The disease is often thematically related to
the vampires sin.
A vampire is a nocturnal creature; night is when its powers
are strongest. Like all nocturnal creatures, it may also go Incapacitating Attack (Enthral): The vampire makes
about its business by day, although its powers are weak. As an opposed Resolve roll against any victim who meets
creatures of Entropy, individual vampires have different its eyes. If the vampire succeeds, it has enthralled
strengths, although all seem to share the same weakness the victim. An enthralled character seems detached,
with few exceptions. dreamy and subject to a great lethargy; she has +6 black
dice on all rolls, if she can be persuaded to do anything
Vampires may start at any point along the Celestial Engine, at all. The vampire may attempt to enthral one victim
but they are drawn to Entropy. A neophyte vampire could per night.
theoretically start at the sixth cog of Order, but the oldest
and most powerful vampires are several cogs into Entropy. Infectious (Sense & Awaken Vampire): See the
vampire description for full details of this process. A
Vampire Qualities vampire can only awaken someone thats indulged in
Most vampires will have several of the following Qualities vice (the particular sin) of the vampire.
in addition to the special traits listed in the statistics block.
The average number is three, though a newly created Shapeshifter: The vampire can change into a different
vampire may only have a Bloodline Quality. form. Traditional forms include bat, mist, and wolf,
although other forms are possible (lust vampires
Bloodline Quality: A vampire of a particular sin seem to have a preference for cats, while gluttonous
usually has a Quality related to that sin. A lust vampire vampires prefer rats).
may have unearthly beauty, granting her a +4 to social
rolls. A sloth vampire may increase the effects of her Wall-crawler: The vampire can scale walls and walk
Incapacitating Attack (see below; she gets a +2 pool across ceilings as easily as she can move on the
modifier to the Enthral roll and the victim suffers ground.
a 12 black dice penalty to all actions if she loses). A
gluttonous vampire may remove the Bane complication Zombie
(as she loves garlic and herbs). The Gamesmaster Physical: 4 Initiative: always 1 lower than lowest
should feel free to create any appropriate Bloodline persons initiative in round
Quality. Note that there can be several Bloodline Mental: 3 Health: 8
Qualities within a single bloodline; some lust vampires Social: 0 Quintessence: 6
may have unearthly beauty, others may have increased Armour Value: 0
charm or a seductive singing voice (and some may Special Traits: Ageless, Immunity: Poison, Immunity:
have all three). Mind-affecting Magic
Complications: Drone, Mindless, Slow x2, Vulnerability
Summon: As per the creature Quality (see p.291). (Fire)
This can be either Summon Victim, Summon Animal Damage: Punch (2), bite (3; only when grappling)
(usually rats or wolves, although other creatures are
possible). A summoned victim can be any character the Zombies are the most common form of undead that anyone
vampire has enthralled (see below), and may be called might come across. These shambling corpses can do little
to her across great distances as long as the vampire is more than follow the simplest of commands from their
in contact with her abode (or place of sin). Summon necromantic master. Left to their own devices they will
Animal applies to mundane creatures, and grants the stand motionless or seek meat to consume, driven by the
vampire great control over them when they arrive. remains of their instinct. What little remains of their soul
feels terrible pain at their horrid existence, and jealousy
Cause Plague: Choose one disease (see p.178). The toward the living. This hatred usually makes them attack
vampire can infect an entire village (or similar region) the living on sight. Zombies statistics usually relate to the

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necromancer who raised them. Powerful necromancers can Zombie, Clockwork

infuse their creations with supernatural energy to make Physical: 4 Initiative: always 1 lower than lowest
them stronger and more cunning. persons initiative in round
Mental: 3 Health: 8
Social: 0 Quintessence: 6
Armour Value: 4 (plated body)
Special Traits: Ageless, Clockwork Arm (+2 damage),
Reinforced Limb, Sword Arm, Immunity: Poison,
Immunity: Mind-affecting Magic
Complications: Drone, Mindless, Slow x2, Vulnerability
(Fire)
Damage: Punch (4), bite (3; only when grappling), sword
arm (10)

The clockwork zombie is a horrific amalgam of mindless

flesh and unfeeling metal. Each zombie is made up of varying
amounts of meat and machine; no two are the same - some
even have functional clockwork limbs. The flesh constantly
oozes blood and pus where the flesh and metal meet.

In addition to the moaning, clockwork zombies whirr and

clang as they move, inexorably shambling toward their next
meal. The addition of clockwork not only makes clockwork
zombies more resistant to damage, but surprisingly, better
able to follow complex directions.

Zombies have Mental Competence ratings, but they cannot

use them for anything other than resisting Rest attempts.
Zombies are considered to have no real minds, so mind-
affecting magic usually doesnt influence them. Zombies
are very slow, and are always considered to have an
Initiative 1 point lower than the lowest other combatant.
They can only engage in Fisticuffs and never use techniques
such as all-out dodge. However, they are hard to kill, and
have a base Health equal to their Physical Competence +2.
Needless to say, zombies cannot speak beyond a low moan
brought on by the pain of their existence, and absolutely
cannot be reasoned with. For off the peg zombies we offer
the statistics below.

Especially great necromancers have been known to bring

back the dead to a state much as they were in life. The
ancient Egyptians in the high days of magic are said to have
mastered this ability. However it is doubtful now that the
lore or power exists in the modern world of 1856.

