Scout
Scout
Some are assassins or pickpockets, some trackers or hunters; some are artful saboteurs, or skilled in siege engines and battlefield traps. But scouts all have one thing in common: lacking either powerful magic or great might, they must rely on their talents and their wits to survive.
Most scouting skills align with two main paths: scoundrels skilled in stealth and deceit, masters of the hidden blade and the broken lock; or rangers more at home in the wilderness than the cities, friend to beasts and caretakers of the forests. Many scouts, of course, dabble with both paths.
Advice for Scout Characters
Ranger or Scoundrel skill is essential, of course – if not both – and most learn at least a couple of the skills branching off these two, below. Any scout will tend to eschew noisy heavy armour, so Body Development is invaluable. Resist Poison is useful for beastmasters risking venomed bites or for thieves fearing treachery alike, while Iron Body can aid in escape.
Assassins may dabble in Alchemy for brewing their own poisons, while thieves will benefit from Evaluate to determine which treasures are worth stealing. One of the greatest assets of any scout is surprise – most scouts will take at least some skills their enemies don’t expect, especially magic.
Scout Skills
Scoundrel
| Skill Name | Points Cost | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|
| Treacherous Blow | 5 | Scoundrel |
| Dirty Fighting | 6 | Treacherous Blow |
| Killing Blow | 12 | Treacherous Blow |
| Knockout Blow | 10 | Treacherous Blow |
| Poisoned Blow | 8 | Treacherous Blow |
| Device Proficiency | 5 | Scoundrel |
| Wardbreaker | 8 | Device Proficiency |
| Subterfuge | 8 | Scoundrel |
| Chameleon | 6 | Scoundrel |
| Move in Cover | 10 | Scoundrel |
Ranger
| Skill Name | Points Cost | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|
| Beast Empathy | 6 | Ranger |
| Beast Command | 8 | Beast Empathy |
| Tracking Proficiency | 5 | Ranger |
| Trapper | 6 | Ranger |
| Chameleon | 6 | Ranger |
| Move in Cover | 10 | Ranger |
Projectile Weapons
| Skill Name | Points Cost | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|
| Siege Weapons | 4 | Projectile Weapons |
| Siege Engineer | 6 | Siege Weapons |
Resistencies
| Skill Name | Points Cost | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|
| Immune to Body Effect | 6 | Iron Body |
| Immune to Disease | 4 | Resist Disease |
| Immune to Poison | 5 | Resist Poison |
Note: Maximum of 3 immunities
Light Armour
| Skill Name | Points Cost | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|
| Medium Armour | 2 | Light Armour |
Scout Study Paths
Much of the study available to scouts is grounded in training in the various skills listed above, and in further improvements in those skills; but characters may find scope for researching different or exceptional applications of those skills.
Study paths include the following:
- Stealth
- Treachery
- Traps and Locks
- Beasts
- Tracking
- Trapper
Stealth
Whether thieves in cities or rangers roving the wilderness, subtle movement is the keyword of the whole scout archetype. Scouts can train to use Chameleon and Move in Cover more often, to travel further under cover or to retain concealment when breaking cover. With research, they can extend this subtlety to a supernatural degree, concealing themselves even to magical detection; the true masters of this discipline are said to be able to become shadows, or assume the forms of plants or trees.
Treachery
As deadly as it is unexpected, the rogueish skill of the sudden blade or cosh (per Treacherous Blow and its specialisms) can be trained to work more often, to make more efficient use of blade venoms, or to bypass even magical defences. Research can unlock different applications of Dirty Fighting to confuse, blind, distract or paralyse opponents.
True masters boast of being able to steal life from their victims, or to kill even creatures that elude death.
Traps and Locks
Although often overlooked, cracking locks, breaking traps and sabotaging mechanisms can too often be the difference between success and failure. Scouts devoted to this path train to use Device Proficiency more often or more swiftly, or to overcome exotic or unfamiliar devices. The mysteries of the Wardbreaker skill take this into the realms of mysticism, bypassing all manner of wards and opening mystical portals.
The greatest claim to be able to steal across the border between worlds.
Beasts
Many Rangers are the siblings of all wild things, using Beast Empathy and Beast Command to control simple animals. Aside from training to use these skills more often, some can learn to speak the tongues of beasts, or to summon them from the wilderness to serve them. Some, it is whispered, even learn to assume bestial traits themselves, growing claws or thicker hides – perhaps even to transform into beasts altogether.
Tracking
Beyond the Tracking Proficiency skill is the potential for further knowledge: to follow even older tracks or gain greater insights into their targets, or to make their prey in their souls so they can follow them even where there are no tracks. Some trackers are said to gain a mystical insight into their environment, communing with the spirits of nature to learn about the movements of others.
Trapper
Whether they set traps to snare animals for meat or hides, or seek to litter battlefields with hazards, trappers are skilled in setting the world against their foes. With research, Trappers can improve on existing designs, or design new traps – they cannot duplicate the intricate mechanisms of a mechanician, but with some care they can even incorporate flasks of poison gas or trigger magical charms.
Example Scout Characters
Assassin
Dragging themselves up from the streets in a major city, the assassin became a murderer for hire. They pay only lip service to the faction they travel with – those who can afford their services know how to reach them. They have the skills they need to close in on their prey and strike when least expected, for the most deadly effect.
Skills: Chameleon (6), Light Armour (2), Scoundrel (5), Treacherous Blow (6), 1 unspent point
Description: No make-up; dark, close-fitting clothes including light leather armour and a cloak, and a short sword and several daggers worn about the body.
Ranger
Born of a tribe of self-appointed guardians of the wilderness, the ranger is a skilled hunter and tracker, able to slip into the trees and disappear. While their duty – and their devotion – is to the forest of their birth, they’re travelling with the warband for a time to see more of the world.
Skills: Chameleon (6), Light Armour (2), Projectile Weapons (6), Ranger (5), 1 unspent point
Description: Pointed ears and a stripe of greenish-white across the eyes; rugged clothing including leather armour and a cloak in greens and browns, with a bow and a quiver of arrows and a light axe.
Treasure Hunter
Sent to study history at a college from a young age, the treasure hunter abandoned their studies to work in the field. Ruined temples, fallen castles, dusty tombs – all these are the stock in trade for the treasure hunter, who is a master of locks, traps and unexpected dangers.
Skills: Device Proficiency (5), Resist Poison (5), Scholar (5), Scoundrel (5)
Description: Fine red stripes across the temples and cheeks; rugged travelling clothes, with a coil of rope and digging tools.