Fantasy Ancestries

By Megan Tolentino
 CYPHER SYSTEM: FANTASY ANCESTRIES

CREDITS
Lead Writer/Designer: Megan Tolentino

Additional Writing, Design, & Editing: Aser Tolentino

Matthew Goldrich
Michael Goldrich

Art by: Hugo Alvern (http://bit.ly/2gu0EnO), Dean

Spencer, JE Shields, Fat Goblin Games, Henriette
Boldt, Shaman’s Stockart, Luigi Castellani, and
Robert Lukeman.

Copyright: ©2017 by Peculiar Books LLC. All rights reserved.

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or used in any manner whatsoever without the express
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Special Thanks to Landan Smith and Nyssa Mackinnon

PB-CS-003

This product was created under license. CYPHER SYSTEM and its logo, and CYPHER SYSTEM CREATOR and its
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 Introduction

Introduction Final Note

Flavors are a great rule option introduced in Cy-
pher System to customize characters in unique,
interesting ways that would otherwise be unavail-
able based on their types, descriptors and foci.
Fantasy Ancestries adapts this system by offering
new flavors based on common (and not-so-
common) fantasy heritages.
For more information about Flavors, see pages 50-
51 of the Cypher System Rulebook. Many of the
abilities referenced in this supplement are found
in the core supplement as well, and it is required
to use these Flavors.
Universal Character Rules
Origins: To further customize your character, a
new rule, origins, gives an additional level of
depth to your backstory and abilities. You may
take one origin for free at character creation - ei-
ther one specific to your character’s ancestry or a
more general origin related to your character’s
past.
Please keep in mind that all the abilities for these
heritages and origins are up to the discretion of the
GM.
Table of Contents
Celestial Heritage……………………….page 2
Draconic Heritage………………………page 4
Dwarven Heritage..………….………..page 7
Elven Heritage..………………………...page 10
Fiendish Heritage……….………………page 13
Gnomish Heritage………………………page 16
Halfling Heritage..……………………..page 18
Human Heritage..……………………….page 22
Orcish Heritage…………………..…….page 24
Examples……………………………………page 27
General Origins……….…………………page 27

Heritage Inabilities: Throughout this book you

will find inabilities specific to each of the heritag-
es. At character creation, if you select a heritage
inability you may select an additional origin or
first tier ability that is available to your character.
Note that a character may only select one heritage
origin, even if an inability is taken.

Characters of Mixed Ancestry: If you want to

play a character of mixed ancestry like a half-elf
or half-orc, select the Human Ancestry Flavor
(page 22) and select the Mixed Heritage origin.

Starting Languages: Each character can read and

write their Ancestry language, the common lan-
guage, and a number of additional languages equal
to their Intellect edge.

Abilities marked with ◊ are from the CSR and can

be found there.

1
FANTASY
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Celestial Heritage
There are powers and beings greater than those
mortal masses who walk the world, and sometimes
those who watch over those mortals pass along
something of themselves. The resulting celestially
descended beings possess abilities beyond the scope
of ordinary people. Some bearing these powers are
ascendant beings themselves who seek to rise above
their mortal station, while latents are less aware of
their potential, and the fallen twist their abilities to
vile ends. At first glance, those touched with celes-
tial ancestry draw attention for their ethereal beau-
ty. Look again at their graceful limbs and proud
2
faces however, and you'll notice that people's eyes
shift nervously in the presence of what most take
to be angelic beings and the air around them seems
to shimmer with the aura of their as yet unrealized
power.
Celestial Origins
You may take one origin for free. You may also
choose from the general origins located on page 27.
• Ascendant: You feel the celestial blessing flow-
ing through you. Add 2 points to a pool of your
choice. Enabler.
• Fallen: You see your divine powers as a curse,
and seek to twist them. You have an asset to
deception, persuasion, and intimidation skills.
Enabler.
• Latent: Your celestial ancestry is distant
enough not to be remembered. At the begin-
ning of each day, choose one skill. You are
trained in that skill for the rest of that day. En-
abler.
Celestial Inabilities
You may take one inability at Tier 1 and gain one
additional Tier 1 Celestial ability or origin.
• Eye-catching: Your appearance or demeanor
stand out from the crowd. You have an inabil-
ity to disguise yourself, blend-in, or sneak. En-
abler.
• Gullible: You want to see the best in people,
even when they just want something from you.
You have an inability for detecting lies or de-
termining someone’s motives. Enabler.
• Honest: You are unwilling to tell a lie. You
have an inability for any task that involves de-
ception. Enabler.

