GIRL GENIUS Sourcebook and Roleplaying Game

The Girl Genius Sourcebook and Roleplaying Game

brings the world of Phil and Kaja Foglio's Girl Genius
comics and graphic novels to your gaming table. Its lavishly
illustrated contents include:
• A detailed description of the setting and its history that
draws upon all available sources . . . compiled with input
from the creators themselves, meaning these pages reveal
some secrets and truths for the first time!
• A complete roleplaying game covering character creation, equipment, combat, and
dramatic situations and tasks – including inventing, of course! To play, just add paper,
pencils, and six-sided dice.
• Biographies and character sheets for all the major characters and many minor ones,
plus notes on supporting cast.
• Game stats for a wide range of clanks, constructs, and other creatures unique to Girl
Genius.
• Tons of helpful advice on establishing mood, accurately emulating the comics, and
running and playing the game.

The Girl Genius Sourcebook and Roleplaying Game is Powered by GURPS but does
not require GURPS. It is a complete, standalone game.

By Jason Andrew, JN Childs, Kaja Foglio, Phil Foglio, Victor Foglio,

Jason (“PK”) Levine, and Jimmy Reckitt
Edited by Steve Jackson and Sean Punch
Illustrated by Kaja Foglio and Phil Foglio
Cover Illustration by Phil Foglio

1st Edition , 1st Printing

Published January 2022

By Jason Andrew, JN Childs, Kaja Foglio, Phil Foglio, Victor Foglio, Jason (“PK”) Levine, and Jimmy Reckitt
www.sjgames.com SJG 01-2480 Printed in Belgium
01-2480
 GIRL GENIUS Sourcebook and Roleplaying Game
The Girl Genius Sourcebook and Roleplaying Game
brings the world of Phil and Kaja Foglio's Girl Genius
comics and graphic novels to your gaming table. Its lavishly
illustrated contents include:
• A detailed description of the setting and its history that
draws upon all available sources . . . compiled with input
from the creators themselves, meaning these pages reveal
some secrets and truths for the first time!
• A complete roleplaying game covering character creation, equipment, combat, and
dramatic situations and tasks – including inventing, of course! To play, just add paper,
pencils, and six-sided dice.
• Biographies and character sheets for all the major characters and many minor ones,
plus notes on supporting cast.
• Game stats for a wide range of clanks, constructs, and other creatures unique to Girl
Genius.
• Tons of helpful advice on establishing mood, accurately emulating the comics, and
running and playing the game.

The Girl Genius Sourcebook and Roleplaying Game is Powered by GURPS but does
not require GURPS. It is a complete, standalone game.

By Jason Andrew, JN Childs, Kaja Foglio, Phil Foglio, Victor Foglio,

Jason (“PK”) Levine, and Jimmy Reckitt
Edited by Steve Jackson and Sean Punch
Illustrated by Kaja Foglio and Phil Foglio
Cover Illustration by Phil Foglio

1st Edition , 1st Printing

Published January 2022

By Jason Andrew, JN Childs, Kaja Foglio, Phil Foglio, Victor Foglio, Jason (“PK”) Levine, and Jimmy Reckitt
www.sjgames.com SJG 01-2480 Printed in Belgium
01-2480
 Written by Jason Andrew, JN Childs, Kaja Foglio, Phil Foglio, Victor Foglio,
Jason (“PK”) Levine, and Jimmy Reckitt
Edited by Steve Jackson and Sean Punch
Illustrated by Kaja Foglio and Phil Foglio • Art Direction by Victor Foglio
Cover Illustration by Phil Foglio

STEVE JACKSON GAMES

ISBN 978-1-55634-653-8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
®
 CONTENTS
Ardsley Wooster . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Zola’s Crew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Bangladesh “Bang” DuPree . . . . 47
Lucrezia Mongfish . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Those Three Jägers . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Other Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The Fifty Families . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Jenka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
About the Comic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Guests of Castle Wulfenbach . . . . 23 Circus Folk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
About This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Trewlaney Thorpe – 4. Templates . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Spoiler Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Spark of the Realm . . . . . . . . 24 Character Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
About the Creators . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Western Europe . . . . . . . . . . 23 Occupational Templates . . . . . 58
1. The World Through Paris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Questors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Tinted Goggles . . . . . . 7 England . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Nonhuman Templates . . . . . . . 63
History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 The Wastelands . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Clanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Gaming Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Master Payne’s Circus Constructs and Clanks . . . . . . . . . 64
Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 of Adventure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 The Mini-Castle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Early Sparks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 The Rest of the World . . . . . . 26 Constructs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
The Rise of Science . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 The Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 The Storm King’s Muses . . . . . . . 65
The Long War . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Jägertroth und Nize Hats . . . . . . . 67
The Heterodyne Menace . . . . . . . . 9 North . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Geisterdamen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
The Storm King . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Dreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
The Storm King Conspiracy . . . . . 10 Lost Cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 5. Character Traits . . . . . 69
The Knights of Jove . . . . . . . . . . 11 3. Cast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Character Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
The Heterodyne Boys . . . . . . . . . 11 Reading Character Write-Ups . . . 28 Basic Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . 70
The Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Agatha Heterodyne . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
One Nation under Wulfenbach . 13 Agatha Clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Basic Lift and
The Pax Transylvania . . . . . . . . . 13 Heterodyning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Encumbrance Table . . . . . . . . 71
Modern Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Adam and Lilith Clay . . . . . . . . . . 34 Secondary Characteristics . . . . . 72
Town and Country . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Baron Klaus Wulfenbach . . . . . . 35 Image and Looks . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Languages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Gilgamesh “Gil” Wulfenbach . . . 36
Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Tales of Old . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Language and Influence . . . . . 73
Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Gil’s Magnificent Hat . . . . . . . . . . 38
Wealth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Religion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Prince Tarvek Sturmvoraus . . . . 38
Reputation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Timekeeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Krosp I, Emperor of All Cats . . . 40
Reputation: A Worked Example . . 74
2. Nice Places Princess Zeetha of Skifander . . . 41
Importance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Airman Third Class “The
to Be From . . . . . . . . . 17 Special Rules for Rank . . . . . . . . . 75
Unstoppable” Axel Higgs . . . . 42
Europa Wulfenbach . . . . . . . . 17 Violetta Mondarev . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Friends and Foes . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Old Castle Wulfenbach . . . . . . . . 18 Smoke Knights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Allies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Mechanicsburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Otilia/Von Pinn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Grand Old European Schools . . . 20 Othar Tryggvassen, Why Contacts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Sturmhalten . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Gentleman Adventurer! . . . . . 44 Dependents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Refuge of Storms . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Zola Anya Talinka Venia Enemies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Beetleburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Zeblikya Malfeazium . . . . . . . 45 Patrons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
The New Castle Wulfenbach . . . 23

GURPS System Design z STEVE JACKSON Production Manager z SABRINA GONZALEZ Chief Executive Officer z PHILIP REED
GURPS Line Editor z SEAN PUNCH Production Artist z BENJAMIN WILLIAMS Chief Creative Officer z SAM MITSCHKE
GURPS Project Manager z STEVEN MARSH Prepress Checker z SUSAN BUENO Chief Operating Officer z SUSAN BUENO
Page Design z BENJAMIN WILLIAMS President/Editor-in-Chief z STEVE JACKSON Director of Sales z ROSS JEPSON
Licensing Manager z ALAIN DAWSON Project Manager z DARRYLL SILVA

Special Thanks: Elizabeth McCoy

Girl Genius is © Studio Foglio. All Girl Genius characters are copyright © 2002-2022 by Studio Foglio. Girl Genius and the Girl Genius logos
are trademarks of Studio Foglio, used under license. All rights reserved.
GURPS, Pyramid, Warehouse 23, the pyramid logo, and the names of all products published
by Steve Jackson Games Incorporated are trademarks or registered trademarks of Steve Jackson Games Incorporated, or used under license.
Girl Genius Sourcebook and Roleplaying Game is copyright © 2021, 2022 by Steve Jackson Games Incorporated. All rights reserved. Printed in Bulgaria.
The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this material via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal,
and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.
Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

