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Soul Engine makes extensive use of four attributes: intelligence, dexterity, strength, endurance and power. These four attributes are the most often used statistics in the game, and represent the bulk of the character's capacities.

Intelligence indicates the mental abilities of a character: how quickly he or she learns, the speed at which he or she can solve logical puzzles, the ability to memorize, etc. How wisely the character uses these abilities is (of course) a matter for the player's intelligence. Don't assume that just because your character's smart that you'll escape the consequences of your own stupid mistakes.

Strength indicates how strong the character is. The strength score is used to resolve all contests actions in which characters pits their raw muscular power against an obstacle, barrier or opponent. It also governs how fast one can run, how far one can jump, or how heavy an object one can lift or throw.

Endurance indicates a character's ability to continue to conduct activity for extended periods of time, as well as the character's ability to absorb damage.

Dexterity governs a character's capacity to move their body in a controlled way. Activities such as fencing, driving a vehicle or avoiding a musket shot all fall under dexterity.

Each attribute is defined by its Rank. A higher-pointed Rank is better, a lower Rank is worse; with 0 points defining a typical human being. Each Rank also has a title, describing it in a word of phrase, and a cost in points.

A fuller description of the different ranks follows:

<sidebar>Rank Summary

Rank 5 - Subhuman II [-70 points]

Rank 4 - Subhuman [-50 points]

Rank –3 - Pathetic [-20 points]

Rank –2 – Poor [-10 points]

Rank – 1 Below Average [ -5 points ]

Rank 0 - Average [0 points]

Rank 1 –Above Average [5 points]

Rank 2 – Highly Capable [10 points]

Rank 3 - Extraordinary [20 points]

Rank 4 - Superhuman I [40 points]

Rank 5 - Superhuman II [60 points]

Rank 6 - Superhuman III [80 points]</sidebar>

Your attribute is not just bad, but in some way structurally or constitutionally deficient for a human being. A character with Subhuman Strength would have difficulty moving his own limbs, a character with Subhuman Endurance would be so sickly as to be bedridden, a character with Subhuman Dexterity would have difficulty grasping a pen, and a character with Subhuman Intelligence would be generally incapable of abstract thought. Ranks of Subhuman II and below indicate, for a human character, deficiencies so grave as to be life-threatening, and hence are even less suitable for PCs than Subhuman I.

This Rank and the ones below are also on the scale to represent the capacities of small animals, insects and so forth. For Strength and Endurance, consider Subhuman appropriate for medium-sized mammals (a Labrador retriever), Subhuman II for small ones (a housecat), Subhuman III for tiny ones (a shrew), and Subhuman IV for the really tiny ones (a fly). For Intelligence, Subhuman represents the very smartest animals (Chimps, etc), Subhuman II moderately intelligent and trainable ones (dogs), Subhuman III rather stupid ones that nevertheless can learn from their environment (song birds), and Subhuman IV for creatures of pure instinct (a fly, an earthworm, etc).

There’s no way around it: your attribute is just plain awful. Not only does this Rank significantly impair your ability to function, but it’s obvious enough that people make fun of you for it. A character with Poor Strength is a 90 pound weakling, a character with Poor Dexterity is a klutz, a character with poor Endurance is sickly, and a character with Poor Intelligence makes Ds and Fs in School.

The attribute in question isn’t so good, but not so bad either. This Rank represents a slight handicap, but not one that dominates your whole life. A character with Below Average Strength gets other people to unscrew a stuck bottle-cap, a character with Below Average Endurance is a bit out of shape, a character with Below Average Dexterity is a bit clumsy, and a character with Below Average Intelligence makes Ds and Cs in school.

Your attribute is neither good nor bad. A character with Average Endurance is moderately fit, one with Average Strength can lift heavy objects but not easily, one with Average Dexterity is a mid-ranker in sports, and one with Average Intelligence makes Cs and Bs in school.

Your attribute is good but not spectacularly so, conveying a slight advantage to you. A character with Above Average Endurance and Strength probably works out, a character with Above Average Dexterity is good with his hands, a character with Above Average Intelligence makes As and Bs in school.

Your attribute is good but not spectacularly so, conveying a significant advantage to you. A character with Highly Capable Endurance and Strength is an impressive athlete, a character with Highly Capable Dexterity has lightning reflexes, a character with Highly Capable Intelligence always makes As school.

Your attribute puts you in the top %1 of humanity, and gives you a huge advantage over folk with lesser gifts. At this level the character displays, not just potential but great talent. A character with Extraordinary physical attributes could be a professional athlete. A character Extraordinary Intelligence is a genius.

The Superhuman attributes represent, for human(oid) characters, capacities beyond those people have in the real world. Superhuman represents a borderline; some humans might achieve this level without Enhancement, but they would be very rare. Superhuman II and above are structurally impossible for an unaltered human, but not an Enhanced Uukaptai.

The Superhuman attributes also exist to represent machines or animals that exceed human capabilities. For example, a horse is stronger than the strongest man, and might be Superhuman, an Elephant might have Superhuman II Endurance, etc.

<sidebar>Skill Scale

Rank 0 - No Skill [0 points]

Rank 1 - Novice [1 point]

Rank 2 – Beginner [2 points]

Rank 3 - Skilled [3 points]

Rank 4 - Highly Skilled [5 points]

Rank 5 - Expert [8 points ]

Rank 6 -Master I [12 points ]

Rank 7 - Master II [24 points]

And 12 points per additional rank

</sidebar>

The character has no skill in this area at all. Exactly what this means is up to the GM. Sometimes a character can still attempt to use a skill in which he or she has no training at all. For example, a character with No Skill in Athletics or Bladed Weapons can still try to climb a cliff or hit someone with a sabre. On the other hand, someone with No Skill in Craft(Clocks) is unlikely to be able to build a Grandfather Clock no matter how hard he or she tries. (Although the process of attempting it might raise their skill to Poor, if the GM is feeling kindly.)

