chapter-1-characters

name	chapter-1-characters
description	Chapter 1 - Characters (Pg 3) - Character creation steps, race stat tables, flaws, backgrounds, stat increases, feats, expertise, class selection.

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Characters

Character Creation

Follow the steps outlined in this section in order to create your character. You will need a character sheet, pencil and a d20 dice.

Choose a Race

Select a race from the below table and write down these numbers at the top of your character sheet in the corresponding area for each stat. Then review the race details from the races chapter, where character creation benefits, advancement, and features will be described. Apply to your character sheet the minor and major movement values for that race and any character creation effects. Lastly, roll a d20 to determine your age, height, and weight based on the particulars table in each race section. Note that the health listed here is the health bonus provided by this race in their character creation benefits section.

The Alliance

The Alliance unites many races including Humans, Starborn, Mechanoids, Typhorans, and Scurvyn. Driven by a shared need to confront looming cosmic threats too great for any single race to face alone, this coalition harnesses each race's unique strengths, from Human adaptability to Starborn intellect, Mechanoid precision, Typhoran agility, and Scurvyn resourcefulness, creating a formidable collective. Rooted in cooperation, the Alliance fosters unity, ensuring mutual protection and prosperity. Beyond survival, it thrives as a hub of cultural exchange and innovation, strengthening their resolve to explore and safeguard the galaxy together.

             Human   Starborn   Mechanoid   Typhorans   Scurvyn

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Skill 2 2 1 2 3 Agility 2 2 1 2 4 Aim 2 2 3 3 3 Tactics 3 2 1 1 2 Intelligence 2 4 1 3 3 Willpower 2 1 4 2 1 Strength 2 1 3 2 0 Initiative 3 3 2 4 5 Health 4 3 5 3 3 Movement 5 / 2 5 / 2 4 / 2 5 / 3 4 / 3

The Expanse

The expanse beyond the Alliance territories is a vast, uncharted frontier of swirling nebulae and unknown stars, a realm where mystery and danger intertwine. Far from the structured order of the Alliance, this boundless region draws independent races to its depths. Celestials guide its cosmic currents, Voidspawn prey in its shadows, Androids explore its wilds, Hiveborn harvest its resources, and Skaalith warriors conquer its battlegrounds. In the expanse, discovery and peril shape the destinies of all who venture into its untamed reaches.

             Celestial   Voidspawn   Android   Hiveborn   Skaalith

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Skill 3 3 3 1 2 Agility 2 3 3 3 1 Aim 2 1 2 1 1 Tactics 3 1 2 2 1 Intelligence 3 1 3 1 1 Willpower 3 3 3 3 4 Strength 2 2 2 2 4 Initiative 3 5 3 5 2 Health 4 4 4 5 5 Movement 5 / 2 5 / 3 5 / 2 5 / 3 5 / 2

Roll for a Flaw

Nobody is perfect. Roll a d20 to determine your flaw. Each roll will have two different flaws that you can pick from. Note down the name of the flaw on the back of your character sheet and apply the stat modification as indicated.

Roll Flaw Stat

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1 Clumsy Hands -1 skill 1 Tech Illiterate -1 skill 2 Butterfingers -1 skill 2 Slow Learner -1 skill 3 Distracted Focus -1 skill 3 Stiff Joints -1 agility 4 Lead Footed -1 agility 4 Uncoordinated -1 agility 5 Overly Cautious -1 agility 5 Inflexible -1 agility 6 Shaky Hands -1 aim 6 No Depth Perception -1 aim 7 Easily Distracted -1 aim 7 Weak Grip -1 aim 8 Tunnel Vision -1 aim 8 Impulsive -1 tactics 9 Overconfident -1 tactics 9 Indecisive -1 tactics 10 Forgetful -1 tactics 10 Audacious -1 tactics 11 Ignorant -1 intel 11 Gullible -1 intel 12 Superstitious -1 intel 12 Absent Minded -1 intel 13 Big Mouth -1 intel 13 Doubtful -1 willpower 14 Fearful -1 willpower 14 Addictive Personality -1 willpower 15 Short Tempered -1 willpower 15 Paranoid -1 willpower 16 Frail -1 strength 16 Injury Prone -1 strength 17 Malnourished -1 strength 17 Lazy -1 strength 18 Overburdened -1 strength 18 Slow Reflexes -1 initiative 19 Hesitant -1 initiative 19 Distracted -1 initiative 20 Sleepy -1 initiative 20 Unprepared -1 initiative

Roll for a Background

Roll a d20 to determine your background. Each roll has two different backgrounds that you can pick from. Note down the background on your character sheet, apply the stat modifier, and bonus. The bonus will indicate the health you receive during creation and advancement and if you get a bonus heroic action per day.

Roll Background Stat Bonus

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1 Starship Engineer +1 skill 4 1 Cybernetico +1 skill 4 2 Xenobiologist +1 skill 2+B 2 Hacker +1 skill 2+B 3 Artisan +1 skill 4 3 Acrobat +1 agility 4 4 Infiltrator +1 agility 2+B 4 Zero-G Technician +1 agility 2+B 5 Thief +1 agility 4 5 Dancer +1 agility 4 6 Drone Operator +1 aim 2+B 6 Gunner +1 aim 2+B 7 Nano-Repair Technician +1 aim 4 7 Archer +1 aim 4 8 Gravball Champ +1 aim 2+B 8 Strategist +1 tactics 2+B 9 Leader +1 tactics 4 9 Port Coordinator +1 tactics 4 10 Tactician +1 tactics 2+B 10 Diplomat +1 tactics 2+B 11 Scientist +1 intel 4 11 Astrometrician +1 intel 4 12 Historian +1 intel 2+B 12 Galactic Linguist +1 intel 2+B 13 Philosopher +1 intel 4 13 Survivor +1 will 4 14 Monk +1 will 2+B 14 Cosmic Archivist +1 will 2+B 15 Sacrifice Sentinel +1 will 4 15 Zealot +1 will 4 16 Laborer +1 str 2+B 16 Athlete +1 str 2+B 17 Soldier +1 str 4 17 Bodyguard +1 str 4 18 Miner +1 str 2+B 18 Scout +1 init 2+B 19 Pilot +1 init 4 19 Data Runner +1 init 4 20 Crisis Responder +1 init 2+B 20 Medic +1 init 2+B

Apply Stat Increases

Choose one of the following stat options and increase your stats accordingly. All stat increases must be added to different stats.

         Any Stat   Any Stat   Any Stat   Any Stat   Health

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Option 1 +2 +2 +0 Option 1 +2 +1 +1 +4 Option 1 +2 +1 +1 +1 +2

Choose a Class

Select a class from the below list. Apply the character creation effects described in the class chapter.

The Soldier is a disciplined warrior, master of battlefield tactics and small arms, excelling in teamwork and strategic flanking. (+5 health)

The Vanguard excels in delivering overwhelming firepower with heavy weapons, anchoring the battlefield with directional fire. (+5 health)

The Sniper is a master of precision, capable of delivering devastating single shots from the shadows, all while remaining undetected. (+3 health)

The Warrior is a resilient and agile combatant specializing in close-quarters combat with a mastery of both melee weapons and pistols. (+5 health)

The Operative is a master of stealth and technology, excelling in surprise attacks and hacking, making them the ultimate agents in the field. (+4 health)

The Psychic is a master of mental powers, using their intelligence and psychic abilities to heal allies and manipulate the battlefield. (+3 health)

Choose Features

Select one heroic feature from your class. You may take a feat instead of a class feature.

Choose Training

Choose two expertise to gain training in and 1 weapon category to gain training in. Fill in the bubbles next to those expertise.

Choose Equipment

Spend 50 coins to acquire your starting equipment and determine your combat profile.