2 Contents
Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 Giant Rats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Disadvantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 A World Not Quite Giant Spiders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Restrictions on Disadvantages . . 94 Transformed . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 Green Glowy Things . . . . . . . . . 173
Self-Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Power Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 Hoomhoffers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Self-Imposed Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 Lapinemoths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Mental Disadvantages . . . . . . . 94 An Alternate Mimmoths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Quirks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Industrial Revolution . . . . . . 157 Radioheads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Voice Command Slaver Wasps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
(and Fooling It!) . . . . . . . . . . 157 Torchmen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Buying Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Skill Defaults: Using Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 8. Onward to
Skills You Don’t Know . . . . . 104 The Corbettites . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 Adventure! . . . . . . . . 177
Skill Cost Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Airships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 Logistical Considerations . . . . . 177
Using Skills with Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Sherlocking the Table: The Secret of
Other Attributes . . . . . . . . . . 105 The Dangers of Reanimation . . . 161 Learning What Players Want . . 177
Skill List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Weaponry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 Ingredients List:
Starting Wealth and Equipment . 129 Defenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Recipe for Your Campaign . . . 178
Goggles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Themes and Tropes . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Character Improvement . . . . 130
Unnatural Fauna . . . . . . . . . . 172 Time Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
6. How to Do Dingbots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Everything . . . . . . . . 131 Fun-Sized Mobile Agony
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Rolling the Dice . . . . . . . . . . 131 and Death Dispensers . . . . . 172 Comic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Success Rolls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Other Clanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Character sheet . . . . . . 192
Settling Rules Questions . . . . . . 131
Reaction Rolls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Loyalty and Loyalty Checks . . . . 134
Characters in Action . . . . . . 135 About GURPS
Physical Feats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Steve Jackson Games is committed to full support of GURPS players.
Hysterical Strength . . . . . . . . . . . 136 We can be reached by email: info@sjgames.com. Our address is SJ
Mental Feats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Games, P.O. Box 18957, Austin, TX 78760. Resources include:
Combat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 New supplements and adventures. GURPS continues to grow – see
Combat Turn Sequence . . . . . . 139 what’s new at gurps.sjgames.com.
Maneuvers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 Warehouse 23. Our online store offers GURPS print items, plus PDFs
Game Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 of our books, supplements, adventures, play aids, and support . . . includ-
Posture Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 ing exclusive material available only on Warehouse 23! Just head over to
Free Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 warehouse23.com.
Attacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 Pyramid (pyramid.sjgames.com). For 10 years, our PDF magazine
Grappling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Pyramid included new rules and articles for GURPS, plus systemless
Defending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 locations, adventures, and more. The entire 122-issue library is available
Fancy Fightin’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 at Warehouse 23!
Extra Effort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Internet. To discuss GURPS with our staff and your fellow gamers,
Damage and Injury . . . . . . . . . . 145 visit our forums at forums.sjgames.com. You can also join us at
Injury, Illness and Fatigue . . 146 facebook.com/sjgames or twitter.com/sjgames. Share your brief cam-
Injuries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 paign teasers with #GURPShook on Twitter. Or explore that hashtag for
Wounding Modifiers Table . . . . . 146 ideas to add to your own game! The GURPS Girl Genius web page is
“I Give!” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 gurps.sjgames.com/girlgenius.
Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 Store Finder (storefinder.sjgames.com): Discover nearby places
Fatigue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 to buy GURPS items and other Steve Jackson Games products. Local
Other Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 shops are great places to play our games and meet fellow gamers!
Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 Bibliographies. Bibliographies are a great resource for finding more
7. The Spark of what you love! We’ve added them to many GURPS book web pages
with links to help you find the next perfect element for your game.
and Technology . . . . 152
Errata. Everyone makes mistakes, including us – but we do our
Breaking Through . . . . . . . . . . . 152
best to fix our errors. Errata pages for GURPS releases are available at
Sparks and Society . . . . . . . . . . 152
sjgames.com/errata/gurps.
Inventing Without a Net . . . . . . 152
Quick Gadgeteering . . . . . . . . . . 155 Rules and statistics in this book are specifically for the GURPS Basic
“Mundane” Inventors . . . . . . . . 156 Set, Fourth Edition. Page references that begin with B refer to that book,
not this one.

Contents 3
 Introduction
Adventure! Romance! Mad Science!
Imagine a version of the Victorian era in
which the wildest dreams of early science-fiction Gaslamp Fantasy
writers are a reality. A talent known as the Spark When the Girl Genius stories were just starting out, Kaja
inspires great, if not always sane, minds to coined the term “Gaslamp Fantasy” to describe the universe
reshape the world via technology. Noble houses she and Phil were creating – one where impossible invention
jockey for influence and power while common meets with fantastical style in a medley of alternate history
folk keep their head down to avoid the crazed and gothic “mad science” inspired by Mary Shelley and H.
inventors and their crazed inventions. Rider Haggard. It blurs the lines between mythic and magical
Mad Science creates hybrid warriors built creations and steampunk-inspired elements like clockwork
from animals, plants, and clockwork. Human cyborgs.
troops wield lightning cannons and sonic guns
that can blast sound and level countrysides.
Airships the size of cities darken the sky.
In this world, a scion of the legendary Heterodyne family This book is a standalone resource for the Girl Genius
– Sparks, rulers, and madmen – is making herself known. setting and contains the tools necessary to play in that
The forces that sought to use her as a pawn are finding out world – including all the required characters, creatures,
that she’s a player. She has friends and allies, and she’s not and rules.
yet done learning the full extent of her powers.
That Spark is Agatha Heterodyne, and this is the
“Gaslamp Fantasy” world of Girl Genius.
S A
poiler lert
Warning! This supplement contains information about
plots, history, and concepts behind the universe of Girl
A bout the omic C Genius. It includes materials from the entire series. If you
don’t want any spoilers, catch up on your reading before
Girl Genius was created by Phil and Kaja Foglio; the first
print issue was released in 2001. It went online in 2005, and continuing.
since then has been updated with full-color pages three
times a week, like (dare we say it?) clockwork. The comic
has won five WCCA awards, including 2008 Outstanding
About the Creators
Comic, and been nominated twice for an Eisner Award; This book has been a long time coming, and a lot of
in 2009, 2010, and 2011, it won the Hugo Award for Best people were involved in making it happen . . .
Graphic Story. It was one of the first webcomics chosen
for permanent archive by the Library of Congress. It has Kaja Foglio
also spawned a card game – Girl Genius: The Works – as Kaja has illustrated numerous cards for Magic: The
well as a Girl Genius Munchkin expansion for Munchkin Gathering, as well as several book covers and magazine
Steampunk. interiors. In 1993, she and Phil started writing Girl Genius,
The story so far can be found at www.girlgeniusonline. and began publishing the story in 2001. She regards this as
com. the worst “get rich quick” scheme ever.

About This Book Phil Foglio

The Girl Genius Sourcebook and Roleplaying Game Phil won a couple of Hugo Awards for Best Fan Artist
is a guide to the world of Agatha Heterodyne. Players and in 1978 and 1979, and is still waiting for the wealth and
GMs can follow Agatha on her adventure of self-discovery power he was told this would provide. He began working
and mad invention while she claims her Spark heritage. in comics and the gaming industry at the exact same time,
They can also strike out on adventures of their own . . . when “What’s New With Phil & Dixie” began running
pursuing the secrets of Europa and beyond, creating new in Dragon Magazine in 1980. Since then, he has worked
faces in the ongoing conflict, or digging into the mysteries for numerous comic-book companies, a few of which
of a world where magic and science often seem the same. are still in business. Some titles he’s known for include

4 Introduction
MythAdventures, Buck Godot – Zap Gun For Hire, Stanley JN Childs
and His Monster, Angel and the Ape, and XXXenophile.
JN Childs is a horror and roleplaying game writer,
In 1993, he began writing Girl Genius with Kaja, and
experimenting with their life and horror fiction. They
began publishing it in 2001. To his surprise, they won
live in Southern Ohio with their family, eight cats, two
three Hugo Awards in the newly created category of Best
parakeets, four rats, and one idiot doge. They write stories
Graphic Story.
of Old Gods, anguished spirits, and terribly unfortunate
He has done a lot of work for Steve Jackson Games.
people.
They have an M.Ed. in Instructional Design, and
Jason Andrew focus on creating memorable learning experiences
Jason Andrew is a writer, editor, and game designer. using roleplaying, board, and card games. Currently,
He lives in Seattle, Washington, with his wife, Lisa; his their work can be found in Under the Stairs, Apotheosis:
Pug, Otter; and his American Bulldog, Stella. He writes in Stories of Human Survival After the Rise of the Elder Gods,
several genres and styles, including contemporary fiction, Immersion Secrets, and the Mind’s Eye Theater framework
historical fiction, young adult, science fiction, fantasy, and for Werewolf: The Apocalypse. They are also working on
horror. In 2011, his story “Moonlight in Scarlet” received Mind’s Eye Theatre: Changeling: The Dreaming and the
an honorable mention in Ellen Datlow’s List for Best Morra Cinematic Universal Game System.
Horror of the Year.
Jason is a rabid gamer, having written for several Steve Jackson
roleplaying games, including Call of Cthulhu and
Steve has been making games since the late 1970s and
Shadowrun. He serves as Line Developer for Mind’s Eye
is not slowing down. He was the original creator of the
Theatre, for By Night Studios, producing a number of
GURPS system. He gleefully admits to being a Girl Genius
MET products including MET: Vampire: The Masquerade,
fanboy, and is so, so glad that this book has come to the
MET: Werewolf: The Apocalypse, and the upcoming MET:
end of its first adventure and made its way into your hands.
Changeling: The Dreaming. He also serves as Developer
Steve is a citizen of the Internet, or a Texan, depending
for Mighty Narwhal, shepherding in their first new game,
on who’s asking.
the Morra Cinematic Universal Game System.

Introduction 5
 You There! The Time Traveler With the Top
Hat and Goggles From 1876. No Doubt You Are
Asking “What is a Roll Playing Game, Sir, and
How Far Will I Have to Roll?”
Role Playing Games (“RPGs” in modern parlance –
sometimes called “Table Top” or “Pencil and Paper” RPGs
by those who have no respect for the King’s English) are
quite different from Whist, or even the heathen Back Gam-
mon brought back from foreign climes.