First-Tier Celestial Abilities
• Halo (2 Intellect Points): When you concen-
trate you can create an aura of light around
your head that illuminates a short distance for
ten minutes. Action to Initiate.
• Linguist: You are trained in two additional lan-
guages. You can take this ability more than
once. Enabler.
 Control the Field (Tier 1 Warrior)
 Encouragement (Tier 1 Speaker)
 Hedge Magic (Tier 1 Adept)
 Interaction Skills (Tier 1 Skills and Knowledge)
 Knowledge Skills (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Magic Training (Tier 1 Adept)
Second-Tier Celestial Abilities
• Celestial Companion: You have a small com-
panion that is level 1 and doesn’t leave your im-
mediate area. You gain an asset in positive so-
cial rolls outside of combat. If your companion
is killed it takes you 1 day to summon a new
one. Enabler.
• Celestial Skin: Your skin has taken on a metal-
lic sheen that repels attacks. You have +1 armor
to any physical attack. Enabler.
 Babel (Tier 2 Speaker)
 Block (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Enable Others (Tier 2 Explorer)
 Hover (Tier 2 Adept)
 Onslaught (Tier 1 Adept)
 Understanding (Tier 1 Speaker)
 Ward (Tier 1 Adept)
Celestial Heritage
Third-Tier Celestial Abilities
• Blinding Aura (3 Intellect Points): Your bright
aura causes you to disappear in a brilliant flash
of light. For one round, any creature attempting
to attack you is blinded. You must take a recov-
ery roll before using this action again. Action to
Initiate.
• Celestial Defender: Your Celestial Companion
stands by your side in combat and provides an
asset to defend against non-physical attack, in-
cluding those that normally bypass armor. Re-
quires the Celestial Companion ability. Enabler.
 Cutting Light (Tier 2 Adept)
 Eye for Detail (Tier 2 Explorer)
 Flash (Tier 2 Adept)
 Impart Ideal (Tier 2 Speaker)
 Repair Flesh (Tier 2 Magic)
 Reveal (Tier 2 Adept)
 Speed Recovery (Tier 2 Speaker)
 Think Your Way Out (Tier 3 Explorer)
Fourth-Tier Celestial Abilities
• Celestial Aid: Your Celestial companion stands
by you in combat and is an asset for any attack
roll. Requires the Celestial Companion ability.
Enabler.
• Celestial Echoes (4+ Intellect Points): You may
ask spirits of the recently deceased 3 questions
about events in the immediate area from the
past day. You may see further into the past by
spending 1 Intellect point per day you reach
back. The GM determines the difficulty of the
question you are asking. Action to Initiate.
 Accelerate (Tier 3 Speaker)
 Countermeasures (Tier 3 Adept)
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FANTASY
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 Feint (Tier 4 Warrior)
 Oratory (Tier 3 Speaker)
 Preternatural Senses (Tier 4 Stealth)
Fifth-Tier Celestial Abilities
• Celestial Scout: Your Celestial companion can
travel a long distance from you to gain infor-
mation, returning after 10 minutes. You can
experience what your companion has seen and
heard as if you were there. Requires the Celestial
Companion ability. Action to Initiate.
• Wings (5 Intellect Points): Once a day you can
manifest wings that allow you to move a long
distance in the time it would normally take to
move an immediate distance for one hour. This
also allows you to avoid negative movement
modifiers associated with the terrain, as you
simply fly over them. Action to Initiate.
 Read the Signs (Tier 4 Explorer)
 Stimulate (Tier 5 Speaker)
4
 Suggestion (Tier 4 Speaker)
 Take Command (Tier 5 Explorer)
Sixth-Tier Celestial Abilities
• Divine Inspiration (6+ Intellect Points): Your
conviction and inspiring words lead your allies
to reach deep within themselves. For the next
minute, an ally within close range is specialized
in a skill of your choice. If they are already spe-
cialized in that skill, they gain an asset to that
skill instead. You may spend one additional In-
tellect point for each additional ally you wish to
affect. Action to Initiate.
• Shooting Stars (6 Intellect Points): You sum-
mon a shower of meteors from the heavens.
This attack may target up to five enemies with-
in long range. Make an Intellect attack. On a
hit, cause 6 points of damage that ignores ar-
mor. On a miss, targets take 2 points of damage
from the blast. Action.
 Absorb energy (Tier 5 Adept)
 Battle Management (Tier 6 Speaker)
 Font of Inspiration (Tier 5 Speaker)
 Inspiring Success (Tier 6 Speaker)
Draconic Heritage
Those that can trace their ancestry back to a dra-
conic being count the fact as a mixed blessing.
Gifted with exceptional strength and the ability to
strike at foes with a powerful breath weapon, they
are nonetheless faced with suspicion and distrust
owing to their connection to some of the most
feared magical creatures in the world. Draconic ad-
venturers derive much of their identity, appear-
ance, and the nature of their power from the aspect
of their ancestor: elemental, corrosive or electric.
 Draconic Heritage
Those with Draconic heritage vary in appearance one additional Tier 1 Draconic ability or origin.
almost as much as they do in disposition. While • Breathing Room: You are well-respected, but
some are sturdily built with figures that would some of that is due to your ancestor’s danger-
look appropriate for one of their primordial preda- ous reputation. People tend to keep their dis-
tory ancestors, others are tall and lean as though tance. You have an inability in all pleasant so-
adapted for flight. Some in fact, possess wings cial interactions. Enabler.
while others look almost human, with only the
telltale scaly skin to give away their other-worldly • Limited Reach: You have an intimidating pres-
origins. ence on the battlefield, but can’t be everywhere
at once. You have an inability in any move-
ment related tasks. Enabler.
Draconic Origins • Moths to a Flame: No matter how much you
You may take one origin for free. You may also try to hide your ancestry seems to draw atten-
choose from the general origins located on page 27. tion. You have an inability to disguise yourself,
blend in, or sneak. Enabler.
• Corrosive (1 Intellect Point): Your draconic
heritage is from the fetid swamps, sweltering
jungles, or ruined mines outside civilized lands.
You have an affinity with either acid or
poison type damage. You have an acid or
poison breath weapon attack that deals 4
points of Might damage to one enemy in
short range. Action.
• Elemental (1 Intellect Point): Your dracon-
ic heritage is from the far north, the desert,
or the mountains. You have an affinity for
cold or fire. You have a cold or fire breath
weapon attack that deals 4 points of Speed
damage to one enemy in short range. Ac-
tion.
• Storm (1 Intellect Point): Your draconic
heritage is of mythic storms that change
the lands they pass over. You have an af-
finity with lightning and thunder. You
have a lightning or sonic breath weapon
attack that deals 4 points of Intellect dam-
age to one enemy in short range. Action.

Draconic Inabilities
You may take one inability at Tier 1 and gain

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First-Tier Draconic Abilities
• Adaptation (Tier 2 Adept). You are only able
to adapt to the environment associated with
your selected draconic origin.
• Claws: Your fingers end in sharp claws. They
are considered a medium weapon. Enabler.
 Bash (Tier 1 Warrior)
 Goad (Tier 1 Stealth)
 Muscles of Iron (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Practiced in Armor (Tier 1 Warrior)
 Terrifying Presence (Tier 1 Speaker)
 Thrust (Tier 1 Warrior)
 Trained Without Armor (Tier 1 Warrior)
Second-Tier Draconic Abilities
• Dragon Hide: Your skin is covered in dragon
scales. You have +1 armor to any physical at-
tack. Enabler.
• Energy Protection (Tier 3 Adept). You are only
able to resist energy associated with your se-
lected draconic origins.
 Aggression (Tier 1 Speaker)
 Chop (Tier 2 Warrior)
 Crush (Tier 2 Warrior)
 Enable Others (Tier 2 Explorer)
 Mighty Blow (Tier 2 Warrior)
Third-Tier Draconic Abilities
• Frenzy: When impaired you gain a +3 to your
weapon damage. Enabler.
• Improved Breath Weapon (3 Intellect Points):
You can use your breath weapon to attack all
creatures in immediate range. It does 4 points
6
of damage, and uses the energy associated with
your selected draconic origin. Action.
 Accelerate (Tier 3 Speaker)
 Experienced with Armor (Tier 3 Warrior)
 Fury (Tier 3 Warrior)
 Targeting Eye (Tier 3 Adept)
Fourth-Tier Draconic Abilities
• Amorphous Breath: Choose an additional dam-
age type for your breath weapon from fire,
cold, poison, acid, sonic, and electricity. You
can choose which type of damage your breath
weapon does, but it can only do one at a time.
You can take this ability more than once, se-
lecting a different damage type each time. Ena-
bler.
• Breath Shroud (2 Intellect Points): You can en-
shroud your melee weapon with the energy as-
sociated with your draconic heritage. You deal
+3 damage with your next attack with that
weapon, and all of the damage is of your select-
ed draconic origin. Action.
 Confounding Banter (Tier 4 Speaker)
 Debilitating Strike (Tier 4 Stealth)
 Opening Gambit (Tier 4 Warrior)
Fifth-Tier Draconic Abilities
• Explosive Breath Weapon (3 Intellect Points):
You can form your breath weapon into an orb
and detonate it within short distance, doing 4
points of damage in an immediate distance to
all creatures in the area. Action.
• Wings (5 Intellect Points): Once a day you can
manifest wings that allow you to move a long
distance in the time it would normally take to
move an immediate distance for one hour. This

also allows you to avoid negative movement
modifiers associated with the terrain, as you
simply fly over them. Action to Initiate.
 Capable Warrior (Tier 4 Warrior)
 Flee (Tier 5 Speaker)
 Momentum (Tier 4 Warrior)
 Take Command (Tier 5 Explorer)
Sixth-Tier Draconic Abilities
• Blended Breath: If you have taken Amorphous
Breath, you can deal all types of damage you
have in a single attack, for two additional
points of damage. If the target is susceptible to
any type of damage inflicted, their armor does
not apply to any of the damage. Enabler.
• Greater Breath Weapon (6 Intellect Points):
You can use your breath weapon to attack all
creatures in short range. It does 6 points of
damage, ignoring armor, and uses the energy
associated with your selected draconic origin.
Draconic Heritage
This replaces Improved Breath Weapon; you
can replace it with a different third tier ability.
Action.
• Viscous Breath: Your breath weapon attack lin-
gers for a round, dealing an additional 4 points
of damage to those damaged by it in the previ-
ous round. Enabler.
 Battle Management (Tier 6 Speaker)
 Finishing Blow (Tier 6 Warrior)
Foul Aura (Tier 5 Speaker)
Mastery with Armor (Tier 5 Warrior)
Slayer (Tier 6 Warrior)
Dwarven Heritage
The Dwarves count themselves among the oldest
and wisest peoples of the world’s nations. Skilled
craftsmen and warriors, they have excavated under
the land, building vast underground metropolises
and commanding mountain bastions. Skilled with
heavy shields and armor, they make formidable
warriors who can stand against the most relentless
assault. While usually shorter and stockier than
many other peoples, Dwarven stubbornness and
determination makes them fierce foes. Dwarves
typically settle in the mountains or hills, but some-
times elect to wander the world far from home.
Dwarven Origins
You may take one origin for free. You may also
choose from the general origins located on page 27.
• Hill Dwarf: You are more resilient then your
cousins. You have an additional Might edge.
Enabler.
• Mountain Dwarf: You have spent much of
your life in mines and caverns. You gain an
7
FANTASY
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asset to survival, navigation, and perception

rolls when underground. Enabler.
• Nomadic Dwarf: You’ve travelled extensively,
foregoing an exclusively subterranean life. You
gain +2 to your Intellect pool. Enabler.

