Avatar The Second Age

Fantasy Flight Games and the Narrative Dice System
(NDS) are registered trademarks of Fantasy Flight

Publishing, Inc. Avatar: The Last Airbender, Avatar: The
Legend of Korra, and any characters or concepts from the
Avatar series are registered trademarks of Viacom
International, Inc.
VII – CONFLICT & COMBAT ............................................ 121
INTRODUCTION.................................................................. 2
NARRATIVE AND STRUCTURED GAMEPLAY ........................................... 121
WHAT’S DIFFERENT FROM GENESYS? .....................................................2
MANEUVERS.................................................................................. 123
SETTING ............................................................................................3
ACTIONS ....................................................................................... 125
I – THE SYSTEM .................................................................. 4 DEFENSE ....................................................................................... 127
SOAK............................................................................................ 128
CORE MECHANIC ................................................................................4 RANGE BANDS ............................................................................... 128
THE DICE POOL...................................................................................5 ADDITIONAL COMBAT MODIFIERS ..................................................... 129
BUILDING A BASIC DICE POOL................................................................7 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS................................................................ 131
INTERPRETING THE POOL ......................................................................8 WOUNDS, STRAIN, AND OVERALL CONDITION ..................................... 133
OTHER TYPES OF CHECKS ......................................................................9 HEALING AND RECOVERY ................................................................. 135
OTHER KEY FEATURES ........................................................................10 SOCIAL ENCOUNTERS ...................................................................... 136
EXPERIENCE & DEVELOPMENT .............................................................13
DERIVED ATTRIBUTES .........................................................................13 VIII – VEHICLES .............................................................. 144
II – CHARACTER CREATION............................................... 15 VEHICLE WEAPONS ......................................................................... 145
VEHICLE COMBAT ........................................................................... 146
CHARACTER GENERATION ...................................................................15 TAKING DAMAGE............................................................................ 147
STEP 1: DETERMINE BACKGROUND ......................................................17 TRAVEL ......................................................................................... 148
STEP 2: SELECT AN ARCHETYPE ............................................................17 VEHICLE PROFILES........................................................................... 149
STEP 3: CHOOSE A CLASS & SPECIALIZATION ..........................................23 SHIP AND VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS ................................................... 152
STEP 4: DETERMINE HONOR AND MOTIVATIONS ....................................32
STEP 5: INVEST STARTING EXPERIENCE ..................................................37 IX – GAME MASTER ....................................................... 155
STEP 6: DETERMINE DERIVED ATTRIBUTES .............................................38
HOW TO RUN A GAME .................................................................... 155
STEP 7: CHOOSE GEAR & APPEARANCE.................................................38
GAME MASTER RULES AND OPTIONS ................................................. 160
III – THE BENDING ARTS ................................................... 41 ADVENTURES WITH THE AVATAR ....................................................... 165
MASTERS ...................................................................................... 169
BENDING IN AVATAR: THE SECOND AGE................................................41 SIGNATURE TECHNIQUES.................................................................. 170
BENDING FORMS ..............................................................................48 SKILL CHALLENGES .......................................................................... 175
FIREBENDING....................................................................................51 CREATING ENCOUNTERS, ADVENTURES, AND CAMPAIGNS...................... 180
AIRBENDING.....................................................................................56
WATERBENDING ...............................................................................62 X – THE AVATAR UNIVERSE ........................................... 189
EARTHBENDING ................................................................................69
THE SPIRIT WORLD ......................................................................... 189
IV – SKILLS ........................................................................ 76 EARTH .......................................................................................... 191
HISTORY ....................................................................................... 197
GENERAL SKILLS ................................................................................76
COMBAT SKILLS ................................................................................81 XI – ORGANIZATIONS & SOCIETY ................................... 204
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ...........................................................................82
AIR NOMADS ................................................................................. 204
V – TALENTS ..................................................................... 85 WATER TRIBE ................................................................................ 204
EARTH KINGDOM ........................................................................... 205
TALENT DESCRIPTIONS .......................................................................85 FIRE NATION ................................................................................. 206
TIER 1 .............................................................................................86 UNITED REPUBLIC OF NATIONS ......................................................... 206
TIER 2 .............................................................................................90
TIER 3 .............................................................................................94 XII – ADVERSARIES & CREATURES ................................. 208
TIER 4 .............................................................................................98
UNITED REPUBLIC OF NATIONS ......................................................... 209
TIER 5 ...........................................................................................101
EARTH KINGDOM ........................................................................... 211
BENDER TALENTS .................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
FIRE NATION ................................................................................. 213
VI – GEAR AND EQUIPMENT .......................................... 105 WATER TRIBES ............................................................................... 214
RED LOTUS .................................................................................... 215
ECONOMICS IN AVATAR....................................................................105 WHITE LOTUS ................................................................................ 215
RARITY ..........................................................................................106 CREATURES AND SPIRITS .................................................................. 217
ENCUMBRANCE...............................................................................107
COMBAT SKILLS ..............................................................................108 XIII – THE GREAT UNITER ............................................... 228
WEAPON CHARACTERISTICS ..............................................................108
ADVENTURE SUMMARY ................................................................... 228
WEAPON DESCRIPTIONS ...................................................................111
EPISODE I: OFF THE RAILS ................................................................ 229
ARMOR .........................................................................................115
EPISODE II: OUT OF THE FRYING PAN… .............................................. 236
GEAR ............................................................................................116
OPTIONAL ENCOUNTERS .................................................................. 248
CUSTOMIZATION AND MODIFICATIONS................................................118
CRAFTING ......................................................................................119
Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then everything changed when the Fire Nation
attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed him most, he vanished.
A hundred years passed and my brother Sokka and I discovered the new Avatar, an airbender named Aang. Although his
airbending skills were great, he had a lot to learn before he was ready to save anyone. But from the first day I met him, I
believed Aang would save the world. And you know what? I was right. With the help of his friends, Aang defeated Fire Lord
Ozai and ended the Hundred Year War. Zuko, Ozai's son and our ally, became the new Fire Lord. Together with Earth King
Kuei, Aang and Zuko promised to return the nations to harmony." — Katara
Introduction
Welcome to Avatar: The Second Age, a free conversion for What follows is a conversion of those rules created by FFG as
the Fantasy Flight Games tabletop roleplaying game they have been adapted to bring the Avatar universe to life.
Genesys. This conversion is meant to be used in conjunction with the
mechanics and materials provided by FFG in their own
Fantasy Flight Games (FFG) first created a set of wonderful rulebooks and gaming peripherals. However, the goal was to
rules and a Narrative Dice System (NDS) that allows for Game create a stand-alone game to allow players to fully immerse
Masters (GMs) and players to create and live out dramatic and themselves in the world of Avatar created by Bryan Konietzko
imaginative Star Wars stories; with Genesys they have made and Michael DiMartino.
those rules generic and universally applicable to potentially
any setting — Avatar: The Second Age (ATSA or TSA) Have you ever wanted to traipse the outer ring of Ba Sing Se?
adapts that system to the setting of the universe from Looking for your chance to ride on your own, personal sky
Nickelodeon’s Avatar series, complete with bending and a bison? You can even go toe-to-toe with chi blocking Equalist
slight combat overhaul. grunts while navigating the underworld of Republic City!
What’s Different from Genesys?

