Character Creation
Building a Cardian is fast and straightforward. Make eight choices that each shape who your character is: your role, attributes, HP distribution, appearance, abilities, and background.
The Eight Choices
Step-by-Step Guide
Choose Your Role
Pick between Martial, Caster, Defender, or Support. Your role determines your playstyle, Role Maneuver, armor, and grants +1 HP in your role's suit.
Choose Primary Attribute
Select one of two attributes based on your role. Your chosen attribute starts at 2 (instead of 1), and all related skills also start at 2.
Choose Primary Suit
Choose any suit to gain +1 HP in that suit. This should be different from your role suit to diversify your HP pools.
Choose 2 Material Benefits
Choose any 2 material benefits for your Cardian. Each grants +1 to a skill.
Choose Your Finish
Your finish grants +1 to a third skill and adds flavor to your appearance. Four distinct finishes are available.
Pick a Knack
A minor magical ability you can use at will, no cost required. Great for roleplay and utility.
Select Your Weapon
Choose your primary weapon. This determines your basic attack and Power Attack option.
Choose Background
Select your origin faction and gain +1 to any skill not already provided by your materials or finish.
Archetypes
Each Role has two Archetypes—specialized versions with unique Powers and a once-per-scene Archetype Signature ability. Your archetype choice further defines your playstyle.
- Sharp — Precision strikes, uses Mark (1x/Scene)
- Recursionist — Recursive strikes and adaptive combat
- Bouncer — Crowd control, uses Velvet Rope (1x/Scene)
- Bookie — Tactical control and calculated risks
- Illusionist — Deception, uses My Next Trick (1x/Scene)
- Gambler — High-risk, high-reward abilities
- Dealer — Card manipulation, uses Bankroll (1x/Scene)
- Bartender — Healing and sustain
What Your Character Gets
From Your Role
- • +1 HP in your role's suit
- • Role Maneuver (Cash In, Scry, Taunt, or Lend Aid)
- • Armor proficiency (Light, Medium, or Shield)
- • Two Primary Attribute options to choose from
From Your Attribute & Suit
- • Primary Attribute at 2 (instead of 1)
- • Related skills at 2 (instead of 1)
- • +1 HP in your chosen Primary Suit
From Your Materials & Finish
- • +1 to three skills (one per choice)
- • Visual appearance and flavor
- • Roleplay hooks for your Cardian
From Your Background
- • Origin faction and lore hooks
- • +1 to any skill not already gained
- • Knack, Weapon, and 2 Jokers per session
Starting Stats by Role
Each role starts with suit-based HP pools (base 3 per suit). Your role gives +1 HP to one suit, and your Primary Suit choice gives +1 HP to another.
| Role | Role HP Bonus | Attribute Choices | Armor |
|---|---|---|---|
| ♠ Martial | +1 ♠ HP | Body or Mind | Medium |
| ♦ Caster | +1 ♦ HP | Mind or Care | Light |
| ♣ Defender | +1 ♣ HP | Body or Will | Medium + Shield |
| ♥ Support | +1 ♥ HP | Care or Will | Light |
Starting HP Example: A Martial (♠) who picks ♣ Clubs as Primary Suit starts with: ♠ 4 HP, ♣ 4 HP, ♦ 3 HP, ♥ 3 HP. Diversifying your HP pools helps you stay in the fight!