Swashbuckler (FiD)

Starfox's Blades in the Dark fan page

As a swashbuckler, you are an adventurous warrior driven to prove your prowess and earn the respect you deserve. With natural charm and a quick blade, you are a master of style and wit, excelling as a courtier, officer, diplomat, or sea dog.

Loosely inspired by the Pathfinder class of the same name, the swashbuckler is a fencer, racer, and charmer.

Touchstones: Scaramouche (Scaramouche 1952), Martin’s Boy (Flesh and Blood 1985), Inigo Montoya (The Princess Bride 1987), Cyrano de Bergerac (Cyrano de Bergerac 1990).

Special Abilities

Daredevil

When you roll a desperate action, gain +1d to your roll.

Flair

As log as you are visible, allied Cohorts gain improved Position.

Flamboyant

Gain +1d when fighting alone. You cannot receive aid, including Assistance, Set Up actions, or Scale bonuses. Your crew may act to stop others from interfering, such as neutralizing an opponent’s Scale advantage.

Fleet

+1d on Finesse rolls involving mounts and vehicles.

Impish

When you are dissatisfied with the result of an action roll, you may abort that action and immediately try some other tactic or action instead. The Position of the second roll is always Desperate and any benefit from Assist, Set Up, and Push are lost.

Panache

Push to add the following goal to an action: monopolize attention — a moment alone with someone — mysteriously disappear.

Renaissance Man

Spend 2 stress to roll Finesse instead of any other action, reflecting mental deftness and a cultured mind.

Tact

Push Consort to pursue one of these goals: find a temporary contact — discreetly divert all attention — defuse a tense situation.

Additional Playbook

Select another playbook. You gain immediate access to its Inventory and XP conditions. 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.

Dangerous Friends

˄ ˅ Bonacieux, an attendant.

˄ ˅ Roussillon, a noble.

˄ ˅ Turner, an armorer.

˄ ˅ Vallon, a swashbuckler.

˄ ˅ Winter, a courtier.

Inventory

☐ Disguised Weapon

☐ Fine Dueling Weapon

☐, ☐ Fine Bottle of Wine

◯ Fine Clothes [☐ if carried]

◯ Mount

☐ Parrying Instrument

• Disguised Weapon ☐: A concealed weapon like a cane sword, fighting fan, or hairpin dagger. Masterfully hidden yet ready for use.
• Fine Dueling Weapon ☐: A light, elegant weapon like a rapier or smallsword. Culturally appropriate for duels, its fine quality improves effect.
• Fine Bottle of Wine ☐: A rare vintage that impresses and loosens tongues.
• 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 ☐.
• Mount ◯: A horse or similar trained mount trained for battle.
• Parrying Instrument ☐: An off-hand tool like a buckler, dagger, or cloak that facilitates binds and disarms and counters multiple opponents.

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

Starting Actions

Consort 1

Finesse 2

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