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Archons lost too many of their former worshipers to remain true

archons. Some willingly sacrificed much of their power in
Peregrines order to prevent a great apocalypse. Others are enlightened
Physical: 16 Initiative: 11 sapients that have evolved towards archonhood but havent
Mental: 16 Health: 18 quite reached it; most of these never will. Some are psychics
Social: 16 Quintessence: 60 whose connection to the aether simply overwhelmed and
Armour Value: 4 (lined coat) transformed them.
Special Traits: Ageless, Conjure (all), Demonology (all),
Limitless Regeneration, Regeneration, Thaumaturgy (all) Regardless of their origin, all Peregrines are bound in a
Complications: Hunger must share a heightened half-mortal state. Such bodies arent enough to fully contain
emotional experience with a mortal once per day; if not, their aetheric selves and the resulting Entropy slowly
then the Peregrine loses a point of Resolve. Should her drives each Peregrine mad. The only way to stave off this
Resolve drop to 0 then she enters a bestial state and attacks inevitable end is for the Peregrine to feed on the feelings of
those around her, feeding via fear and terror. A Peregrine mortals, to achieve both the bliss and pain that her immortal
regains Resolve at a rate of 1 point per hour after feeding. nature denies her. A Peregrine that is lost to Entropy goes
Damage: Punch (6), exquisite rapier (11) completely mad and is often hunted by others of its own
kind for a merciful end.
There are immortal creatures that wander the Earth,
physically unchanged by the passage of time. Throughout Ascended Peregrines (those that were once fully mortal)
history they have been given many names: Eloim, Grigori, usually retain their mortal appearance, leading to a majority
the dissonant, exiles, fallen angels, immortals, watchers. One being of Eldren heritage. Peregrines that have fallen
of their most enduring titles is Peregrines, or Wanderers, usually retain their most popular form prior to their descent.
as they do not remain in one place for long. They travel the As the Aluminat tends to see the Eldren as the most perfect
globe and by the time they return to places theyve been, subspecies, most fallen angels choose a flawless Eldren
everyone theyve known is long dead. appearance; collectively these Peregrines call themselves
the Eloim. Whatever their choice, Peregrines are locked
While collectively the Peregrines share several traits, their into their chosen primary form forever, although they may
origins are varied. Some Peregrines are former archons that use magic to disguise themselves.
have lost their former glory; they now wander the world
in a diminished state. Some of these are angels that refuted In all cases Peregrines features are generally flawless,
too much dogma and were cast down by the Heavenly as neither the ravages of disease or time can touch them,
Host; others were cast out of the Pale. Some archons simply although many bear the permanent scars of violence.

The Tsarina
Imperial Russia is a sleeping bear for the world of Victoriana: isolated and cold, but with ever expanding dreams of empire.
At the heart of Russia is the Tsarina, and in many respects the Tsarina is the motherland: cold, mysterious, deadly when
roused, and with many secrets.

The Steel Tsarina is, in fact, a Peregrine (although the world at large is ignorant of her heritage) and is at least 500 years
old. She does not have a daughter, she has never had one; the myth of family allows her to explain her own existence for
an unnatural time by posing as her own heir (as Princess Nadja, the Tsarina has chosen a Human appearance). The Tsarina
is a powerful sorceress and her knowledge, unchained by the Consortium of Hermetic Guilds of Western Europe, includes
many jealously-guarded secrets long lost to the west since the purges of the Thirty Years War.

Despite her nature, the Tsarina is not evil. Her age and her knowledge (and indeed, her very nature) make her keenly
aware of the coming threat of the eternal struggle, being a first-hand witness of the dark times before the Thirty Years
War. She has an agenda of her own to secure her land from the deprivations of the coming storm, and her agents are found
across the world, searching for specific magical relics and texts.

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 VICTORIANA

A Peregrines countenance and manner usually resembles need to perform and encourage all things base or decadent;
the feelings that the Peregrine last fed from; many Peregrines nothing is too low or disgusting for the denizens of the
choose to encourage particular feelings in their prey that Court. They are constantly looking for ways to get to Earth
best suits them. In spite of this, however, all Peregrines (by being summoned and possibly possessing someone)
have an aura of sadness and world-weariness about them. and cause as much suffering as they possibly can once they
As former Archons, Peregrines have an affinity for magic are there.
and a close attachment to the aether; they may manifest any
magic as they see fit. To truly be rid of a demon, it must be stopped from
possessing another host until it is forced to return to the Pale
Peregrines may be agents of Entropy or Order, as some court. Attacking a demon without harming the possibly
see their dedication as the potential for full ascension to innocent host body is exceedingly difficult; all attacks to a
archonhood, either through magical power or faith and demon are applied to the host. The relic Bright Blades are
absolution. Some are resigned to their fates and simply try possibly the only way to defeat a demon and leave the host
to enjoy life as best they can until the inevitable madness unharmed. Without such a blade, the host must rely on
overtakes them. An encounter with a Peregrine should be faith or Maleficia to save them.
wreathed in mystery and danger; these sad wanderers are
pawns in a larger game. A Peregrine may even become the In rare cases where a demon manifests on its own, the
adventurers patron; if so, her true motives are never as she attacker traditionally had to rely on silver weapons or
portrays them. magic to defeat it, as normal weapons could not affect them.
Recently, however, magicians are reporting that modern
Its rumoured that a Peregrine can be killed. Decapitation weapons such as firearms can hurt demons, possibly due
and burning is the usual method proffered, although to their ties to Order.
necromantic scholars note that this is the same method for
killing a vampire, leading them to question whether its Most people believe the demons detailed below are those
application to Peregrines is effective. that serve Paline. While these could also be the standard
type, many Maleficium scholars believe there are various
As the natures of archons are somewhat malleable, some types of demon for each of the circles. These creatures
Peregrines believe that it is possible to kill another Peregrine gain their shape and power from the demon they serve,
and steal her power, enabling the killer to absorb her in return for allegiance. However, in the chaos of the Pale,
aetheric nature and grow stronger until she has enough to it is best to take nothing at face value, nor to expect order
ascend. Some mortals, especially necromancers, believe it and structure to remain inviolate. Demons are ultimately
is possible to drain enough quintessence from their victims creatures of Entropy, and no two are quite the same.
to become Peregrines themselves (for them, litchedom is Adventurers that come to believe they know what they are
merely a transitional state). Whether any of these claims are up against with any certainty are usually about to make a
true remain to be seen, but Peregrines keep up their guard fatal mistake.
regardless.
Demon of the First Pale Circle
Demons of the Pale Physical: 8 Initiative: 6
In the chaotic Courts of the Pale are a variety of strange and Mental: 8 Health: 10
malevolent beings. They are ruled by eight greater demons Social: 4 Quintessence: 32
that each represent a deadly sin (with Lady Paline standing Armour Value: 4 (demonic skin)
supreme among them) and come in all manner of shapes Special Traits: Entropy 6, Ageless, Demonology (aetherial
and sizes. Oddly for such creatures of Entropy, they follow cloak, whispering colours), Flight, Thaumaturgy (aetheric bolt,
a strict hierarchy, defined by power and fealty. However, botheration, firespark)
this hierarchy changes and adapts to a mass of fickle and Complications: None
complicated rules and traditions. The main law is that might Damage: Talons (4)
makes right and what you can hold onto you can keep.
In its own form, this creature is usually a small humanoid
Demons of the Pale are defined by the circle of power they 6 to 2ft in height and of perfectly scaled proportions.
fit into, but they all share a certain amount of standard When possessed, the host may shrink to this height. Many
aptitudes and abilities. All demons of the Court have a sorcerers will use these demons as retinue in preference

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to paid servants. Demons of the first circle are sometimes

referred to as familiars.