Finalize Profile

Your health is determined by your class bonus, race bonus, stat increase selection, willpower, and background.

Character Advancement

After each session, the game master will reward you with experience points. Add up the reward experience points with your current total. When you gain enough total experience points for the next level as indicated in the table below, gain the benefits described.

+-------------------+------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Creation | All the benefits described in the character creation section. | +-------------------+------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Race advancement | Gain 1 new race feature or feat, race advancement health bonus, and other bonuses described in your race entry. | | | | | | +5 for mechanoid, hiveborn, skaalith | | | | | | +4 for human, celestial, voidspawn, android | | | | | | +3 for starborn, typhoran, scurvyn | +-------------------+------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Class advancement | Gain 1 new class feature or feat, class advancement health bonus, and other bonuses described in your class entry. | | | | | | +5 for soldier, warrior | | | | | | +4 for vanguard, operative | | | | | | +3 for sniper, psychic | +-------------------+------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Training | Gain training in 2 stats, 2 expertise, 1 weapon category, and increase the number of available heroic actions you have per day by 1. Gain health based upon your background. | +-------------------+------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Learning | Gain training in 2 stats, 2 expertise, 1 weapon category, and gain health equal to your willpower. | +-------------------+------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Level Specific Bonus

Lvl Exp Benefit

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1 n/a Character creation 2 500 Training 3 1,250 Race advancement 4 2,500 Learning 5 4,500 Class advancement 6 7,000 Training 7 10,000 Race advancement 8 13,500 Learning 9 17,500 Class advancement 10 22,000 Training 11 27,000 Race advancement 12 32,750 Learning 13 38,750 Class advancement 14 45,500 Training 15 52,500 Race advancement 16 60,000 Learning 17 68,250 Class advancement 18 77,000 Training 19 87,000 Race advancement 20 100,000 Learning

{width="8.534722222222221in" height="4.267361111111111in"}Feats

Instead of taking race or class features, you may select a feature from the list of feats. These are features that any race or character class can pick from.

Footwork: Feature

Increase your minor movement speed by 1.

Swift: Feature

Increase your major movement speed by 1.

Tough: Feature

Increase your health by 4. Requires level 3+.

Hardy: Feature

Increase your health by 4. Requires Tough and level 9+.

Learned: Feature

Gain training in 2 different expertise. Reduce the level requirements for all expertise by 3.

Weapon Training: Feature

Gain training in 2 different weapon categories. Reduce level requirements for all weapon training by 3.

Ranged Combat Specialist: Feature

When making a ranged attack against a target that is adjacent to a single ally, that ally does not need to make an agility defense roll if you miss your attack.

Close Range Fighting: Feature

When you make a ranged attack, you may shoot through allies that are not adjacent to the target.

Dual Wielding: Bonus Action

You may wield two weapons and attack with both weapons when making a bonus attack. Requires level 5+.

Robotic Arms: Augmentation

Your natural arms are replaced with robotic arms. You gain 1 strength and lose 1 skill. This feat requires spending 3 gadgets during character advancement.

Cybernetic Eye: Augmentation

One of your eyes is a robotic eye that has been surgically attached to your brain. This eye can zoom to see 10 times further than the average human's eyesight, can see at microscopic levels, and can sense heat and radiation. Gain +2 perception and +1 aim. This feat requires spending 3 gadgets during character advancement.

Regenerative Nanites: Augmentation

Microscopic machines in your bloodstream repair damage rapidly. Use a heroic action to regain health equal to your intelligence. EMP effects disable this regeneration for 1d4 hours. This feat requires spending 3 gadgets during character advancement.

Steel Bones: Augmentation

Your bones have been surgically removed and replaced with steel copies. Your willpower increases by 1. You may spend a heroic action to reduce damage you take from kinetic sources such as melee weapons and bullets by half. This feat requires spending 3 gadgets during character advancement.

Brain Chip Implant: Augmentation

Your brain is enhanced with a small, implanted chip that connects to your nervous system, boosting cognitive abilities. You gain 1 intelligence and lose 1 toughness. This feat requires spending 3 gadgets during character advancement.

Mechanical Legs: Augmentation

Your natural legs are replaced with mechanical prosthetics. Increase your major movement speed by 1. This feat requires spending 6 gadgets during character advancement.

Third Eye: Mutation

You gain +2 from each training in perception. Gain 2 psychic points and learn 1 psychic ability. In order to acquire this feature, you must spend 3 specimens at the time of character advancement.

Gills and Webbed Feet: Mutation

You can swim at your normal movement speed and can breathe under water. You may attack with spears and other stabbing or piercing weapons under water without any penalty. In order to acquire this feature, you must spend 3 specimens at the time of character advancement.

Claws and Fangs: Mutation

Your unarmed melee attack does 1d8 damage. In order to acquire this feature, you must spend 3 specimens at the time of character advancement.

Tail: Mutation

You have a tail. You may use a bonus or heroic action to attack with your tail. If you hit, the target falls prone and takes 1d4 + strength damage. In order to acquire this feature, you must spend 3 specimens at the time of character advancement.

Frog Tongue: Mutation

You have a frog like tongue that can extend out to 10 feet and grab small objects. You may use a bonus action to attack with your tongue making an intelligence vs. intelligence attack. If you hit, the target is distracted, suffering disadvantage to attack and defense rolls until the end of the next round and takes 1d4 + intelligence damage. In order to acquire this feature, you must spend 3 specimens at the time of character advancement.

Acid Saliva: Mutation

Your saliva can burn through most materials, even metal. You may spit, making an unarmed attack that does 1d6 damage. In order to acquire this feature, you must spend 3 specimens at the time of character advancement.

Fungal Infection: Mutation

You have a fungal infection, causing mushroom shapes to grow on your face and body. You can live without breathing air and heal at twice your normal rate per day if you are in contact with soil. In order to acquire this feature, you must spend 3 specimens at the time of character advancement.

Poisonous Bite: Mutation

If you are hidden from a creature and within melee range you may bite a biological target, injecting deadly poison. The target will feel discomfort within a few minutes proceeding to unbearable pain within a few hours and death within a day. The target or any ally may make a healing check vs. your willpower in order to stop the poison. In order to acquire this feature, you must spend 3 specimens at the time of character advancement.

Chameleonic Skin: Mutation

Your skin adapts color and texture to blend into surroundings. Gain +2 stealth checks when hiding, and enemies have disadvantage on perception checks to spot you when your are stationary. In order to acquire this feature, you must spend 3 specimens at the time of character advancement.

Adhesive Skin: Mutation

Your skin secretes a sticky, glandular substance, like that of a tree frog. You can climb vertical surfaces and ceilings at your normal movement speed without needing climbing checks. Wet or slippery surfaces halve this speed unless you spend a heroic action to secrete extra adhesive. In order to acquire this feature, you must spend 3 specimens at the time of character advancement.

Exothermic Glands: Mutation

Your body develops specialized glands that regulate heat through chemical reactions, like a polar bear's insulation or a camel's cooling. You gain resistance to fire and cold damage, taking half damage from these sources, and can endure extreme climates without exhaustion penalties. In order to acquire this feature, you must spend 3 specimens at the time of character advancement.

{width="8.53888888888889in" height="4.269444444444445in"}Expertise

Skill

Computers (skill)

In a galaxy where technology reigns, the ability to hack into secure networks, reprogram droids, or slice through firewalls is invaluable. This skill allows characters to manipulate software and electronic systems with precision, whether accessing classified data on a corporate server or disabling a security grid on a space station. It's the art of digital intrusion, where a few keystrokes can unlock secrets or turn the tide of a mission. From bypassing automated defenses to extracting intel from alien tech, Computers is a must-have for tech-savvy adventurers.

