Mountebank (FiD)

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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 doing diplomacy, the Mountebank thrives on the art of the con. Some make a somewhat honest living as entertainers, but as this is not a good living, most at least have a sideline as tricksters. They are equally at home in both 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.

Agnes (Flesh and Blood 1985), Stanley Ipkiss / The Mask (The Mask 1994), Bret Maverick (Maverick 1994), Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl 2003).

Special Abilities

Cosmopolite

You know all the common languages of the setting and can improvise communication in languages you don't know. You do not suffer a penalty and gain improved Position on Resolve actions against foreigners or those of a lower tier. 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 and when Gathering Information, you get +1d on all Resolve actions.

Gracious

You can roll your Consort to recover Stress when indulging vice and pick which of the dice to use. You roll 3d, 2, 5, and 6. You have only used 3 stress, so you either pick the 2 or overindulge. Your crew gains this benefit when they indulge with you; they can use your vice and provider.

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.

Misdirect

When you Resist a Consequence that would focus attention on you, instead of negating the Consequence you can redirect it at someone else.

Rabble Rouser

By performing or orating before an appreciative audience, you can recruit a temporary gang of cohorts (p 96) appropriate to the situation. These cohorts stay with you for the duration of the score or until you use this ability again.

Scene Stealer

Push a Resolve action to do one of the following: Attract everyone's attention — get a scene alone with someone — escape a location.

Star

Gain increased Effect when you perform for an audience, including holding a speech. You know a number of performing arts equal to the sum of your ratings in Consort, Finesse, and Sway. You know all kinds of performance. If detail is desired, select a number of performing arts equal to the sum of your action ratings in Consort, Finesse, and Sway.

Additional Playbook

Select another playbook. You gain immediate access to its Inventory and XP conditions, but not base upgrades. From now on, you can choose its Special Abilities. You can take this special ability multiple times, each time selecting a new playbook. Prerequisite: To select a playbook, you need an action rating of one in each of its starting actions.

Sly Friends

˄ ˅ Bryl, a fixer.

˄ ˅ Batzo, a captain.

˄ ˅ Klyra, a tavern owner.

˄ ˅ Nyryx, a prostitute.

˄ ˅ Harker, a jail-bird.

Inventory

☐ Cover identity.

☐ 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 usually worn at the start of a score. Playbook.
• Disguised Fine 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 a palm pistol. Sashes, belts, or clock chains made to be used as whips or garottes.
• Fine Bottle of Wine ☐: A highly desirable vintage, effective at loosening tongues and making an impression.
• Fine Clothes ◯: Attire that increases your apparent lifestyle (p 43) by +1, to a minimum of 2. If carried as a second outfit to change into, this is ☐.
• Fine Disguise Kit ☐: A theatrical make-up kit equipped with an impressive array of expert accessories 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. Makes fumbles worse.

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.