Demon of the Second Pale Circle

Physical: 12 Initiative: 5
Mental: 2 Health: 16
Social: 0 Quintessence: 30
Armour Value: 6 (oozing slime)
Special Traits: Entropy 6, Ageless, Incapacitating Attack
(entangle), Poison (x3), Protean
Complications: None
Damage: Stinger (10 + poison), tendrils (6 + entangle)

In its natural form, this shambling, faceless creature exudes

foul ooze as it moves. It is covered in large tentacles and
possesses a large scorpion-like stinger for a weapon. These
demons are most commonly summoned as guardian
creatures, although devoted demonologists have been
known to summon them purely for pleasure.

Demon of the Third Pale Circle

Physical: 8 Initiative: 6
Mental: 9 Health: 12
Social: 12 Quintessence: 42
Armour Value: 4 (demonic skin)
Special Traits: Entropy 6, Ageless, Beautiful x5, Huge bat-like wings and bull-like horns adorn this nightmare
Demonology (aether ribbons, aetherial cloak, demonic vision of a classic demon. The entire body shimmers with a
dominion, the revelation of all), Glib (x2), Flight, Protean, pale white fire that is cold to the touch. Hell-red eyes peer
Thaumaturgy (aetheric bolt, botheration, groom, instant down from an impressive 10 ft height. The demons of the
beauty, invisibility) fourth circle are the only members of the Court to appear
Complications: None predominantly as male humanoids and are referred to as
Damage: Talons (6) Palines generals.

In its native form, the third circle demon appears as an Palines Daughters, Courtiers of the Fifth Circle
attractive sapient of either gender. However, vivid scarlet Physical: 12 Initiative: 10
hair and a long, slim, prehensile tail spoil the illusion of Mental: 12 Health: 20
normality. The demons of this circle are sometimes called Social: 15 Quintessence: 48
Palines whores and are usually summoned as amorous Armour Value: 8 (flawless demonic skin)
companions. Special Traits: Entropy 6, Ageless, Demonology (aether
ribbons, aetherial cloak, demonic dominion, fade, the Ladys
Demon of the Fourth Pale Circle Audience, the revelation of all, summon demon of same circle
Physical: 15 Initiative: 11 or lower), Face-change, Incapacitating Attack (induce lust
Mental: 12 Health: 20 with a glance), Incapacitating Attack (euphoric kiss),
Social: 10 Quintessence: 60 Summon Weapon (x2) (sabre, whip), Thaumaturgy
Armour Value: 8 (flaming skin) (aetheric bolt, botheration, groom, instant beauty, invisibility).
Special Traits: Entropy 6, Ageless, Damaging Body: Complications: None
Fire, Demonology (all), Flight, Huge, Juggernaut (x2), Damage: Flaming sabre (14), whip (6 + entangle)
Incapacitating Attack (entangle), Thaumaturgy (aetheric
bolt, aetheric inferno, steely skin) These are fearful demons, the personal retinue and playthings
Complications: None of Paline, Lady of Entropy. They appear as beautiful, faceless
Damage: Claws (8), sword(16), tail (7 + entangle) women, with flawless, shiny skin and vivid scarlet hair.

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 VICTORIANA

Any illusion of mortality is ruined by the lack of facial details them. As extensions of the will of Heaven, Karabim and
- eyes, nose, and mouth are all absent. When summoned, Ophanim refer to themselves in the third person (using
the daughters always appear naked. These servitors of the royal we). Some angels are strongly associated with
Paline perform many functions, from leading the orgies certain elements or spheres of influence. Such angels often
of her cultists to fighting her battles and delivering her have powers related to them.
messages. Many sorcerers try to summon these daughters
of darkness as protectors or concubines; most get more than Ophanim, Servitors of Dogma
they asked for, and invariably find themselves begging for Physical: 16 Initiative: 12
Palines mercy. Mental: 15 Health: 20
Social: 6 Quintessence: 72
They can also assume the facial details of any humanoid Armour Value: 15 (metal skin)
female at whim, and can deliver an incapacitating attack Special Traits: Order 6, Ageless, Flight, Juggernaut (x3),
with a glance or an enchanted kiss. The kiss also causes Regeneration, Special Attack (Lacerate*), Unstoppable
euphoria for 1 hour, during which time the target can do Complications: None
nothing but grin idiotically and comply with whatever the Damage: Holy sword (14)
demon commands. The effect of the kiss may be resisted
with a Very Difficult (6 black dice) Resolve + Concentration *a powerful blast of metal or stone shards that engulfs the
roll. A daughter may summon a demonic sword and whip target doing 8 dice damage
for her use instantly and at any time.
Cold and mechanical, the Ophanim are now the prime
The Heavenly Host movers of the Levantine faiths. Their adherence to Order
The servants of Order are rare upon the Earthly plane, has become dogma and this is reflected in their aetheric
even more so than the demons of the Pale. Summoning aid forms. Their visages are as twisted and corrupt as the
from the planes of Order is infrequent, since Earthly dogma dogma they represent. Wreathed in smoke and wrapped
teaches the faithful to accept their fates, and not to expect in hooded robes, their flayed faces spread over burnt,
intervention from their distant lords. Even so, those with mechanical bodies with brazen clashing wings of metal,
no comprehension as to why their plea for heavenly aid they clutch a huge two handed broadsword to their chests.
has called an avenging demon rather than the angel they
prayed for, sometimes summon the servants of Order.

