ARC v 2.0

ARC, version 2.0.0a -- basic notes.

Quickly, hop to the other sections:
Character Points
Futuristic
Mad Science
SpARCy's Whiteboard
Medical
Swashbuckling
Magic
Psionics

Dice exist on an attribute-based system; a person can therefore be very high in one attribute (say, have incredible Strength) while being much less effective in another (poor or average Luck.) Sides are retained, to symbolize actual skill. A hits-based roll would indicate the raw power of something, whereas a high-die-based roll would indicate the sheer skill. Dice number can also be affected by, for example, appropriate advantages; Keen Vision would raise the Awareness die pool for vision-based rolls, for example.

The attributes:
Strength - The physical prowess of the individual, used for physical and melee combat.
Intellect - Mental prowess, used for magic and for knowledge-based skills.
Endurance - Physical endurance, used for metahuman / innate powers and used in physical resistances.
Willpower - Mental endurance, used for psionic powers and mental resistances.
Dexterity - Freedom of movement and grace, used for dodging, movement, and ranged combat.
Charisma - Ability to socialize effectively, used for 'convincing' rolls.
Luck - The personal fortune of an individual, which is used in instances of - well, blind luck.
Awareness - Perceptive capabilities, used for perception (especially skill-based.)

Base HP is formed from Strength and Endurance; base EP is formed from Endurance and Willpower.
Speed is a factor of Dexterity and Endurance.

Getting all attributes raised one level should be -slightly- cheaper than raising them each a level individually. For example, if it costs five points a level for an individual +1, it should cost 'only' 30 for all to be raised a level. Still pondering whether to use a staggered system (costs increase as you go up) or a leveled system (costs are universal.) There also should be limits to development; maybe '3 levels above the default for what you are.' A human could get up to 5d in something particular -- without horrible cost. Perhaps 5 for the first level-up, 10 for the second, 20 for the third? Then, setting base power for a race -- like humans, or wanderkin, or vampires -- would be done in the Physiology section, and done likewise. 5, 10, 20, 40, 60...? Hmm.

Defense: Use Str dice for physical defenses (blocks and parries); Dex dice for dodging; Will for mind defenses; Int for magic resistance; End for physical resistance.

Half-dice -- The standard for defense rolls. Most defense situations use this; therefore, having at least a 3 in an appropriate attribute will guarantee you two defense dice.
Third-dice -- Unlikely defense situations (defending while stunned, defending against a surprise attack)
Quarter-dice -- Pretty damn improbable defenses (parrying a bullet, trying to block a car.)

Defense dice are rounded; if defense dice equal zero after modifiers, this defense form is invalid. (Most people don't parry bullets, ever.) However, a Miracle Dodge or Miracle Resist is always available.

Some books:
Adventurer's Guide
Gamemaster's Guide
Worldbook: Nexus
High Fantasy
Magic
Psionics
Mad Science
Futuristic
Medieval
Network
etc.

Sourcebooks would allow more room to put stuff.

Advantages and Drawbacks
Benefits, Side Effects, and Flaws

Martial Arts Disciplines:
Use average of Str and Dex, rounded up, for Martial Arts attack dice. Unlike normal HTH combat, Martial Arts can inflict CHP damage instead of THP. However, you must have Discipline to use the techniques of a particular Art.

2 CP: Discipline 0 - A student. Basic attacks.
10 CP: Discipline 1 - A graduate. Intermediate moves.
25 CP: Discipline 2 - A master. Advanced moves.
50 CP: Discipline 3 - A grandmaster. Master moves.

Discipline allows you to use the maneuvers of a martial art, and is added to your dice pool. Discipline has other requirements beyond CP expenditure, which may lower cost. However, if the requirements are broken in play, it will take at least one full year to restore discipline (perhaps less for minor infringements; impure thoughts might ruin Discipline for a week if the vow were a vow of celibacy.)

Students may attempt to use maneuvers they know without proper discipline at -d10 per level.

Example: Ambrose Colby is Str 3, Dex 2, and has Discipline (Colby-Fu) of 2. He is d40 normally, and has +d12 skill in Colby Fu. His final attack dice would be 5d52. A talented martial artist can kick the crap out of normal people (but in a mundane world, bullets still work.)

HP = (Str * 5) + (End * 5) + (Base sides / 4) + Effects of advantages/drawbacks.
EP = (Will * 5) + (End * 5) + (Base sides / 4) + Effects of advantages/drawbacks.

So someone with Str 5, End 4, Will 2, and d40 would have 55 HP and 40 EP.

Munnics and Imagination Entities:
A pretty interesting retake -- it's basically a matter of how people create things from their thoughts and dreams, both in such real-world ways as poltergeists and specters and haunts (not actual ghosts, but those 'leftover images' -- very popular horror movie stuff), and in fantasy realms, such things as Psyches (and, if you go out on a limb of logic, other 'personal-monster' realms.)

Basically, Imagination Entities, in simplest form, are physical constructs formed from the thoughts, dreams, and desires of a Munnic - a person who can actually bring these things about. On some worlds, like most Earths, Munnics most commonly use this power while in an altered state like sleep or meditation, bringing about poltergeists, hauntings, succubi, and other sleep 'delusions'. On others, like Verga, these Entities can permanently manifest -- the Psyches of Psyche Tamer. In some cases, their source is psionic -- the example of the monk who can call 'the spirits of warriors past' to defend him. In some cases, it's magical -- 'aerial servant', anyone? And in some, it's a matter of the environment itself -- Verga, for instance, or Nexus. Sometimes, Munnics (mundane incarnations, if you want to go for the full technobabble) are capable of controlling them... other times, like their own inward emotions, they've got no control at all. Some Entities run free, while others only exist at their Munnic's will. However, they usually have several things in common:

- Focus. The source of the Entity. An Entity without Focus is Free-Range; most Focused Entities owe at least partial alliegance to the controller of the Focus. However, a Focus gives a defeated Entity a place to return to where they can safely recover. Some examples: Cards (Vergan Psyches), jewels (Nexican Psyches, magic-users in general), the Munnic's subconscious (those wacky psions)... With a Free-Range Psyche, they're pretty much an independent creation. (And, dependent on the world, may or may not be forced to accept a new Focus. Anyone got a Pokeball? Heh.)

- Powers. Entity powers depend on the world, but in general, Entities have far more diversity and variety than their Munnic counterparts. Usually, the powers of a created Entity complement the Munnic's skills, or reflect their inner personality -- though some reversals may occur. A firefighter's Entity might extinguish fires (reflecting his desire and career) ... or start them (reflecting his inner love of flame).

- Personality. Frequently, Entities are aspects of a Munnic's personality - whether this means they share a similar sense of humor and habit, are symbolic of inner fears and desires, or emphasize virtues and strengths. The aforementioned firestarter Entity may be symbolic of the firefighter's love of fire, for example. Entities tend to at least have one personality flaw in common with their creator, often at more severe levels.

"Sleeping Giants" and Spectral Entities --

The internal struggles of an individual can, in some environments, create Entity-based effects without the conscious knowledge of the individual. The more deranged or upset the person is, the more powerful these Entities can become. Death, the ultimate personal disruption, can also bring these things about. The following is for a GM who wants to subject someone (an NPC, or perhaps a troubled PC) to the dangers of their own psyches.

Poltergeist - The Poltergeist is the simplest manifestation of Entity activity; it is generally invisible and can only be sensed, not seen. Unless reaching Full Manifestation, a Poltergeist's threat is generally low, and limited to enacting actual events (although someone who saw his family murdered could still be very dangerous in this fashion) and ends when the Munnic awakens. Poltergeists are also frequently created during an emotional (frequently violent) death or number of deaths, giving rise to 'haunted houses' without actual spirits of the dead - merely their impressions.