Although this rulebook is intended to be a full conversion, player to choose any two skills and designate them as Class
there are a substantial number of differences between the Skills for their character.
rules presented here and those found in the FFG rulebooks.
Aside from the fact that The Second Age takes place in a
completely different universe, there are several core changes
Combat
made to the original mechanics to accommodate the Avatar Combat has also changed to reflect the fast-paced nature of
combat in the Avatar universe. New mechanics have been
setting.
added to include Counter maneuvers and actions, advanced
Some of these changes are merely cosmetic in nature and the grappling, and even defensive stances. Most importantly, the
conversions were a simple matter of changing some words Martial Arts (formerly Brawl) skill has been expanded upon to
around. Other changes include updates and even entire create more variety and provide players with more flexibility in
overhauls to make the conversion as faithful as possible to the combat.
source material.
Bending
Character Creation Although not magic per se, the ability to bend the elements is
Much of the Fantasy Flight Games character creation system a substantial departure from FFG’s core mechanics. Much like
has been left unchanged as the system was generally without the magic rules of Genesys, bending abilities are represented
issue. The career system from Edge of the Empire (et al.) has by separate techniques with mechanics and augmentations
been replicated, though careers are referred to as ‘classes’ that can be unlocked as the character progresses through
keeping in the spirit of a fantasy setting. training and earned experience. These are all covered in
Chapter III: The Bending Arts.
Unlike many tabletop roleplaying games, Avatar: The
Second Age does not require that players choose a race. Of
course, this is due to the source material only containing
Skills & Characteristics
humans as a viable playable race. Another slight departure from Genesys is a shift in skill
organization. Some Characteristics have been lightly
To preserve the customization inherent to tabletop overhauled to better fit in with the setting of Avatar. While
roleplaying, starting character Characteristics are determined FFG’s system contains Brawn, Agility, Cunning, Intellect,
by players choosing an Archetype, which is a feature Willpower, and Presence, Avatar: The Second Age uses a
introduced in Genesys. Each of these confers characteristics mostly similar setup: Body, Agility, Intellect, Guile, Charisma,
and attributes on a player character to provide variety in and Chi. The most important distinction is the inclusion of ‘Chi’
character creation. Choosing an archetype also permits a as a governing Characteristic with its own skills unique to the
Avatar universe.
2 | Introduction | The Second Age v1.6

Skills from the Cunning and Willpower characteristics have better Honor encounters. Like Morality, the actions Player
been reassigned or are reorganized under Guile, which is Characters take throughout the adventure may cause them to
meant to be a mix between the two characteristics. All bolster—or lose—their Honor.
changes are outlined in Chapter IV: Skills.
Animal Companions
Honor Animal Companions had such a huge presence in the show
Honor is less of an overhaul and more of an adaptation. and it would be a disservice not to include mechanics for such
Narratively it is meant to be like Obligation in that the hooks a quintessential Avatar feature. The Animal Bond talent from
should come into play frequently and cause a not-uncommon Force and Destiny has been borrowed and renamed as well
occurrence of triggered Honor-related encounters. as expanded upon. Additional rules for pets can be found in
Mechanically, it works like Duty in that players will want to Chapter IX: Game Master.
acquire Honor to explore certain parts of the story or to trigger
Setting
Avatar: The Second Age takes place in a world that is home
to humans and hybrid animals, intersecting with a Spirit World. Water Tribe
Human civilization is divided into four mega cultures: the The Water Tribe is a collective term for people, some of whom
Water Tribes, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation, and the Air practice the art of waterbending, who follow a government
Nomads. Each has a distinct society, wherein people known system in the form of a tribal chiefdom. Although members of
as "benders" can manipulate and control the element of their the Water Tribe typically inhabit the polar regions, the North
nation using the physical motions of martial arts. Each region Pole and the South Pole, there is a small population of
has unique geographical layouts, civilizations, climates, and waterbenders who inhabit the Foggy Swamp in Earth
demography, and each one has a diverse range of landforms. Kingdom territory and others may exist elsewhere. The two
main tribes are the Northern Water Tribe at the North Pole and
At the end of the Hundred Year War, Fire Lord Zuko and the Southern Water Tribe at the South Pole.
Avatar Aang transformed the Fire Nation colonies, along with
land ceded by the Earth Kingdom, into a fifth independent
realm: the United Republic of Nations. Decades later, in 171
Earth Kingdom
AG (After Genocide), the Harmonic Convergence would The Earth Kingdom is a massive continental nation led by an
occur, merging the Spirit World with the planet. Not only have earth monarch (who was recently assassinated by the
spirits been reintroduced to the world, forcing them to coexist airbender and self-proclaimed anarchist, Zaheer) and is home
with a society that has largely forgot about them, but the ability to people who practice the art of earthbending. Being the
to airbend has been reborn among myriad random individuals largest of the four nations, it is ethnically diverse with a myriad
throughout the world, all but undoing the genocide of the Air of customs and cultural traditions. The people of the Earth
Nomads. That is when this game takes place. Kingdom are strong and persistent. The geography of the
Earth Kingdom varies tremendously, ranging from wooded
This is the second age of the Avatar. forests to blazing deserts, mountainous terrain, and grassy
plains.
Air Nomads
The Air Nomads were a civilization composed of people who Fire Nation
practiced the art of airbending. While nomadic, Air Nomads The Fire Nation is home to people who practice the art of
did inhabit four major air temples, each built on remote firebending and is an absolute monarchy led by the Fire Lord.
locations, only easily reachable with flying bison. The Air Being composed of several major islands and located on the
Nomads were a highly spiritual group of people. Being that equator, the nation is situated geographically across an
their economy was based solely on agriculture, they were the archipelago. Its economy is the largest and most powerful in
smallest of the four nations, but all of their members were the world with a strong industrial sector and advanced
benders. In his quest for world dominance, Fire Lord Sozin technological developments. The climate is normally humid
launched an attack on the Air Nomads in hopes of killing the and warm which allows for a diversity of flora and fauna to
reincarnated Avatar and ending the cycle. This resulted in thrive.
almost complete extinction of the Air Nomads with the sole
survivor being Avatar Aang. United Republic of Nations
To preserve Air Nomad culture, Aang founded the Air After the Hundred Year War was over, the Fire Nation
Acolytes, a group of nonbenders who volunteered to learn the colonies in the Earth Kingdom were granted independence as
ways of the Air Nomads. Airbending also began to slowly a fifth nation. Avatar Aang envisioned it as a place where
resurface through Avatar Aang's youngest son, Tenzin, and people from all cultures, benders and nonbenders, could live
his three eldest children. After the Harmonic Convergence of together in peace. As such, its culture is an amalgamation of
171 AG, however, airbending resurfaced across the world in the other four nations' cultural identities. It is run from its
several nonbenders, and the Air Nation was formed to carry capital, Republic City, by a president. Prior to 171 AG, the
on the Air Nomad tradition. nation was led by five members of an assembly, called the
United Republic Council, comprised of a single representative
The Second Age v1.6 | The System | 3