Angels rarely directly interfere in sapient affairs, as this

is seen as an Entropic act. More often they act as guides,
working behind the scenes with a guiding vision or
serendipity rather than flashy displays. When they do act
directly, it is usually to counter Pale archons for a greater
good. Sadly, too many angels equate dogma with good,
so much so that many have become tarnished by dogma.
Such angels, led by Metatron, have become so focused
on Order that it is reflected in their bodies; they have
become coldly mechanical and terrifying punishers and
executioners, often rejecting pleas of mercy.

While the Aluminat takes no official position on the

distinction (they dare not!), hermeticists tend to group
angels into three categories: Ophanim (the tarnished),
Karabim (true angels), and Devils (fallen angels). All
angels have certain traits and powers in common. They
do not possess hosts, and must always manifest fully.
Bruise damage has no effect on them, and they cannot fall
unconscious. They are immune to any attack or power
that uses Wits or magic in an attempt to charm or beguile

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 book V

The Ophanim have no concept of justice; those that adhere to chose not to follow the Heavenly Host; others are ascended
dogma are protected while those who fall short are deserving mortals who have taken their place amongst the archons.
of punishment. Pleas for mercy fall on deaf ears as they mete The Old Gods fill the ranks of the paynimry and many still
out exacting and often brutal punishment. The Ophanim aid their children, even those that have abandoned the old
have a particular hatred for magic and encourage their ways and embraced one of the newer religions. Some Old
worshippers to stamp it out wherever possible. Woe betide Gods became part of the Heavenly Host or joined the ranks
the magician who makes a Foul Failure during an evocation; of the Pale. It is whispered that a few have even become
she is likely to attract an Ophanim to the mortal plane. Ophanim.

Ophanim have been known to make bargains with The Old Gods tend towards Entropy, if only because
magicians: namely that, if the magician delivers information they fear the Ophanim. That said it would be a mistake to
pertaining to the location of two other magicians, she will be believe that the Old Gods are allied with the Pale; while a
allowed a reprieve. Many magicians have learned to dread few certainly are, the vast majority of Old Gods would just
the opening line of: We are righteous; we bring serenity, as easily fight a demon or devil as an angel would.
spoken in a cold, mechanical monotone.
The Old Gods have a wide differentiation in power level
Karabim, Arbiters of Justice and abilities amongst them. An Old God is generally tied
Physical: 14 Initiative: 11 to one aspect of nature or concept, and has powers that
Mental: 14 Health: 20 reflect it. Old Gods with similar aspects tend to have similar
Social: 0 Quintessence: 66 abilities and, as with any archon, an individual Old God
Armour Value: 12 (holy armour) may be represented in multiple pantheons. Here we offer a
Special Traits: Ageless, Flight, Regeneration, Unstoppable typical god of the sea as an example of an Old God.
Complications: None
Damage: Holy sword (13)
The Bestiary
Not all of the servants of Order are corrupt. A few Karabim Not everything the players might meet has an agenda.
have escaped the madness of dogma and still nurture the There are plenty of dangerous fauna they might run
principles of harmony, collectively calling it Justice. Some into, or make into a unique pet! Below is a fair selection
manage to hide in the realms of Heaven; others have joined of creatures for use in most situations. Useful though it
the Paynimry They still respect the purity of the soul over is, the list is certainly not complete. In play, there will
blind obedience to Order. These angels appear clad in white be creatures that you want characteristics for that arent
hooded robes and polished armour, their wings of white supplied, so feel free to make up your own using these
feathers shining with a bright holy light. They, too, wield great as a guideline. For the beasts of this section, Mental
broadswords, which shine like mirrors in the sun. Karabim Competence is used to define perception and cunning,
tend to be weaker than their dogmatic brethren on average. and not education or sentient intellect. Animals generally
That said, Karabim are still vastly powerful and dangerous. dont have Social Competence.

The Old Gods The competences listed here are for a fully grown example
Physical: 12 Initiative: 11 of each species. For a creatures combat ability, use their
Mental: 15 Health: 20 Physical Competence, and apply the damage from their
Social: 12 Quintessence: 60 attack noted in the table as usual. For tasks using tracking or
Armour Value: 10 (fluid body) perception, use their Mental Competence. You can reduce
Special Traits: Entropy 6, Ageless, Fluid, Protean, the competences for younger versions of each creature.
Regeneration, Summon (fish), Thaumaturgy (aetheric bolt, Some more unusual varieties of creature are also described
aetheric inferno, botheration, cure, ectoplasmic bonds, heal), below.Some creatures can be taught to do tricks, such as
Unstoppable coming when called, playing dead or fetching items. For
Complications: None each 4 points of Mental Competence, an animal can learn
Damage: Trident (14) 1 trick; however, training them takes time and effort. Pets
that can do tricks can be bought as an Asset in character
The Old Gods are archons that shaped the world before creation.
the agents of Order dominated it. Some are angels that

309
 VICTORIANA

Natural Beasts
Beast Initiative Physical Mental Health Armour Damage (Dice)
Ape 4 10 3 6 2 Brawl (5)
Bear 4 10 3 8 4 Brawl (6)
Cattle 3 8 2 4 2 Charge (4)
Deer 4 6 5 4 0 Gore (3), Bite (2)
Dog, hunting 5 5 8 4 0 Bite (3)
Dog, tosher 5 5 8 4 0 Bite (3)
Frendal lizard 7 4 12 4 2 Bite (2)
Hawk 8 3 10 4 0 Rake (2)
Horse 3 7 2 4 2 Kick (5)
Marsh troll 5 10 5 8 4 Brawl (6), Spew acid (4)
Monkey 4 2 8 3 0 Brawl (2)
Oceanic serpent 6 14 4 19 8 Bite (14), Tail lash (12)
Rat swarm 4 6 5 5 0 Flurry of tiny rodent bites (3)
Rattus rex 6 7 8 5 0 Bite (4)
Unicorn 5 7 6 5 0 Impale (5), Kick (5)
Wolf 4 6 5 5 1 Bite (4)
Bite (10), Claws (9),
Wyvern 8 12 8 10 3
Tail Stinger (6 + poison)

Frendal Lizard
Frendal lizards are native to China, and have been exported
all over the globe as pets and messenger beasts. They are
small serpentine reptiles, with a pair of functioning wings
and four legs, each with a highly manipulative claw.
Frendal lizards have long snouts full of needle like teeth
and large expressive eyes. They are highly sought after as
pets for the upper classes.