Specters - Specters are actual, visible forms (though they frequently don't appear in mirrors or on normal film... or appear in strange ways) that relive an event;
usually caused by death, they sometimes occur around the disturbed as well. They are seldom dangerous in early stages, but as they manifest, they can be as nasty as Poltergeists to anything that gets in the way...

Haunt - A full-fledged Entity that usually resembles the creator at the point in life when his disturbance occurred (or on his death.) The Entity is generally ghostly, but can be dangerously corporeal -- although the Haunt is not the actual Munnic, per se, it generally highly reflects the behavior and mannerisms of the person. Haunts are the most purposeful of these 'Spectral Entities', and live out the Munnic's stronger desires. Even at low levels of Manifestation, the Haunt can terrify; as it gains strength, it will actively seek to fulfill its purpose (whatever that may be.)

Degrees of Manifestation:
None - The Entity has no power to manifest at all. Some Entities, especially the inhabitants of a haunted site, must be 'triggered' to gain manifestation, while others increase and decrease over time. Triggers can be simple ('whoever disturbs the Pharaoh will suffer'), complex ('he died right there in the living room... the room where Johnny was murdered last night'), or obscure ('I never knew my stamp collection would draw such an... interest'). In general, however, the more reminiscent events are to the reason the Entity was created, the more likely it is to manifest or gain manifestation.

Minor - Small displays of power; floating items, statues that seem to blink, lights flickering. 'Spectrals' tend to hold to related events, but always can pull simple unconnected parlor tricks when they wish. Their Will - 2 is used in lieu of physical Str for such things as moving objects, or for any psionic tricks.

Moderate - Significant displays, disturbing images, and dangerous pranks. Entities created by death generally start to become dangerous, especially to anyone who is reminiscent to the killer or the killed. Events frequently hearken to actual past events, especially those within the area of the haunting. A Poltergeist might make swords move to re-enact a sword battle, for example, while a Specter or a Haunt may relive a particular scene. Will - 1 for tricks and troubles.

Major - Full power; the 'Spectral' is capable of broad illusions or re-enactments, can cause many effects at once, may 'possess' someone to act out something, etc. Poltergeists will be capable of more impressive manipulations, Specters will actively bring others in on their drama, and Haunts will actively start working on their purpose (which is bad if the original purpose was demented...) No penalty to Will.

Full - A 'Spectral' that is indulged long enough will reach Full Manifestation; at this point, it is a full-fledged being or force, no longer tied to its source. Awakening the Munnic creator will no longer banish the Entity, and it is considered a Free-Range Entity from then on. Alternately, it can voluntarily choose a Focus, and thus gain the power to manipulate it, or hide within it to emerge at full strength later for a surprise attack.

Burst-Fire Guns:
When using such a weapon, you can choose to fire in bursts (up to the RoF of the weapon), or can hold down the trigger and keep firing until the gun is empty. Bursts generally score a minimum of (attack high die hits - defense high die hits), or hits equal to (burst number - defense high die hits), whichever is more, if the defense fails. Burst-fire weapons can be aimed while firing - if you are watching where your shots hit, you gain the Accuracy bonus on every successive burst against the same target. While maintaining fire, you may dodge or block - either ruins Accuracy, and being hit reduces your next segment's shoot skill by -d10 if you keep firing (-d20 if you're knocked down.) The primary advantage of burst fire is the ability to make an area very unsafe to venture through (-20 to high die of suppressive fire, but effective deterrent all the same; -10 to high die if firing on a specific point). Of course, aiming directly at a door and Waiting to fire a spray is effective too...

Split Attacks:
If you have enough dice, you can 'split attacks' (no more than your Dex.) The defender must split defense dice to defend against each of your attacks individually, or can try the Evade (dodge the first strike - if failed, the entire group hits.) Split attacks can be used with single-shot guns to fire multiple shots per turn.

Feints:
A fake-out attack; target must use Int for defense. If feint is successful, target's next defense is lowered by one die per three hits of the feint's high die.

Weapon Rules:
Fist attacks inflict Str * 2 damage, plus the hits of the high die. Weapons increase this (a big axe might do Str * 5, for instance.)

Fists don't do lasting damage (unless using Martial Arts), because they deduct from THP. Consider it 'damage that goes away at the end' unless exclusively fighting. Martial Arts does CHP damage at user's option.

Guns have a damage rating; a .22 may have 7, while a .45 has 15. This is how much damage each shot inflicts, before body armor.

Bows inflict Strength * 4 to 6 damage, but require Dexterity to aim, and the Strength of the bow must match the user to work properly.

Crossbows inflict a set amount of damage, but require a certain amount of Strength to load quickly (but less Strength to fire.)

Explosions inflict a set amount of damage based on the power of the explsosive, and halve damage every (base damage / 4) feet.

Shields:
Shields are great for defense; however, a broken shield is useless. On a success, the shield takes the damage. Larger shields add to the amount of block dice the user has before dividing:
Buckler/Improvised (arm-shield, chair): +0d.
Small Shield/Large Improvised (lg. arm shield, table): +1d
Medium Shield (kite shield): +2d
Large Shield (tower shield): +3d
Surround Shield (barrier): +4d

Weapon Parrying:
Large weapons make better parrying tools.
Short (knife): +0d
Medium (shortsword): +1d
Long (longsword): +2d
Very long (quarterstaff): +3d

Unbalanced weapons (maces, halberds, flails, etc) do not give bonuses. Parrying successes deflect an attack; however, the weapon may be damaged. "Slow" projectiles may be parried at 1/2 dice (rocks, thrown weapons); "fast" projectiles may be parried at 1/3 dice (arrows); bullets may not be parried, usually, but if somehow it's possible, make it at 1/4 dice.

Dodging:
Leaping Dodge: +2d, but ends up lying down.
Rolling Dodge: +1d, but ends up kneeling.

Initiative:

Basically, your initiative is a 1d6 ... plus the stat relevant to whatever you're trying to do. Usually, Dex for physical stuff, Int for magic, Will for psi, and End for metapowers. So if you're Speedy-Fly Leupaii, with Dex 7, and you've got your gun all ready to go, that means your Initiative is between 8 and 13. If you're Simple Zombie (Dex 1), it's between 2 and 7. Let's go with those two for a while for demonstrative purposes.

Let's say that Leupaii rolls a 4. The Initiative he'll most likely be using would be for his happy rapid gun shooting (+ Dex 7 = 11), but if he happened to want to pull off a psi trick and had Will of 3, he'd be, well, (+ Will 3 = 7). So we already know that his gun fu will be much, much faster than the zombie possibly will be, whereas his psionic tricks, while still fast, aren't sublime.

Zombie boy, being unlucky (it's tempting to write a rule that gives people the option to reroll a single die once per Luck point they have, just to be nice ... but even if such a rule existed, it won't help the Luck 0 zombie), rolls a lowly 1. Since the only thing the zombie can really do is plod along slowly, his effective Initiative is, yes, a lowly, lowly 2. Now... Remember a while back, when I had thoughts about that whole 'over ten or under one' aspect of Initiative?

Well, as written, it's obviously possible to exceed 10. Going 'under 1', on the other hand, will require something that actually penalizes your initiative - we'll get to that.
It works the same way (hence why it's 1d6 - so you have to either have very good stats, or some specific init-booster, to get above that 10); so Speedy-Fly Leupaii gets two actions. Isn't that special? His first action takes place normally on '11' - his second, if he doesn't get delayed by something, takes place on 1.

So he goes first, and assuming the zombie is still mobile, also goes immediately afterwards. With me so far?