Piloting (skill)

From nimble starfighters to massive freighters, the void of space demands a steady hand and sharp reflexes to navigate its vessels. This skill covers operating spacecraft, hovercraft, and even exotic vehicles like mechs, blending control mastery with the physics of zero-G environments. Pilots shine in high-stakes chases or dogfights, where speed and maneuverability can outpace blaster fire. Whether threading through an asteroid field or landing on a hostile planet, Piloting keeps the crew moving.

Mechanics (skill)

Technology is the lifeblood of the galaxy, and this skill keeps it humming by fixing mechanical breakdowns or crafting new devices from spare parts. Characters use Mechanics to patch a hull breach mid-flight, recalibrate a shield generator, or jury-rig a solution in the field. It's about precision with tools and an understanding of energy-based systems, making it essential for survival in harsh sci-fi settings. Mechanics are the unsung heroes who prevent adventures from stalling out.

Security (skill)

Future locks go beyond metal tumblers, featuring biometric scanners, energy fields, and AI-driven defenses. This skill lets characters bypass these obstacles, hacking keypads, disabling force fields, or slipping through laser grids with finesse. It's the fine art of intrusion, where patience and dexterity open doors to restricted areas or hidden loot. In a universe of high-tech safeguards, Security is the key to getting where you're not supposed to be.

Sleight of Hand (skill)

A quick flick of the wrist can plant a tracker, palm a keycard, or swap a power cell unnoticed in a galaxy under constant surveillance. This skill thrives on dexterity and misdirection, perfect for thieves, spies, or anyone needing to act fast and discreetly. It's invaluable for covert ops, where small, precise actions can avoid a firefight or secure a prize. Sleight of Hand turns split-second opportunities into victories.

Exotic Materials Handling (skill)

In a galaxy powered by strange matter and volatile energies, knowing how to handle these substances is essential. This skill covers the delicate art of manipulating plasma cores, containing antimatter, or assembling quantum devices without catastrophic failure. It demands precision, steady nerves, and an understanding of safety protocols in high-risk environments. With Exotic Materials Handling, characters can stabilize a reactor, defuse an alien bomb, or safely harness the galaxy's most dangerous tech.

Virtual Manipulation (skill)

In a galaxy where digital interfaces rival physical ones in importance, the ability to master holographic displays, virtual controls, and augmented reality systems is invaluable. This skill enables characters to execute precise actions within virtual environments---whether piloting a simulated spacecraft, disarming a digital bomb, or retrieving data from a fortified virtual vault. Requiring sharp eyesight, steady hands, and a natural feel for digital systems, Virtual Manipulation empowers characters to bypass digital defenses, operate remote machinery, or even duel in virtual combat, seamlessly blending technical finesse with physical dexterity.

Zero-G Operations (skill)

In the weightless expanse of space, performing tasks requires a unique blend of dexterity and technical know-how. This skill allows characters to manipulate tools, repair equipment, or engage in combat while floating in zero gravity. It's essential for boarding derelict ships, conducting spacewalks, or fighting in the void. Zero-G Operations ensures characters can maintain control and precision where even the smallest mistake can send them spinning into danger.

Agility

Stealth (agility)

In the shadows of neon-lit cities or the silent corridors of derelict ships, moving unseen is a vital survival skill. Stealth combines physical grace with high-tech aids like cloaking fields or sound dampeners, allowing characters to evade guards, drones, or automated sensors. It's about blending into environments---be it a bustling spaceport or an alien wasteland---using agility and cunning to remain undetected. For those who strike from the shadows or gather intel without raising alarms, Stealth is the key to success.

Acrobatics (agility)

In a galaxy where gravity is a variable, not a constant, mastering agile movements is essential. Acrobatics covers tumbling, flipping, and other gymnastic feats, whether dodging blaster fire in a firefight or performing daring stunts in zero-G. It's about body control in any environment, from the twisting corridors of a space station to the low-gravity moons of distant planets. Characters with Acrobatics turn chaos into opportunity, staying one step ahead of danger with every leap and roll.

Dodge (agility)

When blaster bolts fly or melee strikes close in, quick reflexes can mean the difference between life and death. Dodge is the art of avoiding attacks, whether sidestepping a laser blast or twisting away from a vibroblade. It's essential in combat, allowing characters to evade harm and reposition for a counterstrike. In a universe where danger lurks around every corner, Dodge keeps adventurers alive and fighting.

Climbing (agility)

From the towering spires of megacities to the jagged cliffs of alien worlds, vertical surfaces are a common challenge. Climbing lets characters scale walls, cliffs, or even the hulls of starships, often with the aid of technology like magnetic boots or grapple lines. It's about strength, balance, and knowing where to place each hand and foot. Whether infiltrating a secure facility or escaping a collapsing ruin, Climbing opens new paths to victory.

Parkour (agility)

In sprawling spaceports or labyrinthine alien structures, efficient movement is key. Parkour allows characters to navigate complex environments by running, jumping, and vaulting over obstacles with speed and precision. It's the art of turning the world into a playground, using every surface to maintain momentum and outmaneuver pursuers. For those who need to flee, chase, or explore quickly, Parkour is the ultimate expression of agility.

Escape Artist (agility)

In a galaxy where capture is a constant threat, the ability to slip free from restraints is invaluable. Escape Artist covers wriggling out of bindings, whether they be physical ropes, energy cuffs, or even force fields. It requires flexibility, patience, and a knack for finding weak points in any trap. For spies, prisoners, or anyone caught in a tight spot, Escape Artist turns captivity into a temporary setback.

Jetpack Maneuvering (agility)

In a universe where gravity is optional, jetpacks offer unparalleled freedom---and danger. Jetpack Maneuvering allows characters to control these devices with precision, soaring over obstacles, dodging attacks, or making pinpoint landings. It requires quick reflexes and a steady hand on the controls, as even a small mistake can lead to a catastrophic crash. For those who dare to take to the skies, Jetpack Maneuvering turns the battlefield into a three-dimensional playground.

Quick Draw (agility)

In a galaxy where danger can strike without warning, the ability to react swiftly and access your tools or weapons instantly is a lifesaver. Quick Draw allows characters to ready their gear with lightning speed---whether it's drawing a blaster mid-conversation, activating a shield generator before an explosion, or deploying a grappling hook to escape a collapsing platform. It's the difference between being caught off-guard and turning the tables on your foes, making it essential for gunslingers, gadgeteers, or anyone who thrives on split-second decisions. With Quick Draw, characters can seize the initiative in tense situations, ensuring they're always one step ahead.

Aim

Throwing (aim)

Accuracy with thrown objects---EMP grenades, flashbangs, or even a well-aimed wrench---can turn the tide of a fight. Throwing demands hand-eye coordination and an instinct for trajectories, letting characters lob explosives into a bunker or disable a drone mid-flight. It's a versatile skill for adventurers who need to improvise or strike from unexpected angles.

Targeting (aim)

Advanced targeting systems on ships, vehicles, or personal HUDs amplify a character's precision. Targeting Assistance governs their use, from locking onto enemy fighters to calculating missile paths. It's about blending tech with skill---perfect for gunners who rely on data to outshoot their foes or tacticians who turn every shot into a calculated strike.

Demolition (aim)

Explosives are only as good as their placement. Precision Demolition allows characters to set charges or use plasma cutters with exacting care, breaching doors or disabling machinery without collateral chaos. It's the art of controlled destruction---ideal for saboteurs who need to collapse a bridge just as the enemy crosses or disarm a bomb with seconds to spare.

Drone Operations (aim)

Remote warfare thrives in the galaxy, and Drone Gunnery puts it at your fingertips. This check governs operating armed drones or turrets, requiring precision to hit targets through a remote feed. Whether commanding a swarm of attack drones or sniping via a turret, it's a skill for those who strike from afar, keeping their hands clean and their enemies guessing.