They were first invented in one of The Future’s lost

Golden Ages which spanned the nineteen hundred and
seventies. Role Playing Games are classified by scholars
as “collaborative improvised theater”: A group of sober
and educated people congregate in a special performance
space, and assume the roles of various characters. The
Impresario in charge, known colloquially in the American
colonies as a “Game Master” (GM), creates a scenario and
allows the Player Characters (PCs) to choose their course of
action. The Game Master then describes the consequences
of these actions, and helps to move the story along. Among
other things, the GM plays all the Non-Player Characters
(NPCs), giving them dialogue and personalities. A GM is
not unlike the director of a stage drama, except they play
characters – often many characters – and they don’t have
the right to tell anyone else what to do, although they do
reserve the right to make rules decisions and steer events
to keep the story interesting.
Those who have studied the history of theatre
will immediately recognize these games’ direct linear
progression from the medieval Italian theatrical form
Jason “PK” Levine known as commedia dell’arte. The primary difference
PK Levine loves roleplaying (especially GURPS) and appears to be that these shows are performed solely for the
comics (especially Girl Genius), and is honored to have actors themselves. We suspect that the imbibing of alcohol
contributed to this work. In his spare time, he plays board is involved.
games, cuddles his wife, and runs the fan site mygurps. Further distinguishing it from its predecessor is its
com. beloved system of accounting. While the Game Master
has a great deal of leeway when it comes to spinning
Jimmy Reckitt the immersive narratives, there are set rules and pre-
established graphs and charts to determine whether the
Jimmy Reckitt is a writer and developer who integrates Player Characters succeed or fail at certain actions. Usually
his favorite themes from mythology and archetypal these determinations are made by tossing misshapen dice.
psychology into his approach to game design. He works Thus we can see that there is obviously an element of
as a developer for By Night Studios, on projects for gambling inherent in the rules, which no doubt explains
Vampire: The Masquerade, Werewolf: The Apocalypse, its hold upon some of its adherents.
and Changeling: The Dreaming. Unlike more codified games, there is a constant
With a unique eye for conflict as a part of storytelling, element of serendipity. Since the Game Master is free to
he has created memorable experiences as part of large- make decisions and improvise on the fly, the players can
scale LARP events, including the Blood and Betrayal and diverge from the main story or try unexpected tricks – but
Rage and Retribution featured games. He lives in Chicago, because there are rules and systems, things are fair and the
where he is finishing his MBA at the University of Chicago. players’ successes have the taste of real victory. You can
fight monsters if you want, or you can talk, invent, trade,
Victor Foglio or sneak around . . . and it’s just as important as fighting.
Victor Foglio is one of the children of Kaja and Phil As an experience that constantly offers surprises, you
Foglio, and has literally grown up with Girl Genius. will find Role Playing Games an excellent test of a person’s
Therefore, he has a unique take on various aspects of the mettle, and, as in life, those who can keep a cool head and
series, and is not shy about sharing them. respond to crises like proper Ladies and Gentlemen will
rise to the top.

6 Introduction
across Europa. The opera is best known for the prophecy a proper heir doesn’t appear naturally, then why can’t we
aria, sung by the Spirit of Europa: “Peace will only be engineer it so that one does?”
found when the Storm King and the Heterodyne princess And so they did – see The Storm King Conspiracy (p. 10).
are wed.”
For many, Andronicus Valois was the first and the last
True King of Europa, and before the similarly messianic The Heterodyne Boys
cult awaiting the return of the Heterodyne Boys began to One of the worst Heterodynes in modern memory was
flourish, many people held out hope that Andronicus, or a Saturnus Heterodyne, creator of, among other atrocities,
descendant, would one day return and bring peace to the the Beast – a sapient, capricious train that roamed the
land. countryside freely, consuming whatever it felt suitable as
“fuel.” Saturnus was known for his mad extravagances;

The Knights of Jove for instance, during a particularly cold year, he set fire
to Mechanicsburg’s old town hall and kept it burning for
The Knights of Jove were the Storm King’s honor five months. He married the Lady Teodora Vodenichrova,
guard. They continued to serve his descendants after he who was the daughter of a conquered house and none too
vanished, waiting for both the proper man and the right pleased about the idea. This turned out to be a blessing
time to reestablish the Storm King’s throne. for the world. Teodora was a kind and noble woman,
However, it was never the “right time,” or if it was, there who insisted upon raising her two sons, Bill and Barry,
was never a “proper” candidate. Thanks to the vicissitudes away from the “bad” influences of their father and Castle
of genetics, whenever a Man of Action was needed, the Heterodyne. In the end, she died in the act of poisoning
available heir was never quite up to the task; there was, her husband, ridding the world of the last of the evil
according to one source, “a long line of sots, imbeciles, Heterodynes. She was later canonized by every reigning
and – God forbid – females.” Not to mention at least one Pope.
reported werewolf. The Heterodyne Boys, as Bill and Barry came to be
Thus, the Knights of Jove gradually stagnated into little known, grew to be true heroes. They were both powerful
more than a “brandy and cigars” club with fading dreams Sparks, and chose to use their talents for good, vowing to
of glory. end the Long War and repair the damage done.
At least this is what most people believe. There was an Accompanied by their best friend Klaus Wulfenbach
inner cabal, “The Most High Council of Nobles, Enlightened (p. 36), their construct assistants Punch and Judy (p. 34),
Keepers of the Sacred Flame of Loyalty, and Lords of the and an ever-changing cast of colorful adventurers, they
Western Gates” (generally referred to as simply “the High traveled the world, negotiating peace, stopping mon-
Council” or “the Council” by those in the know). sters, and dismantling doomsday devices. They did
They monitored Valois’ descendants, to be sure, but so much to make up for their family’s terrible history
approximately 70 years ago, they were given a new purpose that the name “Heterodyne” became associated more
by the Mongfish family, who asked a simple question: “If with the heroic brothers than their wicked ancestors.

The World Through Tinted Goggles 11

Violetta Mondarev Since then, Violetta has remained by Agatha’s side, no
matter where the Spark goes. She came to England with
As a Smoke Knight (below), her and was taken prisoner to be used as a sacrifice while
Violetta was originally summoning Awful Things, but has since been rescued and
assigned as a bodyguard rejoined the party.
to her cousin, Tarvek.
Ostensibly, she was
so bad at it that she
Violetta Mondarev,
was reassigned to Smoke Knight 216 points
Mechanicsburg Violetta is her own harshest critic, convinced she
as secretary to its hasn’t advanced in the Smoke Knights due to her own
Burgermeister. incompetence – she still doesn’t know that was Tarvek,
In truth, she is keeping her out of the line of fire. She claims to hate Tarvek,
quite well-trained but obviously cares about his well-being, unless she’s the
– but Tarvek was one hitting him. Violetta is also clearly a good influence on
the one who wrote up Tarvek, grounding him and giving him perspective, while
her evaluation reports, he helps her be more confident and decisive.
and he systematically Somehow, Violetta has found herself having feelings
downplayed her abilities so that for Moloch von Zinzer, whom she met inside Castle
the rest of the family would underestimate her and leave Heterodyne. She desperately tries to stifle these, however,
her out of their scheming. as she is now Agatha’s loyal servant, and von Zinzer has
Tarvek was the one who arranged for Violetta’s transfer, repeatedly declared that he wants nothing to do with
out of fear she would be killed in the crossfire of his family’s Sparks, or Mechanicsburg, and intends to leave at the first
conspiracies. She was in Mechanicsburg when Tarvek possible chance.
arrived at the Great Hospital, and freed him by dosing him
with a bottle of Moveit #6. She fled the hospital with him ST 10 [0]; DX 12 [40]; IQ 11 [20]; HT 11 [10].
in tow, only to end up in Castle Heterodyne (p. 20). Damage 1d-2/1d; BL 20 lbs.; HP 14 [8]; Will 11 [0]; Per 11
When Tarvek became gravely ill, he released Violetta [0]; FP 10 [0]; Basic Speed 7.00 [25]; Basic Move 7 [0].
from his service and into Agatha’s. Advantages: Cultural Adaptability [10]; Legal Immunity
Once Agatha, Gil, and Tarvek were healthy again, [15].
Violetta stayed with Agatha and Tarvek as they worked to Disadvantages: Duty (Tarvek and Agatha; 9 or less) [‑5];
repair Castle Heterodyne, while also helping them survive Enemies (Family; Built on 150%; 9 or less) [‑20].
Zola’s attacks and machinations. In Agatha and Zola’s Skills: Acrobatics (H) DX+2 [12]‑14; Acting (A) IQ+2
last fight, Violetta realized that Zola had used Auntie [8]‑13; Body Language (A) Per [2]‑11; Detect Lies (H)
Mehitabel’s Natural Causes (p. 155), but had the antidote Per [4]‑11; Diplomacy (H) IQ [4]‑11; Disguise (A) IQ+2
handy. She continues to use her training and sneakiness [8]‑13; Escape (H) DX+1 [8]‑13; Garrote (E) DX+1
to keep others safe, and was with Agatha when the Doom [2]‑13; Guns (E) DX+2 [4]‑14; Knife (E) DX+4 [12]‑16;
Bell (p. 19) rang. Persuade (H) Will [4]‑11; Poisons (H) IQ+1 [8]‑12;
When the Wulfenbach forces were routed and Agatha Savoir-Faire (High Society) (E) IQ [1]‑11; Sleight of
was declared the Heterodyne, Martellus (p. 52) kidnapped Hand (H) DX+3 [16]‑15; Stealth (A) DX+1 [4]‑13;
Agatha and poisoned Tarvek. Violetta went through the Thrown Weapon (Knife) (E) DX+2 [4]‑14; Traps (A)
Mirror Gate with them. Violetta and Krosp scouted out the IQ+2 [8]‑13; Urban Survival (A) Per+1 [4]‑12.
Refuge of Storms, and used that knowledge to help Agatha
find a garage in which she could build clanks to help her
escape. Otilia/Von Pinn
Otilia, the Muse
(p. 65) of Protection, was
Smoke Knights created for the Storm
The Smoke Knights are a secret organization of King by the great Spark
covert operatives associated with the Sturmhalten Van Rijn. Later, Van
ruling families. Think “techno-ninja”: They wear Rijn gave her the task of
dark pajamas, have sneaky gear like grapnel guns “keeping the Heterodyne
(p.  156), and are masters of poisons and other girl safe,” by which he
chemicals. There are numerous similar groups in meant “safe for those
Europa, but amongst those in the know, the Smoke around her.” The Storm
Knights are acknowledged as the best. They can do King, meanwhile, gave
things right in front of a person’s face without them her the task of protecting
even realizing it. For advice on building Smoke his bride. Otilia was
Knight characters, see Spy (p. 63). a prisoner in Castle
Heterodyne (p. 20) for
close to two centuries.