That's the easy side of things, and that's as far as it really needs to go. The rest is optional, or if you feel like being retentive, or just had your Reali-ties for breakfast.
Remember when we mentioned you had to state what you were doing at the -start- of the turn? There's a reason. Let's say Speedy-Fly Leupaii is dealing with his zombie problem. He's planning, and his player tells the GM this, to shoot the zombie until it falls over; and if it's not down with his first action, he's going to back up and keep right on shooting with his second.

Suddenly, right around "2" on the initiative counter, as our zombie is doing... whatever it is he's doing, heh heh, a ghostly thing shows up. Under the old system, SF could forget all about the fact that he'd been busy emptying a gun into a zombie, and just turn and poof it. Problem is... the bad guys can do that too. (If Speedy-Fly suddenly gets joined by six of his friends, and the zombie's been lumbering towards SF, it could, under the old system, turn and smack one of the newcomers if it wanted to.) Or, to put it into video-game-speak <grin> if what you're shooting at dies, you aren't going to just attack empty air, now are you?

So let's say our GM is in a nasty mood. Superfly Leupaii has his gun and is just about to use that '11' to start firing... but the GM informs him of something he hadn't noticed beforehand (because it occurs at 'the beginning of the turn').

[As you're preparing to attack, you notice that in the distance, you can see another zombie... and it looks like it's chewing on one of your companions...]

In short, your char's Awareness made them notice something that wasn't actually part of your personal problem. Now, odds are, you're going to want to change your attack - or, you can hope that they live and you can get 'em with the second attack. But let's assume that SF's a nice guy. He opts to Change His Action. (In capitals, no less. Oooh.) This gives him a -2 on Initiative (because he's moving, turning, re-aiming, whatever) -- if the 'zombie eating his friend' had an Initiative of 10,
it still gets that attack in (because 11 - 2 equals 9. Sorry, L-friend.) Of course, there's nothing that gets the message of 'don't do that again' across quite like hot lead...

Assuming the zombie doesn't have an initiative of 9 or higher, it's pretty safe to pull the 'point over there instead and click repeatedly' thing. Since he's taken that -2, though... his second action is gone (1 - 2 is less than zero, which means 'happens as next turn.') Still, I'm sure his friend appreciates it.

Next, let's look at the zombie SF was originally aiming at. He's a zombie - a slow, stupid zombie - but he's lumbering in SF's direction. But, as we all know, movement takes time, right? So let's say it takes that slow, stupid zombie a full five seconds to waddle his green ass over, because of his speed and the distance. Well, every second of movement gives you a -1 to Initiative (if you're in the 'obviously not in combat' range. If you're five feet away, you can jump and slash, or whathaveya, but if you're across the banquet hall, we're talking some running.)

Remember, our zombie only has a 2 to Initiative... so the time it takes him to get there is pretty much going to count as his turn. (You can go ahead and use a full turn to move if you wanna, after all, and in this case, the zombie can't do anything else.) So. Poor zombie bastard. It's SF's turn again (Mr. I'm Special and Have an 11 Init, You Bugger!) Now that he's at least gotten zombie boy's attention, he decides he'd really like to do something about the guy that's plodding in his direction. Wouldn't you? So, he opts to shoot the living hell out of said zombie... and ... is reminded by his GM that he fired seven bullets this round, and the gun SF is using has 12 bullets. Reminded when the last two shots he makes don't happen because of 'click'. Oops. Still, the zombie mucks up its dodge, and ends up going down in a splat.

However, the zombie he fired a lot of bullets at isn't happy that he just got shot at, and is starting to lurch over. He's got an Initiative of 5, but like our other zombie,
it takes him five seconds to come over -- so he doesn't get to attack this turn.

SF always carries extra clips for his gun handy... and with his high dexterity, he loads it fast. Still, Mr. GM is anal, so it's worth noting... dropping the clip is -1, loading the clip is (4 - Dex, min. 1 second) -- so it takes him two seconds to rearm. -2 -- which means, he loses his second action again. However, considering he's got an 11, he's not particularly worried -- as once again, he gets the first action of next turn, and proceeds to finish our zombie friend off.

Fortunately for SF, his clips are readily handy -- because Readying an object that isn't prepared (whether drawing a weapon, finding an object, or searching a pack) usually takes time, and inflicts an Initiative penalty as per GM ruling (-1 to draw a sword; -0 to tug something off of a clip or brace; -5 to rummage quickly for an easily found object; up to a turn or more for something you have to search for.)

Even though SF lost a few actions in there, the fact that he's so fast meant that he still managed to hit and take out his targets, without getting injured. A slower person might still keep his action -- but considering it may well occur after the zombies' thanks to the delay, wouldn't be so healthy.

Here's another one: Ever see one of those situations where the cops are aiming at a door, and just waiting for their quarry to pop his little head out and do something stupid? Let's say SF is still in 'combat mode', and using that same Initiative. Because he's not a trustful bugger, he's decided he's going to Wait to see if the zombie he shot starts moving before going to check on his friend.

Now, when you Wait, if something occurs before your turn, you get a -2 (because you're effectively changing your action to deal with it); if something happens -on- your turn, you get a -1 (you react immediately after), and if something happens after your turn, you react immediately.
Since SF has an Initiative of 11, this means that when he waits for something, he can pretty much plug it the second it starts moving. If he'd had a lousy 4, then he'd react on a 2 to the zombie getting up and rarrghing on a 5.

All-Out Attack:
You gain a second attack (on each of your turns), but can only dodge as a defense; you must use a Miracle Defense against anyone but your target. All-Out Attack cannot be performed with guns unless you have two.

All-Out Defense:
You can make two defenses in a single turn segment, and gain +1d to each defense (before splitting.)

Two Weapons:
The advantages of two weapons are obvious -- two things to hit someone with, and two things to defend with.
Double Attack --
If using both weapons to attack, a single attack gets +2d. Split attacks (no matter how many) get +1d each. However, attacks are at -d10 (the penalty of using your off hand) unless you're Ambidextrous.
Balanced --
Using one weapon to attack and one to defend; you may not use split attacks, but you get +1d to attack and parry. Only the offhand weapon suffers the -d10, and only if you are not Ambidexterous.
Double Defend --
If using both weapons to defend, a single parry gets +2d; split parries get +1d each. Parrying is at -d10 unless you are Ambidexterous.

Double Guns --
Shooting at One Target --
Split your attack as normal, but you get two attacks - one with each gun. This counts as an All-Out Attack. (The off-handed gun gets -d10 if you aren't Ambidextrous.)

Double Strafe -
Since strafe firing is mostly a matter of luck and timing, and already gives a -d20 to skill, no further penalty is incurred (even for the non-Ambidexterous.) Gives two 'attacks' as normal.

Shooting at Two Targets --
Treat as Shooting at One Target, but each attack gets an additional -d10, unless you have Independent Foci, because you must split your attention.

More Limbs:
Omnidexterous allows you to use all your limbs at once. For those using this as above, add 1d for each extra weapon; subtract -d10 per pair for offhandedness if attempting to use all those limbs at once without Omnidexterity. You must have one level of Independent Foci (and one eye) for each target), and a -d5 is incurred for each extra pair (so the eight-eye, eight-arm octoboss isn't quite such an army slayer; even though he gets a ton of attacks, he's at -d15 to all of 'em regardless of advantages.)

Character Points have been moved to a separate page for space.

Some beasties!

Zombie (Simple).
Base sides: d35. Str 4, Int 1, End 4, Will 1, Dex 1, Cha 0, Luck 0, Aware 1. HP 49, EP 34.
Cannot Heal Psionically, Cannot Be Mended, Cannot Heal Naturally, Doesn't Bleed, Undead Being, Tough Skin, No Pain Sense.

