Mountebank (FiD)

Starfox's Blades in the Dark fan page

The Mountebank is a master of deception, a charismatic trickster who uses guile and sleight of hand to manipulate others. Whether selling snake oil or engaging in diplomacy, the Mountebank thrives on the art of the con. Some make a somewhat honest living as entertainers, but this is rarely sufficient, so most at least have a sideline as tricksters. They are equally at home in bustling marketplaces and royal courts, using charm, misdirection, and deception to pull off grand schemes.

Touchstones

An adaptation of the Slide. A charisma-focused rogue. Princess Katherine from "Flesh and Blood" (1985).

Contents

Special Abilities

• Cosmopolite: You know all the common languages of the setting and can improvise communication in languages you don't know. Gain increased effect on Resolve actions when speaking to someone in their own language other than Common. If an account of languages is desired, you know Common, your racial language, and a number of additional languages equal to the sum of your ratings in Consort, Study, and Sway.
• Fame: During downtime, you get +1d when you reduce heat or improve your crew's status with other factions. At the end of each downtime phase, you earn +2 stash.
• Inception: When you Sway someone into action, you can cause them to think it was their own idea. You can always tell when someone is trying to deceive you, but not how.
• Libertine: You never roll less than 2d when indulging in vice. You may choose which dice result to use to reduce Stress. For example, if you roll a 2 and a 5, you can choose to reduce your Stress by either 2 or 5. Your crew also benefits from this when they indulge with you and can use your vice based on their own attributes, with a minimum of 2 dice.
• Rabble Rouser: By performing or acting before an appreciative audience, you can recruit a temporary gang of cohorts (p. 96) appropriate to the situation. These cohorts have no edges and one flaw and stay with you for the duration of the score or until you use this ability again.
• Star: Gain additional effect when you perform for an audience. You gain an additional XP trigger: Perform for an appreciative audience with scale based on tier (p. 221). If your crew helped you, also mark crew XP. Gain +2 stash during payoff if you did this during a score. You are proficient in all types of performance. If detailed descriptions are desired, select a number of performing arts equal to the sum of your action ratings in Consort, Finesse, and Sway.
• Subterfuge: You may expend your special armor to resist a consequence from suspicion or persuasion, or to push yourself in social interactions.
• Tete-a-tete: Push a Resolve action to do one of the following: attract everyone's attention, get a scene alone with someone, learn a secret, or escape a location.

Sly Friends

˄ ˅ Bryl, a fixer.

˄ ˅ Batzo, a mercenary captain.

˄ ˅ Klyra, a tavern owner.

˄ ˅ Nyryx, a prostitute.

˄ ˅ Harker, a jailbird.

Inventory

☐ Cover Identity.

☐ Fine Disguised Weapon.

☐, ☐, ☐ Fine Bottle of Wine.

◯ Fine Clothes [☐ if carried].

☐ Fine Disguise Kit.

◯ Fine Loaded Dice, Trick Cards.

• Cover Identity ☐:

 An advanced disguise, personalized outfit, paperwork, planted stories and rumors, and false relationships sufficient to establish a false identity. +2d to maintain this identity. Takes at least an hour to don, so it is usually worn at the start of a score.

• Fine Disguised Weapon ☐: A weapon that does not appear to be a weapon except under close scrutiny. Examples include cane swords, fighting fans, hairpin daggers, daggers concealed in holy symbols, belt buckles, shoes, and emblems of rank, or palm pistols. Sashes, belts, or clock chains made to be used as whips or garottes.
• Fine Bottle of Wine ☐: A rare vintage from your personal collection, potent both in its alcohol content and its ability to impress. Desirable to most people and tends to loosen tongues.
• Fine Clothes ◯: An outfit that increases your apparent living standard by +2. If you're carrying this item as a second outfit to change into, it is ☐.
• Fine Disguise Kit ☐: A theatrical make-up kit equipped with an impressive array of expert appliances to fool the eye. The fine quality of this kit may increase the effect when playing a role or relying on beauty.
• Fine Loaded Dice, Trick Cards ◯: Gambling accouterments subtly altered to favor particular outcomes. Adds effect, making wins larger.

XP

• Every time you roll a desperate action, mark XP in that action's attribute.

At the end of each session, for each item below, mark 1 XP (in your playbook or an attribute) or 2 XP if that item occurred multiple times:

• You addressed a challenge with deception or influence.
• You expressed your beliefs, drives, heritage, or background.
• You struggled with issues from your vice or traumas during the session.

Starting Actions

Consort 1

Sway 2

4 points by choice, no higher than 2 in any one.