from each nation, except for the Water Tribe which had a and Air Nomads, respectively. Each nation has its bending
separate representative for its northern and southern masters, who train the younger benders how to use their
divisions. abilities and pass the culture on through the generations.
Bending abilities are significant to all aspects of life in the
Bending Arts World of Avatar. A more aberrant and perilous technique is
the ancient art of energybending, which predates the other
One of the most unique features about the world of Avatar is
four arts, as well as the arrival of the Avatar and the formation
the ability to bend the elements. The bending techniques, of the four nations. It involves bending the life energy within
waterbending, earthbending, firebending, and airbending, another being
correspond with the Water Tribe, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation,
I – The System
Avatar: The Second Age roleplaying game focuses on the However, if these dice are not available, a Fantasy Flight
world of Avatar and the unique creatures, abilities, and Games app is offered for iOS and Android devices. The official
characters presented in this diverse universe. Throughout a app is pay-to-use, but there are also free apps for this
campaign in The Second Age, many different characters purpose.
from sailors to diplomats to warriors and assassins, all may
work together in a group to explore and adventure throughout
the world.
Narrative Play
The Second Age asks the players to step into their
During these adventures, the characters may find themselves characters’ roles and use dramatic narrative to describe
facing any number of challenges, from repairing their events and advance the story. In this manner, the players
damaged ship to breaking their way into a secured warehouse experience the excitement, drama, and epic scope of the
to exchanging blows with chi blockers. The characters must Avatar universe from the perspective of their characters.
rely on their innate abilities, trained skills, and special talents While this rulebook provides specific rules for how to resolve
to survive. actions, the game relies heavily on both the Game Master and
the players to use their imaginations—tempered with common
This chapter provides a broad overview of the basics of The sense—to explain what happens.
Second Age. First, it discusses what a roleplaying game is
and what players need when preparing to play. The chapter In The Second Age, combat and other situations are
then explores the various elements of the game’s core represented in an abstract fashion. The game focuses on the
mechanic and narrative dice system. It continues with characters and the heroic actions they take, rather than on
additional rules that govern the core gameplay. This chapter measurements, statistics, or other minutiae. Instead of taking
ends with a discussion of the general makeup of characters a ruler and measuring the distance between characters on a
found in The Second Age. map, it is preferable for a player to simply state: “I’m ducking
behind the boulder to get some cover while I shoot back.” That
What Players Need sort of description paints a much better picture of the action
taking place. Action resolution also has a narrative element.
Beginning a game in The Second Age requires very few
materials. Besides at least one copy of this rulebook, players The Second Age uses a unique dice system to determine if
will need pencils or pens and copies of their character sheets a given task succeeds or fails. However, the dice reveal more
to record information about their characters. The group will than whether the Player Characters succeed. The different
also need access to one or more standard 10-sided dice. Two dice and their varied symbols tell a larger story, adding depth
dice per player is recommended. and detail to the scene in which the PCs find themselves. The
variety of results allows for interesting and compelling
Everyone involved in the game should also use the special, encounters. It’s possible for a character to fail at a task, but
custom dice first created by Fantasy Flight Games for their still receive some benefit or find a brief respite. Likewise, a
Genesys roleplaying game. These dice were designed character can succeed at a task, but at a certain cost or with
specifically to manage the unique system of resolution used unforeseen complications.
in this game. The dice are described in detail later in this
chapter.
Core Mechanic
The core mechanic of the game revolves around making a 1. Roll a pool of dice.
skill check. These checks determine whether specific actions 2. After all factors have been accounted for, if there is
performed by the characters succeed or fail as well as any at least one Success result, the task succeeds.
consequences of those outcomes. This core mechanic is like
that of other tabletop roleplaying games and the specifics of The first element involves rolling a pool of dice. When a
the mechanic are borrowed from Fantasy Flight Games’ character attempts an action, uses a skill or technique, a dice
Genesys. The mechanic itself is quite simple and can be pool must be created. The number of dice are influenced by
broken down into two key components: several factors including, but not limited to, characteristics,
skill level, bonuses and setbacks, environment, equipment,
4 | Introduction | The Second Age v1.6

techniques and difficulty of the task. As in Genesys, the GM Boost die (6-sided light-blue dice with black markings) are
may decide that the environment or situation warrants used to aid a skill roll due to advantageous factors. They only
additional dice. Once the pool is compiled, the player makes have Success (s), Advantage (a), and blank faces. Player
a roll. Characters with equal or greater skill can take an action to aid
another Player Character who is using a skill to perform a task
Once dice are rolled, their results must be interpreted. Unlike by granting them a Boost. Boost dice are represented by in
other games which utilize numerical dice, this version takes text.
advantage of more situational dice. Certain symbol pairings
synergize while others cancel one another out. Some results Ability die (8-sided green dice with black markings) are
cannot be canceled. After comparing all the results, the based on the character's characteristic level. They only have
players can determine if the task succeeds – or fails. Other Success (s), Advantage (a), and blank faces. Ability dice
consequences may follow depending on the result of the a/h are represented by in text.
aspect of the roll.
Proficiency die (12-sided yellow dice with black markings)
This core mechanic, the skill check, forms the foundation of indicate the character's level in a skill. Each level in a skill
the game. Other rules and side effects either modify or replaces an Ability die with a Proficiency die. The yellow dice
otherwise interact with one of these two elements: the pool of are like the green Ability dice, except they have a "Triumph"
dice being assembled, or the results of the roll. (critical success) result symbol on one of its faces. Proficiency
dice are represented by in text.
The Dice
This section takes a closer look at the narrative dice and their Negative Dice
symbols. By understanding these dice and symbols, players Three dice generally impede a player’s chance of success.
will have a better understanding of the core mechanic. This They are the Setback die, Difficulty die, and Challenge die.
section also discusses how to assemble a dice pool, and
when to introduce extra dice based on the circumstances. Setback die (6-sided black dice with white markings) are
used to penalize a skill roll due to disadvantageous factors.
When a player rolls the dice, it determines whether an action, They only have Failure (f), Threat (h), and blank faces.
technique, or skill succeeds or fails as well as the magnitude Setback dice are represented by in text.
of the results and the implications for the narrative. Depending
on the difficulty of the task, the GM may include additional Difficulty die (8-sided purple dice with white markings) are
negative dice in the character’s pool. Dice are not necessary based on the Difficulty of the skill roll. They only have Failure
for trivial tasks where success is practically guaranteed. (f), Threat (h), and blank faces. Difficulty dice are
represented by in text.
There are two pools of dice: positive and negative. Positive
dice have symbols relating to boosts and successful Challenge die (12-sided red dice with white markings) are
outcomes while the symbols on negative dice cancel those used with an opposing skill level or extreme difficulty.
successes and otherwise hinder the player. Challenge dice are like the purple Difficulty dice except they
have a "Despair" (critical failure) result symbol on one of its
Positive Dice faces. Challenge dice are represented by in text.
There are three dice which add to the player’s chance of
general success. They are the Boost die, Ability die, and
Proficiency die.
The Dice Pool