These basic zombies are a good example of average haunted cemetary inhabitance, or the infantry of a necromantic army. Though they are tough adversaries and can obey orders, they are slow, not too bright, and obviously have no charm or luck going for them. They can be repaired with necromantic magic, but otherwise retain damage, thus making them useless for permanent or long-term work.

The best way to kill a zombie is to set it on fire and wait for it to burn to death; they are too simple under most circumstances to realize the danger of being on fire at all. Otherwise, head shots at a distance are recommended, and as with most things, decapitation is effective.

Some stuff:

Gladys' Miners' Supplies
Dynamite -- Not the most practical of weapons, but extremely useful for mining and demolition. A single stick (1/2 lb) is enough to cause 20 points of damage to 5 feet, 10 points of damage to 10 feet, etc. A six-pack is sufficient to level a small building, cause a cave-in, or clear a normal obstruction. (120 points of damage to 30 feet, 60 points to 60 feet, 30 points to 90 feet, and so on.)

Flare - Only frequent in areas guaranteed safe from flammable gas, and still seldom used even then. Flares hurt (5 points of damage if touching the burning end; 15 points of damage if embedded in a target (using a flare gun, for instance), are very bright (End vs. 20 to resist being blinded, double for each of the following conditions: used at very close range, seen while wearing light amplifiers, used abruptly in very dark setting), and are capable of igniting flammable materials; all very good reasons not to use them in a dark cave, where accidents may happen.

Miner's Pick - A sturdy pick meant for breaking through rock. Works okay as a weapon, too, though it's unbalanced. Required for any major digging through tough surfaces (concrete, stone, hard soil.) Strength * 5 damage, can become embedded in targets.

Miner's Shovel - A shovel made for digging, with a spaded end. Acceptable weapon, but an unbalanced one. Strength * 3 damage.

Durability:
Objects have a DR rating, and a rating for how many hits the object can sustain.
Durability (10): 4 means the object has an effective DR of 10, and can be struck 4 times before breaking.

Material determines base durability. Size determines base hits.
Steel: Durability 10.
This means a steel knife (a small object) would have a DR of 10, and could take three hits. 30 points of damage in one shot, or three parried hits that did ten points of damage or more, would break the knife. Yay.

Iron: Durability 9, -10% hits.
Bronze: Durability 9, -10% hits, -20% damage.

Wooden: Durability 5. +50% hits, -20% damage. All damage is considered blunt.

Lead: Durability 8, heavy.

Industrial Steel: Durability 12.
Advanced Steel: Durability 14, +20% hits, +10% damage.
Future-Alloy Steel: Durability 16, +40% hits, +20% damage.

Hardened Plastic: Durability 8, -10% hits, very light.

Brick: Durability 5.
Dirt: Durability 2, +200% hits.
A dirt wall ten feet thick would be Durability 2, 90 hits (or would take 180 points of damage to destroy.)

Concrete - Durability 8, +100% hits.
Electronics - Durability 4.

Interior Door: (6) 3
Wooden Door: (8) 4
Reinforced Door: (12) 4
Plastic Door: (14) 2
Steel Door: (18) 3
Thick Steel Door: (18) 6

Tiny object: 1 hit. (palmpad)
Small object: 3 hits. (laptop)
Medium object: 6 hits. (solid door)
Large object: 10 hits. (thin wall)
V. Large object: 16 hits. (norm wall)
Massive object: 24 hits. (thick wall)
Solid: 30 hits per ten foot section.

Functionals:
The amount of damage needed to render something useless is less than the amount required to destroy it.
Complexity
Simple - 1/2
Moderate - 1/3
Complex - 1/4
Advanced - 1/5 (dropping it is bad.)
Ultra-Tech - 1/6 (hope it's well armored...)
Microtech - 1/8 (one scratch can ruin your whole day.)

Redundancy in a system (three processors instead of one, for instance) allows a system to function to a limited extent when damaged; the amount needed to disable it entirely varies. Redundancy increases weight, but nobody likes a CIWS system that fails utterly when damaged.
Limited -- Some major systems divided up. +50% to above functional ratio and weight.
Moderate -- Many systems are divided, and some are completely replicated. +100% to above functional ratio and weight.
Complete -- Total system redundancy. +200% to above functional ratio and weight.

When a weapon strikes a reasonably hard object (harder than it is) there is a chance the object may break or become weakened; half damage inflicted is also inflicted on the weapon. A steel sword with a Durability of 10 would get notched if used for a 20-point-damage attack. If the attack was impaling, the broken end will likely get embedded in the user (jousting lances that break can really be a pain) and is considered embedded entirely.

With arrows and spears, the wooden part is most likely to break during impact; the arrowhead itself may or may not break. Regardless, a weapon that breaks on impact becomes either useless, or a less effective weapon (half weapon bonuses, or double penalties, -1) that is half the original Durability. The aforementioned Durability 10 longsword would become a broken Durability 5 shortsword that can't impale people well.)

Special Arrows:
Piercer - Known as the Dragon-Piercer in ancient times, the Piercer's hardened, long point makes it ideal for punching through heavy skin, scales, or armor, and penetrating deep for embedded damage.
Whistler - Also known as the Bow Call, Whistlers are traditionally used as attention-getting devices. Feather coloration is sometimes used to convey a particular symbol.
Messenger - This blunt arrowhead unscrews to reveal a small compartment for storing a rolled piece of paper (other materials have been tried, but most unduly weight the arrow.)
Godsmack - The Godsmack contains a small pouch of explosive powder, with a slow-burning fuse. Though famed for its usefulness against skeletons and other beasts, its inability to pierce a target first is a strongly detrimental factor.
Container - Containers are hollow arrowheads meant for storing a fluid substance, usually a poison or flammable compound. The force of impact is usually sufficient to dislodge the cap, releasing the contents. One particularly nasty use is to fill it with organic solvent...
Snip - A gnomish invention, the Snip is an arrow specifically for ropecutting. Assuming the Snip is fired accurately, the spring holding the Snip blades apart is dislodged on impact, bringing the blades together and cutting the rope.
Boomsnip - A legendary gnomish invention combining the Snip and the Godsmack. A never-blows-out wick, Godsmack pouch, and some wire can convert a normal Snip into this more powerful weapon that is very devastating when accurate, and sufficient to sever steel cables.

Metahuman Capabilities and Superpowers
The difference between metahuman powers and common magic or psionics is fairly important, though easily missed; while metahuman powers may have effects similar to magical or psionic powers, they originate entirely from the user, and need no other power (although metahuman fire will still prove ineffective underwater, metahuman lightning will still be attracted to metal, etc.) Metahuman capabilities include natural, but unusual states of being (a body made of water, flying by holding out one's arms, gills) that, while perhaps innate to the user's species, are nevertheless not natural to humans or normally learnable by them.

Metahuman Technology
Technology can simulate some metahuman powers (night vision goggles can help a person see in the dark, for instance), but generally, the more abnormal the power, the more technologically developed a civilization must be to emulate it precisely and usefully. (Building an ENIAC-sized mechanical monster to create a puff of flame is more interesting to theoretical scientists than to the military, which has flamethrowers already, for example.) In general, the more power, space, and research available, the more likely it is that a civilization can emulate, engineer, or counter a metahuman power.

Metahuman Power Sources
Metahuman powers are generally taxing in one way or another; the metahuman may require a special diet (or simply eat a lot) to maintain his ability to use these powers, for example, or have to undergo a treatment or ritual.

Metahumans and Genetics
In sufficiently advanced societies with knowledge of genetics, metahuman traits may be detected, identified, and possibly engineered. The potential (armies of superhuman forces that can fly and have excellent senses, for example) may be what limits genetic research, or endangers metahumans, on some worlds.