Navigation (aim)

Navigating the vastness of space requires more than just a map; it demands precise calculations and an understanding of celestial mechanics. Astrogation allows characters to plot hyperspace jumps, avoid asteroid fields, or slingshot around planets with pinpoint accuracy. It's essential for pilots, navigators, and anyone who wants to reach their destination without getting lost in the void. With this skill, adventurers can chart the safest, fastest routes through the stars, ensuring their journey is as efficient as it is daring.

Halo-Artistry (aim)

Holographic displays are not just tools but canvases for creation, used in everything from tactical briefings to interstellar performances. Holo-Artistry enables characters to craft intricate holographic designs, encode messages, or manipulate projections with precision, captivating audiences or deceiving foes. It's perfect for diplomats, entertainers, or spies who need to sway opinions or hide secrets in plain sight. This skill transforms light and code into art---or a weapon of misdirection.

Sensor Calibration (aim)

In a galaxy teeming with advanced tech, keeping sensors finely tuned is critical for survival. Sensor Calibration allows characters to adjust radar arrays, thermal scanners, or quantum detectors with exacting precision, ensuring accurate readings in chaotic environments. It's vital for detecting cloaked ships, spotting hidden traps, or mapping uncharted planets. With this skill, adventurers can turn raw data into actionable intel, giving their crew the edge in exploration or combat.

Nano-Fabrication (aim)

In a galaxy where nanotechnology shapes the future, crafting or manipulating nano-scale devices demands unparalleled precision. Nano-Fabrication enables characters to assemble microscopic constructs, repair damaged nano-circuits, or reprogram nanite swarms with exacting care. It's critical for creating stealth probes, medical nanobots, or sabotage tools on the fly. With steady hands and a keen eye, adventurers can turn invisible machines into game-changing assets---or prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.

Tactics

Ambush Planning (tactics)

Setting the perfect trap in a galaxy of sensors and cloaking tech requires cunning foresight. Ambush Planning enables characters to arrange stealthy assaults, using terrain, decoys, or hacked systems to catch foes off-guard. It's ideal for striking from the shadows of a derelict station or luring pirates into a kill zone. With this skill, adventurers can turn surprise into a deadly weapon.

Threat Assessment (tactics)

In a universe of unknown dangers, quickly evaluating risks is a survival skill. Threat Assessment lets characters analyze enemies, environments, or tech, gauging their capabilities and weaknesses. It's about spotting a sniper's vantage point or predicting a drone swarm's pattern before it strikes. This skill keeps adventurers one step ahead, turning knowledge into tactical advantage.

Logistics (tactics)

Sustaining a crew across vast distances demands meticulous planning. Logistics covers managing supplies, fuel, and tech---ensuring the team has what it needs for long missions or desperate fights. It's about rationing power cells during a siege or rerouting resources to a stranded ship. In the unforgiving void, this skill keeps adventures from grinding to a halt.

Trade Negotiation (tactics)

In galactic markets teeming with alien merchants and corporate traders, securing the best deal requires sharp strategic thinking. Trade Negotiation enables characters to haggle for rare tech, secure bulk discounts on starship fuel, or barter for ancient artifacts. It's about reading the other party's motives and leveraging supply chains to your advantage. This skill ensures adventurers walk away with more credits---or better goods---than they started with.

Expedition Planning (tactics)

Charting a course through uncharted nebulae or alien ruins demands foresight and organization. Expedition Planning allows characters to map routes, allocate resources, and anticipate environmental hazards like radiation storms or unstable terrain. It's essential for explorers who need to balance time, supplies, and crew morale on long journeys. With this skill, adventurers can turn a risky venture into a well-orchestrated success.

Cultural Diplomacy (tactics)

Navigating the customs of alien civilizations is a delicate art in a galaxy of diverse species. Cultural Diplomacy lets characters adapt to unfamiliar protocols, avoid diplomatic faux pas, or broker alliances between rival factions. It's about understanding social cues and leveraging shared interests to build trust. This skill is vital for ambassadors or explorers seeking cooperation rather than conflict.

Resource Allocation (tactics)

In the vastness of space, every power cell and ration counts. Resource Allocation enables characters to optimize the distribution of supplies, tech, or personnel across a mission, ensuring efficiency in colony setups or deep-space voyages. It's about prioritizing needs---whether it's diverting power to life support or rationing food during a delay. This skill keeps crews thriving in the face of scarcity.

Contingency Planning (tactics)

In the unpredictable expanse of the galaxy, preparing for the unexpected is a hallmark of a true strategist. Contingency Planning allows characters to devise backup strategies for missions, anticipating disruptions like equipment failures, diplomatic breakdowns, or sudden environmental shifts. It's about crafting fallback options---such as alternate routes through a nebula or emergency protocols for a stranded crew---that keep operations on track. This skill ensures adventurers are never caught unprepared, no matter what the stars throw their way.

Intelligence

Cryptography (intelligence)

In a galaxy where secrets are guarded by quantum ciphers and AI-driven encryption, breaking codes is a vital skill. Cryptography allows characters to decipher encrypted messages, hack secure data vaults, or unravel alien communication protocols. It's about spotting patterns in seemingly random data, whether it's a distress signal or a corporate black-op file. This skill unlocks hidden truths, giving adventurers the edge in espionage or exploration.

Xenolinguistics (intelligence)

Communicating with alien species often means mastering languages no human tongue was meant to speak. Xenolinguistics enables characters to learn, interpret, or improvise alien languages, from vocal dialects to pheromone-based signals. It's crucial for diplomats negotiating with unfamiliar cultures or explorers deciphering ancient inscriptions. With this skill, adventurers bridge the gap between species, turning potential misunderstandings into opportunities.

Tech Appraisal (intelligence)

The galaxy is littered with mysterious devices, from ancient relics to bleeding-edge prototypes. Tech Appraisal lets characters evaluate unfamiliar technology, determining its function, value, or potential dangers. It's about piecing together clues from design, materials, or energy signatures, whether assessing a salvaged drone or a glowing artifact. This skill ensures adventurers know whether to wield, sell, or avoid the tech they uncover.

AI Interaction (intelligence)

Artificial intelligences, from shipboard assistants to planetary overseers, are ubiquitous but often unpredictable. AI Interaction allows characters to negotiate with, reprogram, or outwit AIs, understanding their logic and exploiting their limitations. It's about navigating digital personalities, whether convincing a security AI to unlock a door or calming a rogue system. This skill turns silicon minds into allies---or tools---for galactic adventurers.

Investigation (intelligence)

Unraveling mysteries in a galaxy of conspiracies and hidden truths demands sharp deductive skills. Investigation enables characters to gather clues, connect disparate facts, and uncover secrets, from tracing a smuggler's route to solving a corporate murder. It's about asking the right questions and spotting what others miss. With this skill, adventurers can crack cases that span star systems.

Theoretical Physics (intelligence)

The laws of the universe---warped by hyperspace, black holes, and exotic matter---are a puzzle for the keenest minds. Theoretical Physics lets characters predict phenomena, calculate safe jump coordinates, or exploit anomalies like wormholes. It's vital for navigators, scientists, or anyone facing the galaxy's strangest environments. This skill turns cosmic enigmas into practical solutions for exploration and survival.

Biotech Analysis (intelligence)

In a galaxy where biology and technology blur, understanding living systems---organic or synthetic---is critical. Biotech Analysis allows characters to study alien physiology, evaluate cybernetic implants, or diagnose bioengineered plagues. It's about decoding complex lifeforms, whether for medical treatment or uncovering a bio-weapon's origin. This skill keeps adventurers ahead of the curve in a universe where life itself is engineered.