Dwarven Inabilities
You may take one inability at Tier 1 and gain one
additional Tier 1 Dwarven ability or origin.
• Abrasive. You are gruff and don’t much care
what others think. You have an inability to all
pleasant social interactions. Enabler.
• Light Blind: Your eyes are not accustomed to
bright light due to a life underground in the
darkness. You have an inability to perception
rolls when in daylight. Enabler.
• Stout: You are strong, but not quick. Any ac-
tion that involves quick motion is taken one
level at your detriment. Enabler.

the dark then most. You are specialized in low-

First-Tier Dwarf Abilities
• Dwarven Crafting: You are trained in two of
the following: alchemy, appraisal, blacksmith,
brewing, lapidary, masonry, or goldsmith. If
you are already trained in one of these skills,
then you are specialized. Enabler.
• Holds a Grudge: Choose a type of creature,
such as dragon, giant, goblin, or orc. You hold
an enmity for this creature’s entire species. An-
ytime you fight a creature of this type, you
have an asset to attack rolls and deal +1 damage.
You can take this ability multiple times, each
time choosing a new type of foe. You have an
inability in positive social interactions with any
member of this species. Enabler.
• Night Vision: You have better perception in
light spotting (See page 204 of the CSR). Enabler.
 Bash (Tier 1 Warrior)
 Endurance (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Opportunist (Tier 1 Stealth)
 Practiced in Armor (Tier 1 Warrior)
 Thrust (Tier 1 Warrior)
 Tinker (Tier 1 Technology)
Second-Tier Dwarf Abilities
• Dwarven Resilience: Dwarves are tougher than
stone. You have an asset to Might defense. Ena-
bler.
• Lore Master: You’ve long studied the extensive
records of your people’s lore keepers on Dwarven

8

history. You gain an asset on knowledge
checks pertaining to Dwarven history or the
enemies of the Dwarven peoples. You should
determine beforehand with your GM who
these enemies are. Enabler.
• Mountaineer: You get a thrill from scaling
mountains. You gain an asset to climbing and
crossing narrow or slippery terrain. Enabler.
 Closed Mind (Tier 1 Magic)
 Crush (Tier 2 Warrior)
 Mighty Blow (Tier 2 Warrior)
 Surging Confidence (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Tool Mastery (Technology Tier 2)
Third-Tier Dwarf Abilities
• Flexible Grudge (3 Intellect Point): Designate
1 combatant you are fighting as the focus of
your grudge. You have an asset to attack that
combatant for the remainder of this encoun-
ter. You can use this ability again after your
10 hour recovery. This does not stack with the
Holds a Grudge ability. Action.
• Shield Arm: If you stand shoulder to shoulder
with an ally while you both are holding
shields, you each receive an asset to Speed de-
fense and +1 armor. Your ally needs not have
this ability for you both to gain the bonuses.
Enabler.
 Countermeasures (Tier 3 Adept)
 Inner Defense (Tier 3 Stealth)
Dwarven Heritage
 Quick Recovery (Tier 2 Explorer)
 Resilience (Tier 3 Explorer)
 Wreck (Tier 2 Explorer)
Fourth-Tier Dwarf Abilities
• Ground Breaker (4+ Might Points): You slam
your weapon into the ground, sending a wave
of force through the earth. Make a melee attack
roll. All other characters, including allies, in
immediate range who are hit by the attack fall
prone and must spend their next action getting
up. For each additional Might point spent, you
may designate one target as being dazed for one
round, regardless of success. Action.
• Stone Arm (3 Might Points): You call on the
power of the earth as you strike out with a me-
lee weapon, ignoring all armor on a successful
attack. If your target is not wearing armor,
they take 3 additional points of damage. Ac-
tion.
 Energy Protection (Tier 3 Adept)
 Experienced with Armor (Tier 3 Explorer)
 Ignore the Pain (Tier 3 Explorer)
 Seize Opportunity (Tier 3 Stealth)
 Stone Breaker (Tier 3 Explorer)
Fifth-Tier Dwarf Abilities
• Ancestral Aid (5 Intellect Points): You tempo-
rarily call on the shades of your ancestors to
join you in battle, allowing you to make a sin-
gle attack with a melee weapon against up to
four enemies in immediate range. You can
spend an additional two levels of effort to ex-
tend this to short range. Action.
• Greedy (5 Intellect Points): Any time you use a
cypher you may roll to get one more use out of
9
FANTASY
ANCESTRIES
it. The difficulty of this task is the level of the
cypher. The difficulty increases by 1 step each
time you use this ability in the same day. Ena-
bler.
 Debilitating Strike (Tier 4 Stealth)
 Fury (Tier 4 Combat)
 Jury-Rig (Tier 5 Technology)
 Vigilant (Tier 5 Explorer)
Sixth-Tier Dwarf Abilities
• Rocks Fall (6+ Intellect Points): You know just
where to strike the earth to cause to a hail of
stone to fall or burst, pummeling your foes.
You specify a target within long range of where
you stand and make an attack roll. All targets
within short range of that point take 6 points of
10
damage. You can increase this damage by
spending levels of effort. On a miss, you still
deal 2 points of damage as shrapnel strikes
them. Action.
• Sunder (5 Might Points): Your expertise in
combat and stonework allows you to spot weak-
ness in all manufactured materials. You can
break through any non-magical barrier with a
single attack with a melee weapon against the
level of the material. Action.
 Battle Management (Tier 6 Speaker)
 Mastery with Armor (Tier 6 Explorer)
 Take Command (Tier 5 Explorer)
Elven Heritage
With a storied past stretching back before the
reach of recorded history, the Elven peoples pos-
sess a powerful tradition of magic and explora-
tion. Elven adventurers have trekked across the
known world, charting the unknown and find-
ing homes in distant and alien lands. With an
almost supernatural level of speed and grace, the
average elf is many times swifter and more agile
than most humans.
Elves are typically tall and lithe with pointed
ears. There is of course no such thing as a com-
mon elf, as elves have diverged over the centu-
ries into distinct high, wood, and night castes
that live in cities, wilderness and in subterrane-
an depths respectively.
Elven Weapons typically include longbows,
short bows, longswords, rapiers, and any other
weapons specified by your GM.
If you are interested in playing a half-elf, use
the Human Ancestry Flavor and select the
Mixed Heritage origin (page 22).