The Second Age utilizes a concept known as a dice pool, Body and Agility are a measure of the character’s physical
which is a collection of the custom dice needed for the game. prowess, skill with weapons, general toughness, and
While some advanced or complex actions may require a large endurance. Intellect and Guile reflecting the character’s
dice pool, the basic dice pool is quite simple. The basic pool mental faculties, lived experience, and acquired knowledge.
relies on three factors: The PC’s inherent ability, any Charisma represents the character’s personality and
specialized training, and the difficulty of the task being presence in the room while a character’s Chi reflects their
attempted. connection with the Spirit World through bending and
meditation.
Following a look at these three factors in greater detail, this
section goes on to describe assembling and resolving a basic A new character’s Characteristics are based on the archetype
dice pool, as well as discusses some additional types of dice the player chooses during character creation. Characteristics
pools and checks players may use during a game session. can also be raised throughout the game in various, but rare,
circumstances. Players need to think carefully about their
Characteristics Characteristic ratings, and should consider investing a
significant portion of their starting experience points in
In The Second Age, a character’s intrinsic abilities are
improving their Characteristics.
governed by six general attributes: Body, Agility, Intellect,
Guile, Charisma, and Chi. Although it does make sense to focus on Characteristics that
help the character’s core skills and talents (such as a Diplomat

character with high Charisma or a Warrior with high Body easily strike up a conversation, and are quick to adapt to
rating), the game system offers a great deal of flexibility. social situations. It governs a character’s skill in diplomacy,
Players should consider going against the stereotypes or persuasion, and even the ability to barter.
possibly plan in anticipation of moving into other classes over
the course of the campaign. Chi
Chi is a measure of one's affinity with the Spirit World, it
Characteristic Ratings significantly influences the potency of a bender's abilities. The
Characteristic ratings for both PCs and NPCs generally range more connected to the natural and Spirit World, the more
from one to six. Some exceptions exist, especially in powerful energy a bender can put into her actions. Characters with a
or unique cases—for example, the Avatar likely has a Chi high Chi can act as needed without on instinct. It is necessary
rating much higher than any of the PCs. NPCs like the Avatar for Bending Arts as well as other skills like Meditation.
and other exceptional individuals from the Avatar universe
likely have abilities well beyond the scope of your typical Characteristics in Play
starting NPC or PC. Different classes and professions rely on different
Characteristics more than others. Characteristics also
A typical human in the world of Avatar has an average rating
influence skills, a wide variety of character abilities, and some
of 2. A rating of one is weak and below average. A rating of 2
derived statistics. For example, in addition to being used for
or 3 are average or slightly above while a 4+ is above average.
Athletics and melee combat skill checks, Body is used to
6 and above represent exceptional performance and
determine a character’s starting wound threshold and forms
considerable ability. During character creation, no
the basis of a character’s soak value.
Characteristic can be higher than four. This cap is lifted once
play begins, but Characteristics can only be raised again As mentioned previously, Characteristics are one of the three
through special events, like the receipt of a rare reward or determining factors when a player creates a dice pool to
powerful training. The six Characteristics are described perform a check. Skills and training also have an impact on
below. the dice pool.
Body Skills & Training

Body represents a character’s raw power, strength, and
While Characteristics are important and create the foundation
overall toughness. This determines skill in melee combat, with
or without weapons, hit points, and more. Characters with of a character’s abilities, skills and specialized training are
high Body are physically fit, hardy, and tend to make good also key components of a character’s utility. Skills represent
fighters. It governs skills like Athletics and Sailing. the character’s aptitude for performing specific tasks and
actions based on experience or training. Although a character
Agility can attempt almost anything without the proper training or
skill, he will be far more effective and capable of overcoming
Agility measures a character’s manual dexterity, hand-eye
adverse conditions if he is skilled at performing the task at
coordination, and body control. Characters with high Agility
hand.
have a good sense of balance, dexterity and flexibility.
Determines ranged combat, reflexes, dodge and nimbleness, Each skill represents specific training, hands-on experience,
etc. It governs the skills like Acrobatics and Ranged (Light) or focused knowledge in a particular area. Each skill, with
and (Heavy). exception is linked to a specific Characteristic which governs
a character’s ability when using that skill. The proper skill
Intellect training can compensate for a low Characteristic rating.
Intellect reflects how much a character knows. It measures However, the most proficient characters are those with both
educations and the ability to reason and rationalize. training and strong Characteristics.
Characters with a high Intellect can recall nearly anything, can
strategize and even design upgrades for your sea-faring
vessel. It governs skills like Knowledge, Medicine and
Difficulty
Navigation. The third factor in defining a dice pool (in addition to
Characteristics and skills) is the difficulty of the task being
Guile attempted. The Characteristic and skill ranks add positive dice
to the dice pool. Difficulty adds negative dice, which make
Guile reflects how crafty, devious, clever, and creative a
success more challenging. In addition to the task’s inherent
character can be. Characters with high Guile have the
difficulty, other dice may be added to reflect additional
discipline, self-control and mental wherewithal to think on the
complications based on the environment or specific situation.
fly and withstand the stress of everyday life. They can pick up
on social and environmental cues and use their opponent's While the Characteristic and related skill training are defined
weaknesses against them. by the player character attempting the task, the difficulty is
determined by the GM. Difficulty determines how many dice
Charisma are added to the dice pool when attempting a particular task.
A character’s charisma is a representation of his personality There are six basic difficulty levels ranging from Simple to
and presence in the room. Leadership and confidence, this Implausible. A player might face an Easy Stealth check or a
skill impacts one's ability to communicate their ideas and Hard Navigation check.
thoughts with others. Character’s with a high Charisma make
natural leaders, draw attention when they enter a room, can  Simple (—): Basic and routine. No dice added.
6 | The System | The Second Age v1.6

 Easy ( ): Should pose little to no challenge to most characters will fail most of the time. Four dice are
characters, but something could still go wrong. One added.
dice added.  Formidable ( ): These tasks are nigh
 Average ( ): Success is common enough, but impossible. In fact, without proper training and strong
failure is not surprising. Two dice are added. Characteristics, the player will most likely fail. Five
 Hard ( ): These tasks are demanding. While dice are added.
success is feasible, failure is common. Three dice
In addition to providing a general classification that describes
are added.
a task’s inherent challenge, the difficult level also indicates
 Daunting ( ): Abilities are pushed to the
how many Difficulty dice are added to the dice pool when that
limits. Success is difficult, but possible. Unskilled
task is attempted. A task attempted against a set difficulty
level is referred to as a standard check.
Building a Basic Dice Pool