Archaeotech Deciphering (intelligence)

The galaxy is strewn with relics of long-dead civilizations, their technologies both wondrous and enigmatic. Archaeotech Deciphering enables characters to analyze ancient devices, decode their operating principles, or unlock their dormant functions, from forgotten AI cores to mysterious energy matrices. It's about piecing together fragmented knowledge to understand artifacts that defy modern science. With this skill, adventurers can harness the power of the past or avoid the catastrophic traps left by extinct species.

Willpower

Psychic Resistance (willpower)

In a galaxy where telepathic aliens and mind-hacking AIs roam, shielding your thoughts is a survival skill. Psychic Resistance allows characters to fend off mental intrusions, from alien psychic abilities to neural overrides, maintaining control of their mind. It's about steeling oneself against fear, coercion, or invasive tech that seeks to manipulate or dominate. This skill keeps adventurers free from external control, ensuring their will remains their own.

Endurance (willpower)

The harsh void of space tests even the strongest spirits, demanding relentless perseverance. Endurance enables characters to push through exhaustion, starvation, or oxygen deprivation during long missions or desperate situations. It's vital for surviving extended spacewalks, enduring quarantine lockdowns, or outlasting environmental hazards like radiation storms. With this skill, adventurers keep going when others falter, defying the galaxy's cruelties.

Focus (willpower)

Amid the chaos of flashing consoles, alien roars, or psychic static, maintaining clarity is a feat of will. Focus allows characters to concentrate on complex tasks---like recalibrating a jump drive or negotiating under pressure---despite distractions or stress. It's essential for technicians, diplomats, or anyone who needs to stay sharp in a crisis. This skill turns turbulent situations into moments of precision and control.

Interrogation Resistance (willpower)

When captured by corporate enforcers or alien interrogators, resisting their probes is a test of mental fortitude. Interrogation Resistance enables characters to withstand questioning, torture, or mind-scanning tech, keeping secrets safe. It's about enduring pain or psychological pressure without breaking, whether facing a truth serum or a telepathic probe. This skill ensures adventurers protect their allies and missions, no matter the cost.

Meditation (willpower)

In a galaxy of constant stimuli, finding inner calm can unlock hidden strengths. Meditation allows characters to center their minds, recovering mental stamina or resisting cosmic horrors that prey on fear. It's useful for preparing for high-stakes tasks, communing with alien artifacts, or cleansing psychic interference. With this skill, adventurers tap into resilience that others can only dream of.

Survival Instinct (willpower)

The galaxy's untamed worlds and derelict stations demand a fierce will to live. Survival Instinct enables characters to find food, water, or shelter in hostile environments, from asteroid mines to jungle planets. It's about pushing past despair to scavenge supplies or navigate deadly terrain. This skill keeps adventurers alive when technology fails and hope is scarce.

Mental Fortitude (willpower)

Facing the unknown---be it a Lovecraftian entity or a malfunctioning AI---requires an iron will. Mental Fortitude allows characters to resist sanity-shattering horrors, maintaining composure in the face of existential dread. It's crucial for explorers delving into ancient ruins or scientists studying forbidden tech. With this skill, adventurers stand firm where others crumble under the weight of the cosmos.

Medicine (willpower)

When blaster wounds or alien viruses strike, medical expertise becomes a lifeline in the vastness of space. Medicine covers applying first aid with medkits or performing surgery with robotic assistants, adapting to cybernetic enhancements and diverse physiologies. Medics stabilize comrades in battle or cure mysterious space plagues using advanced tech like regen-packs, driven by the determination to save lives. Medicine ensures the crew survives the galaxy's many dangers.

Strength

Heavy Lifting (strength)

In a galaxy of massive cargo crates and wrecked starship components, raw power is essential. Heavy Lifting allows characters to haul heavy loads, from salvaged reactor cores to stranded crewmates, across space stations or planetary surfaces. It's about leveraging muscle to move obstacles or carry vital supplies under pressure. This skill ensures adventurers can handle the galaxy's heaviest burdens without breaking a sweat.

Breaching (strength)

When doors are sealed by reinforced alloys or debris blocks the way, brute force can open new paths. Breaching enables characters to smash through barriers, pry open blast doors, or clear rubble with sheer strength. It's vital for boarding actions, escaping collapsing structures, or accessing sealed vaults. With this skill, adventurers turn impenetrable obstacles into mere inconveniences.

Grappling (strength)

In close-quarters struggles, overpowering an opponent can shift the tide. Grappling allows characters to restrain or subdue foes, from rogue androids to alien creatures, using raw physical power. It's about pinning enemies or breaking free from their holds, whether in a zero-G brawl or a planetary bar fight. This skill gives adventurers the edge in physical confrontations where strength reigns supreme.

Exosuit Operation (strength)

Power armor and exosuits amplify strength but require muscle to control their immense power. Exosuit Operation enables characters to wield these suits effectively, lifting massive objects or stabilizing their bulk in harsh conditions. It's essential for heavy labor on asteroid mines or surviving hostile planets. With this skill, adventurers turn advanced tech into an extension of their raw might.

Structural Reinforcement (strength)

In the fragile habitats of space, reinforcing weakened structures can mean survival. Structural Reinforcement allows characters to brace collapsing bulkheads, secure loose panels, or stabilize failing supports with physical effort. It's about applying strength to keep a ship or colony intact during a crisis, like a meteor strike or reactor breach. This skill ensures adventurers can hold the line against the galaxy's destructive forces.

Power Cell Management (strength)

The galaxy's energy-hungry tech relies on heavy, volatile power cells that demand careful handling. Power Cell Management enables characters to install, remove, or transport these units, from starship reactors to portable generators, without mishap. It's vital for powering up defenses or salvaging energy from wrecks under time pressure. With this skill, adventurers keep the lights on and the machines running.

Alien Fauna Handling (strength)

Taming or restraining the galaxy's exotic creatures, from massive pack beasts to feral predators, requires raw physical power. Alien Fauna Handling allows characters to wrangle creatures for transport, labor, or protection, using strength to assert dominance. It's essential for explorers on untamed worlds or traders dealing in live cargo. This skill turns wild beasts into allies---or keeps them at bay.

Wreckage Salvage (strength)

The galaxy is littered with derelict ships and ruined outposts, ripe for scavenging but buried under tons of debris. Wreckage Salvage enables characters to clear rubble, lift shattered hulls, or extract valuable components with brute force. It's about muscling through chaos to uncover tech, data, or survivors. With this skill, adventurers turn the galaxy's ruins into treasure troves.

Initiative

Rapid Response (initiative)

In a galaxy where split-second decisions mean survival, reacting instantly to danger is critical. Rapid Response allows characters to act first in tense situations, from triggering a ship's emergency shields to diving for cover when a reactor sparks. It's about reflexes honed by the constant threats of space, whether dodging a sudden hull breach or responding to an ambush signal. This skill ensures adventurers stay ahead of the curve in any crisis.

Tech Improvisation (initiative)

When tech fails or plans go awry, quick thinking can turn scraps into solutions. Tech Improvisation enables characters to jury-rig devices on the fly, like hotwiring a hoverbike or repurposing a broken drone as a signal jammer. It's about adapting under pressure, using whatever's at hand to solve immediate problems. With this skill, adventurers transform setbacks into opportunities with lightning-fast ingenuity.

Evasive Instincts (initiative)

The galaxy's dangers---automated turrets, alien predators, or collapsing structures---require razor-sharp instincts. Evasive Instincts allows characters to anticipate and avoid sudden threats, like sidestepping a laser trap or leaping clear of a falling bulkhead. It's about reacting before the brain fully processes the danger, keeping adventurers safe in unpredictable environments. This skill turns gut reactions into lifesaving maneuvers.