Elven Origins
You may take one origin for free. You may also
choose from the general origins located on page 27.
• High Elf: You have a sharp mind. Add 1 to
your Intellect edge. Enabler.
• Night Elf: You have better perception in the
dark then most. You have an asset to low-light
spotting (See page 204). Enabler.
• Wood Elf: While in the wilderness you have
an asset to sneak, navigation, and survival. En-
abler.
Elven Heritage
Elven Inabilities
You may take one inability at Tier 1 and gain one
additional Tier 1 Elven ability or origin.
• Arrogant: Elves long natural lifespans span-
ning centuries or even millennia and some de-
mand respect from those who are shorter-lived.
You have an inability in pleasant social interac-
tions with non-elves. Enabler.
• Fragile: Your body does not handle stress well.
You have an inability to all Might defense
rolls. Enabler.
• Graceful: You are quick, but not strong. You
have an inability in rolls that involve lifting,
pulling, or breaking objects. Enabler.
First-Tier Elf Abilities
• Keen Senses: You are trained
in two of the following: percep-
tion, scrutiny, appraisal, low-
light spotting, and survival. If
you are already trained in a se-
lected skill, you become special-
ized. Enabler.
• Trained with Elven Weap-
ons: You have learned to use the
traditional Elven arms, including longbows,
short bows, longswords, and rapiers. You are
trained in the use of all Elven weapons. If you
are already trained in any of these weapons, you
become specialized instead. Enabler.
 Danger Sense (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Fleet of Foot (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Interaction Skills (Tier 1 Speaker)
 Pierce (Tier 1 Warrior)
 Quick Draw (Tier 1 Warrior)
11
FANTASY
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Second-Tier Elf Abilities Fourth-Tier Elf Abilities
• Elven Defense: When fighting with an Elven • Spell Mastery: Your long lifespan has given
weapon, you have an asset to Speed defense you time to master the magical arts. When us-
while in combat. Enabler. ing a magical ability (as agreed upon by you
and your GM), your Intellect edge is consid-
• Harmonized with the Land: When in the wil-
ered to be one higher. Enabler.
derness, you can take one additional recovery
roll that takes one action each day. Enabler.  Expert (Tier 4 Explorer)
• Linguist: You are trained in two additional lan-  Run and Fight (Tier 3 Explorer)
guages you are not already trained in. Enabler.  Runner (Tier 4 Explorer)
 Enthrall (Tier 1 Speaker)  Snipe (Tier 4 Warrior)
 Far Step (Tier 1 Adept)  Targeting Eye (Tier 3 Adept)
 Magic Training (Tier 1 Adept)
 Range Increase (Tier 2 Explorer)
Fifth-Tier Elf Abilities
 Successive Attack (Tier 2 Warrior)
• Commune with Nature (5 Intellect Points):
 Understanding (Tier 1 Speaker) While using the Eye for Detail ability (Tier 2
Explorer) in the wilderness, you may ask up to
3 questions instead of 1.
Third-Tier Elf Abilities
• Ages of Experience: You’ve been alive long
enough to have had the time to read and study
from sources that would fill several libraries.
You have an asset to all research and
knowledge rolls. Enabler.
• Elven Eyes (3 Speed Points): When you miss
an attack with a ranged Elven weapon you may
re-roll the attack, keeping the second result
even if it is worse. Enabler.
 Adaptation (Tier 2 Adept)
 Deadly Aim (Tier 3 Warrior)
 Enable Others (Tier 2 Explorer)
 Evanesce (Tier 3 Stealth)
 Eye for Detail (Tier 2 Explorer)
 Trick Shot (Tier 3 Warrior)

12

• Lore Keeper (5+ Intellect Points): You automat-
ically succeed on any knowledge roll of difficul-
ty 6 or lower that you have training in. You can
spend levels of effort to decrease the difficulty
of the task before using this ability. Action.
 Jump Attack (Tier 5 Explorer)
 Read the Signs (Tier 4 Speaker)
 True Senses (Tier 5 Adept)
Sixth-Tier Elf Abilities
• Specialized in Elven Weapons: You have borne
Elven Weaponry for most of your life. You
gain a +3 to damage when using an Elven weap-
on. If you roll a 1 while attacking with an Elven
weapon you do not incur a GM Intrusion, the
attack simply fails. Enabler.
• Swift Attack (8 Speed Points): You are a force
of nature, your hands moving faster than the
mind can process. You make a single attack roll
against up to five targets you can see and that
are in range of your weapon. Any target whose
defense is less than your attack roll is hit. Any
effort or abilities that cause more damage that
are applied to this roll are applied to all targets
you hit. Action.
 Again and Again (Tier 6 Explorer)
 Physically Gifted (Tier 5 Explorer)
 Teleportation (Tier 5 Adept)
 Wild Vitality (Tier 6 Explorer)
Fiendish Heritage
There are malevolent beings beyond the mortal
realm that watch the comings and goings of ordi-
nary people and take joy in offering them tempta-
tion and suffering. Sometimes they leave more of
Elven Heritage
themselves behind than pain and anguish. Those
descended from fiends are beguiling, sinewy or
shadowy, taking on the physical aspects of their
ancestor that instilled dread in the hearts of men.
Fiendish Origins
You may take one origin for free. You may also
choose from the general origins located on page
27.
• Beguiling: You have a silver tongue that
makes it easy to convince others to listen to
you. You have an asset to persuasion, decep-
tion, and sense motive. Enabler.
• Thewy: You are huge. You have a +2 to your
Might pool. Enabler.
• Shadow: You move quick and silently. You
have an additional Speed edge. Enabler.
Fiendish Inabilities
You may take one inability at Tier 1 and gain one
additional Tier 1 Fiendish ability or origin.
• Ungainly: Your obvious fiendish traits are
disproportionate compared to the rest of your
humanoid body. You are clumsy and have an
inability to any tasks that involve balancing
or grace. Enabler.
• Unique Appearance: Your fiendish blood
makes you memorable. You have an inability
to disguise checks and deception checks about
who you are. Enabler.
• Untrustworthy: The people you meet don’t
tend to want to be around you. You have an
inability in pleasant social interactions. Ena-
bler.
13
FANTASY
ANCESTRIES Halfling

First-Tier Fiendish Abilities your opponent, dealing an additional 4 points of

damage if successful. Enabler.
• Barbed: Some of your ancestry includes demons
of the spikier variety. Anyone who grabs or • Thick Skinned: Your skin is scaled like that of a
makes an unarmed attack against you takes 2 demon. You have +1 armor against any physical
points of Might damage. Enabler. attack. Enabler.
• Claws: Your fingers end in sharp claws. They  Hover (Tier 2 Adept)
are considered a medium weapon. As part of a  Opportunist (Tier 1 Stealth)
successful standard melee attack you can also
 Successive Attack (Tier 2 Warrior)
attempt to claw your opponent, dealing an addi-
tional 4 points of damage if successful. Enabler.  Surging Confidence (Tier 1 Explorer)
• Tail: You have a tail that can grasp and hold
objects. It can be used as an additional
hand. It cannot hold heavy items or wield a
weapon. Enabler.
 Aggression (Tier 1 Speaker)
 Bash (Tier 1 Warrior)
 Danger Sense (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Fleet of Foot (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Magic Training (Tier 1 Adept)
 Onslaught (Tier 1 Adept)
 Stealth Skills (Tier 1 Stealth)
 Terrifying Presence (Tier 1 Speaker)

Second-Tier Fiendish Abilities

• Demonic Companion: You have a small
companion that is level 1 and doesn’t leave
your immediate area. You gain an asset to
intimidating or deceptive social rolls out-
side of combat. If your companion is killed
it takes you 1 day to summon a new one.
Enabler.
• Horns: You have horns large enough to at-
tack another creature with. The horns are
medium weapons. As part of a successful
standard attack you can also attempt to gore