Characteristics, skills, and difficulty make up the primary
foundation of a skill check’s dice pool. When a character Applying Task Difficulty
wants to attempt some sort of action that might have a chance After determining which skill and related Characteristic are
of failure, the player makes a skill check. The skill check required to attempt the task, the GM then chooses the level of
utilizes the appropriate skill of the character—Athletics for difficulty for the task. This will determine the number of
breaking down doors, Knowledge for recalling information, or Difficulty dice ( ) the player must add to their pool. For
Persuasion for convincing a guard to let the character get example, an Average ( ) skill check means the player
past. Each skill also has a linked characteristic: Body for adds two Difficulty dice to the dice pool.
Athletics, Intellect for Knowledge, and Charisma for
Persuasion. To make a skill check, a player must assemble a In some cases, the GM may upgrade one or more of these
dice pool. Difficulty dice—removing them from the pool and replacing
them with an equal number of Challenge dice . Difficulty
Generally, there are two sides to every basic dice pool: those dice are most often upgraded into Challenge dice when facing
contributed by the player and those the GM contributes. skilled opposition, or particularly daunting circumstances.
Additional factors may modify the number and type of dice for
a check. Every aspect of the player’s and GM’s dice should After setting the difficulty level for the task, the GM adds the
be explained and defined before the roll is made. corresponding number of dice to the pool. If there are no other
factors influencing the outcome of the attempt, the basic dice
pool is now complete and can be rolled to determine success
Apply Skills & Characteristics or failure (and the consequences).
The active character’s skill training and its respective
Characteristic are equally important when building a dice pool.
When performing a task, the GM and player determine which
Modifying a Dice Pool
skill is most appropriate. This also determines which If there are no other influences or contributing factors that
Characteristic is used. For example, if the character is impact the outcome of a task, the dice pool may consist of
attempting to pick a lock, the skill check would be the Sleight- these basic elements. However, the universe of Avatar is
of-Hand skill which is linked to Agility. Their ratings determine diverse and fast-paced, so few actions occur in a vacuum.
the number of Ability and/or Proficiency dice that are added to
These other factors can affect or modify the dice pool in many
the pool.
ways. The most common are by adding, removing, upgrading,
The higher value between the two determines how many and/or downgrading dice. These modifications may be
Ability dice ( ) are added to the skill check’s dice pool. Then triggered by the players, the GM, or because of the
the player upgrades those Ability dice into Proficiency dice environment or situation. Factors such as obstructing terrain,
( ) based on the lower of the two values. If a character is poor lighting, tactical positioning, time constraints, equipment,
unskilled (possesses no ranks) in the necessary skill, that is techniques or traits, or even injury.
automatically the lower value – zero – and the character must
rely solely upon the appropriate Characteristic. Adding Dice
One way to modify the basic dice pool is to add dice to reflect
environmental conditions or various advantages and
disadvantages. This is done through Boost and Setback dice.
Upgrade versus Increase
Generally, one Boost dice is added to the pool for each
Upgrading Difficulty dice in a dice pool is different than bonus that would help the character succeed, and one
increasing a skill check’s difficulty. Increasing or Setback die is added for each disadvantage or obstacle
decreasing difficulty is simply a measure of how many impeding that success.
Difficulty dice are added to the initial dice pool.
A single Boost die is often enough to represent the benefits
Upgrading Difficulty dice into Challenge dice is provided by useful gear, ample time, superior position, or the
generally triggered by a special ability or the investment of element of surprise. The GM may allow multiple Boost dice to
Story Points by one of the participants. be added to the pool if more than one of these or similar
advantages are applicable.
Likewise, a single Setback die is usually enough to reflect this way most often occurs when one of the participants
the impact of detrimental or obstructing effects like poor attempts to advance the narrative in a substantial, notable, or
lighting, inferior supplies, hot environment, or distractions. critical fashion. Certain traits, talents, or special abilities may
Multiple Setback dice can be added to the dice pool also allow a character to upgrade or downgrade dice.
depending on the circumstances and if the GM allows it.
Upgrading dice is a mechanic specific to Ability dice and
Although they perform essentially opposite functions, Boost Difficulty dice. These are the only two types of dice that can
and Setback dice do not cancel each other out. A final dice be upgraded. When an Ability die is upgraded, it is removed
pool can contain one or more of each. The use of these dice and replaced by a Proficiency die . Likewise, when a
is an excellent method to help reinforce important narrative Difficulty die is upgraded, it is replaced by a Challenge die
elements of the adventure. Players are encouraged to .
describe their actions in detail, and point out both advantages
and disadvantages that may influence any action. If the Downgrading dice is a mechanic specific to Proficiency and
situation warrants the addition of two Boost dice and one Challenge dice. When a die is downgraded, it becomes either
Setback die, you add all three dice ( ) to the pool. an Ability die or Difficulty die .
Every player can use Boost and Setback dice to help reinforce Changing More Dice than Available
important elements of the story. You should describe your There may be situations in which a player needs to upgrade
character bending the earth beneath their feet in detail, or , but there are no extra dice remaining in the pool. In
pointing out both advantages and disadvantages that may this case, the player first determines how many dice upgrades
influence a particular action. As you do, your GM should remaining. Then he adds one or to the pool. If any
recognize when a particular detail offers a noticeable upgrade opportunities remain, then he upgrades the recently
advantage and add a Boost die . After all, part of the idea is added or into its respective upgrade. This process is
to reward good storytelling. repeated until all potential upgrades or downgrades have
Of course, sometimes the description you or your GM comes been applied.
up with makes it more appropriate to add a Setback die to
the pool. When that happens, embrace it! If your GM is doing Upgrades & Downgrades in Pool
their job right, they’re already looking for places where it Some abilities will call for both dice upgrades and
makes sense to add Setback dice to your checks. So all you’re downgrades. When this occurs, all upgrades are applied first.
doing is helping your GM make the addition more Then, any downgrades are applied. Upgrading dice could
narratively appropriate. potentially add more dice to the overall pool.
Equipment may add Boost dice to a pool to reflect superior Removing Dice
craftsmanship or amplification bonus. Certain traits may allow Just like some effects add dice to a pool, some effects remove
a player to add to a pool to reflect special training that dice from the pool before they are ever rolled. Most often this
applies to the situation. Maneuvers, such as taking aim or comes from character traits that allow the removal of Setback
steadying one’s stance, may also allow a player to add to dice from a pool, reflecting a level of expertise in
a pool. Conversely, some effects may specifically impost overcoming minor impediments or disadvantages that would
Setback dice , such as a critical injury or penalty for using rattle less experienced characters. Likewise, a skilled enemy
broken or inferior tools. may have the ability to remove Boost dice from skill checks
made against them.
Upgrading and Downgrading
In addition to dice being added to the pool, some game effects If an ability would remove more dice of a type than there are
improve a weaker die into a more potent die, or turn a potent in the dice pool, the remainder are ignored.
die into a weaker die. Improving a die is called upgrading. Removing dice is done after all other dice have been added
Weakening a die is called downgrading. Modifying the dice in and all upgrades or downgrades have been applied.
Interpreting the Pool

After a dice pool is rolled, the players and GM evaluate the the pool, in addition to any special effects it may trigger.
results to resolve the outcomes. The first outcome to resolve Likewise, a Despair symbol d contributes one Failure f to
is the success or failure of the skill check. Then, the players the pool, in addition to its special effects.
can determine if any significant side effects – good, bad, or
both – are triggered. Whether the task is attempted amidst the If all Successes s and Failures f in the pool are canceled
chaos of a punishing firebender assault or under interrogation out (also known as a tie or a ‘wash’), or if there are any net
by a Dai Li agent, nearly anything can happen. Failures f remaining, the skill check fails. A skill check
succeeds only if at least one Success s remains.
Successes & Failures

If the roll for a skill check results in both Success symbols s
Advantages & Threats
and Failure symbols f, they are compared. Each Failure f It’s also likely for a skill check to result in Advantage symbols
cancels out one Success s. During this step, it’s important to a, Threat symbols h, or both. The player adds up the total
note that a Triumph symbol t contributes one Success s to number of Threat h and compares them to the total number

of Advantage a. As with the Success s and Failure f EXAMPLE: Opposed Checks
results, Threat h and Advantage a cancel each other out.
Shen Yu, an Earth Kingdom Ranger, is trying to sneak up
Having one or more net Advantage symbols a indicates a on a wild possum chicken in the Foggy Swamp without
positive side effect or benefit. Having one or more net Threat being detected. Shen has Agility 4 and Stealth 2, building
symbols h indicates a negative side effect or complication. If an initial dice pool of , two of which are upgraded
all the Advantage a and Threat h symbols cancel each other
to Proficiency die . The possum chicken has Guile 1
out, there are no additional effects. The positive and negative
and Perception 1. Therefore, the opposition adds which
side effects can occur regardless of whether the task
is upgraded to a Challenge die . The swamp
succeeds or fails.
environment makes it difficult to move, so Shen suffers an
Advantage a and Threat h can be used to fuel a wide variety additional Setback die adding it to the rest of his pool;
of unforeseen side effects. The player rolling the skill check including the Setback die, that’s six altogether for a pool
generally chooses how to spend Advantage a, such as by that looks like this: .
triggering a weapon’s special quality, performing an additional
maneuver, or recovering from strain. Various weapons, attack, or inflict a critical injury while without a Triumph, these
talents, and equipment may have special uses for Advantage effects require a certain number of Advantage symbols a.
a.
Threat h is generally spent by the GM to impose some sort