The character has a certain minimal skill at the activity in question, but is a raw beginner. Even basic activities covered by the skill will be problematic, but the rudiments are there for further learning.

The character has somewhat less than solid understanding of the skill. Basic activities covered by it are no problem under most circumstances, but more advanced ones are chancy at best.

The character has a solid understanding of the skill in question, and can undertake most tasks covered by the skill in question without fear of failure (barring competition or outside interference.) More advanced aspects of the skill still give the character trouble and might take several tries to get right.

The character is competent in almost every aspect of the skill in question. Even advanced aspects of the skill give the character no trouble under ordinary circumstances, although there might be some esoterica won’t be known.

The Expert level represents the maximum capacity a normal human can have in any skill without talent, tao, heroic license or monk-like devotion. Even under stress, the expert can successfully undertake even advanced and esoteric aspects of the skill. If you purchase an Expert skill for a character, consider this when writing your background: such a skill represents many years of study.

The Master Ranks of skill represent truly superhuman talent, dedication, and instinct. Master I is borderline; a real-life human might acquire this level of skill. Master II and beyond are the stuff of fiction and fantasy. If you purchase a Master skill for your character, consider this when writing your background and when roleplaying: such a skill represents a fanatical dedication and superhuman talent.

The different Ranks of Mastery allow infinite progression into the stratosphere, and are most for the purposes of separating the best of the best. One level of Mastery is about as good as any other for wholloping some poor Expert, but each level of Mastery represents a quantum leap over the level below it.

This skill grants proficiency in one form of producing aesthetically pleasing items chosen at the time the skill is purchased. Art (Painting), for example, covers the production of paintings, frescos, etc, while Art (Sculpture) covers the ability to produce statues and friezes. Most Houses patronize the fine arts, and value and reward talented artists. In some houses and cultures an artist possesses stature as a educated person and their talents are often proclaimed as 'genius.' In such cultures, even low-born artists often have access to court functions and noble society. In others, an artist is merely a craftsperson and possesses no more freedom and individual wealth than (say) a talented carpenter. Among the nobility Great Houses, a talent for art is often considered a mark of refinement -- or at the worst, at least not considered degrading for a person of noble birth.

"Only against others can one learn the measure of oneself."

-- dueling master Hermann Geurtz, House Denayi

Athletics is a catch-all skill indicating a character's ability to climb, jump, swim, throw heavy objects and so forth. (Having a separate skill for each of these would be cumbersome in play.) Most young nobles train in a variety of muscle, stamina, and reflex-building activities as it improves one's fitness on the battlefield as well as providing some defense against certain kinds of assassinations.

This skill represents the character's knowledge of a region or world. The area of knowledge could be a small as a single town or as large as an entire World or cluster or Worlds, but the larger the domain of interest, the less detailed the character's knowledge is going to be the broader the area of coverage. This skill may be taken multiple times, each with a different specialty.

This skill indicates the character's ability to perform a specific type of useful mechanical work. Craft (Ironsmithy) would indicate an ability to produce horseshoes, swords and other metal implements, while Craft (Farming) would indicate knowledge of cultivating plants for food. Many instances of the Craft skill are considered unbecoming for a noble -- particularly those skills which peasants or slaves use in everyday life.

Drive rates the character's familiarity with a specific kind of mechanical vehicles. Simple carts, buggies and coaches are all common in the Known Worlds, but the character may also specialize in a specific kind of internal combustion vehicle, as these are sometimes kept as examples of high technologies for the young to study.

In court, Etiquette is a survival skill. Someone with this skill learns the proper way to address other persons (depending on rank) which actions are considered insulting, which fork to use, what poison is appropriate for which victims. The default version is Etiquette (Known Worlds) which covers the practices of those Houses which have assimilated themselves to the ancient Ka'Tash language and customs. Isolationist Houses and cultures may have different Etiquette systems, however, requiring the purchase of a new skill.

This generic skill covers the formal or informal study of and expertise in an area of knowledge not covered by another skill on this list. For example, the history of one's House could be a skill, or the study of Traapth philosophy, or the flowering plants of Blane's World.

Medicine does not have the advanced pharmacopoeia we have today, but doctors do know how to sterilize wounds, maintain sanitation, and administer anesthesia. Anatomical knowledge is scientifically accurate. (There are no leaches or bleeding.) There are no antibiotics, nor is immunization common. Among House members, however, the advanced application of Infusion takes their place.

Axes are not a noble weapon, but, being cheap to manufacture, and doubling as agricultural tools, they sometimes serve as makeshift weaponry in the provinces.

"A nobleman must always kill with the point of his blade. Only a peasant kills with the edge; anything else lacks elegance."

-- dueling master Hermann Geurtz, House Denayi

"We hereby order that Master Geurtz be taken to the block and his head stricken from his body by the edge of a sword. Let none claim this an inelegant death."

-- Andreas "the Sabre" Denayi, Uukaptai Captain

This skill covers proficiency in all bladed weapons from small knives to enormous two-handed swords. Swords are a weapon preeminently associated with the nobility, although they see some use among commoners as well. Current fashion among Houses favors a thin blade designed primarily for thrusting such as the rapier, the foil or the short-sword. These are the weapons most often used in duels of honor. On the battlefield, the Uukaptai and the peasantry prefer a heavier blade with a more developed cutting edge -- typically a short straight cutting sword, but sometimes a hand- and- a- half sword or a two-handed sword. Certain Houses' cultural traditions prefer curved blades, particularly those that stress the role of cavalry.