14

Third-Tier Fiendish Abilities
• Corrosive Blood: When you take damage from
a melee attack that causes you to bleed, your
attacker takes 2 points of Might damage as your
blood burns them. Enabler.
• Demonic Aid: Your Demonic companion
stands by you in combat and is an asset for any
attack roll. Requires the Demonic Companion
ability. Enabler.
• Frenzy: When impaired you gain +3 to your
melee weapon damage. Enabler.
 Adaptation (Tier 2 Adept)
 From the Shadows (Tier 3 Stealth)
 Fury (Tier 3 Warrior)
 Surprise Strike (Tier 2 Stealth)
Fiendish Heritage
 Telling (Tier 3 Speaker)
Fourth-Tier Fiendish Abilities
• Demonic Defender: Your Demonic Companion
stands by your side in combat, and provides an
asset in speed defense rolls. Requires the Demon-
ic Companion ability. Enabler.
• Demonic Fury (3+ Intellect Points): You can
shroud your body and melee weapon in flames
for one round. Anyone who tries to strike you
with a melee attack takes two points of damage,
and you deal an additional four points of fire
damage to your melee attacks. You can make
the effect last a number of additional rounds
equal to the additional Intellect points spent.
Action to initiate.
 Anticipate Attack (Tier 4 Speaker)
 Countermeasures (Tier 3 Adept)
 Inner Defense (Tier 3 Stealth)
 Momentum (Tier 4 Warrior)
 Seize the Moment (Tier 3 Warrior)
Fifth-Tier Fiendish Abilities
• Demonic Scout: Your Demonic Companion can
travel a long distance from you to gain infor-
mation. You can experience what your com-
panion has seen and heard as if you were there.
Requires the Demonic Companion ability. Action
to Initiate.
• Wings (5 Intellect Points): Once a day you can
manifest wings that allow you to move a long
distance in the time it would normally take to
move an immediate distance for one hour. This
also allows you to avoid negative movement
modifiers associated with the terrain, as you
simply fly over them. Action to Initiate.
15
FANTASY
ANCESTRIES
 Debilitating Strike (Tier 4 Stealth)
 Exile (Tier 4 Adept)
 Psychosis (Tier 4 Speaker)
 Slay (Tier 4 Adept)
 True Sense (Tier 5 Adept)
Sixth-Tier Fiendish Abilities
• Fiendish Assault (6 Intellect Points): You sum-
mon fiends to fight alongside you in combat for
a single round. Their swarming attack grants
you an asset to attack any creature within long
range, and deal an additional 4 points of damage
on a successful attack. On a miss, you still deal
4 points of damage as your horde attacks. Ac-
tion.
• Sow Discord (6 Intellect Points): Until the be-
ginning of your next turn, any enemy who
misses an attack automatically hits one of its
allies and deals an additional 2 points of dam-
age. Action to Initiate.
 Conjuration (Tier 5 Adept)
 Dust to Dust (Tier 5 Adept)
 Finishing Blow (Tier 6 Warrior)
 Flee (Tier 5 Speaker)
 Foul Aura (Tier 5 Speaker)
Gnomish Heritage
Few know the workings of the world better than
Gnomes. These inveterate inventors and scientists
are closely connected to nature and have a special
connection to machines, alchemy, and the physical
world. Whether as creators of new wonders, tinker-
ers who repair what has been broken, or travelers
who seek to learn more about the world around
16
them, Gnomes make their mark everywhere they
go. The Gnomish folk are known for the vibrant
and wildly varying skin and hair colors, as well as
their pointed ears and small stature.
Gnomish Origins
You may take one origin for free. You may also
choose from the general origins located on page 27.
• Creator: You love to build and innovate. You
gain +2 to your Intellect pool.
• Polyglot: You are very outgoing, chatting up
anyone willing to engage in conversation.
Within a few hours you can understand any
spoken language well enough to get the general
gist of what is being said or make yourself un-
derstood. You cannot pass as a native speaker.
• Tinkerer: You often fiddle with any new con-
traption you come across. You have an asset to
any repair, heal, or trap based tasks.
Gnomish Inabilities
You may take one inability at Tier 1 and gain one
additional Tier 1 Gnomish ability or origin.
• Chatty: Your tendency to overshare makes it
difficult for you to hide the truth. You have an
inability to deception skills.
• Flashy: Your bright and boisterous nature and
clothing make it hard to not be noticed. You
have an inability in stealth.
• Short-winded: Your smaller stature makes it
more difficult to traverse long distances. You
have an inability to running skills.
First-Tier Gnome Abilities
• Explorer: You yearn to learn more about the

world you live in. You are trained in two of the
following: climbing, geography, geology, iden-
tifying, or riding. Enabler.
• Friend to Animals: You are trained in all social
interactions with animals and healing skills
when applied to an animal. Enabler.
 Decipher (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Distortion (Tier 1 Adept)
 Hedge Magic (Tier 1 Adept)
 Knowledge Skills (Tier 1 Skills and
Knowledge)
 Tinker (Tier 1 Technology)
Gnomish Heritage
Second-Tier Gnome Abilities
• Animal Companion: You have a small com-
panion (such as an owl, fox, or lizard) that is
level 1 and won’t leave your immediate area. It
gives you an asset in positive social rolls out-
side of combat. If your companion is killed it
takes you 1 day to summon a new one. Enabler.
• Linguist: You are trained in two additional
languages. Enabler.
• Nature’s Ally: You spend most of your time
outside. You’re skilled in survival, tracking,
hunting, and foraging. Enabler.
• Optimist: Your cheerful and hopeful nature
helps you protect your mind. You are special-
ized in Intellect defense. Enabler.
 Entangling Force (Tier 2 Magic)
 Far Step (Tier 1 Adept)
 Scan (Tier 1 Adept)
 Tool Mastery (Tier 2 Technology)
Third-Tier Gnome Abilities
• Animal Defender: Your Animal Companion
stands by your side in combat, and provides an
asset in Speed defense rolls. Requires the Ani-
mal Companion ability. Enabler.
• Toxicologist: Your knowledge of poisons is ter-
rifying. You are trained in making, identifying,
and treating poisons. You have an asset when
rolling to resist being poisoned. Enabler.
 Eye for Detail (Tier 2 Explorer)
 Flash (Tier 2 Adept)
 Flex Skill (Tier 3 Skills and Knowledge)
 Get Away (Tier 2 Stealth)
17
FANTASY
ANCESTRIES
Fourth-Tier Gnome Abilities
• Animal Aid: Your Animal companion stands
by you in combat and is an asset for any attack
roll. Requires the Animal Companion ability. En-
abler.
• Pyromaniac (4+ Intellect Points): Your love of
tinkering and fire has lead you to make small
explosive bombs. These function as level 4 Det-
onation cyphers with the type fire (page 348 of
the CSR). If you spend 4 Intellect points you
can make two grenades in an hour. You can
spend a level of effort to halve this time. Ac-
tion.
 Improvise (Tier 4 Skills and Knowledge)
 Projection (Tier 4 Adept)
 Quick Wits (Tier 4 Speaker)
Fifth-Tier Gnome Abilities
• Animal Scout: Your Animal companion can
travel a long distance from you to gain infor-
mation, returning after 10 minutes. You can
experience what your companion has seen and
heard as if you were there. Requires the Animal
Companion ability. Action to Initiate.
• Gnomish Trapper (4 Intellect Points): You toss
out a handful of traps onto the battlefield with-
in a short distance, giving assets to your allies
when attacking the next three enemies who
move through the area. Action.
 Expert (Tier 4 Explorer)
 Feint (Tier 4 Warrior)
 Invisibility (Tier 4 Adept)
18
 Read the Signs (Tier 4 Speaker)
Sixth-Tier Gnome Abilities
• A Force of Nature (8 Intellect Points): You can
bring the force of nature itself to bear against
your foes. You may attack all creatures within
short range using natural forces, ranging from
inclement weather to a swarm of bees, as ap-
propriate. This attack deals 6 points of damage,
or 2 points of damage on a miss. Action.
• Destructive Interference (4+ Intellect Points):
You disrupt the magical forces underlying real-
ity, causing a catastrophic release of the energy
contained by your target’s magical items or cy-
phers. Roll an Intellect attack on one item car-
ried by an enemy with a difficulty equal to the
item’s level; on a success the item explodes,
dealing an amount of damage equal to the
item’s level. Spend levels of effort to affect ad-
ditional items. Action.
 Create (Tier 5 Adept)
 Jury Rig (Tier 5 Technology)
 True Sense (Tier 5 Adept)
 Wild Vitality (Tier 6 Explorer)
Halfling Heritage
There are few more friendly and open than the
Halflings. Armed with an indomitable optimism,
they are by and large a curious lot who are some-
times tempted away from their home fires by the
call of adventure. Halflings are among the shortest
peoples found in the world, and typically resemble
human children. While some Halflings are notori-
ous homebodies who take the comforts of their
hearthstones wherever they go, others take joy in
playing the wandering trickster or learning new
ways to challenge their own preconceptions.

