Nestor (IB)

Starfox's Blades in the Dark space hack

— He outlived fathers and sons; now he lives among grandsons.

Homer about the mythical Nestor; Iliad Book I

Nestor Playbook

Life extension keeps people young, but most still grow set in their ways, settling into stable, predictable lives. Though unageing, the world changes around them, rendering old skills obsolete except those in active use. You lived that quiet life once — until something pulled you back into motion: a new love, a debt unpaid, or events beyond your control. Now you face a world that has moved on without you, forcing you to start again from the beginning.

In the gerontocracy of Icarus Fall, leaving your hidebound life cost you status and recognition — yet you retain enough to serve as a natural spokesperson for your new peers.

Touchstones: Saul Tigh (Battlestar Galactica (2004–09)), Joe Bauers (Idiocracy (2006)), Ben Kenobi (Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)), Jean-Luc Picard (Star Trek: Picard (2020–23)).

Special Abilities

1. Breadth: You once mastered many skills, and some of that versatility remains. You never roll less than 1d for an Action, even if untrained. This does not improve your attributes. In addition, you can draw on your wide experience to Assist yourself through a short flashback, spending the normal one Stress to do so.
2. Determination: You have weathered too much to be easily broken. You gain +1d when resisting Resolve consequences.
3. Exemplar: Three times per score, you can Assist a teammate who can see you without paying stress. You can take this ability multiple times to gain three additional uses of free assistance each time.
4. Gravitas: While appearing young, you still commands the respect of age. You gain increased Effect on Command or Consort when invoking your authority, history, or experience.
5. Memory: You retain vast, if somewhat dated, knowledge. When you roll to Gather Information from memory, improve the degree of success by one category: Failure → Partial Success → Full Success → Critical.
6. Mentor: Select one crewmate when you pick this ability — the player must agree. You can Assist that character without spending Stress.
7. Specialization: You’ve found a new use for old talents. Choose a single Action when you gain this ability. You gain +1d to that Action.
8. Status: You have retained or recovered some of your former wealth and connections. Your quality of life is one Tier higher than normal. You find it easy to be invited to formal occasions and to approach figures of authority, especially within the gerontocracy.

Old Friends and Enemies

˄ ˅ Aran, an old-timer who still clings to the old order.

˄ ˅ Cass, a young adventurer.

˄ ˅ Dela, a healer and expert at life extension.

˄ ˅ Korrin, an old associate.

˄ ˅ Miro, a chronicler fascinated by the past.

Inventory

To be determined.

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 using experience or stubborn determination.
• You expressed your beliefs, drives, heritage, or background.
• You struggled with issues from your vice or traumas during the session.
• You pointed out an established NPC whom the GM then brought into the action.

Starting Actions

Consort 1

Study 2

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