Knife or dagger combat is not generally considered a nobleman's art. Many House swordsmen use a parrying dagger in their off-hand, but that is the extent of the "official" use of the knife save as an eating utensil. As an unofficial weapon, however, the knife (silent sleek and often painted black) sees heavy use among assassins as both a hand and a thrown weapon. The lower orders (who can afford a knife but not a sword) also make extensive use of the knife or dagger as both a melee weapon and a general-purpose tool.

This skill covers all blunt or spiked weapons that use a short or long haft to deliver impact leverage, including maces, clubs, morning stars, staves, cudgels, etc. None of these weapons are in particularly widespread use, although Houses occasionally employ maces against armored foes, and the Uukaptai train in fighting techniques using the staff and flail.

This skill rates proficiency in using any kind of weapon that consists of a long stick with something sharp on the end: spears, halberds, pikes, lances and so forth. These make excellent weapons with which to arm foot troops from the lower classes, as they are relatively inexpensive to manufacture. Some houses arm their conscripts with only a low-quality spear. Other houses favor well-drilled, professional troops armed with pikes or halberds in combination with hundgunners.

This skill indicates the ability to play a single musical instrument (or family of musical instruments). The ability to make pleasing music is highly valued in many Houses, and many nobles consider the ability to play and appreciate music to be a mark of refinement. Most instruments are acceptable for the nobility, although some Houses consider woodwind instruments degrading as they distort the face when playing.

"The juices of the berries of the Hralnash bush have almost no taste when dissolved in wine, but bring numbness first to the skin, then to the hands, and finally to the heart."

-- Anonymous, The Codex Maleficorum

Knowledge of the many poisons and substances fatal to human beings obviously finds much practical employment in the Houses of the Known Worlds. Even if one never intends to harm another through such means, a good understanding of poisons can aid in one's survival.

This skill rates a character's skill in handling and firing non-gunpowder projectile weapons. While the most obvious weapons in this category are the short, long, recurved and composite bows, the skill also covers crossbows, slingshots, and blowpipes. In its more advanced forms, the bow is an inexpensive yet powerful weapon, capable of punching through most armor and firing as far (and much more rapidly) than a Known Worlds' handgun. It does, however, require extensive training to use properly and many Houses are reluctant to train their peasantry to the required level of skill.

The Known Worlds manufacture many kinds of primitive handguns: sometimes nothing more than an iron tube with a hole in the top into which the gunner can insert a burning match, but often hand-wrought flintlocks or matchlocks. None of these guns are mass-produced. The skill Ranged Weapons (Known Worlds Firearms) rates a character's ability to load, clean and fire such weapons. While most of these weapons are employed by poorly-trained conscripts, the use of hunting rifles or dueling pistols by the nobility is not unheard of.

The Houses of the Known Worlds sometimes keep examples of advanced technology as spoils of war, weapons of last resort, or mere curiosities. This skill rates a character's knowledge of firearms not native to the Known Worlds, a list that covers all mass-manufactured firearms from breech loading weapons to automatic ones, or even projected energy weapons.

This skill represents the ability to read and write a given language. It covers not only basic scripts, but also the literary forms and traditions of the language needed for elegant composition. Many worlds retain their own languages from before their conquest; while most educated persons will speak Ka'Tash, commoners may not. Additionally, some Houses have their own closed language that outsiders may wish to learn; members of such Houses probably will wish to learn Ka'Tash. Ranks from Poor to Skilled do not cover reading and writing, which are a separate skill. This separation is not as arbitrary as it seems. Conversational skill is a different kind of training. A character who wishes to proceed beyond the rank of Skilled must purchase Speak for the language as well, but thereafter, the two skills are considered one.

This skill rates the ability to ride, handle and care for a particular type of riding animal. More often than not, characters will take this skill as Ride (Horse). Horses are the most common riding animal of the Known World, and the nobility of the Houses have developed many specialized breeds for war and peace. Other possible mounts include Elephants, llamas, camels, War-oxen or even giant reptiles and birds -- but these creatures are usually utilized only in specialized climates or out-of-the-way Houses.

This skill indicates one's ability to speak a given language. Ranks from Poor to Skilled do not cover reading and writing, which are a separate skill. This separation is not as arbitrary as it seems. Not only is conversation skill a different kind of training, but most are part of a complex tradition of stylized letters. A character who wishes to proceed beyond the rank of Skilled must purchase Read and Write for the language as well, but thereafter, the two skills are considered one.

Study of the physical sciences and the natural world do not receive a place of priority in the education of House nobility. While most nobles know (in principle) about science and Houses contain vast libraries of looted books and journals, only the eccentric or the driven read them much. The power available though Soul Engines has deadened noble interest in the physical world. The ruling Circles of most Houses know the potential of advanced science, and usually restrict the access of commoners to it.

The skill of moving about undetected, in either an urban or a wild setting. It is, of course, highly prized by the Uukaptai specials, although many nobles and regular military consider its use distasteful.

This skill covers boxing, martial arts, and other forms of unarmed combat. While in real life, some of these techniques are more effective than other, assume that the greater the value of the character's skill the more effective his or her combat effectiveness, whatever of the actual style of combat involved.

This skill enables a character to survive in the wilderness, to track targets in the bush, to forage and hunt for food, and all the other fun stuff one would learn as a Boy Scout, Army Ranger or right-wing terrorist. Some nobles greatly enjoy the outdoors (especially hunting) and they and their retainers are often quite proficient in woodcraft. Equivalent skills exist for other train types, should a character greatly desire to survive in the arctic or live amongst the Bedouin.

Qualities are qualities a character may possess which do not fall easily into the categories of Skill, Attribute or Power. Many of them represent exceptional (or exceptionally bad) physical traits, while others indicate the character's station in society, events in the character's past, or other influences on a character's life.