Halfling Origins
You may take one origin for free. You may also
choose from the general origins located on page 27.
• Flexible: You have had to make a lot of com-
promises, rarely being the biggest person in the
room. You are a quick thinker and gain an ad-
ditional point in Intellect edge. Enabler.
• Homebody: A warm room with a cozy fire and
good food is the best place to be. You gain as-
sets to cooking, healing, and storytelling. Ena-
bler.
Halfling Heritage
• Trickster: Your frequent pranks have taught
you to always have an escape route. You gain
+2 to your Speed pool. Enabler.
Halfling Inabilities
You may take one inability at Tier 1 and gain one
additional Tier 1 Halfling ability or origin.
• Craven: You’re hesitant to immediately jump
into combat. You have an inability to initiative.
Enabler.
• Oblivious: You often get lost in the moment.
You have an inability to perception skills. Ena-
bler.
• Short-winded: Your smaller stature makes it
more difficult to traverse long distances. You
have an inability to running skills. Enabler.
First-Tier Halfling Abilities
• Acrobatic: You are trained in two of the follow-
ing skills: acrobatics, climbing, balancing,
sneaking, or pickpocketing. If you are already
trained, then you are specialized. Enabler.
• Friendly: Your jovial nature makes it easy for
you to gain the confidence of anyone you meet.
You are trained in all pleasant social interac-
tions. Enabler.
 Escape (Tier 2 Explorer)
 Fast Talk (Tier 1 Speaker)
 Goad (Tier 1 Stealth)
 Legerdemain (Tier 1 Stealth)
 Stealth Skills (Tier 1 Stealth)
 Swipe (Tier 1 Warrior)
 Thrust (Tier 1 Warrior)
19
FANTASY
ANCESTRIES
Second-Tier Halfling Abilities
• A Little Bit About Everything (2+ intellect
points): Years of stories around the fire have
given you a broad range of general knowledge.
You may ask the GM for one general fact rele-
vant to a current situation. Each further time
you use this ability in a day adds an additional
Intellect point to the cost. Action.
• Helping Hand (2+ Speed Points): You have
nimble hands, letting you perform some tasks
quicker than your bigger allies. You can per-
form a single, noncombat action involving a
small object in immediate range for free during
your turn. This action can be reloading an ally’s
crossbow or retrieving a cypher. You can spend
an additional Speed point for each additional
ally you assist. Action.
• Low Blow (2 Speed Points): You attack from
an unexpected angle, giving you an asset to the
attack and leaving the enemy prone if success-
ful. Your attack deals one less point of damage.
Action.
• Underfoot: You are trained in Speed defense. If
you are already trained you are specialized. En-
abler.
 Contortionist (Tier 2 Stealth)
 Enable Others (Tier 2 Explorer)
 Hand to Eye (Tier 2 Explorer)
 Investigative Skills (Tier 2 Explorer)
 Trained Without Armor (Tier 1 Warrior)
Third-Tier Halfling Abilities
• Jinx (4+ Intellect Points): You can curse a crea-
ture you can see within long range for 1 round.
This increases the difficulty of all its actions by
one level. Each additional level of effort you
20
spend increases the duration by one round. Ac-
tion.
• Quick Snack (3 Intellect Points): You whip up
a snack that can restore 3 points to a character’s
Speed or Might pool. Requires a difficulty 4
cooking test. Each additional snack increases
the difficulty of the cooking check by one step
until you’ve taken your 10 hour recovery. Ac-
tion.
• Small Target (3 Speed Points): If you fail a
speed defense roll while standing within imme-
diate range of another viable target, including
an ally, you can reroll. If you succeed, the blow
strikes the other target instead. Action.
 Eye for Detail (Tier 2 Explorer)
 Gambler (Tier 3 Stealth)
 Get Away (Tier 2 Stealth)
 Subterfuge (Tier 3 Stealth)
 Successive Attack (Tier 2 Warrior)
 Wrest from Chance (Tier 3 Explorer)
Fourth-Tier Halfling Abilities
• Befuddle (5 Intellect Points): You recite ran-
dom trivia, sing, or otherwise perform, holding
the attention of your audience like a siren’s
song. You make an Intellect roll against anyone
who can hear you within close range. Any tar-
get whose Intellect defense you roll above is
stunned for as long as you are speaking or until
they are attacked. The difficulty to attack any-
one successfully befuddled is decreased by one
step. Action.
• Lucky Break: You roll twice on all recovery
rolls, keeping the better result. You can spend 3
Intellect points to allow an ally to do the same.
Enabler.
 Halfling Heritage

 Ambusher (Tier 4 Stealth)

 Evanesce (Tier 3 Stealth)
 Oratory (Tier 3 Speaker)
 Reaction (Tier 3 Warrior)
 Run and Fight (Tier 3 Explorer)
 Seize the Moment (Tier 3 Warrior)
 Slice (Tier 3 Warrior)

Fifth-Tier Halfling Abilities

• Boundless Optimism: You are always your al-
lies’ biggest fan. The first time an ally attempts
to retry a non-combat action, they may do so
without expending effort and gain an asset to
the roll. Enabler.
• Small but Fierce: You gain an asset when at-
tacking creatures that are at least twice your
height. Added levels of effort for damage you
deal to such creatures adds five points of dam-
age instead of three. Enabler.
 Anticipate Attack (Tier 4 Speaker)
 Feint (Tier 4 Warrior)
 Minor to Major (Tier 4 Warrior) additional meal increases the difficulty of the
cooking check by one step and requires apply-
 Quick Wits (Tier 4 Speaker) ing a level of Effort until you’ve taken your 10
 Read the Signs (Tier 4 Explorer) hour recovery. Action.
 Tumbling Moves (Tier 4 Stealth) • Pipeweed Bomb (6 Intellect Points): You’ve
built small bombs using your beloved pipeweed
 Uncanny Luck (Tier 4 Stealth)
that dazzle your enemies. Your bomb deals 2
points of damage and stuns all creatures within
immediate range for two rounds, followed by
Sixth-Tier Halfling Abilities
being dazed for an additional round. Targets
• A Meal Fit for a Halfling (6+ Intellect Points): that are not hit by the attack roll are still dazed
With 10 minutes to prepare, you can turn even for three rounds. Action.
the meanest rations into a feast. This ability
 Slayer (Tier 6 Warrior)
creates a quick meal capable of restoring a char-
acter’s pool points once per day. Preparing the  Thief’s Luck (Tier 6 Stealth)
meal requires a difficulty 5 cooking roll. Each  Twist of Fate (Tier 6 Stealth)

