FATE’S EDGE · SYSTEM REFERENCE DOCUMENT

Example spells and characters

Use these examples to see how the reference material fits together. They retain the existing printed builds and workings. Read the applicable creation or magic procedure alongside an example rather than inferring a new rule from it.

Example Spells & Rites

This appendix provides ready-to-use examples for each magical path. DVs and costs are guidelines; GMs may adjust based on fiction.

Spark (Cantrip)

DV 3 [FIRE][STRIKE]

Ranged Harm 1 (fire) to one target within Near.

Minor Illusion

DV 3 [WATER][VEIL]

Create a simple sound or image within Near for one exchange.

Gust

DV 3 [AIR][PASSAGE]

Push one object or creature of your size or smaller one band back.

Quick Patch

DV 3 [LIFE][MEND]

Temporarily repair one damaged item for the scene.

Ember Cloak

DV 3 [FIRE][DEFEND]

+1 die to Defend rolls against cold or melee attacks for the scene.

Web of Fate

DV 3 [FATE][BIND]

Immobilize one target within Near; break free requires Body + Athletics against DV 4.

Healing Mist

DV 4 [WATER][HEAL][AREA]

All allies in Close clear 1 Fatigue.

Stone Shield

DV 3 [EARTH][BARRIER]

Create a stone wall with Integrity Timer [4] that blocks movement.

Shadow Step

DV 4 [AIR][FOLD] (dangerous)

Teleport self within Near range. Leaves faint afterimage.

Fate’s Rebuke

DV 4 [FATE][STRIKE][STRIKE]

Ranged Harm 2 (psychic), ignores non-magical armor.

Sleep

DV 3 [DEATH][COMMAND]

One target within Near falls into a natural sleep; lasts scene or until harmed.

B.1 Runekeeper Rites (by Patron)

Runekeepers learn Rites from their Codex. Each Rite is invoked as 1 action and marks Obligation (+1 standard, +2 for Push).

B.1.1 The Sealed Gate (Thresholds, Wards, Binding)

Sealed Threshold

Tier: Low

Ward a doorway; unauthorized crossing requires Spirit + Endurance (DV 4). Lasts scene.

Circle of Denial

Tier: Standard

Protective circle vs Outsiders. To cross, Outsider tests DV = its TL; on hit, add its TL to its Leash.

Banishment Knot

Tier: High

Cast out a supernatural entity. Test Spirit + Lore against the target's TL. On hit, the entity departs (add its TL to its Leash if summoned).

B.1.2 Raéyn (Sea, Storms, Journeys)

Tidemark’s Blessing

Tier: Low

Steady footing on wet surfaces; +1 die to balance and climb. Lasts scene.

Whispering Currents

Tier: Low

Learn safest route on water; +1 die to navigation rolls for one leg.

Wave-Road Blessing

Tier: Standard

Consecrate a sea lane; +2 dice to travel or evasion rolls on that route for one journey.

B.1.3 Ikasha (Shadow, Secrets, Thresholds)

Touch the Umbral Veil

Tier: Low

+1 die to one Stealth roll; soften a single noise.

Crossroads Raven

Tier: Low

Omen-raven appears. Gain +1 die to navigation or force one enemy to hesitate (Resist DV 4).

Become the Shadow at the Crossroads

Tier: High

Intangible to mundane harm; pass through gaps; +2 dice to Stealth. Lasts scene.

B.2 Invoker Rituals (by Symbol)

Invokers perform rituals using a Patron’s Symbol. Rituals take DV+1 rounds and always mark +1 Obligation. Crack the Seal (instant) marks +2 Obligation (+3 for High) and renders the Symbol Compromised.

Oath-Ward

Tier: Low Patron: Any with Law/Ward domain

Chalk circle wards a small area (10ft radius). Violators test Spirit (DV 4) or cannot enter.

Wayfinder’s Thread

Tier: Low Patron: The Traveler

Knot a red cord thrice; create a tether to a safe path for one leg.

Salt-Cut

Tier: Low Patron: The Sealed Gate

Sever a simple ongoing magical effect (rope, charm, weak ward). Consumes salt.

River’s Memory

Tier: Standard Patron: Raéyn

Scry a recent event tied to a personal token. Blurry but accurate. Costs 1 Fatigue.

Bargain-Bead

Tier: Standard Patron: Any Patron

Invite a minor spirit to parley. Requires two carved beads; one consumed.

Purge

Tier: Standard Patron: Oath of Flame & Light

Cleanse one level of taint, curse, or corruption from a creature or object. Caster marks 1 Fatigue.

Summoner’s Gate

Tier: High Patron: Any with Summoning domain

Call a known entity safely. Requires circle and true name. Occupies a concurrency slot.

B.3 Cantor Songs

Cantors perform Low Rites as Songs. Singing takes 1 action; the effect resolves at the start of the caster’s next turn. Push (mark Fatigue + advance Corruption) resolves immediately.

Hearth’s Lullaby

Patron/Theme: Mercy, Rest

All allies within Near clear 1 Fatigue.

Storm’s Call

Patron/Theme: Weather, Sea

For one leg, treat weather hazards as one step milder (does not stack).

Raven’s Omen

Patron/Theme: Shadow, Secrets

One ally gains +1 die to their next Stealth or Deception roll.

Knot of Silence

Patron/Theme: Binding, Ward

Muffle all sound within Close range for one exchange.

Thread of Memory

Patron/Theme: Knowledge, Truth

Ask the GM one yes/no question about a past event in the current scene.

Bitter Dirge

Patron/Theme: Death, Endings

One enemy within Near suffers −1 die to their next action (fear).

B.4 Universal Rituals (Any Character)

Any character with the time, components, and a skill roll (usually Spirit + Lore) may attempt these rituals.