Sections of the main ARC:
Character Creation
The Art of Online Roleplaying
Adventures and Action
Rest and Relaxation
Skills and Schemes
Damage, Dismemberment, and Death

Skill Group -- A group of related skills; some skills/advantages affect them. Ex: Creative Spark adds +5 to any Artistic, Mechanic, or Craftsman skill rolls that involve invention or creation.

Attribute Raising for Fun and Profit:
Developed Attribute +1: 5 CP
+2: 12 CP
+3: 24 CP
Debilitated Attribute -1: -6 CP
-2: -15 CP
(-3): -30 CP
etc.

Developed Attributes: Attributes that are enhanced or lowered due to personal training (or lack.)

Racial Attribute +1: 6 CP
+2: 15 CP
+3: 30 CP
+4: 50 CP
Each additional +1: +25 CP
Racial Attribute -1: -8 CP
-2: -20 CP
Racial All-Attribute +1: 36 CP
+2: 90 CP
+3: 180 CP
+4: 300 CP
Each additional +1: +150 CP
Racial All-Attribute -1: -48 CP
-2: -160 CP

Racial Attributes: Attributes that are born into a race.

Power Boost +1: 8 CP
+2: 20 CP
+3: 40 CP
Power Boost All +1: 48 CP
+2: 120 CP
+3: 240 CP

Power Boosts are amplifying elements that increase a particular attribute -- for example, the blessing of the gods, a power increase provided by a magical or technological enhancement, or a permanent spell. Items can be broken, however, and spells can be dispelled, so these may cost less. Power Boosts can be combined (a rod that adds +2 to Strength, and a ring that adds +1 to Strength), but cannot total more than +3 to any given attribute.

Racial Attributes, Developed Attributes, and Power Boosts can stack; so an elf that has a Racial Dex bonus of +1 (6 CP), has trained extensively to Develop his Dex by +3 (20 CP), and has been blessed by the gods with a +3 Power Boost to Dexterity (40 CP) would be Dex 9, for 66 CP. Remember, however, that leaves seven other ways in which your char is strictly average.

CPieces = 1/100th CP (for those percentile-system nuts. Earn one for successful action in times of crisis, or 2 hours of training.)

Renown -- Ease of being recognized. High renown is somewhat of a flaw, while negative renown is generally an advantage.

Job Class: Pirate
Base Cost: ? (Base cost is equal to 10% of the max cost of the job class -- how much it would cost to take the most expensive version of everything one can possibly attain.)
Cost Per Level: ? (Cost per level equals (max cost -20% -modifiers for difficulty) /20, rounded up.)
Requirements of Class: Str 2, Dex 2.
Basic Advantages/Flaws:
Proficient at: Swimming, Climbing, Ropeskill, WS: Cutlass, WS: Pistol
Reputation -2 (Pirate) amongst Lawmen if recognized
Specialty Areas: Navigation, Cannons, Boarding, Helm, Carpenter, Medic, Deckman
Per level: +1 to WS: Cutlass or Pistol; +1 to one Specialty area.
Per 2 levels: +1 to Swimming, Climbing, and Ropeskill.
Per 4 levels: +1 Renown.
Level 10 SS: Stylish Flair -- +5 to any Flashy maneuver (usually -5). Requires Dex 3 to progress beyond Level 10.
Level 15 SS: Intimidating Nature -- Opponents must check morale to act unless in self-defense or fleeing.
Level 20 SS: Legendary Name -- +2 to Reputation (universal) if recognized.
Learn SS of Specialty at level 8; learn one additional SS (of other specialty) at levels 12, 16, and 20.
Navigation -- Navigator, Mapreading. Specialty Skill: Routefinder. You can plot the safest course (50% normal chance of dangers, 150% time required) or the fastest course (50% time required, but 150% normal chance of dangers) in addition to a common course to the destination.
Cannons -- Gunner: Cannon, Scrounging. Specialty Skill: Speedload. Reduce reload times by 50%.
Boarding -- WS: Any chosen melee weapon (usually Cutlass, Dagger, or Club). Specialty Skill: Rushthrough. Can always attack first when charging (unless in unusual situations); if attack is successful, target is automatically knocked down and can be passed by.
Helm -- Helm (Ship), Observation. Specialty Skill: Maneuverist. +10 to evasive maneuvers.
Carpenter -- Carpentry, Shipbuilding. Specialty Skill: Patchwork. Temporary fixes restore double normal DP.
Medic -- Medic, Surgery. Specialty Skill: Stabilize. Successful Medic skill attempt halves negative HP of target.
Deckman -- Acrobatics, Ropeskill. Specialty Skill: Surefooted. In unstable or slippery footing, can travel at double normal rates safely.

A Level 12 Pirate Boarder might have:
Renown 3, +6 Swim/Climb/Rope, +6 WS: Pistol, +12 WS: Cutlass, +6 WS: Dagger, Reputation -2 (from Lawmen), Stylish Flair, Rushthrough, Surefooted. And would be trained to at least Dex 3.

ARCv2 Base Skill Sides:
d20: -10 CP
d21: -9 CP
d22: -8 CP
d23: -7 CP
d24: -6 CP
d25: -5 CP
d26: -4 CP
d27: -3 CP
d28: -2 CP
d29: -1 CP
d30: 0 CP
2 CP per side up to d40
3 CP per side up to d50
4 CP per side up to d60
etc.

Note that there is a counterbalance -- Proficiency in skills costs CP. However, a GM may determine that certain Proficiencies are acquired for free (for example, someone from a noble background would certainly have Etiquette and Politics...) This is entirely up to the GM, or perhaps there's a 'Proficiency pool' -- a certain amount of CP given to each character specifically for the purpose of Proficiencies... Hmm.

CP Allotment: 100
40 for stats, 40 for talents, 20 for skills. -25 in drawbacks (can be used for any category.)

CP Allotment: 50
20 for stats, 20 for talents, 10 for skills. -20 in drawbacks.

CP Allotment: 0
0 for stats, 0 for talents, 0 for skills. -15 in drawbacks.

CP Allotment: 150
60 for stats, 60 for talents, 30 for skills, -30 in drawbacks.

Skill Areas:

Guns - The universal art of using firearms. [Pistol, Shotgun, Rifle, SMG]
BP Guns - Black powder weapons. [Flintlock, Musket]
Ray Guns - Beams, blasts, and bolts. [Laser, Blaster]
The Big Guns - Using vehicular or other heavy weaponry.
Driving - Land vehicles and other similar vehicles.
Riding - Riding another creature.
Piloting - Flying vehicles and most other vehicles that involve three-dimensional piloting.
Boating - Watercraft without oars.

Skill areas are meant to be reasonably broad (Generic). The Ultra-Generic category has been removed.

Skill Benefits: Determine what you can do with a skill.

Clueless: -20 to sides. You have never, ever dealt with this before, seen it, heard it, or anything.
Untrained: -10 to sides. You have some clue (seen it on TV?) but no actual experience.
Average: -5 to sides. You have a small amount of actual experience; not proficient, but could be worse.
Proficient: +0 to sides. You can perform mundane functions without a problem, and can use your skill in situations where proficiency is required.
Skilled: +5 to sides.
Expert: +10 to sides.
Master: +15 to sides.
Grandmaster: +20 to sides.
Wizard: +25 to sides.
Miracleworker: +30 to sides.

As only up to +20 can be purchased, being beyond that requires advantages as well as training. Fill in the other ranks with nifty descriptive stuff later.