Frendal lizards can breathe fire, but this is actually

indigestion; however, the little puffs of multicoloured
flame are entertaining to most. Frendal lizards are highly
intelligent and easily trained.

Marsh Troll
Marsh trolls are huge, deformed humanoid creatures
with rough, diseased, flabby green hides, hairy shoulders
and arms, and long claws. They dwell in marshes and
fens throughout Europe and usually make their dens
underground in the soft, watery peat of the marsh. Marsh
trolls are nocturnal and carnivorous, and on average stand
10 feet tall.

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 book V

Although of a vaguely humanoid form, trolls are not So most people understandably hold a grudge against the
believed to be intelligent. They have a keen sense of smell little rodents, one fuelled by the recent dangers of cholera
and the ability to regenerate (as the creature Quality). contagion. A swarm of rats as determined here consists of
However, damage done by fire does not regenerate in this between 15-30 individual rodents.
manner. A trolls favourite hunting tactic is to lie in wait
buried in the peat, until its prey is above it and then to fly Rattus rex
up from below, clawing and retching digestive acid. The Rattus rex are huge rats, about the size of a large bulldog.
acid does an additional 8 damage to unprotected areas. These giant rats are actually native to South America but,
several years ago, a group of them escaped from London
Oceanic Serpent Zoo. They fled down into the sewers, so now England has
Sea serpents are colossal marine reptiles. They are its own breed of giant, semi-intelligent rat.
carnivorous, are usually found far from shore, and
occasionally attack ships. The sea serpent can attack ships in Unicorn
two ways: it can lurch onto a ships deck and attack sailors The unicorn is a rare and mystical cloven-hoofed beast with
directly, or larger serpents can even wrap around a ship a horse-like body and head, and a long, rather leonine tail.
and crush it into driftwood. The characteristics given are A single spiral horn springs from the centre of the forehead.
for a serpent around 50 ft long and 6 ft thick at the broadest. Unicorns are always a beautiful pure white in colour.
Popular legend describes unicorns as beautiful and graceful
Rat Swarm creatures that are the embodiment of love and innocence.
Rats are one of the oldest occupants of Europe and,
wherever there is a city, there will be rats. The major races Sadly, this image is badly misinformed. For scholarly
of Europe were almost wiped out by disease carried by rats adventurers, a successful Lore skill roll imparts knowledge
in the bubonic plague outbreak of the 16th century. of the unicorns diet. Unicorns are carnivorous. They
appear in forests throughout Europe, where they prey on
unwary folk by luring them to a secluded spot and goring
them before feeding. No-one is sure where the rumour
that a pure virginal girl can ride a unicorn comes from. It
is possible that such purity and innocence has power over
these nasty creatures; however, a maiden would have to be
pure, innocent and pretty stupid to test the theory.

Wyvern
Wyverns are believed to be the animal remnants of the
dragon races that so occupy European mythology. They
have two legs, two wings, no forelimbs and a serpentine
body that ends with a long tail with a venomous sting.
Treat the tail sting as stonefish venom, with Potency 8. The
tail is highly prehensile and can reach around the wyvern
to the front or sides to hit an enemy. These beasts are huge:
a typical male specimen is around 13-14 yards long in total,
but with a torso length of only 3 yards. Wyverns are not
specific to any terrain type, but wild specimens are rare
in Western Europe. There, they are usually only found in
racing or cavalry stables, where such domesticated beasts
usually have their stingers clipped.

Wyverns are carnivorous; in the wild, they often attack

things as large as boats, and a hungry wyvern has carried
people off the deck on occasion. Many nations have tamed
the beasts enough to use as aerial cavalry.

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 VICTORIANA

~ A fterword ~
Once more unto the breach!

When I eagerly accepted the Victoriana Line Developers position back in March 2011, I never thought that within a year
wed be preparing the Third Edition. Its sometimes hard to believe that Victoriana is already a decade old. Still, the
dwindling stock of Second Edition offered an opportunity to get down to brass tacks and re-evaluate the basic elements
of the game. After six years of rules development, playtesting, and actual play with the Second Edition, we wanted to
incorporate our experiences into a new rules set. While most of the rules contained in the Third Edition are unchanged or
mere tweaks or clarifications, there are four main areas where we took a bit more liberty.

The first area is the war between Entropy and Order. We wanted to bring this struggle more to the fore and thus created
the Celestial Engine. Now adventurers can not only choose whether to ally themselves with freedom and magic or faith
and industry, but they have a new tool to directly aid their efforts. Weve looked at several monsters and celestial beings
through this lens as well in order to tighten their place in this universe.

The second area is the Encyclopaedia Victoriana. We wanted to create a cohesive alternate historical world that incorporated
all of the interesting Victoriana-isms of the previous editions but also enabled Gamesmasters to more easily incorporate
historical research into their campaigns. Thus the Crimean War, while still going badly for the Allies, is moved back to
its historical date, while the Tsarina still rules Russia and Quebec has broken with Canada. In short, weve designed a
cohesive alternate world while ensuring that all of the published Second Edition supplements and adventures could be
seamlessly integrated.

The third area is magic. We changed the nomenclature to give magic a more Victorian flavour, but we also went a bit
deeper than that. Extensive playtesting proved that spell-casting was very expensive and difficult; in many cases the cost
simply wasnt worth the risk. We scrutinised the magic rules in both editions and tweaked the system to incorporate the
best bits of both.

Finally, the fourth area is steam. The earlier editions of Victoriana teased steampunk elements that werent fully realised
until the supplements, most notably Faulkners Millinery and Miscellanea and Marvels of Science and Steampunk. With
Third Edition, we wanted to bring the steam to the core rulebook. While the previous two supplements still contain many
more options, this book is all you need to create steam-flavoured adventurers.