A SE character could have any conceivable quality, from leprosy [major] to poor eye-sight [minor] to ambidexterity [average] to quadriplegia [major or character defining]. Frankly, I don’t feel like trying to enumerate them all. Instead, I have chosen to give a few examples below, and these general cost guidelines. They should be pretty self-explanatory, but if the player and GM cannot decide into what category a particular advantage or disadvantage should fall, the GM is the final arbiter.

"Even the mightiest man needs fear the dagger."

--- Proverbial

The Known Worlds are a class-based society, and a character's proximity in blood to members of the ruling Circle is often the most important fact of his or her life. By default, all characters are members of Denayi’s nobility and of sufficient status that they live lives of power and influence, but not so close to the centers of power that they need not struggle for preeminence. A player may change this by spending or gaining points on Birth Qualities.

Your family is especially prestigious within your House. On the plus side, you need never worry about advancing in the House bureaucracy or social circles, and your path through the Uukaptai or the Circle will be much easier than those of lower station, provided that you possess any semblance of talent. You will never want for material things. On the negative side, you are an object of fear and envy of those beneath you, and many feel life would be better without you in it. You are assumed to be literate in Denayi

Your family sits high in the councils of the Republic and you have free access as an equal to the courts and to the circle. Your family possesses moderate wealth and landed holdings by noble standards -- perhaps a World or two or a many scattered continents. You need not want for most basic items or luxury goods, but you must prove your worthiness for those things most closely associated with power -- possessions in the bureaucracy, a place on the Circle, high command in the Uukaptai, etc. If you already have them, then you must work hard to prove you deserve them. You are assumed to be literate in Denayi.

Either your family is a small one in the House, or you are not a particularly important part of it. Perhaps your blood had become diluted or it has been too long since an ancestor sat on the Circle. Or perhaps your family has recently risen to noble status in its Home World, and the ruling House has finally granted it (grudging) status among its own. Your family is unlikely to control more than a single continent or city -- or, at best, your underdeveloped and unimportant Home World. Whatever the case, you suffer from a continual distrust of your origins and underestimation of your abilities. You must work twice as hard to be accepted in social circles, the Uukaptai or the Circle, and must do all sorts of humiliating grunt-work for those of higher station. While you are not actually barred from the more rarified aspects of noble life (whether that be parties, war councils or high courts) you generally get the feeling that your presence is grudgingly accepted rather than welcomed. You are assumed to be literate in Denayi.

You suck! Whatever wealth, fine mental qualities or skills at war you may possess, you are still a commoner. While some nobles may consider you a fine person (and this had better include the other PCs), most will consider you at best a useful retainer. Unless buttressed by a position in the bureaucracy, the Uukaptai or the Circle, you can't mix in court at all, and then not much.

Most commoners in political circles are retainers to a specific noble, or are a functionary at court or in the bureaucracy. If that's you, be prepared to kiss much ass, unless you are a bounty-hunter, an assassin or other independent type.

The bulk of the Uukaptai consists of Commoners, and they experience less discrimination there. All Uukaptai are brothers in their warrior fraternity, and commoners sometimes ascend to high ranks. (Although nobles have an easier time of it.) High-ranking but common Uukaptai often secure titles of nobility for themselves as their fame grows.

A few Commoners have become Circle members. Typically these were exceptionally youths who showed great intellectual potential. Most were the sons and daughters of favored servants, raised by Circle members themselves and trained to the utmost loyalty, but some few were snared by the Soul Tax. Others were inducted at the insistence of ancient and venerable Circle members or at the advice of the ancestor spirits. Any such inductee automatically becomes a titular noble, but origins are never forgotten. If this is you, expect a very interesting life; many nobles will consider you an aberration or an embarrassment to the House.

You are not assumed to be literate in either Denayi or your native language; if you wish to be, you must buy the Read and Write (Language) skill.

Obviously, these define a character’s general level of attractiveness. An attractive or ugly character, will, of course, be more appealing in general, and sexier to those already inclined towards a sexual interest in someone of their gender.

The character has better perception than most people. Keen senses indicates a high, but still "human" range of perception. Very Keen Senses indicates senses beyond those of a human being, either through fluke of birth, or Enhancement, such as ultrasonic hearing, canine-sharp smell, eagle eyes, etc. The player should define exactly which senses are affected and how. If multiple senses seems abusively heightened, the GM may be justified in charging the character additional points.

The character can use both hands with equal felicity. Maybe they prefer to fight with a dagger and sword, or maybe they just want a backup in case one is chopped off.

The character knows some useful (or dangerous) people – or maybe they just know him. An Ally is someone whom the character can trust and who would be willing to help in dangerous times. Contacts are people whom the character knows, and who might be willing to give information for price or persuasion. An Enemy is someone who is out to ruin or end the character’s life. A Patron is someone who (perhaps for ulterior motives) uses his or her influence to assist the character in difficult times, but isn’t so chummy as an Ally.

The character has no training in controlling the energies of the Pylon. They are unable to suppress the terrible voices that fill their minds, and, whenever conscious, they run the risk of uncontrollably manifesting gouts of raw spirit energy, or being possessed by some random spirit within the Pylon. If angered or under stress, they are likely to explode with energy, doing great damage to themselves and others.

Extra Channeling [+10 points/level]

The character can open her soul to the Pylon, permitting greater quantities of spiritual energy to flow through. Thus she has access to more raw power, a greater amount with each level purchased.

• At Novice skill, the Initiate can cause a mindless spirit bonded to his or her own pylon to perform a single action as expressed in a sentence of no more than five words, and with a single imperative verb. No if/then statements are allowed. Only targets within line of sight may be so affected, unless Commune is also used.