Cast 43
Human or Not? Artisan 75 points
After determining the game’s starting character points, Artisans include weavers, seamstresses, woodworkers,
the next step is to decide whether to permit players to potters, leatherworkers, and so on. They’re the people who
use nonhuman templates for their characters – many turn raw goods into everything from fine clothing to a new
nonhuman races cost a lot of points and require higher saddle. They’re also able to repair items – a helpful skill
power levels. Prohibiting them isn’t all that limiting; after a strenuous adventure.
humans in Girl Genius can be merchants, artisans,
Attributes: ST 10 [0]; DX 11 [20]; IQ 11 [20]; HT 10 [0].
soldiers, and even members of elite organizations like the
Secondary Characteristics: Damage 1d-2/1d; BL 20 lbs.;
Smoke Knights (p. 43). They can also be Sparks, although
HP 10 [0]; Will 11 [0]; Per 11 [0]; FP 10 [0]; Basic Speed
non-Sparks have more freedom to move among society, as
5.25 [0]; Basic Move 5 [0].
many common people fear known Sparks!
Advantages: A total of 25 points spent on suitable Talents
Nonhuman characters include
[Varies] or Versatile [5].
everything from genetically mod-
Disadvantages: A total of ‑15 points chosen from Chummy
ified human constructs to robotic
[‑5] or Gregarious [‑10], Easy to Read [‑10], Honesty
clanks. They’re a little different,
[‑10*], Incurious [‑5*], Pacifism (Reluctant Killer) [‑5],
or more than human, such as
or Workaholic [‑5].
the genetically modified Lackya
Skills: Merchant (A) IQ+1 [4]‑12. • One of Sewing (E)
(p. 67) or the constructs Punch
DX+5 [16]‑16; Carpentry (E) IQ+5 [16]‑16; Cartography
and Judy (p. 34). They sometimes
or Heraldry, both (A) IQ+4 [16]‑15; Artistry† (H) IQ+3
lack the social freedom – or the
[16]‑14; or Alchemy (VH) IQ+2 [16]‑13. • Another 5
character points! – to pursue cer-
points spent on skills from Chapter 5.
tain professions.

Blacksmith 75 points

Occupational In Europa, a good

blacksmith is worth
more than their weight in

Templates
iron. When their Spark
companions overcomplicate
everything, it’s helpful to have
someone to remind them
A player never has to use these templates, but when
that sometimes the solution
seeking a specific occupation, it can save time to start
is simple – a hammer and
from one. During character creation, the player can
anvil can solve a plethora of
customize the template to the character and the story by
problems that a giant clank
choosing from the listed options – or even by substituting
can’t. Blacksmiths are the
an advantage, disadvantage, or skill for another of equal
go-to resource for useful
value from Chapter 5 (subject to GM approval). Some
tools, standard weapons, and
other notes:
custom parts.
Languages: All characters begin with English or German
Attributes: ST 12 [20]; DX 11 [20]; IQ 10 [0]; HT 10 [0].
(GM’s discretion) at Native level. See Language (p. 73).
Secondary Characteristics: Damage 1d-1/1d+2; BL 29
Variable Costs: An advantage or disadvantage with a
lbs.; HP 12 [0]; Will 10 [0]; Per 10 [0]; FP 10 [0]; Basic
point cost of “[Varies]” has no simple, fixed cost. Find the
Speed 5.25 [0]; Basic Move 5 [0].
trait in Chapter 5 and choose anything that falls within
Advantages: Artificer 2 [20] and Versatile [5].
your budget.
Disadvantages: A total of ‑15 points chosen from Easy to
Disadvantages: Disadvantages marked with * (e.g., “Bad
Read [‑10], Honesty [‑10*], Sense of Duty (Village or
Temper [‑10*]”) are assumed to have a self-control number
Adventuring companions) [‑5], Stubbornness [‑5], or
of 12. See Self-Control (p. 94).
Workaholic [‑5].
Skills: For any skill marked with †, choose an applicable
Skills: Machinist (A) IQ+2 [2]‑12‡; Merchant (A) IQ+1
specialty; this can be from the list included with that skill
[4]‑11; Riding† (A) DX [2]‑11; and Smith (Iron) (A)
in Skills (pp. 103-129) or be a custom specialty approved
IQ+3 [4]‑13‡. • Three specialties from Armory† and
by the GM. Some templates offer additional points to
other Smith†, all (A) IQ+2 [2]‑12‡. • Another 7 points
spend on skills; the player can spend these on improving or
spent on skills from Chapter 5.
adding skills on the template, or on new skills from Chapter
5 (as long as the GM agrees they suit the character). ‡ Includes +2 for Artificer.
Lenses: Lenses are common variations on standard
templates. Each specifies a name, a point cost, and the Lens: Mechanic +19 points
traits that it adds, removes, or otherwise alters. To create Add Machine Empathy [15]. • Add Mechanic (A) IQ+2
that kind of character, pay the template cost plus the lens [2]‑12, and either Electrician (A) IQ+2 [2]‑12 or Engineer†
cost, and make the noted changes to the template. (H) IQ+1 [2]‑11 (all include +2 for Artificer).

58 Templates
Importance
Importance encapsulates your formally
recognized place in society, distinct from your
personal reputation. If you’re a judge, professor,
or member of the Fifty Families, your station
carries some degree of official power.

Status ±5 points/level
Status is a measure of social standing. In
Europa, Status levels range from ‑2 (serf or
street person) to 8 (Baron Wulfenbach), with
the average person being Status 0 (freeman or
ordinary citizen). If you don’t specifically buy
Status, you have Status 0. Status costs 5 points
per level; e.g., Status 5 costs 25 points, while
Status ‑2 is ‑10 points.
Status greater than 0 means you’re a member
of your culture’s upper classes. As a result, others
in that culture only defer to you, giving you a
bonus on reaction rolls. This bonus equals the
difference between your Status level and that of
the other person. Any purchase of Status
greater than 3 requires GM approval; there are very few Rank comes in levels. Each Rank has authority over
opportunities in this world for people to rise to truly great those of lower Rank, regardless of personal ability. In
prominence. most cases, there are six to eight levels of Rank. The GM
Status less than 0 means you’re a serf, a slave, or simply should determine the highest Rank available to starting
very poor. If you have such negative Status, apply the characters – usually Rank 3-5.
difference between your Status and the NPC’s as a reaction There are generally several systems of Rank in a given
penalty, but no worse than ‑4. society. You can hold more than one kind of Rank unless
the GM rules that holding one sort of Rank precludes
Rank 5 points/level holding another. Rank also coexists with Status, and high
Rank grants additional Status at no extra cost: +1 to Status
Specific sectors of society – e.g., the civil service, the
at Rank 2-4, +2 to Status at Rank 5-7; and +3 to Status
military, major trade guilds, and certain powerful Spark at Rank 8 or higher. This represents society’s respect for
organizations – often have internal ranking systems, senior members of important social institutions. If you
distinct from Status. If such an organization has significant hold multiple types of Rank, you may claim a Status bonus
social influence, or access to useful resources, its members for each.
must pay points for their rank within it. Some forms of Rank can award you privileges, such as
Clerical Investment (p. 84), but these frequently come with
disadvantages, such as Duty (p.  96). The GM is the final
Special Rules for Rank arbiter of what your Rank provides you with and requires
you to do.
Two situations might arise in play for those with
Rank:
Temporary Rank: Those of higher Rank can
temporarily increase your Rank for a predetermined
amount of time – until the end of a mission, battle, etc.
Friends and Foes
This process is called brevetting in the case of Military In many ways, who you are is based on who you know.
Rank. To keep temporary Rank, you must meet all of Having people you can rely on for help is an advantage that
the usual requirements and pay the appropriate point costs character points. This is especially true when those
cost. friends have official titles or are “in the know”; access to
Courtesy Rank: Those who have formerly held such individuals can provide benefits out of reach of your
Rank may retain that Rank as a “Courtesy Rank” for formal social position.
only 1 point per level. Those who currently hold a title You can also have relationships with individuals who
that carries little real authority may also take Courtesy complicate your existence, perhaps seeking to interfere
Rank. Courtesy Rank is for social situations only; it with your agenda, or popping back into your life from time
gives you a fancier title. to time to settle old grudges. These are disadvantages that
grant you points – possibly a lot of points, if you’re on the
bad side of people in power!