	Generic	Specific	Ultra-Specific
Clueless (-20)	0	0	0
Untrained (-10)	1/2	1/4	1/10
Average (-5)	1	1/2	1/4
Proficient (+0)	2	1	1/2
Per +1 up to +10	+1	+1/2	+1/4
Per +1 up to +20	+2	+1	+1/2
Skilled (+5)	7	3 1/2	1 3/4
Expert (+10)	12	6	3
Master (+15)	22	11	5 1/2
Grandmaster (+20)	32	16	8

Remember, higher skills automatically count for lower ones; proficiency is free if you have it in a higher skill. (If you have proficiency in Guns, you have proficiency in pistols, rifles, SMGs, etc.) In crosstime campaigns, some skills may have an era (medicine, for example) - this notes what gear and techniques you use to practice with. A modern blacksmith is much more familiar with industrial equipment than with beating something on an anvil with a hammer, for example.

What do skill benefits do?
Well, for example, at Average level or less, your skill in Demolitions is only sufficient to let you disarm bombs, or build crude ones (alarm clock and dynamite). Proficient users can build or disarm any sort of non-military explosive (including firework displays), and if Skilled at Chemistry, can make their own home-made explosive compounds. Skilled users can handle military-grade equipment.

Some skills require a certain amount of training to be usable at all; Demolitions is not for the Clueless, and Lockpicking is hardly learned by watching Mission: Impossible. If a person wants to try anyhow, treat them as two levels less skilled (an additional -d10 for every level below Clueless) for the purposes of attempting it. "Okay, James. You're going to need a 40 to disarm the nuclear bomb, and considering you're normally Proficient at Demolitions, in this case you're going to be at a -d10 to your sides." Anything that is outside the normal scope of the skill should be considered one level harder (nuclear bombs, for example, would require an Expert to defuse -- military-grade and unusual) unless the character has skills to back up his expertise in the field (a Chemistry buff can make their own explosives by being merely Proficient, whereas most concoctors require Skilled training; a person who happens to know how to build nuclear weapons would have an easier time of disarming them; and so forth.)

Points spent on a specific or ultra-specific skill cannot be 'bumped up' unless the amount spent already exceeds the amount required to set the skill at +20, in which case, the excess points can be moved up at half credit.

For example, if John paid for a +20 with the Walkner rifle (including proficiency) for 8 CP, but later decided to get himself +5 with rifles (and the specific proficiency), the 1/2 point cost of ultra-specific proficiency, and the first +5 (5/4 CP) would be redundant. This means he now can spend half of 1 3/4 CP, or 7/8 CP, on increasing either the rifle skill, or the generic guns skill. If he puts 1 full point in rifles, upping it to +7, this is paid for by the 1/4 point he gets back for this upgrade, and he still has 1/8 point he can leave on the rifles skill for future training. The moral of the story? You can buy a specialization cheaply, but it's more cost-effective to improve your skills over time.

Miracleworkers:
Miracleworkers are those whose talent is far beyond normal capacity; these are the people with the skill and vision to work wonders. A Miracleworker can pull off near impossibilities (especially in cinematic campaigns), such as catching arrows blindfolded, creating entirely new sciences, building vehicles of destruction from an everyday junkyard, and breaking complex encryptions in their heads. If a skill has no special notes for Miracleworkers, just bear in mind that they work even more quickly and effectively than the best of unadvantaged individuals.

Upgrading:
Remembering that half of outdated CP can be transferred, a person Proficient in the Webley (a US skill) could spend 1 3/4 CP (plus 1/4 earned from the newly outdated) to turn it into Proficiency with all guns.

Game Time in Training:
8 hours per day is the most one can spend training; most instructors teach 1 or 2 hour classes. 50 hours is enough to 'make' 1 CP - 10 weeks of a 1-hour class is enough to make you Average at a generic skill, Proficient at a specific skill, or +2 (Proficient) at an ultra-specific skill.

Skill Groups:
Academic Skills (G: History S: History - Melee Weapons US: History - Medieval Swords)

Artistic Skills
Drawing - [Medium (pencil, pen, charcoal,...) - Style] or [Style - Medium]
Painting - [Medium - Style] or [Style - Medium]
Singing - [Style - Language] or [Language - Style]
Writing - [Style - Language] or [Language - Style]
Poetry - [Style - Language] or [Language - Style]
Photography - Style - Specific Circumstance
Dancing - Style - Specific Circumstance
Storytelling - Style - Specific Circumstance

Animal Skills
Animal Care - Climate - Animal
Animal Driver - Vehicle type - Animal
Riding - Animal type - Animal
Animal Medic - Animal type - Animal

Athletic Skills
Speed - Type (running, swimming, flying) - Surface (track, plains, hills)
Balance - Type (beamwalking, footing, weighting) - Specific Circumstance
Acrobatics - Type (dodge, land, tumble) - Specific Circumstance
Climbing - Surface - Specific Circumstance

Combat Skills
Martial Art: (combat style) -- Type (offense, defense, etc) - Maneuver

Melee Weapons - Weapon Type - Weapon
Weapon Types: Balanced 1H, Unbalanced 1H, Balanced 2H, Unbalanced 2H, Swords, Axes, Close Weapons...

Ranged Weapons - Weapon Type - Weapon
Throwing - Weapon Type - Weapon
BP Guns - Weapon Type - Weapon
Guns - Weapon Type - Weapon
Beam Weapons - Weapon Type - Weapon
Gunner - Weapon Type - Weapon

Craftsman Skills
Armorer - Type - Item
Leatherworker - Type - Item
Carpenter - Type - Item
Woodworker - Type - Item

Domestic Skills
Cooking - Style (Chinese, Mexican) - Dish

Scientific Skills
Archaeology - Culture - Specific
Architecture - Culture - Item

Mechanical Skills
Electrical Design - Type - Item
Electronic Design - Type - Item
Vehicle Design - Type - Item
Architect - Type - Building
Mechanic - Type - Item

Technical Skills
Operator - Type - Item
Computers - Function (information search, software maintenance) - Program
Hacking - Type (neural, trojan, remote) - Program

Rogue Skills
Lockpicking - Lock Type - Brand Name
Stealth - Environment (urban, rural, forest...) - Specialty (Move Quietly, Move Unseen, Gentle Step)
Prestidigitation - Type (pickpocket, sleight of hand, juggling?) - Specifics (the bump)
Fast-Talk - Situational (combat, relaxed, formal) - Routine (selling snake oil)
Poisons - Style (making, use, understanding) - Specific Poison

Social Skills
Etiquette - Culture - Social Level / Group (lower-class, middle-class, upper-class, royal, pirates...)
Politics - Culture - Social Level / Group
Law - [Culture - Division (criminal, civil, tax, etc.)] or [Division - Culture]
Socializing - Social Level/Group - Atmosphere (relaxed, formal, religious...)

Profession: Company - Social Skill. This generic skill is almost always bought with a Specific specialization. This skill enables you to perform and understand the basic functions and procedures of your job, and can sometimes substitute for other skills (although some professions require you have actual skill in certain areas - a chef must be able to cook, not just manage a kitchen) at GM option. TV Bums tend to gain 'Untrained' in the Police profession from all those Cops shows, incidentally. Those with low Professional skill tend to become mired in the red tape, whereas those with high skill are good at dealing with 'the system'. By taking the generic form, one can become good at professional understanding of an entire business (McDonalds, Police Precinct, Ajax Chemical Conglomerates), which includes the general company policies and an understanding of all job functions (though not necessarily an ability to perform in those capacities.)

Profession Notes -- Profession skill never gives more than 2 hits of success (high die 20) when used in place of other skills (Salesmanship, for instance.) Still, this is generally enough, and encompasses the basics of one's work (a merchant would know about maintaining a store, local trade laws, etc.)