21
FANTASY
ANCESTRIES
Human Heritage
Humans can be found almost everywhere. Their
specialization comes from their generalization,
equipped with the tools to deal with any situation.
By virtue of their flexible mindset and ability to
learn, humans can compete on a level playing field
with the elder peoples of the world. While not as
fast as an Elf or as strong as an Orc, a human can
nevertheless offer a few surprises of their own.
Human Origins
You may take one origin for free. You may also
choose from the general origins located on page 27.
• Courageous: You rush headlong into trouble to
save others. You have an additional might
edge. Enabler
• Friendly: It is easy for you to make friends and
put a smile on someone’s face. You have an
asset to persuasion, haggling, and disguise. Ena-
bler.
• Inquisitive: Curiosity may have killed the cat,
but you’re still looking. You have a +1 to your
Intellect pool and a +1 to your speed pool. Ena-
bler.
 Mixed Heritage: You are descended from both
humans and a different heritage. One of your
abilities at each tier may be from a second se-
lected heritage. Enabler.
Human Inabilities
You may take one inability at Tier 1 and gain one
additional Tier 1 Human ability or origin.
• Dense: Everyone always seems to get the drop
on you. Take an inability on initiative rolls.
Enabler.
• Know It All: Despite having been on this world
22
for a relatively short time compared to many
you meet, you are convinced you know more
than them. You have an inability in all social
interactions with non-humans. Enabler.
• Weakling: You’re a bit fragile compared to oth-
er adventurers. You have an inability to Might
defense. Enabler.
First-Tier Human Abilities
• Flexible Background: You have one extra edge,
you can choose whether to put it in Might,
Speed, or Intellect. You can only take this abil-
ity once. Enabler.
• Martial Family: You have been trained to join
the military from a young age. Choose one type
of attack you are trained in: light bashing, light
bladed, light ranged, medium bashing, medium
bladed, medium ranged, heavy bashing, heavy
bladed, or heavy ranged. Enabler.
 Danger Sense (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Decipher (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Interaction Skills (Tier 1 Speaker)
 Knowledge Skills (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Legerdemain (Tier 1 Stealth)
 Magic Training (Tier 1 Adept)
 Overwatch (Tier 1 Warrior)
 Quick Draw (Tier 1 Warrior)
 Physical Skills (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Premonition (Tier 1 Magic)
Second-Tier Human Abilities
• Flexible training: You have an additional +2 to
one of your pools. You can only take this abil-
ity once. Enabler.

• We are Legion (2 Intellect Points): If you spend
1 hour looking in a place where it would be rea-
sonable to find inhabitants, you find a human
friend-of-a-friend who will give you infor-
mation on local culture, customs, and the politi-
cal situation. Action.
 Encouragement (Tier 1 Speaker)
 Escape (Tier 2 Explorer)
 Impersonate (Tier 2 Stealth)
 Investigative Skills (Tier 2 Explorer)
 Reload (Tier 1 Warrior)
Human Heritage
 Surging Confidence (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Tool Mastery (Tier 2 Technology)
 Understanding (Tier 1 Speaker)
Third-Tier Human Abilities
You may take one additional ability at this tier.
 Hand to Eye (Tier 2 Explorer)
 Impart Ideal (Tier 2 Speaker)
 Improvise (Tier 3 Skills and Knowledge)
 Inner Defense (Tier 3 Stealth)
 Range Increase (Tier 2 Explorer)
 Reaction (Tier 3 Warrior)
 Seize the Moment (Tier 3 Warrior)
 Spray (Tier 3 Warrior)
Fourth-Tier Human Abilities
 Blend In (Tier 3 Speaker)
 Experienced Defender (Tier 4 Warrior)
 Grand Deception (Tier 3 Speaker)
 Outwit (Tier 4 Stealth)
 Run and Fight (Tier 3 Explorer)
 Seize Opportunity (Tier 3 Explorer)
Fifth-Tier Human Abilities
You may take one additional ability at this tier.
 Arc Spray (Tier 5 Warrior)
 Heightened Skills (Tier 4 Speaker)
 Minor to Major (Tier 4 Warrior)
 Quick Wits (Tier 4 Speaker)
 Wrest from Chance (Tier 3 Explorer)
23
FANTASY
ANCESTRIES
Sixth-Tier Human Abilities
 Exploit Advantage (Tier 6 Stealth)
 Improved Success (Tier 5 Warrior)
 Stimulate (Tier 6 Speaker)
 Take Command (Tier 5 Explorer)
 True Sense (Tier 5 Adept)
 Weapon and Body (Tier 6 Warrior)
Orcish Heritage
Among the most fearsome warriors in the world,
Orcs have become synonymous with aggression
and strength. Relying on brute force to carry the
day, some Orcs are nevertheless more cunning or
intelligent than some might assume. One thing
that most people can agree on, the safest place to be
when dealing with an Orc is usually behind them.
They tend towards muscular builds, and their men-
acing appearance often includes tusks. Orcs often
take the skills learned in their mountain homelands
to heart and apply them to their travels, while oth-
ers embrace their feral nature or tap into mystic
powers.
Orcish Origins
You may take one origin for free. You may also
choose from the general origins located on page 27.
• Feral: You have only had your own strength to
depend on. You gain +2 to your Might pool.
• Mountain: You grew up on the sides of tall,
steep mountains and feel at home outdoors.
You have an asset to climbing, running, and
survival in the wilderness.
• Mystic: You have studied with the shamans of
your community, learning secrets few others
know. You gain +1 Intellect edge.
24
Orcish Inabilities
You may take one inability at Tier 1 and gain one
additional Tier 1 Orcish ability or origin.
• Practical Learner: Learning has never come
easy to you. You have an inability to all
knowledge and lore tasks. Enabler.
• Thick-Skulled: Any time you take intellect
damage, you take one additional point of dam-
age. Enabler.
• Unnerving: Your appearance is unsettling for
those around you. You have an inability in all
pleasant social interactions. Enabler.
First-Tier Orc Abilities
• Intimidating Presence: You will not be cowed
by anyone. Given your size and intimidating
appearance, few people are likely to give it to
you. You are specialized in intimidation. Ena-
bler.
• Shadow Sight: You can see into the shadows.
You are trained in low-light spotting (See page
204). Enabler.
• Tusks: You have a mouth full of sharp teeth.
As part of a successful standard attack you can
also attempt to bite your opponent, dealing an
additional 2 points of damage if successful. En-
abler.
 Bash (Tier 1 Warrior)
 Endurance (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Goad (Tier 1 Stealth)
 Muscles of Iron (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Practiced in Armor (Tier 1 Warrior)
 Surging Confidence (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Thrust (Tier 1 Warrior)
 Trained Without Armor (Tier 1 Warrior)

Second-Tier Orc Abilities
• Bellow (2+ Might Points): You let out an earth-
shaking yell that dazes up to three foes in im-
mediate range for one round. You can spend
levels of effort to increase the number of ene-
mies effected by one per level of effort. Action.
• Bloodthirsty: If you make a successful melee
attack that does damage, you have an asset to
attack the same creature on your next turn. En-
abler.
• Improvised Weapon (2 Might Points): You can
grab a nearby object, such as a pot or chair, and
use it as a weapon. It is treated as a medium
weapon for the duration of the encounter. The
Orcish Heritage
item no longer is suitable for its original pur-
pose at the end of combat. Action.
• Thick Skinned: Your skin is too thick to
easily cut through. You have +1 armor to any
physical attack. Enabler.
 Bloodlust (Tier 2 Combat)
 Chop (Tier 2 Warrior)
 Crush (Tier 2 Warrior)
 Mighty Blow (Tier 2 Warrior)
 No Need for Weapons (Tier 1 Explorer)
 Opportunist (Tier 1 Stealth)
 Terrifying Presence (Tier 1 Speaker)
Third-Tier Orc Abilities
• Orcish Constitution: Your stomach seems
to be made of iron. You have an asset to
Might Defense to resist ill effects or condi-
tions from anything you have ingested. Ena-
bler.
• Predator’s Nose: You can smell your ene-
mies and even track using scent. You have an
asset to finding hidden enemies, following
trails, or detecting your foes. The ability works
within a long distance. Action.
 Experienced with Armor (Tier 3 Warrior)
 Fury (Tier 3 Warrior)
 Ignore the Pain (Tier 3 Explorer)
 Wreck (Tier 2 Explorer)
Fourth-Tier Orc Abilities
• Feat of Strength: On a successful roll for a
strength-based task spend 1 level of effort to
gain a minor effect. On a roll of 19, spend 1 level
of effort to gain a major effect. Enabler.
25
FANTASY
ANCESTRIES