Despair d
A Despair symbol also has two effects. First, each one counts
of complication, with more severe complications requiring
as one Failure f. Second, a Despair result d indicates an
more Threat h. It can result in side effects such as suffering
unfortunate consequence, significant complication, or dire
strain, providing an opportunity to an opponent, falling prone,
effect related to the task. The opponent’s abilities, the
imbalanced footing, being subjected to environmental effects,
environment, or the encounter description may offer different
or a task taking longer to complete than expected. Various
options for using Despair d. Otherwise, the GM adjudicates
talents, environments, and opponents may have special uses
the results of Despair symbols d based on the situation. As
for Threat h.
with Triumph symbols, a Despair d does not guarantee that
a check has failed.
Triumph & Despair
Two symbols represent far more potent effects than the Despair d can be viewed as a more potent version of Threat
others. Triumph t and Despair d indicate special cases and h. For example, a single Despair symbol d may trigger
operate slightly differently than the other symbols. Unlike effects that would normally require several Threat symbols h.
Success s and Failure f or Advantage a and Threat h, Despair may be significant enough to inflict wounds rather
Triumph t and Despair d do not completely cancel each than strain, cause an important piece of equipment to break,
other out. Rather, they indicate an especially positive or make a weapon break, or cause a technique to backfire.
unfortunately dire consequence.
It is possible for a skill check to result in both Triumph t and

Unlimited Possibilities
With the opportunity for success or failure, as well as the
Despair d symbols. In this case, both results are interpreted
myriad side effects made possible through the different die
separately. As with Threat h, it is possible for a skill check to
results, no two skill checks are the same. Hundreds of
succeed but still impose a Despair d effect, or fail but still
outcomes are possible with almost every skill check. A
trigger a Triumph t effect.
character may achieve a high magnitude success with no
Triumph t other complications, a low-magnitude success with
Advantage, or a moderate success with Advantage that is
This symbol has two effects. First, each one counts as one tempered with Despair. Likewise, a failed check may have a
Success s. Second, a Triumph result indicates an silver lining if accompanied by Advantage or Triumph, or a
unexpected boon or significantly beneficial effect related to minor task may create a truly dire situation when
the task. Many weapons and talents have side effects that can accompanied by both Threat and Despair.
be triggered using a Triumph result. Otherwise, the scenario
or GM may present further options for using Triumph. The sheer number of possibilities provides opportunities to
Although Triumph t counts as one Success s, it does not narrate truly memorable action sequences and gripping
guarantee a successful skill check. scenes. Nearly anything can happen in the heat of the
moment. Players and GMs alike are encouraged to take these
Triumph can be thought of as an enhanced, more powerful opportunities to think about how the symbols can help move
version of Advantage a. For example, a single Triumph the story along and add details and special effects that create
symbol t can trigger any weapon’s special quality, chain an truly adventurous sessions.
Other Types of Checks

The standard skill check using a basic dice pool can be used goal? Or are they racing to escape the stone fists of the Dai
to resolve most tasks in a game session. However, there may Li hot on their trail? In addition to the standard skill check,
be some situations that require a slightly different approach to Avatar: The Second Age uses opposed checks, competitive
properly resolve. Are the characters involved in a high-stakes checks, and assisted checks.
negotiation? Are they competing with multiple factions for their

Opposed checks are often used when the success or failure other in performing a variety of tasks. Over the course of
of a task is strongly influenced by an opponent. Competitive normal narrative play, assisting is easy. A player explains how
checks can be used to determine which character performs his character wants to help with the task. If the explanation is
better when two or more characters are attempting the same reasonable, the GM may allow that assistance. There are two
task. Assisted checks are simply variations of other checks types of assistance that can be provided: skilled assistance
but with two or more characters working together. and unskilled assistance.
Opposed Checks Skilled Assistance

An opposed check occurs when someone is actively trying to Assistance works best when the assisting party brings insight
prevent a character from succeeding, or when one character or expertise to the task. When a character with a higher
is trying to overcome or get past another. Characteristic or skill rating provides assistance to another
character, the dice pool may use one character’s
Opposed checks are most often applicable when a task Characteristic and the other’s skill rating.
involves directly opposing the task that another character is
performing, or when a task involves trying to go unnoticed, Unskilled Assistance
undetected, or undiscovered by someone else.
If the assisting party does not have a higher Characteristic or
Like standard checks, the opposed checks add and skill rating, so that using either rating would provide no benefit
potentially to the skill check’s dice pool. However, rather to the character, the GM may add to the dice pool
than simply being assigned by the GM, the difficulty of an (representing the fact that additional assistance is still
opposed check is determined by a quick comparison of the providing some benefit).
opposing character’s relevant Characteristics and skill ranks.
Restrictions
Building the active character’s dice pool starts out following The GM can require that certain conditions be met for Player
the same procedures as those for a basic dice pool. Based on Characters or other parties to assist. To assist in treating an
the character's relevant Characteristics and skill ranks, dice injury, the assisting character might need to be next to the
are added and some may be upgraded. The opposition then patient, or to assist with translating an ancient text, the
introduces and based on its own relevant characteristic assisting character might need to have direct access to it.
and skill ranks. The higher of the opposition’s characteristic
and skill values determines how many are added to the Generally, only one character can assist at a time. However,
pool, while the lower value indicates how many of those are the GM may decide that certain situations can accommodate
upgraded into . more people. In this case, only one assisting character can
offer his characteristic or skill rating, and all other participating
Competitive Checks characters contribute to the check.
Competitive checks occur when several people are trying to

accomplish the same goal at the same time or are trying to
Timing
determine who performs a task better than another. When During combat or structured encounters, when initiative and
multiple characters are attempting the same task and the the order in which characters act is more important,
players need to determine who accomplishes the task first or assistance can be accomplished by performing the assist
performs it better, or to measure some other outcome, they maneuver. The assist maneuver allows an engaged ally to
are engaging in a competitive check. benefit from assistance provided by the acting character on
the ally’s next skill check. Assistance lasts only until the
For example, two characters engaged in a friendly arm- assisted character’s next activation. More on the assist
wrestling contest aboard their boat. Each one has the same maneuver is covered in Chapter VII: Conflict and Combat.
goal: to win the match by pinning the opponent’s arm. The
winner can be determined through a competitive check to see Assisted and Cooperative Bending
who outperforms the other. Additional Examples include In certain circumstances, multiple benders can work together
several horsemen navigating difficult terrain, or two politicians to accomplish larger and more powerful feats of bending. In
trying to win over an undecided crowd during a council any cooperative bending attempt, one bender acts as the
hearing. primary bender for the attempt while any assisting characters
Competitive checks are made against the difficulty assigned act as secondary benders. Two earthbenders can work
by the GM, each character involved makes a skill check together to lift a boulder beyond either of their abilities while
simultaneously. Compare s. If tied, look at t. If still tied, look an airbender and waterbender can harmonize their bending
at a. If all else fails, the GM decides. to shroud the party in a thick fog, putting the enemy at a
disadvantage. More on assisted bending is covered in
Assisted Checks
Some tasks are important or challenging enough that help is
required. Fortunately, characters can and should aid each
Other Key Features