Profession: Thieves' Guild -- This generic skill serves as knowledge of the general operations of a Thieves' Guild (from panhandling to assassination, depending on the guild) -- useful for a variety of unscrupulous purposes.

Most people are at least Proficient in their chosen profession, thus getting that 'good enough' for their skills. Profession skill is most often directly called on for job performance evaluation purposes, though; it is recommended that, for instance, policemen work on their marksmanship, chefs on their cooking, merchants on their salesmanship, etc., to advance and maintain their careers.

Profession is a 1/2D skill that provides some general indivation of how things are going at work, and relies on Int (or Str for manual labor, or Dex for sports, or Cha for politics.) Those whose earnings depend on skill generally make (high die) * $X (barring disaster or triumph.) Generally, anything over a 20 is 'good enough' for work.

Negotiation - Allows you to negotiate to attempt to get a better reaction from a participant. Only works to those open to it.

Salesmanship - Like Negotiation, but more exclusively for bartering and trading. Only works to those open to it; Aurillian vendors are notorious fixed-rate price advocates.

A contest of Negotiation (skill vs. skill) generally results in one of the following outcomes:
Winner by 20 or more -- Complete success
Winner by 10 to 19 -- Good success
Winner by 3 to 9 -- Partial success
Tied/won/lost by 2 or less -- Stalemate
Loser by 3 to 9 -- Partial loss
Loser by 10 to 19 -- Major loss
Loser by 20 or more -- Complete loss

Reactions: 4d6 - 4
-5 or worse: Utter hostility. Vendors will not sell to you, and may alert authorities.
-4 to -1: Very hostile. Vendors will sell at 200% normal price or worse.
0 to 3: Hostile. Vendors sell at 150%.
4 to 7: Negative. Vendors sell at 120%.
8 to 12: Indifferent. Normal prices.
13 to 16: Positive. Vendors sell at 90%.
17 to 20: Friendly. Vendors sell at 80%.
21 to 24: Very friendly. Vendors sell at 50% or at-cost, whichever is higher.
25 or better: Utterly friendly. Vendors sell at 25% or at-cost, whichever is higher.

Salesmanship/Negotiation Results (Haggling):
5 or less: No discount / 200% cost / -4 reaction (-2 if Negotiation)
6 to 10: No discount / 150% cost / -2 reaction (-1 if Negotiation)
11 to 15: No discount / 125% cost / -1 reaction (-0 if Negotiation)
16 to 20: No discount / 100% cost
21 - 25: 10% discount / 90% cost or at-cost
26 - 30: 20% discount / 80% cost or at-cost / +1 reaction
31 - 35: 30% discount / 70% cost or at-cost / +2 reaction
36 - 40: 40% discount / 60% cost or at-cost / +3 reaction
40 - 45: 50% discount / 50% cost or at-cost / +4 reaction
46 - 50: 60% discount / 40% cost or at-cost / +5 reaction
51 - 55: 70% discount / 30% cost or at-cost / +6 reaction
56+: 80% discount / 20% cost or at-cost / +8 reaction

Language Skills (G: Language set [Faetongue] S: Language [Faetongue Aerial] US: Dialect [Faetongue Aerial -- Avylyss])
Literacy - Language set - Language

Nexusian Language Sets:
Faetongue

Faetongue Common - Also referred to as the elven tongue, fairyspeak, or faespeak, this is the second most common language spoken by humanoids, found in nearly every civilized location where the fae live.

Faetongue Sylvan - Woodland fae tend towards a particular dialect of faespeak, which can be understood by those with skill in Faetongue Common as if they had half their normal skill bonus.

Faetongue Tropica - Avylyss inhabitants in particular tend to speak this variety of faespeak when they do - it is a somewhat rugged dialect that has a slightly stilted sentence structure.

Faetongue Aerial - Spoken by flying fae and those who tend to live in very high places, this dialect sounds beautiful, yet fleeting in its tone.

Faetongue Grassroots - This is considered the lowest version of faespeak by elite faerie entities, but is the language of the small pixies and fairies that live in the grasses, the hills, and the plains.

Subterran

Subterran Common - Often known simply as 'Gnomish', this is the language most commonly spoken by underground dwellers and those who associate with them. It tends to be very descriptive - those who live underground often need a lot more description to understand what they cannot see.

Subterran GnomitypespeakingperfectCommon - This alternate version of 'Gnomish', spoken mostly by gnomish inventors, is amazing in one single quality - it is actually a perfectly normal version of Universal Common, but is spoken at such speed that it is difficult to understand and is often mistaken for a completely foreign language. Gnomish inventors who are inclined to haste in their words tend to botch other languages similarly, thereby creating Subterran GnomitypespeakingperfectFaetongue and so on.

Subterran Minerumbles - Known most often as 'Dwarven', this underground language, which may or may not be a distorted version of Subterran Common (they do have the same grammar structure), is most often spoken by the secretive dwarves, who are not very sociable. Sages have speculated that Minerumbles is the true Subterran Common, and the original language from which the present version of Subterran Common evolved, but has fallen out of use to the point of being known as a dialect.

Subterran Goblinoid - Spoken by orcs, goblins, and hobgoblins, this rough, guttural tongue has many dialects, as most tribes tend to vary their speech slightly over time. Still, a proficient user of the language can generally understand goblin speech, even if it doesn't sound particularly noble.

Draconica

Draconica Primus - The main form of dragon spoken by those who do not have Common as their native tongue, this slightly long-winded form of speech dates back to before the Seal of Alshira, although it has steadily fallen out of use since then, and is nearly a dead language.

Draconica Magnus - This language does not really sound much like Primus at all, being a separate language formed by the Great Dragon clans of Nexus. Also nearly a dead language, though mostly simply due to the low population of Great Dragons.

Draconica Modern - The modern form of draconic personal communication, this language also is commonly spoken by various lizardman races (except leupaks) and occasionally spoken (in some form or another) by new arrivals to Nexus.

Diabolesque

Diabolesque Archaic - This is the more ancient version of Diabolesque, reserved for calling upon the older, more powerful demons, and for communication between them. Lesser demons sometimes understand this language to some extent, but in general it is reserved for greater demon summoning and private conversations.

Diabolesque Magus - This magical tongue, used by demons and mages who rely on demons, is the hellish language of spells that are True Evil in intent.

Diabolesque Planaris [A-H] - The various planes of Hell have a variety of sub-languages which the inhabitants, demonic or otherwise, tend to use and understand; although these languages vary greatly in name, they are based on eight particular subtypes.

Aquatic

Aquatic Common - Most sentient underwater species speak this particular tongue, optimized for audibility underwater even by beings with no underwater communication skills.

Aquatic Faespeak - Underwater elves speak this version of faespeak, which is too close to Aquatic Common to be listed under the Faetongue category.

Aquatic Nomaespeak - Nomae are capable of underwater communication, and have this specific language by which to convey their wishes and desires.

Aquatic Merspeak - Merfolk of the southern reaches speak this modified version of Aquatic Common amongst themselves.

Leupakian

Leupakian Common - Leupaks tend to speak this language most often; it is a slightly guttural tongue, mostly invented by Nefirian Sunflame, which has caught on to some extent within circles of leupakian purists.

Leupakian Archaic - Even more guttural than its successor, Leupakian Archaic is a savage tongue that dates back to the first protoleupaks. However, it is animalistic at best, and difficult to convey intense or complex concepts with.

Leupakian Angelic - This version of Leupakian Common is slightly more regal, but includes a complex system of codewords that hide secret messages. Leupakian Common speakers can usually understand Angelic, although the codewords make little sense. Angelic is known as such due to its primary location - Angel Wing Fortress - although the inhabitants also understand Universal Common.