• At Highly skilled or above, the Initiate may cause a free-willed spirit (such as the spirit of a known deceased person or another Initiate) to act. The Innate must express the command in a sentence of no more than five words, and with a single imperative verb. No if/then statements are allowed.. The spirit must be bound to the Initiate’s Pylon. The spirit may resist if it is particularly strong-willed. Only targets within line of sight may be so affected, unless Commune is also used.

• At ranks of Beginner or higher, the Initiate may imprint a mindless spirit with a series of commands. If/then commands may be used. Each condition and result counts as separate command.. Write the list down. The spirit the commands in the reverse of the order they were given, performing each one that applies. There may only be as many statements as the Initiate has ranks.

• At ranks of Master or higher, the Initiate may imprint a free-willed spirit with a series of commands. If/then commands may be used. Each condition and result counts as separate command.. Write the list down. The spirit the commands in the reverse of the order they were given, performing each one that applies. The spirit may resist if it is particularly strong-willed. There may only be as many statements as the Initiate has ranks of Expert or above.

• Normally the spirit must be able to hear the Initiate to receive a command. With Commune of Skilled or greater, the Initiate may affect any spirit bonded to his or her Pylon at any distance.

• With a Commune of Expert, the Initiate may affect a spirit bound to another Pylon if it is within hearing range. She may also affect people not bound to any Pylon.

• A mindless spirit is merely a construction created from the shreds of ghosts present in the Pylon. Mindless spirits have no memories, or personalities, or desires of their own. They can only act on imprinted commands, and if these commands are not relevant to their current circumstances, they will do nothing.

• Creating a temporary, mindless spirit requires about a minute at Novice level, down to a second at Expert. The spirit will quickly dissipate if the Initiate does not concentrate, remaining useful for only 15 minutes per rank. Multiple temporary mindless spirits require an additional rank of skill for each simultaneous spirit to be maintained.

• Skilled Abjuration and above allows the creation of longer lasting mindless spirits. For every fifteen minutes spent on weaving such a construct, it will last for 3 hours before dissipating. Each level of extra channeling adds another hour to the base time.

• At Expert Rank or above, the Initiate may add a single filtering criteria (expressed in a single sentence) per rank above Highly Skilled, helping to determine what sort of spirit they get. Difficult criteria may count as more than one "choice", at the GM’s discretion.

• At the GM’s desire, there may be enough left of a specific deceased person to resuscitate as a spirit. Usually, they were strong-willed individuals in life, and have some sort of defense against their meddling descendants. The character can the Soul of anyone who has ever been Bound into the engine. Over time, many souls and their memories are sublimated into the matrix of the Engine, stripped of energies and for the most part, cannot be contacted. An Initiate with Abjuration and Commune of Master or above may search to see if the spirit of a particular person survives with will and memory and attempt to stick the Soul back together out of what’s left, reassembling the Soul’s personality. Not all memories may have survived, and frankly, the Soul is likely to be insane.

• Creating a temporary, free-willed spirit requires about 6 hours at Novice level, down to 15 minutes at Expert. The spirit will quickly dissipate if the Initiate does not concentrate, remaining useful for only 15 minutes per rank. Multiple temporary mindless spirits require an additional rank of skill for each simultaneous spirit to be maintained.

• Skilled Abjuration and above allows the creation of longer lasting free-willed spirits. For every six hours spent on weaving such a spirit, it will last for 3 hours before dissipating. Each level of extra channeling adds another hour to the base time.

• An Initiate of Highly Skilled rank in both Abjure and Enhance may implant a spirit into a human corpse. The resulting corpse may move about slowly, in shambling zombie fashion, depending on how rotten it is. It will remain as long as its animating spirit lasts or until it rots away.

• Any Initiate with a Basic commune skill knows how to perform the soul bonding ritual which must occur at the pylon.

• At Novice Commune and above, the character can attempt to send a message to another Initiate through their bond to Pylon. This isn’t 100% reliable as the roiling psychic energy in the Engine interferes with clear transmission. If all works as it should, though , the character can send a brief phrase or emotion to another Circle member. The ability becomes more reliable the greater the Initiate’s skill. The Initiate must locate his target, a process which takes hours in the case of a Novice level, or only a few minutes at Expert. Extra Channeling also reduces the time required.

• At Skilled Commune, the Initiate may attempt to communicate telepathically with someone not bound to the same Pylon within line of sight. At Highly Skilled Commune, the Initiate may attempt to communicate telepathically with someone not bound to the same Pylon but who is within a mile or so. At Expert Commune, the Initiate may attempt to communicate telepathically with someone not bound to the same Pylon but who is on the same World. At Master Commune, the Initiate may attempt to communicate telepathically with someone not bound to the same Pylon but who is on another World. The Initiate must locate his target psychically, a process which takes a variable amount of time. If the Initiate’s rank s equal to the difficulty of the task which she is attempting it takes hours, with a reduction for each additional rank of commune or Extra Channelling.

• There is no way for the recipient to turn off someone else’s connection, unless the originator uses Abjure they cannot harm their target (other than irritating them, keeping them awake at night, etc.).

"Escape? We hide no path of escape for you, Lucius Danayi, not even in the Storm Between Worlds. When you feel the as-nots and the maybes of possibility tug at you, then you will clutch your Soul Bond and pray thanks to all the ancestors that it cannot be broken. The horror of a Soul in bondage is as nothing compared to that of a Soul that never was."

--- Master Scryer Oeletti Danayi

• An initiate who has established contact with another person may attempt to see through their eyes. This requires two ranks of skill more than that needed to establish basic contact. The targeted person will be aware of the intrusion unless the Initiate has three ranks of skill more than the target. (Extra Channeling does not help. It ain’t subtle.)

