Wyrd of the Week: Skulking Secondary Lineage

This time on Wyrd of the Week, I present to you something a bit more complicated than I normally write for The Hero's Journey, Second Edition - a Secondary Lineage. This is literally a second character Lineage that is selected at character creation that works in addition to all of the abilities of a character's primary Lineage (except when noted otherwise). This is written wtih the assumption that a character selects a Secondary Lineage at character creation and with Narrator permission. In this instance, the Secondary Lineage is called the Skulking and would be noted on a character sheet as a "Skulking Elf," Skulking Human," or similarly for other Lineages.

SKULKING (Secondary Lineage)

Not all heroes stand as paragons of virtue and heroism. Nor are they all simple, stouthearted folk standing to defend the ordinary joys of the world. Some are broken, corrupted creatures desparate to overcoming the evil that has set itself in their heart, driven them to the edge of madness, and left their physical form twisted and ill to look upon. They are the Skulking, found among all the Goodly Folk of the Mortal Realm. Desperate and wretched, they cling to a single mote of hope that their last deeds before the darkness takes them may make some difference in the world. Through their companions they might find some path to a redemptive act, a final deed worthy of admiration, a last reconcilation for the evil that has buried itself in their soul.

Table: Skulking Attributes

Attribute	Dice Pool
Might	Per Primary Lineage
Finesse	Per Primary Lineage
Resolve	2d6+1
Insight	Per Primary Lineage
Bearing	1d6+2
Weal	1d6+2

Skulking Lineage Abilities

Darkness Can Be Set in All Souls: In addition to the abilities provided by the Skulking Secondary Lineage, a player character also receives all of the benefits of their primary Lineage selected at character creation - except for any beneficial Lineage abilities that affect a character's Despair Saving Throw. A Skulking character has barely a whisp of hope left in their heart and Despair takes hold of their psyche far too quickly. When determining a Skulking character's starting attributes, use the Skulking Attribues table, noting where the Skulking Secondary Lineage provides an alternate dice pool for generating specific attribute totals. In these cases, the Skulking Secondary Linage takes precident and may restrict Archetype choices that would otherwise be available based on a character's primary Lineage.. 

From the Light I Shall Flee: All Skulking characters can advance to 10th level as Burglars, regardless of their primary Lineage restriction. In addition, they recieve Advantage on all Thievery checks. Skulking characters of any other Archetypes recieve and advance in the Thievery skill as if they were a Burglar of equivalent level.

Curse'd and Twisted: When encountering creatures sworn to the service of the forces of evil or when an Insight of the Wise spell is cast, the Skulking character is regarded as being a servant of evil. This means that while monsters are more likely to ignore the Skulking character or even regard them as an ally, most heroic characters will see them as a threat. 

Damned Not to Die: Skulking characters also Advantage on all Saving Throws to avoid suffering a Grievous Wound.

A Shadow Has Taken Hold: Skulking characters suffer Disadvantage on all Despair Saving Throws and all attempts to Relax Around the Campfire.

Wyrd of the Week: The Smallholder

 Apologies for the long silence on this blog, but my real life obligatios have consumed a massive amount of my time. But fear not! 
The Hero's Journey, Second Edition is alive and well. Today, I'd like to offer you a new variant Human Lineage: The Smallholder.

Smallholder (Human Variant)

Towns and cities all began as humble settlements that were little more than a single homestead run by a hardy farmer, lumberjack, or hunter. These people grew to live off the land, tending and keeping it so that the bounty of the seasons might provide sustenance while they remain far from the constraints of the more rigid demands of urban environments. Known as smallholders, they maintain farms across fertile fields, live solitary lives in cabins deep in the wilderness, or exist as solitary fishermen on remote islands. In rare instances, they are drawn away from the solitary life and must go out into the world to defend and protect the land they hold dear. When this happens their self-reliant nature and unwavering resilience can serve as both boon and inspiration to their friends and companions. Most smallholders prefer the company of animals to other humans, but when they do form friendships with other humans these are bonds that last a lifetime that are typically only broken in death.

Table 1-1: Smallholder Attributes

Attribute	Dice Pool
Might	2d6+1*
Finesse	3d6
Resolve	2d6+1*
Insight	2d6+1*
Bearing	3d6
Weal	3d6

*See Strength of Simplicity Lineage ability below

Table 1-2: Smallholder Archetypes

Archetype	Level Limit
Bard	10
Burglar	10
Knight	10
Ranger	10
Swordsman	10
Warrior	10
Wayfarer*	10
Wizard	10
Yeoman	10

*See The Hero’s Companion, pg 23-26

Smallholder Lineage Abilities

Humble Arms: Smallholders have learned to use the tools of tending the land into a means of defense. All smallholders are able to wield hand axs, short bows, slings, and spears in combat regardless of any restrictions imposed by their Archetype. This ability replaces the standard Human Lineage ability Combat Training.

Diligent Workman: Smallholders receive Advantage on any Saving Throws or Ability Checks where they are directly drawing upon knowledge or insight gained from their Profession. This replaces the standard human Lineage ability Extraordinary Learner.

Strength of Simplicity: The simple life has subtle rewards. Some smallholders gain strength of body, while others enhearten their spirit, or gain a keen sense of observation. At character creation a smallholder may select two of the following ability scores: Might, Resolve, and Insight. They increase both of their chosen ability scores by 5, to a maximum of 18. This replaces the standard Human Lineage ability Uncanny Adaptability.