Occupations

A character’s Occupation is their external place in the world, and describes:

• what they are known publically for
• how they earn a living
• their base attribute scores
• a secret they hold
• how they know the other player characters
• a profession-based Skill

You’ll make a Connection with each other player character, with a few suggestions under each Occupation below. Otherwise, here are some general options for any characters:

• a childhood or school-age acquaintance
• a fellow survivor of a deeply impactful event in your lives
• a neighbor or community member you regularly run into
• a rival that you’ve managed to befriend
• a romantic partner with some history but mutual respect
• a somewhat-distant family member
• an acquaintance with shared secrets from earlier, darker days
• someone interested in a shared niche topic

Choose one field of Occupation from below, describe your exact position, detail your secret, and create Connections.

Academics

• Examples: high school student, college undergrad, teacher, professor.
• Attributes: +1 Focus, +1 Presence, +1 Reason.
• Secret: You uncovered knowledge that was meant to stay buried—whether in a book, a lecture, or a forgotten archive—and now you can’t unlearn it.
• Connection ideas:
  • a classmate or student, current or former
  • a frequent passerby on campus
  • an expert on a research topic

Research

When you spend time to Study Something in a library or similar location, gain Advantage.

Athletics

• Examples: amateur, professional, or former athlete.
• Attributes: +1 Focus, +1 Grit, +1 Presence.
• Secret: You were involved in a competition, game, or event that ended in scandal, and only you know the full truth of what happened.
• Connection ideas:
  • a devoted fan, fervent admirer
  • a mentor or coach that pushed your potential
  • a teammate, current or former

Training

Once per session, you can ignore suffering a physical Condition of severity Slight or Minor.

Business

• Examples: investor, manager, owner.
• Attributes: +1 Focus, +1 Presence, +1 Reason.
• Secret: You made (or lost) a fortune through a deal that never should have happened, and someone still wants answers.
• Connection ideas:
  • a fellow local you networked with at some event
  • a professional collaborator
  • a regular customer or business partner

Negotiate

When you Convince Someone utilizing their known motives, gain Advantage.

Detective

• Examples: FBI agent, police detective.
• Attributes: +1 Focus, +1 Reason, +1 Weird.
• Secret: There’s a case you never solved, or maybe one you should have taken, and it still haunts you.
• Connection ideas:
  • a crucial witness to an incident
  • a grateful victim you helped
  • an informant who trades in information

Security Clearance

You have access to private data and classified information pertaining to your assignments.

Entertainment

• Examples: actor, musician.
• Attributes: +1 Grit, +1 Presence, +1 Weird.
• Secret: Your greatest success—or biggest failure—was built on a lie, and you’re terrified someone will find out.
• Connection ideas:
  • a fellow performer from your past
  • a mentor who taught you the ropes
  • someone you booked a gig for or with

Entertain

When you spend time to entertain a group of people, reduce any Slight mental Conditions they have.

Hospitality

• Examples: bartender, chef, clerk, concierge, waiter.
• Attributes: +1 Grit, +1 Presence, +1 Weird.
• Secret: Someone who passed through your establishment left something behind—intentionally or not—that changed everything.
• Connection ideas:
  • regular patron at your workplace
  • a former colleague you’ve stayed in touch with
  • someone in a different staff position you get along with

Rapport

When you Read Person in a social situation, gain Advantage.

Law Enforcement

• Examples: police officer, security guard.
• Attributes: +1 Grit, +1 Presence, +1 Reason.
• Secret: You covered for someone once—maybe a partner, maybe a criminal—and now it’s only a matter of time before the truth comes out.
• Connection ideas:
  • a community member you encounter and converse with often
  • a dependable colleague, current or former
  • a helpful citizen who provides regular tips

Request Backup

Once a session, if you’re able, you can call in the support of your allies in law enforcement.

Medicine

• Examples: doctor, EMT, nurse, surgeon.
• Attributes: +1 Focus, +1 Grit, +1 Reason.
• Secret: A patient (or victim) you once treated should have lived—or should have died—but something unnatural happened instead.
• Connection ideas:
  • a former patient that you treated
  • a grateful family member of someone you treated
  • another professional that you regularly meet with

Heal Wounded

When you spend time treating someone injured—yourself included—reduce their lowest physical Condition.

Religion

• Examples: monk, pastor, priest.
• Attributes: +1 Focus, +1 Presence, +1 Weird.
• Secret: You’ve encountered someone or something that contradicts everything you claim to believe.
• Connection ideas:
  • a member of your faith community who shares values
  • a spiritual guide you look up to for wisdom and advice
  • someone you once taught or mentored in spiritual matters

Relieve Burden

When you spend time deliberating with another character, reduce their lowest mental Condition.

Science

• Examples: biologist, chemist, physicist.
• Attributes: +1 Focus, +1 Presence, +1 Reason.
• Secret: An experiment or study you were involved in didn’t just fail—it created something that should not exist.
• Connection ideas:
  • a colleague you shared ideas and experiments with
  • someone who benefited from your scientific discoveries
  • someone who helped you perform research

Experiment

When you spend time to Study Something by examining and experimenting with samples or material based on your expertise, gain Advantage.

Self-employed

• Examples: contractor, crafter, real estate agent.
• Attributes: +1 Focus, +1 Presence, +1 Weird.
• Secret: A client or deal from your past wasn’t what it seemed, and you suspect you were part of something far bigger than you knew.
• Connection ideas:
  • a curious acquaintance who asks your help from time to time
  • a former colleague you occasionally reminisce with
  • a loyal repeat customer

Adaptable

Once per session, you can declare experience with a specific tool or situation, and gain Advantage on Overcome.

Technology

• Examples: engineer, IT, programmer.
• Attributes: +1 Focus, +1 Presence, +1 Reason.
• Secret: You built, discovered, or stole something that should never be used, and now it’s in the wrong hands.
• Connection ideas:
  • a client that hired you, impressed and recommended you to others
  • a fellow tech enthusiast you’ve worked or shared ideas with
  • someone who’s helped try out your work, and become a friend

Cyber-Sleuth

When you spend time to Study Something through digital means, gain Advantage.

Trades

• Examples: A/C technician, electrician, plumber.
• Attributes: +1 Focus, +1 Reason, +1 Weird.
• Secret: You worked on a job where something was buried, hidden, or changed, and you’re not sure if it was meant to be found.
• Connection ideas:
  • a reliable contact who provides materials
  • an apprentice, former or current
  • an enthusiast in your craft that you regularly chat with

Renovate

When you spend time and use tools to work on something mechanical, choose a modification:

• Alter its functionality.
• Repair to working order.
• Upgrade to work better.

Vagrant

• Examples: odd jobs, unemployed.
• Attributes: +1 Focus, +1 Grit, +1 Weird.
• Secret: You stumbled across something you shouldn’t have—maybe a body, a place, a secret—and no one believes you.
• Connection ideas:
  • a fellow wanderer you’ve crossed paths with
  • a kind stranger who helped you out during hard times
  • an old friend that still stays in touch

Streetwise

When you attempt to Overcome environmental dangers, gain Advantage.