In the end, we strove to bring you the definitive Victoriana, one that was built over the course of a decade. Have no fear;
this is Victoriana as it has always been. Eldren aristocrats ride magically-lit carriages in their evening dress while Dwarven
engineers drive their steam velocipedes over the cobblestoned streets. Vampires lurk in the shadows while wyvern riders
circle aerostats in the sky. It is a world of adventure, and Im thrilled to be part of its continuing development.

Walt Ciechanowski
Victoriana Line Developer, January 2013

312
Name Build

Association Hair/Eyes

Nationality Childhood Experience

Age/Gender Vocation

Class/Subspecies Personality
Notoriety Propriety

Ethics Campaign

Attributes

Strength Dexterity Fortitude Presence Wits Resolve

Derived Attributes
Sneak Run Swim Leap Jump

Health Initiative Quintessence Movement

Common Skills
Act (Presence) [ ] Concentration (Resolve) [ ] Fisticuffs (Dexterity) [ ] Might (Strength) [ ]
Athletics (Dexterity) [ ] Dance* (Dexterity) [ ] General Knowledge (Wits) [ ] Perception (Wits) [ ]
Blunt Weapons (Dexterity) [ ] Dodge (Dexterity) [ ] Haggling* (Presence) [ ] Streetwise* (Presence) [ ]
Bull (Presence) [ ] Empathy (Presence) [ ] Hide & Sneak (Dexterity) [ ] Swordplay (Dexterity) [ ]
Charm (Presence) [ ] Etiquette* (Wits) [ ] Improvised Weapon (Dexterity) [ ] Throwing (Dexterity) [ ]
Conceal (Wits) [ ] Firearms (Dexterity) [ ] Intimidate (Presence) [ ] *social class modifier usually applies

Celestial Engine
Specialities Harmony Special Abilities
_____________________ _____________________
_____________________ 1 1
_____________________
_____________________ _____________________
2 2
_____________________ _____________________
ENTROPY

ORDER

_____________________ 3 3 _____________________
_____________________ _____________________
Fate Pool
_____________________ 4 4 _____________________
_____________________ 5 5
_____________________
_____________________ 6 _____________________
_____________________ _____________________
Lost

Health Dice

-2 -4 -8 -16
 Talents Magic & Marvels
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________

Assets Personal Effects

___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________

Privileges Complications
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________

Weapons Armour
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________

Quintessence Dice
 B Chimney Sweep 81

~ I ndex ~ Background
(Custom) Backgrounds
71
73
China
Church School
55
81
(The) Ball Room 272 Clairvoyance 206
A (The) Bar Room 271 Clairvoyant Abilities 206
Abyssinian Empire 58 Barrow Boy/Girl 80 Class Modifiers 100
Actions 165 Beastfolk 86 (The) Classical Pantheon 35
(Free) Actions 165 (Natural) Beasts 310 Clergyman 74
(Multiple) Actions 165 Beat 170 Clerk 74, 84
Adding Health and Quintessence Dice 195 Beggar 73 Clockwork Complications 253
Adding new Talents, Privileges, and Assets 195 Being an Adventurer 11 (Attaching a) Clockwork Limb 249
(Scripting an) Adventure 262 (The) Bestiary 309 (Operating a) Clockwork Limb 249
Adventurer Creation Steps 68 (The) Big Fight! 269 Clockwork Limbs 249
(Female) Adventurers 72 Big Game Hunting 256 Clothing 41, 140
Adventures by Association 255 Black Dice and Pool Modifiers 161 (The) Cobblestone Club 69
Adventuress 73 (Ronaldo Esteban Gomez) Blanco 21 Cogs & Wheels: The Prime Mover 160
(The) Aerostat 274 Boarding School 81 (Gaining and Removing) Cogs 190
Aether for the Masses 19 Bodyguard 73 Coins and their relative values 139
Afternoon Tea 41 Bolshevists? 258 (The Republic of) Columbia 65
Afterword 312 Book I 16 Comancheria 63
Aiming 172 Book II 68 Combat 164
Alienist 73 Book III 160 (Movement in) Combat 165
Aluminat 29 Book IV 200 Combat Basics 165
Ammunition 147 Book V 255 (Ranged) Combat Complications 171
Amorous Ring of Companionship 236 Bounty Hunter 74 Competence Ratings 280
(An) Analytical Engine: Bringing Order to (The Empire of) Brazil 65 (Subspecies and) Competences 281
Entropy 25 Breeding 82 Complications 127
(The) Anglo-Saxon Pantheon 34 Bright Blades 236 (Artificial Replacements and) Complications 132
Apprentice: Arts 80 Brunel to Build Channel Tunnel 20 (Languages of) Conjuration 217
Apprentice: Industrial 80 (The State of) Buenos Aires 66 (Petty) Conjuring 215
Apprentice: Textiles 80 Build Packages 83, 84, 85 Contacts 138
Archons 305 Build Points 113 Conquering the Oceans 20
(Sir Richard) Arkwright 16 Businessman 74 Costermonger 74
Armed Conflict 255 Buying off Complications 195 Countess Lyonesses Diary 16, 36, 63, 64, 66
Armour 148, 167 Bystanders, Deus ex machina, and the Forces (The) Country 290
Army Officer 73 of Law & Order 277 Country Squire 83
Artist/Artisan 73 (Dive for) Cover 168
Ashanti Empire 58 C (Static) Cover 169
Asphyxiation & Drowning 183 Cabby/Coachman 74 Creating your own fight sets 276
Assets 123 Called Shots 167 Creature Complications 295
Association 68 Calling Cards 41 Creature Qualities 293
Atmosphere 259 Cape Colony 60 Creatures and Monsters 292
Attachments (Clockwork Limbs) 253 Casualty of War 145 Criminals Most Foul 256
(Area Effect) Attacks 174 (The) Celestial Engine 134, 188, 259 Cross-Breeding 93
(Melee) Attacks 166 (Using the) Celestial Engine 189 Cunning Man/Woman 74
(Ranged) Attacks 166 (The) Celtic Pantheon 34 Cutpurse 74
Attribute Levels 95 (Create) Challenges 263
(Subspecies) Attribute Modifiers Table 96 Character Sheet 152, 313 D
(Beginning) Attribute Scores 96 Character Sheet Summary 150 (Kingdom of) Dahomey 59
Attributes 94 Charge 171 Damage 166
(Derived) Attributes 97 (Common) Chase Dice Pools 177 (Bruise) Damage 174
(Raising) Attributes 193 Chase Scene Distance Table 177 Damage and Injury 174
Australia 57 Chases and Driving 176 Damage Penalties 174
(The) Austrian Empire 51 Childhood Experience 79 Damaging Objects 168