• At Master Commune and above, the Initiate may attempt to locate previously unknown worlds. This is always difficult and runs the risk of madness. The Scryer cannot contact anyone on such an unknown world until a Gate has been established but can estimate the relative number of souls existing on the world.

Create Pylon [5 points]

Uukaptella: ("Flesh enhanced in hardness") This is artificially hardened flesh. It becomes more resistant to damage and has a higher tensile strength, but becomes less flexible and ductile. Thus, while human flesh can be made as hard as steel, an entire body cannot be hardened without rendering the patient incapable of movement. Interior armor of Uukaptai thus takes the form of sub-dermal meshes and ringlets of flesh, hardened bones, and interior plates as complex as any suit of armor. Ukaptalla can also be used to "nail" or "glue" two otherwise separate flesh pieces together, and hence has a variety of applications in surgery.

Keptikaptu: ("Flesh enhanced in strength") This is muscle tissue has had the force of its contraction enhanced. When combined with hardened bones and ligaments, it increases the subject’s strength and dexterity.

Uukaptvar: ("Flesh enhanced in vitality") This technique encourages tissue growth and enhances its resistance to disease. Use of this technique speeds natural recovery on a temporary basis, and on a permanent one permits the Initiate to create entirely new muscle groups, bone spurs, etc. If misused it can result in nasty cancers.

• Enhance/Heal requires Create Dense Spirit Energy.
• At Novice rank, an Initiate learns to perform temporary Uukaptella.
• At, Beginner rank, an Initiate learns to perform permanent Uukaptella, and gains a primitive control of temporary Uukaptvar and Keptikaptu.
• At Skilled Rank, an Initiate learns to create temporary Uukaptvar in a substantial way, and to create permanent Keptikaptu.
• At Highly Skilled rank, an Initiate learns to target specific types of growth at Highly Skilled rank with temporary Uukaptvra.
• At Expert level, an Initiate is able to permanently increase the rate of tissue growth in an area with Uukaptva.
•  

Most healing requires only a temporary infusion, which must be refreshed and redirected as the patient recovers. Thus, the Initiate must monitor the patient and make adjustments once every rank x hours (or more often in critical cases.)

• At Novice rank, the character learns how to perform basic binding of the flesh. This allows him to stop a patient’s bleeding and roughly close wounds with a "staple" of uukaptalla.

• At Beginning rank, the Initiate learns how to suppress local pain, and to encourage minor tissue growth. This decreases healing time for the affected area by about a fifth and reduces pain.

• At Skilled rank, the Initiate has the knowledge and confidence to initiate massive regrowth with I. The patient’s healing time is roughly halved. Each rank above Skilled halves this time again, as the Initiate learns to stimulate different functions such as blood production, nerve regrowth etc.

• At Expert level, the Initiate may reattach freshly severed limbs .

• At Master level, the Initiate may transplant replacement organs from a suitable donor, using permanent Uukaptvar to prevent rejection.

• Temporary Enhancement of attributes through Keptikaptu is possible but dangerous to the patient, as the necessary modifications to bone structure and muscle alignment cannot be performed on a temporary basis. Patients can be temporarily Enhanced from the Skilled level up, but will literally tear themselves apart using their new abilities.

Enhancement:

• At the Skilled level, an Initiate learns to create internal body armor, and to enhance muscle groups. This permits the Enhancement of attributes to Above Average Levels.

• At the Highly Skilled and Expert rank, an Initiate can Enhance Attributes to the Exceptional and Superhuman levels.

• At the Master rank, the Initiate may Enhance physical attributes to the Superhuman level. Each rank above master likewise permits another rank of Superhuman to be imparted.

• At the Expert rank, an Initiate can effectively halt aging in a patient. Periodic attention by an Expert rank Initiate can keep a patient alive for 2 or 3 times their normal lifespan.

• At the Master rank, an Initiate can return a patient to the peak of youthful health. (Although they usually appear older.) Periodic attention by a Master rank Initiate can keep a patient alive indefinitely.

• At Highly Skilled Level, the Initiate may make crude and superficial modifications to the human body

• At Highly Skilled Level, the Initiate may make simple modifications to the basic human structure.

• At Expert Level, the Initiate may make complex modifications to the basic human structure.

• At Master level, by GM permission, and above, the Initiate may implant the organs of animals, create entirely new organs, or rebuild lost limbs. This must be done at the Pylon.

• No matter how ingenious the in-character explanation, all new PC Enhancements must be paid for in points. Remember, any Enhancement requires substantial energy from the Pylon, and must be performed with the Circle’s permission or there will be hell to pay.

• Modifying a target’s involuntary functions requires Expert level Enhance/Heal and Master or above level Abjure.

Create Better Senses [1 point per level] Requires Highly Skilled rank to impart at the lowest version, Master at the highest.

Create Body Weaponry [1 point] Requires Highly Skilled rank.

Create Hidden Sting [1 point] Requires Highly Skilled rank.

Create The Leaping Way [1 point] Requires Expert rank.

Make Durable [0 points] Requires Skilled rank.

Create Skin of Iron [0 points] Requires Highly Skilled rank.

Internal Fortress [1 point] Requires Master Rank.

Cloak of Shadows [1 point] Requires Expert Rank Enhance/Heal and Skilled Abjuration and Manifestation.

Create Broken Puppet [1 point] Requires Skilled rank.

Suspended Breath [1 points] Requires Expert rank Enhance/Heal, and Master rank Abjure.

Create Calm of No-Fear [2 point] Requires Expert rank Enhance/Heal, and Master rank Abjure.

Create Mental Erasure [3 point] Requires Expert rank Enhance/Heal, and Master rank Abjure.

Create Other Mind [5 points] Requires Expert rank Enhance/Heal, and Master rank Abjure.

• Assume the character can lift half a ton or so with Impetus, and an additional ton for every additional level of Extra Channeling.