Many other factors, such as talents and the environment, can briefly. A full outline of Talents can be found in Chapter V:
impact the outcome of a dice roll. Here, Talents are explained Talents.
Points are resources that can be invested by you and your
Talents GM for a variety of different effects. For example, you can use
Whereas skills represent what a Player Character knows, his Story Points to upgrade Ability dice or Difficulty dice , or
practiced disciplines, or the experience he applies to a topic, to trigger certain talents or special abilities.
talents are a much broader class of special ability. Talents
represent various tricks, techniques, and traits characters pick The Two Story Pools
up over their career, or reflect their sheer determination to get
In the game, there are two pools of Story Points. You and your
things done. Each talent is a distinct special ability that
fellow players can spend Story Points from the player pool.
provides the PC with an edge in certain situations. Keeping a
Your GM can spend Story Points from the Game Master Pool.
rickety old frigate together with a combination of determination
and elbow grease, inspiring allies in the face of a firebender’s
fury, and knowing just where to hit a rampaging komodo rhino
Preparing the Story Points
to take it down are all examples of talents at work. Each pool can be delineated on the table by drawing a pair of
circles on a sheet of paper, or by simply designating two areas
While Characteristics and skills are universal—every PC has of the table as the player pool and the GM pool. At the
six Characteristics, and everyone has access to all the skills— beginning of the session, you and your group add one Story
talents are far more specific. Each class is defined by a series Point to the player pool for each player. Then, your GM adds
of unique talents bundled together in a table listing talents one Story Point to the Game Master pool.
suited for that class. These talents define specializations
within each class, helping to guide the ways in which Player Tracking Story Points
Characters advance along separate paths. You can use just about any small items to represent Story
Points. Some suitable items are gaming tokens, glass beads,
Talents are divided into several categories and are either coins, and poker chips. You can also write them down.
active or passive. Active talents typically require the player to
state that his PC is using them. Some active talents have a
cost or requirement associated with them, such suffering
How Story Points Are Used
strain or using the talent as part of an attack action. Other The players and the Gm can all tap into destiny by spending
talents are passive, meaning they are always in effect and do the Story Points from their respective pool. It’s important to
not need to be activated by the player. Passive talents note that you and your fellow players may only spend Story
(“traits”) either constantly provide their benefit or are Points in the player pool, and your GM may only spend Story
automatically triggered under certain circumstances. Points in the Game Master pool.
Some talents belong to a series of related talents. These may When a player spends a Story Point, it is removed from the
comprise either lower-level talents and their improved version player pool and added to the Game Master pool. Likewise,
or identical talents taken multiple times for a cumulative effect. when the GM spends a point, they remove it from their pool
Some abilities, like bending talents (called “Forms”) can even and add it to the player pool.
chain together to enable powerful combos.
The point gets moved after you have resolved the action in
Although any talent can be acquired by any class, PCs receive which you spent the Story Point. This way, players or the GM
a discount in talents associated with their specialization. This cannot immediately spend a Story Point that has been added
represents the natural flow of learning and experience that a to their pool; they have to wait for the next chance to act to
PC gains throughout her adventures. Talents are divided into spend a point.
five tiers, with the higher tiers representing remarkable
Another limit on Story Points is that you can only spend one
abilities. Some talents may appear across multiple
Story Point during a single action (unless specified otherwise).
specializations, but at different tiers or costs.
If your character has multiple ways to spend Story Points
during an action, you’ll have to think carefully about which of
Story Points those ways provides the best opportunity to spend that point.
Your character (and any other player character) is cut from a Likewise, your GM may only spend one point per action.
different cloth than most NPCs who populate the setting. Not
In the following section, some of the ways in which Story
only do they have access to skills and special talents to help
Points can be used are outlined. Unless noted otherwise in an
them succeed, but PCs are also intimately connected to
option’s description, both the players and the GM have access
destiny, fate, or whatever you like to call it. Destiny is that
to these options.
special spark that elevates heroes above common folk,
imbuing an individual with enough significance in the game’s
events to be a player character. Over the course of the PCs’
A Helping Hand
adventures, fate, fortune, or destiny can intervene on their All characters have the opportunity to call on destiny to
behalf for better or worse. Destiny might manifest in a positive enhance any skill check they are about to attempt. You may
way and provide a temporary advantage or boost to your PC’s spend one Story Point to upgrade one of your character’s
abilities. Or it might prove to be an ill omen, and impose starting dice pool once. A GM may spend a point in this way
additional hardships and complications. In any case, your to upgrade an NPC’s dice pool.
characters are the heroes of the story, and the game should
reflect that. Raising the Stakes
Destiny can also be used to help keep characters out of
The concept of fate and the PCs’ ability to tap into and harm’s way. Players can call on fate and destiny to make an
influence this resource is represented by Story Points. Story opponent’s skill check more challenging. You may spend on
Story Point to upgrade one of any NPC’s skill check once. player to decide whether to spend a Story Point first means
Your GM may spend a Story Point in this way to upgrade that you avoid having the active player change their mind and
difficulty in a PC’s dice pool. spend a Story Point after their opponent decides to spend
one. In short, these keep the game from bogging down.
Special Abilities and Talents
Certain powerful talents allow your characters to spend Story Honor
Points for various effects. See the individual talent
One of the elements that makes characters in Avatar: The
descriptions for details.
Second Age unique is the concept of the Honor. During
character creation, players not only customize their Player
Luck and Deus Ex Machina Characters by selecting skills and talents, but by choosing
You can also use Story Points to introduce “facts” and what sort of Honor their PC upholds. A group may share the
additional context directly into the narrative. Your GM already same vow of Honor, or each PC may have their own.
does this by managing and directing the story, but this use of Narratively, Honor can come in many forms. Honor may
Story Points provides you and your fellow players with a represent a large debt or sworn value. A PC may owe a “favor”
means to make contributions as well. to a Triple Threat Triad boss or have made an oath to come
back to his village with money to fix its ailing infrastructure.
Imagine that your characters are shipwrecked on an unknown
Honor helps tell each character’s story and reinforces the
island, only to find that there’s no food or water. One of the
inventive experiences of The Second Age.
players suggests spending a Story Point, saying “Good thing
you remembered to pack all those extra provisions before we Over the course of a campaign, Honor can come into play in
got onboard!” While none of you may have specifically several ways—either as plot hooks and character motivations
mentioned or listed these provisions before, it’s a sensible and or as compelling PC decisions. For example, the characters
creative addition to the game. If your GM agrees, and the complete an assignment and receive a sizable payment. Do
Story Point is spent, the player’s suggestion becomes a true the characters spend those silver pieces to make repairs on
statement—there are provisions with the ship still intact. their ship—or pay to repair the damages they’ve caused? The
character may owe his allegiance to an old king or hold a
Similarly, you may spend a Story Point in this manner to
vendetta against a rival. Honor helps provide short-term
suggest finding spare parts while quickly scavenging through
decisions, long-term goals, and story hooks that help tie
the wreckage.
together campaigns and shape the Avatar experience.
Using Story Points narratively is a great way to keep all of the
players involved and the story moving forward. However, your Honor in Play
GM has final say over what is and is not acceptable. You In addition to the narrative implications, Honor has a
should not abuse this use of Story Points; the more mechanical impact, as well. This is largely open to
outrageous or unlikely the suggestion, the more likely it is that interpretation, and should be based on the narrative
your GM will curtail point use. circumstances for maximum effect. This might be inflicting a
point of strain, imposing or adding , or even increasing
The Limits of Luck or decreasing a threshold’s value. At the GM’s discretion, it
The active player (the player or GM forming the dice pool) may even be a specific character whose Honor triggered the
always has the first chance to use a Story Point. Once that event.
player has decided whether to use one, the other party
involved in the check (the targeted player, or the GM in the While players create Honor for their characters, it is another
case of an NPC) has the opportunity to respond and spend a tool for the GM to help reinforce the story, motivate
Story Point as well. For example, if the GM spends a point to characters, and even provide rewards. Players should feel a
sense of accomplishment when their characters become
upgrade an enemy’s into for an attack against a PC,
more honorable and should feel a need to redress the
that character’s player has the opportunity to then use a Story
situation should their character do something dishonorable.
Point first, either to upgrade one of the pool’s into , or
perhaps to trigger on of the PC’s talents. Honor, and its narrative and mechanical effects, is described
in more detail in Chapter II: Character Creation.
This order of activation and the limit of one Story Point per
player is important. First, we don’t want people to spend an
unlimited number of points. In addition, forcing the active