• Ritual Scarring: You have tattooed, pierced, • Vanquisher: Your raw strength and prowess in
and/or ritually cut your skin. These markings battle are intimidating to behold. When you
bring you luck, such that you can reroll one roll defeat a foe in combat, you may roll an Intellect
each day and keep the better result. Enabler. attack against up to five enemies in close range
and line of sight to stun them for one round.
 Capable Warrior (Tier 4 Warrior)
On a failed attack, they are dazed for one round
 Momentum (Tier 4 Warrior) instead. Enabler.
 Stone Breaker (Tier 3 Explorer)  Finishing Blow (Tier 6 Warrior)
 Tough as Nails (Tier 4 Warrior)  Flee (Tier 5 Speaker)
 Improved Success (Tier 5 Warrior)
Fifth-Tier Orc Abilities  Mastery with Armor (Tier 5 Warrior)
• Faithful Guardian (4 Might Points): Once per  Slayer (Tier 6 Warrior)
round, when an enemy attacks an ally in imme-
diate range, you may place yourself in the path
of the attack, becoming the new target. If it
hits, you take the damage, but the attacker also
becomes dazed. You may take this action even
if you have acted on this turn. Action.
• Tenacious: If you become debilitated you may
immediately use your next recovery roll regard-
less of the length of time it should take. All
points must be split between your empty pools.
Enabler.
 Debilitating Strike (Tier 4 Stealth)
 Opening Gambit (Tier 4 Warrior)
 Physically Gifted (Tier 5 Explorer)
 Vigilant (Tier 5 Explorer)

Sixth-Tier Orc Abilities

• Lead by Example (6 Intellect Points): You take
the initiative and act first this turn, receiving
an asset to your attack and +3 to your damage
on a successful melee attack. Regardless of suc-
cess, all allies in close range and line of sight
gain an asset to attack actions this round. Ac-
tion.

26

Examples
Megan wants to play a Dwarven Cleric. She choos-
es to build a Resilient Dwarven Warrior who
Channels Divine Blessings named Kathra. She
chooses Mountain Dwarf as her free origin, and
gains assets to survival, navigation, and perception
when underground. She has four special abilities to
choose from, and can choose from wither First Tier
Warrior or First Tier Dwarven Heritage. Since
Kathra grew up in the mountains, Megan chooses
the Night Vision and Holds a Grudge abilities from
the Dwarf flavor and designates her foe as Drag-
ons. Kathra wields a Warhammer, so Megan picks
Bash and Practiced in Armor as her last two abilities.
Since she doesn’t have an edge in Intellect, she on-
ly speaks Dwarven and Common.
Aser decides to build a Half-Elf Wizard, choosing
an Intelligent Half-Elf Adept who Casts Spells
named Samuel. Half-Elf isn’t an existing heritage
flavor, but rather a combination of the Human and
Elf Heritage flavors. Aser picks human as his her-
itage flavor and takes the Mixed Heritage origin,
Examples
choosing Elf as the second heritage. This means at
each tier he can take 1 Elven Heritage ability in-
stead of 1 of his Human Heritage or Adept abili-
ties. At first tier he gives Samuel Onslaught, Ward,
and Shatter from Adept. He then chooses Flexible
Background from the Human Heritage flavor and
gains an additional Intellect edge. Since he has two
Intellect edge he chooses Elven and Gnomish as
Samuel’s languages, in addition to Common. Aser
then decides he really wants to give Samuel the
Interaction Skills ability from the Elf Heritage fla-
vor as well, so he chooses to take the Human ina-
bility Dense.
General Origins
Origins flesh out your character a little more, fill-
ing in the details of their life before setting out as
an adventurer.
You can take one origin for free at character crea-
tion, either a general origin from below or an an-
cestry-specific one. If you want to take a second
origin, you can take an inability from the charac-
ter’s ancestry or come up with a new inability with
your GM.
Professional Origins
• Academic: You are trained in three areas of
knowledge of your choice. Enabler.
• Alchemist: You are trained in chemistry, brew-
ing, and herbology. Enabler.
• Criminal: You are trained in sleight of hand,
stealth, and deception. Enabler.
• Faithful: You are trained in any knowledge
check for your own religion, orating, and sense
motive. Enabler.
• Farmer: You are trained in growing plants,
heavy labor, and animal handling. Enabler.
27
FANTASY
ANCESTRIES
• Guard: You are trained in perception, sense
motive, and running. Enabler.
• Guild: You are trained in bargaining, appraisal,
and persuasion. Enabler.
• Healer: You are trained in healing, herbology,
and diagnosis. Enabler.
• Hunter: You are trained in tracking, setting
traps, and survival. Enabler.
• Magic: You are trained in history, appraisal,
and knowledge of magic. Enabler.
• Performer: You are trained in three types of
performance of your choice. Enabler.
• Sailor: You are trained in balancing, rope use,
and swimming. Enabler.
• Smith: You are trained in metalworking, re-
pairing, and heavy labor. Enabler.
• Soldier: You are trained in survival, scroung-
ing, and tactics. Enabler.
Class Origins
• Commoner: You have an additional edge in
might. Enabler.
• Merchant: You have a contact in every city
willing to help you out with a small favor, as
determined by the GM. Enabler.
• Noble: You start the game with 500 extra gold
pieces (or equivalent) and a mount that you are
trained in riding. Enabler.
• Royal: You have an additional intellect edge.
Enabler.
Family Origins
• Orphan: You have learned to depend on only
yourself. You have +2 to your speed pool. Ena-
bler.
28
• Raised by Dwarves: You can speak Dwarven
and are practiced in heavy armor. Enabler.
• Raised by Elves: You can speak Elven and are
trained in medium ranged weaponry. Enabler.
• Raised by Gnomes: You can speak Gnomish
and are trained in repairing. Enabler.
• Raised by Halflings: You can speak additional
language of your choice and are trained in
stealth. Enabler.
• Raised by Humans: You can speak additional
language of your choice and are trained in one
additional skill. Enabler.
• Raised by Orcs: You can speak Orcish and are
trained in heavy melee weapons. Enabler.
Regional Origins
• Coastal: You grew up or lived near the sea. You
are trained in any knowledge check related to
that sea, swimming, and sailing. Enabler.
• Desert: You know all the tricks to surviving in
extreme heat and cold. You have an asset to
any roll to survive or acclimate to extreme tem-
peratures, and are trained in survival. Enabler.
• Forest: You’ve spent most of your life in the
forest. You are trained in navigating that for-
est, survival, and tracking. Enabler.
• Mountain: You’ve explored the mountains near
you extensively. You’re trained in climbing,
survival, and balancing. Enabler.
• Tundra: You know what cold really is. You
have an asset on any roll to survive or accli-
mate to extremely cold temperatures and are
trained in survival. Enabler.
• Urban: You were raised in one of the many cit-
ies on the continent. You are trained in navi-
gating cities, streetwise, and haggling. Enabler.
Ever wish the fact you were playing an Elven Explorer or a Dwarven Adept in the Cypher
System meant more for your character than a static bonus to one kind of roll and a few
extra skills? Now it can! Fantasy Ancestries provides players the ability to bring their
character’s heritage to the foreground by providing flavors to represent epic fantasy staples
including Elves, Dwarves, Gnomes, and Halflings.

This book includes nine ancestry flavors, complete with several original skills for each
level, and fantasy specific origin tables to liven up your setting.

Requires the Cypher System Rulebook by Monte Cook Games for play.

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