Character Traits 75
 Gambling IQ/A
Defaults: IQ-5 or Mathematics-5.

This is skill at playing games of chance. A suc-

cessful Gambling roll can (among other things)
tell you if a game is rigged, identify a fellow
gambler in a group of strangers, or “estimate the
odds” in any tricky situation.
When you gamble against the house, make a
skill roll (the GM might secretly modify this if
the odds are poor!). When you gamble against
someone else, roll a Regular Contest of Gambling
(p.  133) until one of you wins. Sleight of Hand
(p.  126) is helpful if you want to cheat! To spot
a cheater, roll a Quick Contest: your Gambling
or Vision roll, whichever is higher, vs. your oppo-
nent’s Sleight of Hand skill (for card or dice
tricks) or IQ (for other kinds of cheating).

Games IQ/E
Default: IQ-4.
This is the ability to play games of skill
appropriate to your culture, and to learn new
ones quickly. It includes knowledge of rules, etiquette,
Fortune-Telling IQ/A
and tournament regulations. As people often stake vast
Defaults: IQ-5, Fast-Talk-3, or Occultism-3. sums on games, it might be possible to earn a living as
This is the art of interviewing someone in order to learn a professional gamer. Games may also be played to settle
more about their lifestyle and personality, and then using disputes.
this information to make an “educated guess” about their
future that you can pass off as supernatural divination. Gardening IQ/E
Suitable props – star charts, tea leaves, etc. – can enhance Defaults: IQ-4 or Farming-3.
the illusion. Knowledge of traditional occult or religious
beliefs (especially your subject’s!) can also lend an air of This is the ability to care for plants on a small scale.
legitimacy. (For large-scale crops, use Farming, p.  114.) A skill roll
With the GM’s permission, you can use Fortune- lets you grow food, medicinal herbs, attractive flowers and
Telling in place of Fast-Talk (by making predictions that trees, etc.
guide the subject toward a particular course of action), or
Interrogation or Psychology (by asking the subject leading Garrote DX/E
questions under the pretense of telling their fortune). This
Default: DX-4.
is possible only if the subject believes you’re a genuine
fortune-teller and you take the time to do a full “reading” This is the ability to strangle a victim with a rope or a
for them. wire. You cannot use a garrote to parry.
Fortune-Telling is not a paranormal talent and cannot
tell the future. You might wish to learn it if you have actual
divinatory abilities, though, as it enables you to present
Gesture IQ/E
Default: IQ-4.
your predictions in a culturally acceptable way.
This is the ability to communicate through improvised
Forward Observer IQ/A hand signals. A successful skill roll lets you convey one
simple idea to another person, or understand one simple
Defaults: IQ-5 or Artillery (any)-5.
idea they’re attempting to get across to you. Gesture isn’t
This is the skill of being a “spotter” for artillery. It suited to complex communication, however.
includes locating and marking targets, matching ordnance
to target for best effect, and calling in corrections to any
fire you personally observe. Failure means the ordnance
Group Performance IQ/A
Defaults: IQ-5.
misses the target; critical failures result in severe
“collateral damage” or “friendly fire” incidents. The very This is the ability to arrange a performance and direct
worst critical failures (GM’s decision) drop the ordnance a group of performers in its execution – in rehearsal, in a
on your position! studio, or before a live audience. A successful roll means
the performance is pleasing.

Character Traits 115

Jumping Shift Slightly: 50×BL, if you can brace from a good
position.
When you want to jump over something, the GM should
Pulling a Load: Treat the load and any conveyance as
usually say, “Great, you jumped over it,” and get on with
encumbrance, but divide the effective weight by 2 for a
play. In combat, jumping over a minor obstacle costs one
sledge, 10 for a two-wheeled cart, or 20 for a four-wheeled
extra yard of movement but succeeds automatically. Only
wagon. Halve it (further) if the surface is smooth and level.
significant obstacles need the following rules.
With a running start – at least two seconds of sprinting
– your broad jump in yards or high jump in feet equals Riding
the better of your Move or half your Jumping skill (round There’s no need to roll against Riding skill (p. 124) for
down). Always factor in encumbrance! Halve distance standard travel; roll only when attempting a jump, tight
without a running start and halve it in combat; if both turn, or similarly difficult maneuver. Failure means the
apply, quarter it. animal balks and is spooked (below). On a critical failure,
If there’s any doubt about the landing, the GM may it has an injurious accident.
require a roll against DX or Jumping skill. In combat, your mount takes its own maneuvers
(usually Move, but a war-trained animal can attack),
Lifting and Moving Things leaving you free to act on your own. Your attacks use the
lower of your weapon skill or Riding skill. If your mount is
Basic Lift (BL) governs the maximum weight you can
hit, you must succeed at a Riding roll – at a penalty equal
manage; see p.  71. The GM may let multiple people add
to the shock penalty the animal suffered – or it spooks.
their BL (not their ST) whenever it seems reasonable for
If your mount spooks, you must take a Ready maneuver
them to work together. To exceed these limits, see Extra
to make a Riding roll each turn. A critical success or three
Effort (p. 144) and Hysterical Strength (below).
ordinary successes in a row calms your mount; three
One-Handed Lift: BL (one second), 2×BL (two seconds). failures in a row or a critical failure means it bucks you. A
Two-Handed Lift: 2×BL (one second), 4×BL (two long alternation of successes and failures means you spend
seconds), 8×BL (four seconds). your time fighting your mount instead of the enemy!
Shove and Knock Over: 12×BL (one second). Double this Treat long-distance riding as Hiking (p. 135), using the
with a running start. mount’s Move after adjusting for encumbrance (which is
Carry on Back: 15×BL. Yes, you can carry more than you usually you and your gear).
can lift, but every second that your encumbrance exceeds
Extra-Heavy (10×BL) costs 1 FP!

Hysterical Strength
During times of emotional crisis, Girl Genius heroes
and villains often find themselves able to accomplish
Results
Critical Failure: Your brain overloads completely. You
feats of great strength: lifting huge generators, knocking
pass out for 2d×5 minutes.
down doors, and so on. When a player feels that their
Failure: You rant and rave but in the end accomplish
character has hit an emotional breaking point – or the
nothing. Lose FP equal to 1d + margin of failure.
GM feels that an NPC has – they may declare that they’re
Success: Your ST is doubled for one action, tripled
becoming hysterical.
if your margin of success was 5-9, or quadrupled for
This requires a Will roll, with the following modifiers:
a margin of 10+. This usually lasts for only a second,
Appropriateness: A GM-determined penalty based on but the GM may let you, say, hold a heavy weight for a
how dramatic and emotional the moment is – anywhere few seconds. Afterward, you’re mentally and physically
from no penalty if the world ends or your soul-mate dies drained, often not even realizing just what you
if you don’t act now, down to ‑10 if things are stress- accomplished. You immediately lose FP equal to 1d+1
free and nothing is at stake. You cannot “take back” going times the same multiplier your ST had; e.g., (1d+1)×3 FP
hysterical if you dislike the GM’s if your ST was tripled! (No, you can’t choose
modifier; you must still roll! to use less extra ST to reduce this loss.)
Disadvantages: A Critical Success: Your ST is quadrupled,
disadvantage that directly as above, but you lose only (1d+1)×2 FP.
relates to the dramatic
As Basic Lift (BL) is based on the square
situation gives +1 per ‑5 points
of Strength, doubling ST gives 4× BL, tri-
of value. Only the single largest
pling ST gives 9× BL, and quadrupling ST
applicable disadvantage
gives 16× BL.
gives a bonus, unless the GM
Regardless of the outcome, you can
generously rules otherwise.
attempt hysterical strength only once per
Spark: Add half Spark level,
game session.
rounded down.