Leupakian Daebol - With the sentence structure and harsh clicks of Diabolesque, the megaloleupaks' "native" tongue doesn't win them many votes for excellent voice - which may explain why their debates generally last until someone unleashes plasma breath.

Nexusian Special Languages:
Universal Common - Human 'English'. The most common language spoken in Nexus City, simply because for some peculiar reason it seems to appear in at least one place on practically any planet (90% chance that a strange world has Universal Common speakers -somewhere- on it; somewhere may be from a whole country to a city to a few people to a single hermit, depending on the circumstances.)

Barbarian's Tongue - This 'primitive' tongue is quick - those speaking in this language tend to speak five words a second, or more if particularly emotional or angry. Those who do not understand the language tend to consider barbarians primitive because they refuse to speak clearly. Avel'Nikash, despite rumors, does not have this as a national language, although it is spoken often amongst hunting parties there. Although it cannot support lengthy concepts, it can be written.

Thieves' Lingo - This is not so much a separate language as it is a series of code phrases and slang words; these words can be worked into a normal conversation to attempt to convey a particular concept. Thieves' Lingo is considered a Dialect of a particular language.

Merchant's Barter Cant - This is not a separate language, exactly, so much as a common grouping of words meant to convey a certain concept (in this case, buying, selling, and trading especially) that most worldly merchants, even if their native tongue is un-Common, master in order to trade with a wide variety of cultures. This counts, however, as a Language (Specific skill).

Helm Skills
For piloting your own body, use the Speed skill. It's not just for fast movement! For riding on another creature, use the Riding skill.
Driving
Piloting
Boating
Astronavigation

Magical Skills
Enchantment - Type - Spell
Vitomancy - Spell - Specific Circumstances

Psionic Skills
Telepathy - Type (offensive, communication, defensive) - Power

Metahuman Skills

Wildcard Skills

More to come...

Claiming that God does not exist because there are people suffering & dying is like saying that barbers do not exist because there are people with long hair!

Default Proficiencies: 20 CP of freebie proficiencies.
Samples:
Aurillian Noble: Profession - Nobleman, Literacy: Aurillian, LS (Aurillian), Etiquette: Aurillian, Politics: Aurillian
-- Noblewomen: Sewing, Singing, Musical Instruments
-- Noblemen: Melee Weapons: Swords, Martial Art: Fencing, Socializing: Upper-Class, History: Aurillian
Soldiers: Melee Weapons: Swords, BP Gun: Rifle, LS (Aurillian), Law: Aurillian
-- Naval: Gunner: Cannon, Ropeskill, Tactics: Water
-- Land: Tactics: Land, Shield: Kite Shield, Throwing: Axe
Citizens: LS: Aurillian, Politics: Aurillian
-- Upper-Class: Etiquette: Aurillian Upper-Class, Negotiation: Aurillian
-- Middle-Class: Negotiation: Aurillian, Cooking: Aurillian, Socializing: Middle-Class
-- Lower-Class: Scrouging, Cooking: Aurillian, Socializing: Lower-Class
Profession: <> would be a good idea; most medieval professions are Specific skills, and encompass basic talents (knowing who to bribe, where to ply your trade, and how to run things.)

Administration -- A good manager can run anything, even without all the info. Also useful for 'understanding the system' of something you aren't an actual part of.

Streamlined Combat:
Start of Combat Turn
1. Declare actions at the start of a turn. You can change them later at an initiative penalty.
Start of Individual Turn
2. Attack is declared.
3. Defense is declared.
4. Attack is rolled.
5. Defense is rolled.
6. Damage is figured (including modifiers from defense, advantages, etc.)
7. Next individual turn, until all turns complete; then return to step 1.

Damage:
Str * 2 + HDH (high die hits) = Fists.
Str * 3 + HDH = Baton.

Sharp weapons inflict more damage, and increase HDH.
Example:
Club: Str * 3 + HDH
Shortsword: Str * 4 + HDH * 2
An ogre (Str 5) with HDH 7 would inflict 22 damage with that club, or 34 damage with the sword.
A normal man (Str 2) with HDH 3 would inflict 9 damage with the club, or 14 damage with the sword.

Armor:
DR 1 to 5: Low, wouldn't stop most attacks.
DR 6 to 10: Moderate. Every 8 points of DR inflicts 1 dmg to natural weapons (ever punch plate mail?) if the attack doesn't penetrate.
DR 11 to 20: Good.
DR 21 to 30: Excellent.

Flex: 1/5 damage penetrates armor.
Rigid: Normal damage.
Deflective: DR + 50% (chance of glancing blows.)

Flintlock: 15 dmg, Aim +10, Rcl -10.

Dice:
Full -- Attack.
1/2 -- Normal defense.
1/3 -- Unlikely defense.
1/4 -- Impossible defense.

Normal Defense / defense against area attack / special or explosion attack
Beat HD with 1 die: Fully blocked / 1/2 / 3/4
Beat HD with 2 dice: Fully blocked / 1/4 / 1/2
Beat HD with 3 dice: Fully blocked / fully blocked / 1/4
Beat HD with four dice or more: Fully blocked.

Dangerous Footing:
In areas where you must move slowly to avoid injury, success on a Speed (or Riding or Helm) will allow safe speed improvements; +20% to 'safe' speed per hit on a 1/2D skill roll. (If you are exceeding this, though, accidents may occur...)

Skill Use:
Full dice - Progress, knowledge skill.
1/2 dice - Action skill, most common skill uses.
1/3 dice - Skill use in bad circumstances.
1/4 dice - Skill use in impossible circumstances, one-shots.

Luck:
Full -- Raw overall fortune. Can make a Miracle Defense (use Luck dice in place of normal stat, only luck-based penalties apply, d20s can be used in place of normal dice -- any 20 rolled means Miracle Defense succeeds) a number of times equal to dice.
1/2 -- Blind Luck. Can opt to roll 1/2D-1 events over again per day.
1/3 -- Fantastic Luck. Can make 1/3D-1 events critical success automatically per day.
1/4 -- Miraculous Luck. Can completely influence 1/4D-1 events per day.
Luck also allows you to roll (1/2D) chaos dice instead of 1, or get (1/2D) chances at a game of chance instead of one (choose the most favorable.)
Miracle Defense:
1/2 -- Miracle Dodge.
1/3 -- Miracle Dodge against area effects (normally cannot be entirely avoided.)
1/4 -- Miracle Dodge against special effects (normally cannot be avoided at all.)

Example: Amy the luckdragon has an impressive Luck of 6. In Miracle Dodge situations (up to six per day), she excels -- getting 3 Miracle Dodge dice against most attacks, and 2 Miracle Dodge dice against normally insurmountable attacks. Also, she may reroll 2 events over per day, can make one event a critical success, and even influence one event per day. Not to mention she's masterful at cards (having three chances to get a good hand).

This means that a high Luck stat has very strong uses. It still isn't a magic bullet, though -- there's no other uses for Luck besides, well, luck, and once it runs out, it runs out.

Dice Table For The Lazy
Full - 1/2 - 1/3 - 1/4
1 - 1 - 0 - 0
2 - 1 - 1 - 0
3 - 2 - 1 - 1
4 - 2 - 1 - 1
5 - 3 - 2 - 1
6 - 3 - 2 - 2
7 - 4 - 2 - 2
8 - 4 - 3 - 2
9 - 5 - 3 - 2
10 - 5 - 3 - 3

Fencing -- Fencing uses a light, narrow stabbing blade suitable for swift attacks and defenses; the martial art of fencing focuses on the rapier's strong points, rather than clumsy hacking and slashing.