• Novice Impetus allows the character to release highly destructive energies from the Pylon, and (hopefully) direct them. Example: Hose an enemy with a stream of Raw spiritual energy.

• Beginning Impetus permits the character to engage in basic telekinetic effects, but without fine control. Example: Pick up a cannon and hurl it across a field.

• Skilled Impetus permits the character to engage in telekinesis with fine control. Example pick up a book and set it down on the other side of the room.

• Highly Skilled Impetus permits the character to telekinetically manipulate extremely small objects or to perform delicate operations. Example: Pick a lock telekinetically. Highly Skilled Impetus also permits the character to affect himself without becoming distracted or ripping himself to bits. Example: Lifting yourself into the air with Impetus and flying.

• Expert Impetus permits a character to engage in absurdly difficult telekinetic maneuvers. Example: Perform surgery telekinetically. Expert Impetus also allows the character to remain unharmed while affecting themselves in extremely risky ways. Example: Augment a punch with Impetus.

• In combat, the Impetus Skill determines the character’s likelihood of actually hitting a target with an Impetus Technique.

• An Initiate’s Manifestation Skill governs the use of any coloration, texturing or other effects in an Impetus Technique.

• The Initiate must be able to use at least Refined Spirit Energy to create a Manifestation. Raw Spirit Energy is too chaotic to hold a useful shape.

• Refined Spirit Energy permits the creation of a shape of roiling cloud.

• Subtle Spirit permits a creation with coloration (or invisibility).

• Dense Spirit Energy permits the illusion of texture, and also gives the construct solidity about equal to water.

• Creating a temporary construct requires about a minute at Novice level, down to a second at Expert. The construct will remain only for so long as the Initiate continues to concentrate and sustain it, after which time it will begin to dissipate. Multiple temporary constructs require an additional rank of skill for each simultaneous construct to be maintained.

• Constructs can be given lifting power by pairing them with an Impetus technique. Weaving an Impetus technique into an autonomous construct requires an additional half an hour.

• Skilled Manifestation and above allows the creation of longer lasting constructs. For every fifteen minutes spent on weaving such a construct, it will last for 3 hours before dissipating. Each level of extra channeling adds another hour to the base time.

• Constructs are limited to an area about 6 feet in radius; larger constructs require a level of Extra Channeling for each additional 6 feet.

• Novice Manifestation permits the drawing of a simple shape, and a uniform or very simple coloration. Any motion is jerky, and may result in disruption of the shape. Examples: A cube, a cone, a smiley face.

• Beginning Manifestation permits a more precise (but still unrealistic) shape, and the use of more complex coloration. Motion is less jerky, and simple sound may be added. Examples: A map, a balloon doggie, a cartoony face that moans.

• Skilled Manifestation permits a complex detailed shape, and coloration comparable to that which could be achieved by an artist with paint. Variable and complex sound may be added. Motion is smooth and natural. The resulting construct is still obviously artificial if examined. Examples: A painted horse that gallops and neighs. A human face that speaks.

• Highly Skilled Manifestation permits a complex, detailed shape with coloration and texture that could pass as the real thing. Multiple simultaneous sounds from a single source are possible. Examples: An illusionary man, a symphony.

• All Cosntructs make a slight moaning noise (most noticeable with Raw or Refined energy). The moaning cannot be suppressed completely, but can be drowned out by some other sound the construct makes.

The Uukaptai warrior fraternity dedicate themselves to excellence in all things martial. All Uukaptai warriors undergo long periods of Infusion to alter their bodies and minds, while their ascetic regimen of meditation and training teaches them to use these powers to the utmost. Not every Uukaptai warrior undergoes the same enhancements at the hands of the Circle, and indeed, only the most worthy warriors receive the more advanced and costly modifications.

Uukaptai Powers do not come without a penalty. While not actually Soul-Bound, an Uukaptai warrior's nevertheless can sense the presence of the dead sols which have been bound to him and which grant him his powers. Some complain of a faint moaning or whistling in the back of their minds. Others experience nightmares, and some few go mad or become possessed.

Infusion of soul energies can enhance a body's stamina, its reflexes or its muscle power, and most Uukaptai have been modified so that they exceed the human norm in one or more of these areas.

"Well do I remember my return from the Pylon that day. The noise of my own heart deafened me, my breathing racked my body like a gale, and the slap of the feet of the bearers against the sand was like the retort of cannons. The my garment's motion against my skin grated like sand paper, and the scent of my own sweat filled my mouth with bile. I bit my own tongue till I bled and only that lesser, sharper pain prevented me from crying out, to the shame of myself and my ancestors."

-- Brother Argoth Geurtz, House Denayi

The character has had his or her senses modified with Infusion. The character can now see into the infrared and ultraviolet ranges of the visible electromagnetic spectrum, and eyesight is improved to double the range and accuracy of a normal human being. Hearing now encompasses a wider range of frequency than a human and is far more acute. Smell is as good as a bloodhound or other tracking animal, or more if you wish for your character's nose to be increased in size or shape. Touch is far more sensitive to small detail, and normal skin is as accurate at feeling shape and texture as a normal person's hands. Uukaptai who receive this modification are trained in processing the additional stimuli and so have normal pain thresholds, etc.

The character has had an artificial organ implanted that secretes and delivers poison. You should decide the location of this organ, and the nature of its poison. Many Uukaptai chose poisoned fangs, with the glands located inside the cheeks, while others prefer to have stingers located under the nails of the hand or on retractable barbs at the elbow or knee. One, the Master-Father Gilgorash, was known to secrete a neurotoxin from the pores of the skin.

The character's legs have been augmented so that they can leap to great heights and absorb the shock of long falls. The character can leap three or four times their own height into the air and many hundreds of feet forward. They can fall from approximately four stories without injury.