Holo-Interface Mastery (initiative)

Holographic controls dominate starships and outposts, demanding rapid interaction to stay in control. Holo-Interface Mastery enables characters to navigate these interfaces with speed, adjusting systems like navigation or life support in the blink of an eye. It's essential for pilots, engineers, or anyone racing against time to stabilize a failing grid. With this skill, adventurers command complex tech as if it were second nature.

Social Reflexes (initiative)

In a galaxy of fast-talking traders and cunning diplomats, quick wits can outshine a blaster. Social Reflexes allows characters to respond instantly in conversations, defusing tensions, seizing opportunities, or spinning a lie before suspicion arises. It's about reading the room and acting faster than the other guy, whether negotiating a deal or charming a security chief. This skill keeps adventurers one step ahead in the social battlefield.

Environmental Adaptation (initiative)

The galaxy's diverse worlds---from toxic atmospheres to zero-G ruins---demand rapid adjustment. Environmental Adaptation enables characters to acclimate to new conditions, like recalibrating breathing gear or stabilizing footing on an unstable asteroid. It's about reacting to shifting environments before they become deadly. With this skill, adventurers thrive where others struggle to survive.

Sensor Awareness (initiative)

In a universe of cloaked ships and hidden traps, noticing the faintest ping can save a crew. Sensor Awareness allows characters to react instantly to sensor alerts, spotting anomalies like a stealth drone or a radiation spike before it's too late. It's about trusting instincts to interpret data faster than automated systems. This skill keeps adventurers alert and ready for the galaxy's unseen dangers.

Emergency Protocol (initiative)

When disaster strikes---a hull breach, a rogue AI, or a failing warp core---swift action is the only defense. Emergency Protocol enables characters to enact critical procedures, like sealing a compartment or overriding a lockdown, with unparalleled speed. It's about knowing the right move and making it before the countdown hits zero. With this skill, adventurers keep their ship and crew intact against the odds.

{width="8.519444444444444in" height="4.259722222222222in"}Flaws

Clumsy Hands (-1 Skill)

Your fingers fumble with delicate tools and intricate devices, especially when handling advanced tech like plasma welders or nanite injectors. Whether it's repairing a circuit board on a starship or picking a biometric lock, your lack of dexterity often leads to mistakes. You might drop a crucial component mid-repair or accidentally trigger an alarm while trying to bypass security. Your clumsiness is a constant source of frustration, particularly in high-pressure situations where precision is key. Even simple tasks, like calibrating a scanner, can turn into a comedy of errors. Your companions have learned to double-check your work, just in case. On a recent mission, you nearly shorted out a ship's nav system, earning a stern glare from the crew.

Tech Illiterate (-1 Skill)

Advanced technology confounds you, from holographic interfaces to quantum processors. While others effortlessly navigate starship controls or hack into secure networks, you struggle with basic operations. You often misinterpret readouts on a datapad or press the wrong buttons on a console, leading to malfunctions or delays. Your lack of technical savvy can be a liability in a galaxy where technology is ubiquitous. You might accidentally overload a power core or fail to activate a shield generator in time. It's not that you're unintelligent---just that tech seems to have a mind of its own around you. Once, you rebooted an AI companion instead of querying it, much to its annoyance.

Butterfingers (-1 Skill)

You have a knack for dropping things at the worst possible moments, like a blaster during a firefight or a keycard while sneaking past automated sentries. Your grip fails you, turning simple tasks into chaotic scrambles. This tendency is especially problematic when handling volatile materials, like plasma grenades or unstable isotopes. Your companions have learned to keep spares handy, and you've become adept at apologizing. It's not uncommon for you to fumble a repair tool mid-mission, causing delays or even alerting nearby enemies. Your hands just don't seem to cooperate when it matters most. A dropped flare once lit up your position to a pack of roaming drones.

Slow Learner (-1 Skill)

New skills and techniques take longer for you to master, whether it's piloting a hovercraft or understanding alien languages. While others pick up on things quickly, you need extra time and practice. This can be frustrating when trying to learn a new system or adapt to a changing environment, like mastering a new weapon's recoil pattern. Your slower learning curve means you're often a step behind, especially in fast-paced scenarios. You might still be figuring out the controls of a mech suit while your team is already in combat. Patience is a virtue, but in your case, it's a necessity. Your crew once waited an hour while you deciphered a basic hyperspace jump sequence.

Distracted Focus (-1 Skill)

Your mind wanders easily, making it hard to concentrate on detailed tasks like programming a drone or assembling a cloaking device. Whether it's the hum of a ship's engine or your own racing thoughts, something always pulls your attention away. This distraction leads to errors and oversights, often requiring you to start over. Your lack of concentration can be a hindrance in situations that demand precision, like disarming a bomb or aligning a satellite dish. You've tried various techniques to stay focused, but nothing seems to stick. Your teammates often have to remind you to stay on task. During a recent repair, you daydreamed about nebula vistas and miswired a coolant line.

Stiff Joints (-1 Agility)

Your movements are rigid and lack fluidity, making agile maneuvers like dodging laser fire or leaping over obstacles difficult. You often stumble or trip, especially when navigating zero-gravity environments or uneven terrain. Your lack of flexibility is a liability in combat, where quick reflexes can mean the difference between life and death. Even simple actions, like climbing a ladder or squeezing through a vent, are challenging. You might find yourself lagging behind in a sprint or failing to evade an enemy's grasp. Your body just doesn't bend the way it should. A recent tumble in a derelict ship's corridors left you cursing your creaky knees.

Lead Footed (-1 Agility)

You move with a heavy, plodding gait, as if your boots are magnetized to the deck plating. Sprinting or jumping is exhausting and inefficient, and you're often the last to arrive at a destination. Your lack of speed is a concern in a galaxy where agility can mean survival, especially when fleeing from a collapsing structure or chasing a suspect through a crowded spaceport. You might be able to keep up for a short burst, but fatigue sets in quickly. Your teammates have learned to plan for your slower pace, but it's still a hindrance. Once, you lagged so far behind that you missed a shuttle extraction by seconds.

Uncoordinated (-1 Agility)

Your body doesn't always do what you want it to, like a glitchy android with misaligned servos. Simple actions like climbing or balancing are challenging, and you often misjudge distances or lose your footing. This lack of coordination can lead to embarrassing or dangerous situations, like falling off a ledge or bumping into a control panel. You might accidentally activate a trap or knock over a valuable artifact. Your clumsiness is a constant source of frustration, and you've learned to avoid tasks that require finesse. During a heist, you tripped over a cable and set off a blaring alarm.

Overly Cautious (-1 Agility)

You hesitate before every move, second-guessing your actions like a malfunctioning AI. While this might prevent some mistakes, it also slows you down, making you a liability in fast-paced environments. Your caution can be frustrating for allies who need quick decisions, like during a firefight or a daring escape. You often miss opportunities to act, paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong choice. Others might perceive you as timid or indecisive, which can erode their trust in your abilities. A recent delay in dodging a turret's fire earned you a singed jumpsuit and a teammate's scowl.

Inflexible (-1 Agility)

Your body resists sudden changes in direction or position, as if your joints are rusted like an old mech. Twisting, bending, or stretching is painful and limited, making it hard to adapt to unexpected situations or navigate tight spaces. This lack of flexibility is a hindrance in dynamic environments, like a spaceship's maintenance tunnels or a dense asteroid field. You might struggle to fit through a narrow gap or contort your body to avoid a hazard. Your rigidity is a constant challenge, and you've learned to plan your movements carefully. Trying to duck under a closing blast door once left you stuck until help arrived.

Shaky Hands (-1 Aim)

Your hands tremble slightly, like a faulty stabilizer on a sniper rifle, making it hard to hold a steady aim. Whether shooting a blaster or aligning a scope, your precision suffers. This tremor can be exacerbated by stress or fatigue, leading to missed shots or botched repairs. Your lack of stability is a constant frustration, especially when precision is critical, like disabling a security drone from a distance. You've tried various techniques to steady your hands, but nothing seems to work. A shaky shot once ricocheted off a bulkhead and nearly hit your own squad.