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 VICTORIANA

(The) Dark Continent 58 Etiquette & Fashion 40 H

(Charles) Darwin 18 Europe 43 (Elaine) Hahn 28
Death and Dying 175 Experience 193 Harrier Squadron Strikes another Blow for
Death & Back Again - Recovery 176 Experience Point Costs 194 Freedom 60
(Sir Arthur) Dee 18 Exploration 258 (The) Havering Household 69
Defensive Actions 168 Explorer 75 Healing the Effects of Disease and Poisons 186
Demolitionist 74 Explosives and Thrown Weapons 148 Health 97
(Fulfilling or Breaking a) Demonic Contract 225 Heartstones for Other Traditions 218
Demonic Contract Negotiation 225 F Heresy Engine Basics 160
Demonic Corruption 226 (The) Faces of Sapiency 86 Hermetic Language 211
Demonic Invocations 227 Factory Worker 75 Hermetic Operations 211
Demonic Possession 225 Falling 183 High Society 285
Demonology 224 (The) Famiglie Anziane Strike Again! 51 Highwayman 76
(Summoning) Demons 224 (in a) Fantastical World of Sorcery & Steam 10 History 260
Detective 74 Farm Hand 81 (Optional Rule:) Hitting at Random 168
Dexterity 95 (Gaining) Fate in Play 187 Horn of the Hunt 236
(Typical) Dice Pools 163 (Gaining) Fate Points 186 Hospital Expenses 185
(A) Different World 262 Fate Pool & Scripting Dice 134, 186 Huldufolk 90
(Eyeballing) Difficulty Ratings 162 Father of the Industrial Revolution 16 Humans 91
Difficulty Thresholds for Range, by Weapon 172 (Hiram) Findley 20
Dilettante 84 Finishing Touches 135 I
Disarm 171 (Aiden) Finnegan 22 Illness 182
(The) Distorted Looking Glass of History 11 Firearms 144 Illness Table 182
Dockhand 75 (Unusual) Firearms 147 India 55
(The) Docks 273 Fireman 75 Industrialist 85
(All-out) Dodge 168 Followers of the Word 32 Industry 262
Dramatic Systems 178 Footpad 75 Initiative 97, 164
Drink 42 (Thomas) Fordham 26 Intangible Benefits 189
(Alternative) Drinking Rules 179 Fortitude 95 Introduction 9
Drinking Table 180 Foul Failure 162 Investigation 258
Drugs 42 France 47 Ireland 46
Drummer Boy 81 Free-Form Purchases 86 (The) Italian States 52
Dutch East Indies 57 (The) Frontier 291 Itinerant Entertainer 76
Dwarfs 88 Futhark/Futhorc 223 Itinerant Peddler 76
(The) Dying Embers 18
G J
E Gambler 75 Japan 56
Egypt 58 Gambling 43 Journal of Captain Marion Leeds 22
Eldren 89 Gentry 84 Journalist 76
Electricity and Fire 178 (The) German Confederation 50
Empirical Thaumaturgy 210 (A) Glossary of Terms 13 K
Enchantments 217 Gnomes 90 (The) Kitchens 270
(Creating) Enchantments 216 (Set a) Goal 263
(The) Encyclopaedia Victoriana 16 Goeticism 208 L
(The) End of the Wyvern Age? 21 Goetic Abilities 209 (Analise) LaFayette 19
Engineer 75, 84 Goods and Services 139 Languages 101
(The) Engines of Industry 238 Gothic Fantasy 261 (The) Law 277
Enochian 222 Governor/Governess 75 Lawyer 76
Entertainment 140 Grappling and Entangling 169 Levantine Angels 31
Entertainments 266 Great Britain 43 (The) Leviathan 5
(The) Environment 178 Greece 53 (A) Life in Service 284
(Buying from the) Equipment List 248 (The) Growing Storm of Industry 28 Lifting, Throwing and Feats of Strength 184
(Miscellaneous) Equipment 141 Guild Associate 75 Lodgings and Dining 140
Espionage 257 Guild Hermeticist 84 (Ada) Lovelace 25