The character's skin and muscles have been Enhanced with soul energy to make them resistant to physical trauma and extremes of temperature. In most variants, the character's skin becomes hard as cured leather and slightly thicker than normal. It can resist bruises and turn glancing blows with a cutting weapon. It will not freeze or burn until it reaches ranges about 25% more than those temperatures that would harm a normal human, and resists frostbite and radiation burns. Is also slightly deadened to sensation. Since the skin is actually suffused with the energy of the dead, it can even resist some direct magical attacks.

Skin of Iron is a more potent version of Durable, permitting even more resistance to injury and a temperature tolerance of 50% above human normal.

The character has had extra organs implanted and existing ones modified, providing for extra redundancy and protection. Such a character can continue to operate even if stabbed through the chest, decapitated, or delimbed. The character has more than one heart (and not both in the same location) to prevent instant death from a heart wound, a redundant (but somewhat limited) brain located in the torso, a reinforced rib-cage, and/or any other protective features that the player can think of at the time of purchase (and to which the GM will agree.)

The character has learned how to voluntarily dislocate bones and to compress tendons and other flesh. As a result, the character can slip out of bindings, pass through narrow spaces, and perform some very nasty parlor tricks. Sometimes, the modifications include adding joints to bones that don't normally have them, allowing the character to (for example) compress the shape of their skull or fold their long leg and arm bones, or detach the bones of their spines.

The character can put herself into suspended animation. In that time she does not need to breathe, dehydrates or starves very slowly, and is less effected by extremes of temperature or air pressure. Such a character can survive months of suspension and then be successfully revived. Entering this state requires approximately one minute, and the character must decide the conditions that will wake her. This could be a time (in 3 hours), an environmental requirement (when I'm no longer underwater), a situation (someone says, "Abracadabra" or never. In this last case, only medical treatment will revive her.

A Circle member has grafted the substance of many souls to the character's body. Together these ghosts form a kind of a net about the character, obscuring and obstructing the passing light. As a result the character is always surrounded by shifting shadows. In an area of bright illumination, the effect is merely disconcerting, and the character is in many ways more noticeable than normal. In the dark or the near dark, the ghosts act like a cloak, making her harder to see. As such this modification is much favored by assassins and spies. The ghost have been bound to the character's will and so he or she can command the effect on and off by concentrating.

The character can turn off his fear. He will not panic in danger and will always react to stress coolly and logically. He cannot be effectively intimidated by threat of bodily harm, although he can be tortured.

The character can selectively delete portions of his or her memory or personality. Such a process takes only a few minutes. The memories or personality facets can be permanently suppressed, or can be triggered to be retrieved under particular circumstances. In the former case, the memories cannot be retrieved. In the latter, they could conceivably be pried from the mind by a powerful sorcerer. Uukaptai spies often use this technique.

The character has a false personality and memory that can be turned off or on at will. When it is on, the normal personality becomes dormant, interfering in the active personality only when necessary. This mental cloak has proved resistance to lesser magical probes of the mind, and to torture. A character may purchase more than one Other Mind.

Basic resolution is very simple. The character attempts an action, and if his rank exceeds that of his opponent, then he succeeds. If there is no actual opponent, then the GM assigns a difficulty rank to the task. If the character's relevant ranks equal or excede thedifficulty, she succeeds. Note that it says 'action.' The player should describe in as much detail as is warranted what the character is doing, and the GM should describe the results, one step at a time, and giving the character a chance to respond.

In most cases, the character’s skill and attribute will both be important to the task at hand.. In these cases, add or subtract the character’s skill bonus to the attribute to determine a final rank.

For example, the GM may rule that to decipher the poem requires a Poetry Reading + Intelligence of at least 3 ranks. A character with Average rank Intelligence [0 ranks] and Skilled Poetry Reading [3 ranks] would succeed. So would a character with Extraordinary Intelligence [3 ranks] and no skill. But someone with Below Average Intelligence [-1 rank] and Skilled Poetry Reading [3 ranks] would fail.

Some tasks rely only on a character’s attributes and don’t require extensive training or practice to attempt like arm-wrestling, dodging a falling tree, or throwing a rock. For these attempts, only the character’s attribute value is used.

So, for example, the GM may rule that it requires a Extraordinary Strength to lift the boulder. Anyone with an Extraordinary Strength would succeed, anyone else would fail.

Sometimes the GM may feel that only the character's skill is more important than any attribute. For example, he may feel that a given lock is so difficult that only an Expert Locksmith can even attempt to open it, regardless of native talent. In such a case, a character with the prerequisite level of skill will succeed, and anyone else will fail, regardless of attribute value.

Combat works similarly to other forms of resolution. Some things to keep in mind:

Hand to hand combat pits one character's dexterity + skill or strength + skill against another's. If a character has a good plan or a clever move, this should affect the outcome. Likewise if the character acts extremely stupidly, they should be penalized.

When a player character or important NPC fights, adjudicate combat results one move at a time. Try to visualize the position of limbs, bodies, etc. Tell the player only the results of that move. Within reason, allow them to react, to change tactics, or to flee.

(c) Tom deMayo 2003.   Please do not reproduce this page without my permission.  Mention of other people's game systems, Trademarks, etc are without permission and purely for comparative purposes. No challenge to their status is intended. 

The material presented on the pages within http://www.flark.org/SoulEngine/GURPSSE/  is my original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games. GURPS is a registered trademark of Steve Jackson Games.  All rights are reserved by SJ Games. This material is used there in accordance with the SJ Games online policy.

The Tri-Stat dX Core Rules are a trademark of Guardians Of Order, Inc. Used without permission.

The Discworld belongs to Terry and Lynn Pratchett.  Used without permission.  Ook!

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