136 How to Do Everything

 Queen’s Mirror (also Mirror Gate or just Gate): A device
that allows people to travel great distances – a teleportation
“Mundane” Inventors portal. The user can transport between any two Gates
In a world defined by the amazing inventions of people instantaneously. Can also be used to communicate. Gates
like Agatha Heterodyne and Baron Wulfenbach, it’s easy are ancient devices (easily 6,000 years old); no one knows
to assume that the small-town cobbler who invents a who built them, but the God-Queens of old used them
better shoe isn’t a Spark at all, but merely a mundane extensively. The system has been broken for over 4,000
inventor. years, and even the remaining God-Queens cannot repair
This is incorrect. them. That said, occasionally one flickers on, and there
There’s no such thing as a “mundane” inventor. You are stories of people being transported across the world,
can be a Spark but have only a wisp of ability. Perhaps you or speaking to others thousands of kilometers away.
can’t build gigantic, flying fortresses, but the boots you (Apparently somebody has an idea of how they work, as
create never need to be re-soled. Many of the performers Martellus’ people constructed a device that was able to
in Master Payne’s Circus of Adventure are minor Sparks, connect to the one hidden in the basement of the Red
talented enough to create something interesting but not Cathedral in Mechanicsburg, but don’t count on Queen’s
powerful enough to protect themselves. Gates working – at all.)
Like any talented person, a Spark cannot make bricks Silverodeon: A calliope that was restored by Agatha
without clay. If you take a weak Spark, educate her at Heterodyne to act as a battle-control engine for Master
Transylvania Polygnostic University, and then assign her Payne’s Circus of Adventure.
to a team of supportive, intelligent people, she’ll produce Spark Roast: Coffee modified through Spark ingenuity
more complex devices than a high-level genius who was to be overwhelmingly perfect in taste and body.
raised on a pig farm in the middle of the Wastelands. Summoning Engine: A device capable of calling and
(Oh, we’re not saying that Pig Boy won’t create something downloading Lucrezia Mongfish’s consciousness into
wonderful and possibly quite terrifying, but it’s likely to be other individuals; also known as a “beacon engine.”
more along the lines of a pig that spins a cocoon and four Time Freeze Generator: A device that can stop time.
months later hatches into 120 lbs. of sausage. He would Owned by Baron Klaus Wulfenbach, and used on the town
then be burned at the stake by his horrified neighbors.) of Mechanicsburg.
Simply put, there are strong Sparks and there are weak Wasp Vaccine: A vaccine created by Tarvek. Prevents
Sparks, but if you act like a Spark, then by definition you possession by a slaver wasp.
are a Spark.
Note to the GM: If you really want “mundane” inven-
tors, permit Gadgeteer (p.  87) to non-Sparks. This
enables inventing at ‑4 per missing Spark level. Still, con-
sider forbidding Quick Gadgeteer; the benefits in Quick
Gadgeteering (p. 155) are unequivocally Sparky. (Letting
low-level Sparks upgrade to Quick Gadgeteer is fine.)

Fra Pelagatti’s Lion: An apparatus that emits a pulse

which interferes with complex devices (like Castle
Heterodyne). Upon use, any such object in the area shuts
down for five minutes.
Grapnel Gun: A small, pistol-like device with a claw and
retractable line, allowing its user to climb walls. Use the
rules for Clinging (p. 84).
Gravity Engine: A device that displaces gravity around
it, affecting mass and occasionally light. Can change
gravity within a range of 0G to 5G (1G is standard gravity).
Hive Engine: The host of a number of wasps, including
slaver wasps. Used to create revenants.
Hogfarb’s Resplendent Immolation: A disease that causes
Technology
its victims to change colors rapidly. Unless cured, they Girl Genius is set in an alternate version of the
either melt or explode into flames after 3d hours. Industrial Revolution. We know what technology could
Jägerdraught: The mysterious drink of the Heterodynes and could not do during that period in our world – but
that turns ordinary humans into Jägermonsters. those limitations are of little consequence in the fictional
Jolly Fun Oxidation Enhancer: A handheld device world of Sparks! Their gifts allow them to transcend the
capable of causing the rapid onset of rust. mundane constraints of science to build fantastic and
Moveit #6: A potion that increases speed and stamina wondrous inventions. This section covers some of the
for a short time. transformational effects of that work on war, commerce,
Moveit #11: An even stronger potion. Too much of it can and everyday life.
kill.

156 The Spark and Technology

 2.8.NOice Places
nward to
A
to Be From
dventure !
The mood of Girl Genius can shift quickly from slapstick
humor to blood-chilling terror. The ever-changing tone Logistical Considerations
presents a unique challenge for players and GMs – one The first step to a successful campaign is to gather your
you can distill into the perfect brew for your table. This group – five or six players plus the GM works well – and
chapter provides guidance and ideas for GMs designing ensure that everybody can agree to the basic logistics and
Girl Genius campaigns. upkeep required.

Duration
How long do you want your campaign to last? Will it
be a single-session “one shot,” a miniseries (a few sessions
or a couple of adventures), or a long-term chronicle that
might run indefinitely?

Time and Place

Where will sessions be held? You might alternate
locations so no one person has the burden of always
hosting – unless someone wants to, of course! It’s usually
a good idea to set a specific time (typically weekly or
biweekly), so players can get it onto their calendars and
not miss a session.

Character Power Level

The type of narrative you wish to build will dictate the
PCs’ power level. For more on this, see Power Level (p. 57).

Sherlocking the Table:

The Secret of Learning What Players Want
As a GM, when you ask players point-blank what easy to meet, but other players might present a more
they want, you’ll often get vague platitudes about complex challenge. A Lackya detective seeking to
having fun, experiencing the adventure, or enjoying uncover the nature of the Storm King conspiracy might
time with their friends. There’s really only one surefire be less interested in fighting than in seeking out clues
way to ensure that your players have the maximum while poring over forgotten tomes of lore and history,
amount of fun at your table: Players respond best when perhaps even matching wits with elements of the cabal
their characters fit the narrative needs of the scenario itself. The challenge for the GM is to design scenarios
and overall story, and everyone has something to do. where the player of the detective and the warrior feel
How do you achieve this result organically? Use the their characters are vital to the story and have their
Sherlock method. Ask your players to pitch ideas for moments in the sun.
the upcoming campaign, and then deduce what sorts If you do this correctly, you can deduce exactly
of scenarios they might want . . . even if they don’t what scenarios would bring the players the most time
realize it. in the spotlight and engage them in the experience,
For instance, one player archetype is the eternal ensuring that each of them plays a pivotal role in the
warrior, seeking the thrill of battle. Their desires are story as it develops.

Onward to Adventure 177

 Index
Breaking Blow skill,, 109. Dependents, 78.
Breaking through, 152. Detect Lies skill, 111.
Breath Control skill, 110. Detective lens, 60.
Bully disadvantage, 95. Dexterity, 71.
Bureaucrat template, 59. Diagnosis skill, 111.
Called shots, 143. Dice, 131.
Absent-Mindedness disadvantage, 94. Callous disadvantage, 95. Digital Mind advantage, 85.
Absolute Timing advantage, 82. Camouflage skill, 110. Dimo, 50-51.
Academics skills, 105. Campaigns, 177. Dingbots, 172.
Accounting skill, 106. Captivate skill, 113. Diplomacy skill, 111.
Acrobatics skills, 106. Carousing skill, 110. Diplomat template, 59.
Acting skill, 106. Carpentry skill, 110. Disadvantages, 93.
Acute Senses advantage, 82. Cartography skill, 110. Discriminatory Senses advantage, 85.
Administration skill, 106. Castle Heterodyne, 20, 64; mini-Castle, 64. Disguise skill, 112.
Advantages, 82. Castle Wulfenbach, 22, 179; Disturbing Voice disadvantage, 73.
Adventures, 177. Old Castle Wulfenbach, 18. Doctor lens, 62.
Africa, 27. Catfall advantage, 83. Doesn’t Breathe advantage, 85.
Aging, 149. Character points, 69. Doesn’t Eat or Drink advantage, 85.
Air (lack of), 151. Character sheet, 192. Doesn’t Sleep advantage, 85.
Airships, 160. Character write-ups, 28, 57. Dolokhov, Boris, 53.
Albia, Queen of England, 24. Charisma advantage, 73. “Don’t make me come over there,” 13, 22.
Alchemy skill, 106. Charitable disadvantage, 95. Doom Bell, 19, 32.
Allies advantage, 75. Chemistry skill, 125. Dragon of Mechanicsburg, 32.
Alternate Identity advantage, 83. China, 26. Dreen template, 68.
Ambidexterity advantage, 83. Chummy disadvantage, 95. Drinking, 150.
Americas, 26, 36. Circus, see Master Payne’s Driving skill, 112.
Andronicus Valois, 10. Circus of Adventure. DuMedd, Theopholous, 53.
Animal Empathy advantage, 83. Citadel of Silver Light, 27. DuPree, Bangladesh, 47.
Animal Handling skill, 107. Cities, 14. Duty disadvantage, 96.
Anthropology skill, 105. Claim to Hospitality advantage, 83. Dyne, river, 21, 31.
Appearance, 72. Clanks, 173; Clank template, 63. Easy to Read disadvantage, 97.
Archaeology skill, 105. Clay, Adam and Lilith, 34. Economics skill, 105.
Architecture skill, 105. Clay, Agatha, 29. Education, 16.
Area Knowledge skill, 107. Clerical Investment advantage, 84. Eidetic Memory advantage, 85.
Arm DX advantage, 83. Climbing, 135; Climbing skill, 110. Electrician skill, 112.
Arm ST advantage, 83. Clinging advantage, 84. Electricity, 150.
Armor, 170; powered armor, 171. Cloaks, 171; Cloak skill, 110. Empathy advantage, 85.
Armory skill, 107. Clueless disadvantage, 95. Encumbrance, 71.
Artillery skill, 107. Code of Honor disadvantage, 96. Enemies, 79.
Artisan template, 58. Combat Art skills, 110. Engineer skill, 112.
Artistry skills,, 108. Combat Reflexes advantage, 84. England, 24.
Asia, 26. Common Sense advantage, 84. Enhanced Defenses advantage, 86.
Asphyxiation, 151. Communications, 157. Enhanced Move advantage, 86.
Astronomy skill, 125. Compulsive Behavior disadvantage, 96. Entertainer template, 59.
Attacking, 141. Connoisseur skill, 110. Enthrallment skills, 112.
Bad Sight disadvantage, 94. Constriction Attack advantage, 84. Erotic Art skill, 113.
Bad Smell disadvantage, 95. Constructs, 65; templates, 65. Escape skill, 113.
Bad Temper disadvantage, 95. Contacts advantage, 77. Esoteric Medicine skill, 114.
Bartender skill, 123. Contests, 132. Europa Wulfenbach,
Basic attributes, 70. Control rolls, 137. see Wulfenbach Empire.
Beam Weapons skill, 108. Cooking skill, 110. Evil twin, 80.
Beetle, Professor Tarsus, 52. Corbettites, 16, 158. Explosives skill, 114.
Berserk disadvantage, 95. Cowardice disadvantage, 96. Extended Lifespan advantage, 86.
Bicycling skill, 108. Crewman skill, 111. Extra Arms advantage, 86.
Blind Fighting skill, 108. Criminology skill, 105. Extra Attack advantage, 86.
Bioengineering skill, 125. Crossbow skill, 111. Extra effort, 144.
Biology skill, 125. Cryptography skill, 111. Extra Legs advantage, 86.
Black Squad, 23. Cultural Adaptability advantage, 84. Falling, 150.
Blacksmith template, 58. Curious disadvantage, 96. Farmer template, 60.
Bloodlust disadvantage, 95. Current Affairs skill, 111. Farming skill, 114.
Blowpipe skill, 108. Cybernetics advantage, 84. Fashion Sense advantage, 73.
Body Control skill, 108. Damage Resistance advantage, 85. Fast-Draw skill, 114.
Body Language skill, 109. Damage, 70, 145. Fast-Talk skill, 114.
Body Sense skill, 109. Dancing skill, 111. Fatigue, 148.
Bolas skill, 109. Danger Sense advantage, 85. Favor advantage, 87.
Bow skill, 109. Daredevil advantage, 85. Fearlessness advantage, 87.
Boxing skill, 109. Dark Vision advantage, 85. Fencing, 118.
Brainwashing skill, 109. Deepdown, 21. Fifty Families, 23.
Brawling skill, 109. Delusions disadvantage, 96. Filch skill, 114.