Wayfinder’s Thread (Universal)

1 min, red cord

Tie thrice; create tether to a safe path. On success, navigation rolls +1 die for one leg.

Oath-Ward (Universal)

5 min, chalk circle

Ward small area; violators test Spirit (DV 4) to enter.

Ember-Glass

1 min, smoked glass

Sense heat sources through cover for one scene.

Salt-Cut (Universal)

1 min, salt, bronze knife

Sever a simple ongoing effect (rope, charm, weak ward). Consumes salt.

River’s Memory (Universal)

10 min, bowl, personal token

Scry a recent event tied to token; blurry vision. Token is ruined.

Bargain-Bead (Universal)

10 min, two carved beads

Invite a minor spirit to parley. On success, spirit appears. Must offer concession.

Quiet Veil

5 min, ash, muffled bell

Muffle group sounds for one scene; all gain +1 die to Stealth.

Dream-Way Marker

10 min, inked sleep mask, water cadence

Mark safe entrance to the Ways Between; short transit possible. All wake Shaken.

Purge (Tainted Object)

10 min, bitter herbs, clean blade

Cleanse one level of taint from a small object. Caster takes minor backlash.

Example Characters

These Tier I (32 XP) characters illustrate core builds for different playstyles. Each includes attributes, skills, talents, equipment, a bond, and a complication.

Ellis — Aeler Initiate (Warrior/Runekeeper)

Tier I 32 XP

A young vent-prior’s apprentice who left the underways to prove that stone-law can walk the surface world without breaking.

Attributes

BodySpiritWitsPresence
3322

Skills

Melee 2, Athletics 1, Endurance 1, Lore 1, Craft 1, Insight 1

Talents 12 XP total

  • Familiar (Thiasos) (2 XP) — A small iron bell that hums when stone is near.
  • Codex (4 XP) — Sealed with a keystone rune; contains the Rites of the Sealed Gate.
  • Weapon Master (5 XP) — +2 dice with warhammer; once/scene +1 Effect.
  • Effortless Charge (4 XP) — Ignore Fatigue cost of Charge once/scene.

Equipment

  • Warhammer (Medium melee, Harm 2, +1d at Close, +2d at Near).
  • Iron Half-Plate (Medium armor, 1 Harm → 1 Fatigue, 2 Harm → 1 Fatigue).
  • Codex (iron-bound slate).
  • Breath-counter bell.

Bond

“I owe Vent-Prior Orla a debt of stone and silence. She taught me that the mountain listens even when we do not speak.”

Complication

Stone-Press Susceptible: In deep underground spaces, any failed roll ticks a personal Hallucination Timer [4].

Rites Known

  • Sealed Threshold (Low) — Ward a doorway; unauthorized crossing requires Endurance test.
  • Oath-Ward (Low) — Chalk circle wards a small area vs intrusion.

Lyra — Vilikari Rover (Rogue/Scout)

Tier I 32 XP

A border-runner who learned to read two ledgers before she could write her name, now carries secrets instead of cargo.

Attributes

BodySpiritWitsPresence
2243

Skills

Stealth 2, Deception 2, Sway 2, Insight 1, Craft 1, Insight 1

Talents 12 XP total

  • Keen Senses (2 XP) — +1 die on perception checks to spot danger or hidden details.
  • Trackless Step (2 XP) — Once/scene, leave no trail for the remainder of the scene.
  • Silk Palms (2 XP) — When you bribe a minor official, gain temporary String Bought Silence.
  • Backstab (6 XP) — When attacking from stealth, deal +1 Harm and ignore 1 point of Armor.

Equipment

  • Paired daggers (Light melee, Harm 1, +2d at Close, +1d at Near).
  • Padded leather (Light armor, 1 Harm → 1 Fatigue, 2 Harm → 1 Harm + 1 Fatigue).
  • Lockpicks (Craft kit).
  • False manifest (forged papers).

Bond

“Rurik the fence saved me from a customs trap. He expects me to return the favor when the ledger calls.”

Complication

Two-Ledger Debt: You keep a second ledger of favors owed to Vilikari smugglers. The GM may once per session tick a Favor Due timer [4] when you refuse a questionable job.

Sera — Lethai-thora Exile (Caster)

Tier I 32 XP

A former archivist who touched a forbidden scroll and now hears whispers from the space between written words.

Attributes

BodySpiritWitsPresence
2342

Skills

Arcana 2, Lore 3, Insight 2, Insight 1, Deception 1

Talents 10 XP total

  • Spellcraft (6 XP) — Enables freeform casting (Weave + Cast).
  • Long Memory (3 XP) — +1 die to Lore and Insight rolls involving historical knowledge.
  • Cold Reading (3 XP) — +1 die to Sway and Insight when observing before acting.

Equipment

  • Quarterstaff (Light melee, Harm 1, +2d at Close, can Defend as action).
  • Scholar’s robes (no armor).
  • Sealed scroll case (contains one forbidden fragment).
  • Brass inkpot (focus for [REVEAL] effects).

Bond

“Keeper Lian hid me when the Censorate came. Her silence protects me; my voice will one day protect her secret.”

Complication

Whisper-Threshold: Whenever you cast a spell that generates two or more SB, you hear a voice from the Ninth Scroll. The GM gains a String: The Archive Knows Your Name.

Signature Spells

  • Whisper-Light ([FIRE][ILLUMINATE]) — DV 3, one action. Small, silent light.
  • Memory’s Veil ([WATER][VEIL]) — DV 3, two actions. Obscure one small object or door; –1 die to Notice.
  • Scroll’s Rebuke ([FATE][STRIKE]) — DV 3, two actions. Ranged Harm 1 (psychic), ignores mundane armor.

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