No Depth Perception (-1 Aim)

You struggle to judge distances accurately, as if your ocular implants are miscalibrated. Targets seem closer or farther than they are, leading to miscalculations in combat or when using tools. This can result in shots going wide or equipment being misused, like overextending a plasma cutter. Your spatial awareness is a weakness in situations requiring precision, such as sniping or piloting through tight spaces. You often have to rely on others to gauge distances for you. Misjudging a gap once sent a welding torch sparking into a fuel line.

Easily Distracted (-1 Aim)

Your focus wavers, especially when aiming, like a targeting system with too many inputs. External stimuli or internal thoughts pull your attention away, leading to erratic shots or misaligned tools. This distraction can be a liability in critical moments, like lining up a shot on a moving target or calibrating a laser drill. You might find yourself adjusting your aim at the last second, only to miss entirely. Your lack of concentration is a constant challenge, and you've learned to minimize distractions whenever possible. A stray thought about dinner once caused you to miss a fleeing bounty by a kilometer.

Weak Grip (-1 Aim)

Your hands lack the strength to hold weapons or tools firmly, as if your cybernetic enhancements are underpowered. Recoil from firearms can throw off your aim, and delicate instruments slip from your grasp. This weakness makes it hard to maintain control during precise tasks, like threading a needle or steadying a rifle. Your grip strength is a constant concern, and you've had to adapt by using lighter equipment or relying on others for heavy lifting. A blaster once flew from your hands mid-firefight, clattering uselessly across the deck.

Tunnel Vision (-1 Aim)

You focus so intently on your target that you lose awareness of your surroundings, like a scope with no peripheral vision. While this might improve your aim slightly, it leaves you vulnerable to flanking or surprise attacks. Your narrow focus can be a double-edged sword in combat, as you might hit your mark but miss an enemy creeping up behind you. This flaw is especially dangerous in chaotic environments, where situational awareness is key. A sniper shot once took out your target, but you didn't notice the droid rolling up with a stun net.

Impulsive (-1 Tactics)

You act on instinct rather than strategy, like a rogue AI without a decision matrix. Long-term planning is not your strong suit, and you often dive into situations without considering the consequences. This impulsiveness can lead to reckless decisions and missed opportunities, like charging into a room without checking for traps. Your lack of foresight is a constant challenge, and your allies have learned to temper your enthusiasm with caution. A spur-of-the-moment assault once landed you in a brig with no escape plan.

Overconfident (-1 Tactics)

You believe too strongly in your own abilities and plans, like a captain who ignores the navigator. This confidence can blind you to potential flaws or alternative strategies, leading to underestimating opponents or overcommitting resources. Your overconfidence often results in taking unnecessary risks, like engaging a superior force without backup. Learning from mistakes is a slow process for you, as you tend to double down on your decisions. A botched raid on a pirate base left your team scrambling because you dismissed recon data.

Indecisive (-1 Tactics)

You struggle to make quick decisions, especially under pressure, like a computer stuck in a loop. Weighing options takes too long, leading to missed opportunities or delayed actions. This indecisiveness can frustrate allies and give enemies an advantage, especially in fast-paced scenarios like a dogfight or a timed mission. You might find yourself paralyzed by choice, unable to commit to a course of action. Your hesitation is a liability, and you've learned to rely on others for guidance. A stalled retreat once cost you a chance to evade a closing ion net.

Forgetful (-1 Tactics)

Important details slip your mind easily, like a corrupted data file. Whether it's forgetting a key part of a plan or misremembering enemy capabilities, your memory lapses can derail strategies. This forgetfulness requires constant reminders and double-checking, which can slow down your team. You might leave a crucial tool behind or fail to recall a password, leading to delays or setbacks. Your unreliable memory is a constant concern, and you've started keeping detailed notes. Forgetting a rendezvous point once stranded you on a hostile moon for hours.

Audacious (-1 Tactics)

You prefer bold, risky plans over cautious ones, like a pilot who always flies through asteroid fields. While this can lead to spectacular successes, it often results in unnecessary danger or failure. Your audacity can inspire others but also lead to reckless behavior, like attempting a solo rescue mission. Balancing risk and reward is a constant struggle for you, and your allies have learned to brace for the unexpected. A daring shortcut through a plasma storm once fried your ship's sensors, leaving you adrift.

Ignorant (-1 Intelligence)

You lack basic knowledge in many areas, from astrophysics to xenobiology. Scientific principles, historical facts, and cultural norms often elude you, leading to misunderstandings or poor decision-making. This ignorance can be a liability in a galaxy where knowledge is power, like not knowing how to operate a stasis pod or misunderstanding an alien's customs. Your lack of education is a constant hurdle, and you've learned to ask questions---lots of them. A misstep with a diplomatic gesture once offended a trade guild, costing your crew a deal.

Gullible (-1 Intelligence)

You trust others too easily, often falling for lies or scams, like believing a shady merchant's claim about a "rare" artifact. Critical thinking is not your strong suit, and you take information at face value. This gullibility can lead to being manipulated or deceived, especially by those with ulterior motives. Your trusting nature is both a strength and a weakness, as it can endear you to allies but also make you a target for exploitation. A con artist once sold you a "hyperdrive booster" that was just a painted rock.

Superstitious (-1 Intelligence)

You believe in omens, curses, and other irrational concepts, like thinking a comet is a bad sign or that a broken mirror brings bad luck. These beliefs can cloud your judgment and lead to irrational decisions, such as avoiding a perfectly safe route because of a "haunted" rumor. Your superstition often overrides logic, causing you to act on fear rather than reason. Overcoming these beliefs is a constant challenge, especially in a world where science explains most phenomena. You once refused to board a ship because its hull number ended in 13.

Absent Minded (-1 Intelligence)

Your thoughts drift, making it hard to focus on complex problems, like forgetting the sequence to disarm a bomb. You lose track of conversations or forget important details, leading to errors in judgment or incomplete plans. This absent-mindedness can be a liability in situations that require concentration, such as decrypting a code or analyzing a star chart. Staying focused is a constant struggle, and you've learned to rely on reminders and checklists. Spacing out during a briefing once left you clueless about the mission objective.

Big Mouth (-1 Intelligence)

You speak before thinking, often revealing secrets or offending others, like blurting out classified information in a crowded bar. Your lack of filter can lead to diplomatic incidents or security breaches, especially in sensitive situations. This tendency to blurt out thoughts requires constant vigilance, and you've learned to bite your tongue---sometimes literally. Your outspoken nature is both a blessing and a curse, as it can lead to honesty but also to trouble. A loud remark about a warlord's ship once sparked a brawl in a cantina.

Doubtful (-1 Willpower)

You second-guess yourself constantly, like a navigator who can't trust their own coordinates. This doubt can paralyze you in critical moments, preventing decisive action. Your lack of confidence is a constant battle, often requiring reassurance from others. You might hesitate to pull the trigger or question your own judgment, leading to missed opportunities or mistakes. A moment of self-doubt once kept you from sealing a hull breach in time.

Fearful (-1 Willpower)

You are easily frightened, jumping at shadows and avoiding risks, like a technician afraid of the dark. This fear can prevent you from taking necessary actions or exploring new opportunities, such as refusing to enter a dark corridor or shying away from combat. Your timidity is a liability in dangerous situations, often requiring others to take the lead. You've learned to rely on your allies for courage, but it's still a struggle. A creaking noise once sent you bolting from a perfectly safe derelict.