Index 181
Finance skill, 114. Higgs, Axel, 41. Machine Empathy advantage, 90.
Fire-Eating skill, 114. High Pain Threshold, 88. Machinist skill, 118.
Firearms table, 168. Higher Purpose advantage, 88. Madboy/Madgirl, 8.
First Aid skill, 114. Hiking, 135. Magnificent Hat, 38.
Fit advantage, 87. History, 7; History skill, 105. Maintenance disadvantage, 98.
Flails, 119. Hive engines, 175. Makeup skill, 118.
Flame, 151. Hive Mentality disadvantage, 97. Malfeazium, Zola, 45.
Flexibility advantage, 87. Holdout skill, 116. Mamma Gkika, 19.
Flight advantage, 87. Honesty disadvantage, 97. Maneuvers, 139.
Flight skill, 114. Hoomhoffers, 174. Manic-Depressive disadvantage, 99.
Forensics skill, 125. Hypnotism skill, 116. Martial Arts skill, 118.
Forgery skill, 114. Hysterical strength, 136. Masonry skill, 118.
Fortune-Telling skill, 115. Illness, 146. Master Payne’s Circus of Adventure,
Forward Observer skill, 115. Impulsiveness disadvantage, 97. 26, 55, 179.
Fright checks, 139. Incurious disadvantage, 97. Mathematics skill, 125.
Fun-Sized Mobile Agony Indomitable advantage, 88. Maxim, 50, 51.
and Death Dispensers, 172. Influence rolls, 138. Mechanic skill, 118.
Gadgeteer advantage, 87. Influencing others, 112. Mechanicsburg, 16, 18, 121.
Gadgeteering, 155. Information, 134. Mechanicsburg, Dragon of, 32.
Gambling skill, 115. Infravision advantage, 88. Medicine, 161.
Game Master, 131. Injury, 145, 146. Megalomania disadvantage, 99.
Game time, 139. Innate Attack skill, 117. Melee Weapon skill, 118.
Games skill, 115. Intelligence, 72. Melee Weapons table, 164-166.
Gardening skill, 115. Intelligent Animal templates, 65. Mental Strength skill, 120.
Garrote skill, 115. Interrogation skill, 117. Merchant skill, 120; template, 61.
Gaslamp fantasy, 4. Intimidation skill, 117. Metallurgy skill, 120.
Geisterdamen, 27, 48, 49; Intolerance disadvantage, 97. Meteorology skill, 125.
Geisterdamen template, 68. Intuition advantage, 89. Mezzasalma, Professor Caractacus, 46.
Geography skill, 105. Inventing, 152, 156. Military template, 61.
Geology skill, 125. Iron Sheik, 36. Mimmoths, 174.
Gesture skill, 115. Jäger Generals, 67. Minions, 18; Minion template, 61.
Gizmos advantage, 88. Jägerdraught, 42, 66. Mittelmind, Dr. Getwin, 46.
Glass City (Londinium), 24. Jägermonsters, 23, 42, 50, 66, 67; Modular Abilities advantage, 90.
Glossary, 7. Jägermonster template, 66. Mondarev, Violetta, 43.
Glowy things, green, 173. Jägertroth, 67. Money, 15.
Gluttony disadvantage, 97. Japan, 27. Mongfish, Dr. Lucifer, 36.
GM, 131. Jealousy disadvantage, 98. Mongfish, Lucrezia, 21, 48.
God-Queens, 19, 27. Jenka, 50, 52. Mortal wounds, 147.
Goggles, 170. Jumping, 136; Jumping skill, 117. Mount skill, 120.
Grappling, 142. Knights of Jove. 11. Mr. Tock, 22.
Great Cetaceans, 25. Knot-Tying skill, 117. Mundane Background disadvantage, 99.
Great Hospital, 18, 54. Krosp I, Emperor of All Cats, 40. Muses, 26, 65.
Great Work, 24. Lackya, 23; Lackya template, 67. Musical Composition skill, 120.
Greed disadvantage, 97. Language Talent advantage, 89. Musical Influence skill, 120.
Green glowy things, 173. Languages, 15, 73; language Musical Instrument skills, 121.
Group Performance skill, 115. comprehension levels, 73. Names, 57.
Gunner skill, 116. Lapinemoths, 174. Naturalist skill, 121.
Guns skill, 116. Lasso skill, 117. Nepenthes dulcis, 32.
Hall of Privateers, 25. Law Enforcement template, 60. Net skill,, 121.
Hand Grenades table, 169. Law skill, 105. Nictitating Membrane advantage, 90.
Hard of Hearing disadvantage, 97. Laziness disadvantage, 98. Night Vision advantage, 90.
Hard to Kill advantage, 88. Leadership skill, 118. No Depth Perception disadvantage, 99.
Hats, 38, 67. Lecherousness disadvantage, 98. No Fine Manipulators disadvantage, 99.
Healing advantage, 88. Legal Enforcement Powers advantage, 89. No Sense of Humor disadvantage, 99.
Health, 72. Legal Immunity advantage, 89. Noble template, 62.
Hearth Witch template, 60. Library, 21. Noisy disadvantage, 99.
Heavy weapons table, 169. Lifting and moving things, 136. Nonhuman templates, 63.
Heliolux Air Fleet, 23. Lightning Calculator advantage, 89. O’Hara, Sleipnir, 53.
Heliotrope, Carson, 18, 54. Linguistics skill, 105. Oblivious disadvantage, 99.
Henge, 24. Literacy advantage, 73. Observation skill, 121.
Heraldry skill, 116. Literature skill, 105. Obsession disadvantage, 99.
Herb Lore skill, 116. Lockpicking skill, 118. Occultism skill, 121.
Heterodyne Boys, 11, 48. Londinium, 24. Octopuses, 25.
Heterodyne family, 9. Long War, 9. Odious Personal Habit disadvantage, 73.
Heterodyne, Agatha, 28, 34. Lost cities, 27. Ogglespoon, 10.
Heterodyne, Lucrezia Mongfish, 21, 48. Loyalty, 134. Ognian (Oggie), 50-51.
Heterodyning, 33. Luck advantage, 90. One Arm/Hand disadvantage, 100.
Hidden Lore skill, 116. Lunacy disadvantage, 98. One Eye disadvantage, 100.