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(The) Low Countries 49 Necromantic Operations 232 Prosthetics Surgeon 77
Lower Class 40, 85 New Prime Movers 23 Prostitute 77
(A) Luddites Perspective on the Iron Horse 22 (The) New World 61 Prostitution 43
(Florence) Nightingale 27 (Learning New) Psychical Abilities 195
M Nocturnal Power 231 Public School 81
(Creating New) Magic and Marvels 198 Puffery and Slander 191
(Second Edition) Magic and Marvels 200 O
(Interruptions and Distractions while Observations on the Filth of the Thames 26 Q
Performing) Magic 204 Ogham 223 Quintessence 97
(Performing) Magic 203 Ogres 92 (Recovering) Quintessence 205
(The Forms of) Magic 202 One Guild or Several? 201
(The Rules of) Magic 203 One Size Fits All? 250 R
(The Elements of) Magical Practice 200 Ones Full Measure: Adventurer Creation 68 Race and Subspecies 87
Magnetism 205 Opposed Rolls 162 Race, Religion and Sex in Victoriana 12
Maintaining Tradition 68 Orcs 92 Rail Rat 82
(The) Maleficium 224 Order and Entropy, not Good and Evil 190 Railroad Conductor 77
(The Temptation of) Maleficium 110 Orderly 77 (Other Special) Ranged Manoeuvres 172
Many Archons, Two Forces 28 (The) Organisation of this Edition 13 Rate of Fire 172
(The) Marital Institution 41 (The) Orient 54 (The Rule of) Reasonableness 240
Marvels List 240 (On the) Origin of Sapiency 18 (Bruise) Recovery 184
(Purchasing New) Marvels 197 Ornithopter Pilot 77 (Long Term) Recovery 185
(Using) Marvels 239 (The) Ottoman Empire 54 Relics 236
Masks of Shadow 237 Oubliette Key 237 Religion 28
(A) Matter of Class 83 (The) Outsiders 94 Religion in Victoriana 259
Means of Communication 24 Repairing Machines 176
Medical Provisions 140 P Reputation 190
Medicine & Recovering 184 Pale Seers Stone 237 (Acquiring) Reputation 190
Melee Attacks 166 (The) Pale 36 (Avoiding Ones) Reputation 192
(Firing into) Melee 172 (The) Passing of Time 178 (Giving) Reputation More Flavour 193
(Special) Melee Combat Situations 169 Paynimry 33 (Losing) Reputation 192
(Other Special) Melee Manoeuvres 170 (The) Pea Souper 272 (Using) Reputation 191
(Kingdom of) Merina 60 (Regina) Pembrooke 23 Resolve 95
Metropolitan Police, Aetheric Branch 69 Permanent Injury 175 (The) Respectable Street 287
Mexico 64 Persia 54 Revolution 258
Middle Class 39, 84 Personal Tutor 81 Revolutionary 78
(The) Mirror of the Void 237 (Example) Personality Traits 137 River Pirate 78
Modifications (Clockwork Limbs) 250 Petty Conjurer 85 (A) Role-Playing Game of High Adventure... 9
Mob Kills Two Police Officers 23 Petty Conjuring 215 (Complementary) Rolls 163
Mobs 282 Physician 77 (Group) Rolls 163
(General Difficulty) Modifiers 167 Pick Pocket 81 (The) Rooftop Chase 269
(The) Monetary System 138 Poacher 77 (The) Rookery 288
Monsters 296 Pocket Gazetteer of the World 43 Rookery Rat 85
(Adjusting) Monsters and Creatures 296 Poisons & Drugs 179 (The) Rookery Warrens 273
(Sample) Monsters and Creatures 296 Poison & Drugs Table 180 Royal Geographical Society 70
(Richard) Morton 28 Policeman 77 Royal Steam Lancers 70
Movement Speeds 98 (The) Poor State of Medicine 27 Running the Game 255
Mudlark 81 (Nathaniel) Portence 24 Russia 53
Portugal 48
N Presence 95 S
Navvy 76 Presentation Balls 42 (A) Sack-full of Goodies 216
Necromancers and Clockwork Limbs 233 Privileges 119 Santa Anna Returns 65
Necromancy 230 Prize-fighter 77 (The) Scandinavian Confederation 49
Necromantic Corruption 231-232 Professional 85 Science and Sorcery in an Industrial Age 16
Necromantic Horrors 301 (The) Professors Revenge 5 Scrapman 78

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 VICTORIANA

Scripting Dice 187 Specialties 99, 105 Tosher 79

Seaman 78 Speech Stone 237 (The) Train 275
(The) Second Book of Order 30 (Learning New) Spells 196 Transportation 140
Second Great Exhibition Promises New Spirit Lens 237 (Excerpt from a) Treatise on the Himalayan
Marvels 25 (The Society for) Spiritual Repose 70 Expeditions 56
(The) Secret Society of the Telegraph 24 Spiritualism 207 Trials and Tribulations 255
(The) Selenium 70 Spiritualist Abilities 207 Tripping 171
(Typical) Sentences (Crime) 278 Spiritualist 78 (The) Tsarina 305
Serendipity 259 Spread 172
Servant 78, 85 Spread Attack 173 U
(Female) Servants 284 Spy 79 (The) Un-Associated 71
(Male) Servants 284 Stage Hand 82 (The) Undead 230
Shopkeeper 78 (The) Star Chamber 71 Undead Creature Templates 301
Sierra Leone and Liberia 59 Steam Driver 79 (The) United States of America 62
Sigil Activation 222 Steam Girl 82 Upper Class 38, 83
(Sample) Sigil Alphabets 222 Stolen Bodies Discovered at Cambridge 27 Urchin 82
Sigil Destruction 222 Story Arcs 266
Sigil Inscription 221 Striking to Stun 171 V
Sigil Magic 221 Strength 94 Vice 42
(Learning New) Sigils 196 (Five-Act) Structure 264 Villains 283
(Stacking) Sigils 222 (Three-Act) Structure 264 Vocations 72
(The) Six Pillars of the Word 33 Student 79 Volley Fire 173
Skills 98 Study and Practice 194
Skills Descriptions 101 (Automatic) Successes 162 W
(Alphabetical) Skills Listing 102 (Degrees of) Success 162 War Veterans Get New Limbs 26
(Common) Skills 99, 101 Subplots 265 Weapon Tables and Charts 154-158
(Group) Skills 99, 110 Subspecies Abilities Table 94 Weapon Ranges 171
(Inventing Your Own) Skills 113 (Adjusting the) Supporting Cast 285 (Drawing a) Weapon 166
(Magical) Skills 99, 109 (Identify the) Supporting Cast 264 Weapons 141
(Raising) Skills 193 (The) Supporting Cast 279, 284 Weapons, Commodities and Lifestyle 138
(Shuffling) Skills 99 (Designing) Supporting Characters 279 What is 2D? 160
Skills and Attributes 100 Suppressive Fire 173 What You Need to Play 12
Slapping a Cad in the Face 171 Surprise 164 Willowpin and Associates 71
Smuggler 78 (The) Swiss Confederation 51 Wits 95
(Why) Social Competence? 280 Woodsman 79
Social Divide 260 T Worker 86
Social Divide as a Benefit 261 Talents 113 Workhouse Poor 82
Socialite 78 Technologist or Engineer? 239 Working for a Living 125
Society 37 (The Republic of) Texas 62 Wound Penalties 166
Soldier 78 Thief 79 Wyvern Rider 79
Sons of David 31 Throwing 173
Sorcery and Steam 200 Time and Actions 165 Z
Spain 47 Tools 141 (Sultanate of) Zanzibar 60

318