Addictive Personality (-1 Willpower)

You struggle with self-control, easily falling into habits or dependencies, like an engineer hooked on stims. Whether it's substances, behaviors, or routines, breaking free is difficult. This addiction can cloud your judgment and lead to poor decisions, such as prioritizing a fix over a mission objective. Managing your impulses is a constant challenge, and you've learned to avoid temptation whenever possible. A craving for synth-ale once distracted you during a stealth op.

Short Tempered (-1 Willpower)

You lose your cool quickly, reacting with anger or frustration, like a captain who yells at the crew. This temper can lead to rash actions or damaged relationships, such as punching a wall or insulting an ally. Your inability to stay calm under pressure is a liability in tense situations, like negotiations or stealth missions. Learning to manage your emotions is a constant struggle, and you've started practicing breathing exercises. A snapped retort once escalated a tense standoff into a firefight.

Paranoid (-1 Willpower)

You see threats everywhere, often imagining dangers that aren't there, like thinking every shadow is an assassin droid. This paranoia can lead to distrust and isolation, making it hard to form alliances. Your constant vigilance is exhausting, both for you and those around you. Distinguishing real threats from imagined ones is a constant challenge, and you've learned to double-check your suspicions. You once accused a friendly trader of being a spy, nearly ruining a supply run.

Frail (-1 Strength)

Your body is weak and lacks muscle mass, like a scientist who's never lifted a grav-pack. Lifting heavy objects or enduring physical strain is challenging, making you vulnerable in combat or labor-intensive tasks. You might struggle to carry your own gear or push open a jammed door. Your physical limitations are a constant concern, and you've learned to rely on technology or allies for heavy lifting. A crate of rations once pinned you until a drone hauled it off.

Injury Prone (-1 Strength)

You are susceptible to injuries, often spraining or straining muscles, like an athlete with bad luck on a low-grav planet. Physical activities carry a higher risk for you, leading to frequent downtime. This tendency to get hurt can slow progress and frustrate allies, especially when you're sidelined during a mission. You've learned to be cautious, but accidents still happen. A twisted ankle from a minor jump once left you hobbling for days.

Malnourished (-1 Strength)

Poor diet or health issues leave you physically weak, like a spacer who's been on rations too long. Your energy levels are low, and you tire quickly, affecting your ability to perform physically demanding tasks. You might need frequent breaks or struggle to keep up with your team. Proper nutrition and care are constant needs for you, and you've started carrying extra food packs. A long stint on nutrient paste left you too feeble to lift a hatch.

Lazy (-1 Strength)

You avoid physical exertion whenever possible, like a bureaucrat who prefers holo-desk work. Exercise and labor are unappealing, leading to a sedentary lifestyle. This laziness results in poor physical condition and reduced strength, making you a liability in situations that require endurance or muscle. Motivating yourself to be active is a constant struggle, and you've learned to delegate physical tasks. You once napped through a cargo unload, leaving your crew shorthanded.

Overburdened (-1 Strength)

You carry too much gear or weight, straining your body like a pack mule droid. This excess load slows you down and tires you quickly, making you vulnerable in combat or when speed is essential. Your insistence on carrying everything can be a liability, especially in situations requiring mobility. Learning to travel light is a lesson you struggle with, and your allies often have to remind you to drop unnecessary items. A overloaded pack once slowed you during a retreat, nearly getting you caught.

Slow Reflexes (-1 Initiative)

Your reactions are delayed, making you slow to respond to sudden events, like a pilot with lag in a neural link. Whether it's dodging an attack or seizing an opportunity, you're often a beat behind. This sluggishness can be dangerous in fast-paced environments, such as a firefight or a spaceship crash. Improving your reflexes is a constant goal, and you've started practicing reaction drills. A late duck once earned you a graze from a stray bolt.

Hesitant (-1 Initiative)

You pause before acting, weighing options too long, like a strategist who overthinks a holo-chess move. This hesitation can cost you precious seconds in critical moments, such as when an enemy is about to strike. Your need to think things through can be a liability when quick decisions are required, like choosing a path in a maze or deciding to retreat. Learning to trust your instincts is a constant challenge. You once froze during a reactor meltdown, delaying an evacuation.

Distracted (-1 Initiative)

Your attention is easily diverted, making it hard to react quickly, like a scanner with too many alerts. External stimuli or internal thoughts pull your focus away from the task at hand, leading to missed opportunities or delayed responses. This distraction can be a liability in situations that require vigilance, such as guarding a post or piloting through debris. Staying present is a constant struggle, and you've learned to minimize distractions. A sudden daydream once kept you from spotting an ambush.

Sleepy (-1 Initiative)

You are often tired or drowsy, lacking energy and alertness, like a crew member on double shifts in hyperspace. This fatigue slows your reactions and clouds your thinking, making you vulnerable in combat or when quick thinking is needed. Your constant need for rest can be a liability, especially during long missions or in hostile environments. Finding ways to stay awake and alert is a constant concern, and you've started relying on stimulants. You nearly dozed off during a watch, missing a cloaked ship's approach.

Unprepared (-1 Initiative)

You often lack readiness for unexpected events, like forgetting to check gear or not anticipating threats. This causes delays and frustrates you and your allies. You're working on improving by double-checking equipment, but past incidents, like an uncharged blaster leaving you defenseless, show the importance of preparation.

{width="8.561111111111112in" height="4.280555555555556in"}Backgrounds

Starship Engineer (+1 Skill)

You spent years maintaining and repairing starships, from small fighters to massive cruisers. Your hands are calloused from working with tools, and you can diagnose a malfunctioning hyperdrive with a glance. This technical expertise gives you an edge in hands-on tasks, making you a master of practical fixes. You prefer the logic of machines and thrive in environments where precision and problem-solving are key. Whether it's rewiring a control panel or patching a hull breach, your skills keep the crew flying. Your favorite project was retrofitting a salvaged freighter into a stealth ship, a task that tested your ingenuity and resourcefulness.

Cybernetico (+1 Skill)

You specialized in installing and maintaining cybernetic enhancements, from prosthetic limbs to neural implants. Your precision with delicate components is unmatched, honed by long hours in sterile labs. This expertise makes you a master of intricate repairs and upgrades, allowing you to push technology to its limits. You're comfortable in controlled environments, where your steady hands and sharp focus can shine. Your work is essential in a galaxy where cybernetics are commonplace. You once crafted a custom neural link for a client, seamlessly integrating their mind with their ship's AI.

Xenobiologist (+1 Skill)

You studied alien life forms, dissecting and cataloging their unique physiologies with expert precision. Your knowledge of biology is extensive, giving you an edge in scientific pursuits. This background makes you adept at understanding and manipulating organic systems, from healing wounds to identifying unknown species. Your focus on the microscopic world sharpens your attention to detail, making you invaluable in research and exploration. Your most memorable discovery was a bioluminescent organism on a distant moon, which led to a breakthrough in medical science.

Hacker (+1 Skill)

You infiltrated secure networks, bypassing firewalls and encryption with deft keystrokes. Your technical prowess leaves no digital trace, making you a master of cyber intrusions. This background gives you an edge in manipulating technology, from disabling security systems to extracting classified data. You're a ghost in the machine, able to outsmart even the most advanced AI. Your skills are indispensable in a world where information is power. Your proudest moment was hacking into a corporate mainframe to expose a conspiracy, all without leaving a trace.

Artisan (+1 Skill)

You crafted intricate works of art, from holographic sculptures to nanite-infused paintings. Your attention to detail is unparalleled, enhancing your creative and technical skills. This background makes you a master of precision, whether you're designing a new device or repairing a delicate mechanism. Your obsession with perfection drives you to excel in any task that requires a steady hand and a keen eye. You once created a sculpture that captured the essence of a nebula, earning acclaim across multiple systems.

Acrobat (+1 Agility)