182 Index
Other, 12. Rule of 20, 105. Teamster skill, 129.
Otilia, 31, 43. Running, 137; skill, 124. Technology, 156.
Overconfidence disadvantage, 100. Sadism disadvantage, 101. Teeth advantage, 92.
Pacifism disadvantage, 100. Savoir-Faire skill, 124. Telescopic Vision advantage, 93.
Paleontology skill, 125. Science skills, 124. Templates, 58.
Panhandling skill, 121. Scrounging skill, 125. Tenure advantage, 93.
Paris, 23, 33. Scuba skill, 125. The Socket Wench of Prague, 30.
Parry Missile Weapons skill, 121. Search skill, 125. Themes, 178.
Patron advantage, 81. Secret disadvantage, 101. Theology skill, 105.
Pax Transylvania, 13, 17. Self-control, 94. Things, glowy, green, 173.
Payne, Master Hieronymus, 26, 54-55. Selnikov, Lord Rudolf, 55. Thorpe, Trelawney, 24.
Perfect Balance advantage, 90. Sense of Duty disadvantage, 101. Throwing, 137; skill, 129.
Performance skill, 121. Sense rolls, 138. Thrown Weapon skills, 129.
Persuade skill, 113. Serendipity advantage, 91. Thundering Engine Woman, 36.
Pharmacy skill, 122. Sewing skill, ,125. Tiktoffen, Professor Hristo, 46.
Philosophy skill, 105. Sex Appeal skill, 125. Time, 139; timekeeping, 16.
Phobias disadvantage, 100. Shadowing skill, 126. Tinka, 65.
Physician skill, 122. Shields, 171; skill, 126. Torchmen, 176.
Physics skill, 125. Shiphandling skill, 126. Townie lens, 59.
Physiology skill, 125. Shyness disadvantage, 101. Tracking skill, 129.
Pickpocket skill, 122. Si Vales Valeo procedure, 31. Trademark disadvantage, 101.
Piloting skill, 122. Singing skill, 126. Transportation, 158.
Plant Empathy advantage, 90. Size and Speed/Range table, 143. Transylvania Polygnostic
Poison, 151; skill, 122. Skifander, 27, 41. University, 22, 179.
Polar Ice Lords, 27. Skills, 103; costs, 104; defaults, 104. Traps skill, 130.
Pole weapons, 119. Slaver wasps, 175. Trickster disadvantage, 102.
Politics skill, 122. Sleepwalker disadvantage, 101. Truthfulness disadvantage, 102.
Popes, 16. Sleight of Hand skill, 126. Tryggvassen, Othar, 29, 44.
Possessed disadvantage, 100. Sling skill, 126. Tryggvassen, Sanaa, 44.
Possession advantage, 90. Smith skill, 127. Unhealing disadvantage, 102.
Posture, 140. Smoke Knights, 22, 43. Universities, 20, 22, 23, 179.
Power Blow skill, 122. Smuggling skill, 127. Unluckiness disadvantage, 102.
Power level, character, 177. Snaug, Hexalena, 46. Unusual Background advantage, 93.
Power sources, 157. Social Chameleon advantage, 91. Urban Survival skill, 130.
Powered armor, 171; skill, 123. Social science, mad, 46. Van Rijn, see Muses.
Prende’s Lantern, 33. Sociology skill, 105. Vapnoople, Dr. Dimitri, 40.
Professional Skills, 123. Soldier skill, 127. Vehicle operation, 112, 137.
Professor template, 62. Spark advantage, 91; template, 62. Versatile advantage, 93.
Propaganda skill, 123. Sparks, 7, 9, 152. Vespiary Squad, 23, 176.
Psychology skill, 105. Speak with Animals advantage, 92. Veterinary skill, 130.
Public Speaking skill, 123. Spear Thrower skill, 127. Voice advantage, 73.
Queen Albia, 24. Speed Reading skill, 127. Voice command, 157.
Queen’s Mirrors, 19, 49, 156. Spiders, giant, 173. Vole, Captain, 55.
Questors, 60. Spines advantage, 92. Von Blitzengaard, Martellus, 52.
Quirks, 103. Spy template, 63. Von Blitzengaard, Xerxsephnia, 39.
Radioheads, 23, 174. Stage Combat skill, 127. Von Mekkhan, Carson, 18, 54.
Railroads, 158. Starting wealth and equipment, 129. Von Pinn, 31, 43.
Ranged attacks, 142. Status, 75. Von Zinzer, Moloch, 56.
Ranged Weapons tables, 167-169. Stealth Fighters, 23. Vow disadvantage, 102.
Rank advantage, 75. Stealth skill, 127. Vrin, Lady, 56.
Rapid Healing advantage, 91. Storm King, 10, conspiracy, 180. Walk on Air advantage, 93.
Rats, giant, 173. Strategy skill, 127. Wasps, slaver, 175.
Reaction rolls, 133-135. Streetwise skill, 128. Wastelands, 15, 25.
Reanimated disadvantage, 100. Strength, 70; hysterical, 136. Weak Bite disadvantage, 103.
Reanimation, 68, 161. Stubbornness disadvantage, 101. Wealth, 73, 129.
Recovery, 148. Sturmhalten, 21. Weapon Master advantage, 93.
Red Cathedral, 19. Sturmvoraus, Prince Tarvek, 10, 38. Weird Science skill, 130.
Refuge of Storms, 22, 33. Sturmvoraus, Prince Wilhelm Antonev, 30. Weirdness Magnet disadvantage, 103.
Religion, 16. Success rolls, 131. Whips, 119.
Repeated attempts, 132. Suggest skill, 113. Wild Talent advantage, 93.
Reprogrammable disadvantage, 100. Sun, Doctor Jen-djieh, 18, 54. Wooster, Ardsley, 30, 46.
Reputation, 74. Surgery skill, 128. Workaholic disadvantage, 103.
Resistant advantage, 91. Survival skill, 128. Writing skill, 130.
Revenants, 12, 176. Sway Emotions skill, 113. Wulfenbach Empire, 13, 17.
Riding, 136; skill, 124. Swimming, 137; skill, 128. Wulfenbach, Baron Klaus, 13, 35.
River Dyne, 21, 31. Swords, 119. Wulfenbach, Gilgamesh, 36.
Romanian, 15. Tactics skill, 128. Zeetha, Princess of Skifander, 41.
Royal Collection Talent advantage, 92.
of Inconvenient Oddities, 25. Teaching skill, 129.

Index 183
 Name Player Point Total       
Ht Wt ______ Size Modifier ____ Age ____ Unspent Pts
Appearance                                 Race      ­             ­

Character Sheet LANGUAGES Spoken Written REACTION MODIFIERS

________________________________ [  ] Appearance_____________
ST [ ] HP [ ]
________________________________ [  ] Status__________________
DX [ ] Will [ ] ________________________________ [  ] Reputation______________
IQ [ ] Per [ ] ________________________________ [  ] ______________________
HT [ ] FP [ ] ________________________________ [  ] ______________________
BASIC LIFT (ST × ST)/5        DAMAGE Thr       Sw      DR PARRY BLOCK
BASIC SPEED             [ ] BASIC MOVE     [   ]

ENCUMBRANCE MOVE DODGE SKILLS

None (0) = BL     BM × 1       Dodge         Name Level Points Name Level Points
Light (1) = 2 × BL    BM × 0.8    Dodge -1       ________________________ ________________________
Medium (2) = 3 × BL    BM × 0.6    Dodge -2    ________________________ ________________________
Heavy (3) = 6 × BL    BM × 0.4    Dodge -3    ________________________ ________________________
X-Heavy (4) = 10 × BL    BM × 0.2 Dodge -4    ________________________ ________________________
________________________ ________________________
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES AND QUIRKS ________________________ ________________________
Name Points Name Points ________________________ ________________________
____________________________ _____________________________ ________________________ ________________________
____________________________ ____________________________ ________________________ ________________________
____________________________ ____________________________ ________________________ ________________________
____________________________ ____________________________ ________________________ ________________________
____________________________ ____________________________ ________________________ ________________________
____________________________ ____________________________ ________________________ ________________________
____________________________ ____________________________ ________________________ ________________________
____________________________ ____________________________ ________________________ ________________________
____________________________ ____________________________ ________________________ ________________________
____________________________ ____________________________ ________________________ ________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________ ARMOR & POSSESSIONS
____________________________ ____________________________ Item Location Cost Weight
____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________________ _____________
____________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________ _____________
____________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________ _____________
____________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________ _____________
____________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________ _____________
____________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________ _____________
____________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________ _____________
____________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________ _____________
____________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________ _____________
____________________________ ____________________________ __________________________________ _____________

CHARACTER NOTES MELEE WEAPONS

__________________________ Weapon Damage Reach Parry Notes Cost Weight
__________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ _____________
__________________________ ________________________________________________________________ _____________
__________________________ ________________________________________________________________ _____________
__________________________
RANGED WEAPONS
__________________________
Weapon Damage Acc Range Shots ST Bulk Notes Cost Weight
__________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ _____________
__________________________ ________________________________________________________________ _____________
__________________________ ________________________________________________________________ _____________
__________________________ Totals: $ ____ Lbs.____
__________________________
You may copy or print this form for personal use only. Copyright © 2021-2022 by Steve Jackson Games Incorporated. All rights reserved.

192 Contents
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