Occultist (FiD)

Starfox's Blades in the Dark fan page

The Occultist delves into forbidden knowledge, unraveling arcane mysteries and communing with mysterious powers. They study rituals, decipher ancient texts, and manipulate the hidden forces that others fear. Through their mastery of the occult, they can summon creatures, cast powerful curses, and bend reality to their will. What occultists do not do is directly use powers, though they can pick up another playbook to do so.

You might be known as a medium, witch-doctor, exorcist, ritualist, or court magician.

An adaptation of the Whisperer from Blades in the Dark. This is a player-oriented spin on the adept, shaman, and witch doctor from D&D's past. With the introduction of Powers you might think this playbook has become obsolete, but it is still very good at the slower kinds of magic, Crafting and Rituals.

Touchstones Occultists normally operate in low-magic settings, and so are a bit of an oddity for Fox in the Dark. They are a less flashy mage that wields the powerful but slow magic of alchemy and rituals.

Ulrich (Dragonslayer 1981), Celine (Flesh and Blood 1985), Van Helsing (Bram Stoker’s Dracula 1992), Rupert Giles the Watcher (Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV 1997).

Special Abilities

When a special ability refers to Area, Duration, or Range, these are based on your tier, see page 221.

Aware

You can see and gather information about Spirits and supernatural phenomena within Range. You are always aware if there are such things in your Area. Add +1d to engagement rolls after a successful Gather Information that finds signs of the supernatural.

Enchanter

When you invent or craft (p 224) Alchemy, Armaments, and Magic Items, take +1d to your roll. You can invent new Designs and Formulas for such things. You begin with one Design or Formula already known.

Amulet

You make an amulet that protects against creatures associated with a specific Form of Power decided when you create the amulet. Before each Score you can make enough amulets to protect your Crew and any Expert Cohorts working with you. You can make additional amulets enough to protect a Gang Cohort

This is a work in progress.

Spend a minute and select a Form to create an anathema ward in an an area based on your tier (p. 221). An anathema ward is obvious and reduces the effective Tier of creatures tied to that Form by 1 for an hour after entering it or when acting against anyone within it. They need a good reason to enter or pass the warded area. You can create connected wards to cover more ground and overlapping wards to protect against multiple different Forms in the same area.

Iron Will

Take +1d to resistance rolls for Resolve as well as against Medical Alchemicals and supernatural effects.

Medium

You can see Spirits within Range and can use Attune to force a spirit within your Area to materialize for the Duration. You can speak to any Spirit and use Attune as if it was any other Resolve action against supernatural creatures such as Monsters, Spirits, and Wee Ones.

Ritualist

You gain +1d to perform, research, or resist the consequences of using Rituals. When you cast a Ritual, it gains +1 Quality above the level you perform it at. You can research Procedures for new rituals. You know by heart the arcane Procedure for one Ritual at Complexity 6.

Spirit Quest

You can go into a trance to enter the ether as a Spirit, leaving your body behind in a trance. Anything that affects your body also affects your spirit and vice-verso. As a downtime action, you can bring your Crew along when you do this.

Ward

You make an area anathema to creatures associated with a specific Form of Power decided when you create the ward. Spend a minute and select a Form to create an anathema ward in an an area based on your tier (p. 221). An anathema ward is obvious and reduces the effective Tier of creatures tied to that Form by 1 for an hour after entering it or when acting against anyone within it. They need a good reason to enter or pass the warded area. You can create connected wards to cover more ground and overlapping wards to protect against multiple different Forms in the same area.

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.

Strange Encounters

˄ ˅ Flint, a spirit trafficker.

˄ ˅ Nyryx, a spirit.

˄ ˅ Quellyn, a power user.

˄ ˅ Scurlock, a monster.

˄ ˅ Viss, a rich client.

Inventory

◯ Athame.

☐ Bandolier of alchemicals ☐, ☐, ☐, ☐, ☐.

☐ Mystic Compass.

☐ Spirit mask.

☐ Spirit bottles (2).

◯, ◯, ◯ Warding Charm.

• Athame ◯: A ceremonial Magic iron dagger with inscriptions of occult symbols. The athame insulates the wielder, protecting from corruption, while also allowing the wielder to affect both the physical and ethereal worlds. It allows the wielder to draw glowing lines on any surface or even in the air, usually to create wards or as a part of a ritual. Improves position when rolling for rituals and functions as a Fine, Potent dagger. Playbook.
• Bandolier of Alchemicals ☐: A strap worn across the body, fitted with specially-padded pouches to hold five flasks of alchemical agents. When you employ an alchemical from a bandolier, pick any one available to you. See Alchemy page 226 for more on alchemicals.
• Mystic Compass ☐: A compass with a Magic loadstone that responds to ethereal phenomena such as Power effects, ley lines, spirits, and even specific monsters at great range. Can be configured to point to different things using Attune. A magical link to the target greatly enhances the effect. Variants can be a pendulum or loadstone. Gadget.
• Spirit Bottle (2) ☐: An arcane device used to trap a spirit. A metal and crystalline cylinder, the size of a loaf of bread. Other variants can be made of wood or ceramics and often in the form of statuettes of the intended target. Gadget.
• Spirit Mask ☐: An arcane item that allows the trained user to see supernatural energies in great detail. Also affords some measure of protection against possession. Each spirit mask is unique. What does yours look like? What makes it strange and disturbing to see? Playbook.
• Spirit Shield ◯: A Warding Charm made to ward against Spirits. Improves position in a conflict with a spirit. Magic Item.

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 knowledge or arcane power.
• You expressed your beliefs, drives, heritage, or background.
• You struggled with issues from your vice or traumas during the session.

Starting Actions

Attune 2

Study 1

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