Experience & Development
Player Characters must learn from their successes—and times the value of the next highest rank. Training a non-career
mistakes—to better themselves in preparation for even skill costs five times the value of the next highest rank, plus 5
greater challenges. Experience is the primary means by which XP. Players may purchase ranks in their PCs during character
players customize and grow their characters. Each PC starts creation or later during gameplay.
with a beginning pool of experience points that can be spent
during character creation to train skills, improve Acquiring Talents
Characteristics, or acquire talents. During each session of A PC can purchase any talents for which he is eligible. This
Avatar: The Second Age campaigns, PCs receive additional means they can always purchase a Tier 1 talent, and may
experience, which can also be spent to improve skills, talents, purchase any talents of a higher tier provided that they have
and characteristics. at least one more in the tier below it. The cost of a talent varies
per which tier it occupies. Similar talents may have different
Starting Experience Points costs for different PCs, based on their specializations. PCs
PCs begin with a number of experience points (XP) based on may purchase talents during character creation or later during
their starting background. If a player chooses to spend fewer gameplay.
experience points than budgeted during character creation,
those points carry over into the game, and the PC has more Acquiring New Specializations
experience points to spend once the adventures begin. More Each PC starts with a single specialization within their chosen
information on spending experience points can be found in class. However, PCs may purchase additional specializations
Chapter II: Character Creation. in order to gain access to a broader range of skills and talents.
There is no limit to the number of specializations a PC may
Improving Characteristics possess.
Raising a Characteristic during character creation costs ten
Acquiring a specialization grants a PC a discount whining
times the value of the next highest rating. During creation,
spending XP on the new specializations’ talents, in addition to
no Characteristic can be increased above 5.
any he could access before. Most specializations have one or
Characteristics may only be purchased with experience points
more bonus class skills as well. The skills now count as class
during character creation, and not during play. During
skills for the PC. PCs can purchase specializations from any
gameplay, Characteristics can only be increased by acquiring
class with several exceptions: nonbenders cannot become
specific talents or special rewards.
benders and Benders cannot choose another bending
specialization. Purchasing an additional specialization within
Skill Training a PC’s class costs ten times the total number of
Each skill has five ranks of training available. A PC may have specializations he would possess after the purchase.
already acquired several ranks of skill training from his starting Purchasing non-class specializations costs ten times the total
class and specialization for free. PCs may train additional number of specializations he would possess after the
skills and gain additional ranks during character creation. purchase plus an additional 10 experience for each new class
Regardless of any background or class bonuses, no skill can distinct from his original class chosen during character
be raised higher than rank 2 during character creation. creation.
The cost for training skills falls into one of two categories:
class skills and non-class skills. Training a class skill costs five
Derived Attributes
Some character attributes are based on other choices made
during character creation or over the course of a campaign. Strain Threshold
Some of these attributes may change frequently over the A character’s strain threshold represents how much stress a
course of play or may be modified by talents, equipment, or character can withstand before becoming stunned, dazed, or
various special abilities. otherwise incapacitated. Strain represents psychological
stress, mental damage, or a blow to one’s morale. Strain is
Wounds more easily suffered than wounds and can even be used as a
resource by players to trigger certain character abilities.
A character’s wound threshold represents how much physical Thankfully, character’s recover from strain more quickly than
damage he can withstand before he is knocked out. Wounds from wounds.
can be serious and lead to a critical injury. They can be treated
with the Medicine skill, but it may take time to recover more A character’s starting strain threshold is determined based
serious wounds. upon background, class, and Chi rating. After this initial value
is determined, strain threshold can be raised by purchasing
A character’s starting wound threshold is based on their certain talents or by increasing the Chi Characteristic.
background, class, and Body rating. After this initial value is
determined, wound threshold can be raised by purchasing
certain talents or by increasing the Body Characteristic.

stacks on top of the base defense with other ‘Add defense’
Defense effects.
Defense determines how difficult a character is to hit in
combat situations. Characters have both a ranged defense The max Defense value for any character is 4.
and a melee defense. A character’s default value in both
ranged defense and melee defense is zero. If a character’s Soak
defense value is listed simply as “Defense” and not
A character’s soak value determines how much incoming
specifically defined by a separate ranged and melee values,
damage the PC can shrug off before taking real damage. The
then the same value is applied to both.
soak value is subtracted from any incoming damage to the
Defense is most commonly gained by wearing armor or by character. Any damage remaining after subtracting the soak
adopting a defensive position in combat, such as taking cover. value becomes wounds applied to the character’s wound
Some special talents may also increase a character’s defense threshold.
rating.
A character’s default soak value is equal to his Body rating.
Defense is either granted or added. If an effect says ‘Gain Increases in Body also increase the character’s soak value.
Defense 2’, your base Defense rating is 2 and it does not stack Additional soak value bonuses are most often gained by
with other ‘Gain Defense N’ effects. You always calculate wearing armor. Some talents may also increase a character’s
Defense with your highest ‘Gain Defense N’ effect as your innate soak value, while other talents may temporarily
base Defense. If a description states ‘Add N defense’, then it increase the value.

II – Character Creation
Avatar: The Second Age marks the uncertain days after the When a group of players decides to start an Avatar: The
assassination of the Earth Queen by the airbender Zaheer Second Age campaign, special emphasis should be placed
whose airbending abilities were bestowed upon him (and on the background of their characters.
many others) when Avatar Korra left open the gates to the
Spirit World. Benders and nonbenders alike must now cope Spending some time before the actual act of acquiring
with the stress of an empire in turmoil along with spirits Characteristics, talents, equipment, and other ‘hard’ aspects
tampering with the material world. Thus, in play, while some goes a long way toward creating a vibrant, interesting
characters may attempt to recover the lost knowledge of the character for everyone to enjoy. Some groups might wish to
airbenders, or master their firebending, others may instead coordinate their stories so that they all come from the same
choose to understand the spirits or even quell the dark spirits place, sharing a special bond that draws them together as a
infecting the planet. Still others may simply want to go about team. Others might wish to go with a much more diverse
their business, hoping to transcend the greatness of even approach, throwing a bunch of disparate characters together
Cabbage Corp. Regardless of their beliefs, the inherent and forcing them to forge their bonds in the fires of desperate
abilities of benders can draw undesired attention. Even conflict.
nonbenders can face discrimination in certain parts of the
world.
Character Generation
Creating a character for The Second Age is done in just a The Avatar
few short steps, allowing players to get involved in the action
There are a number of reasons to avoid this mechanically and
right away. To create a character, a player needs a character
socially; other players may feel impotent compared to the
sheet and a pencil (someone should have a copy of the
awesome powers of someone who can wield all four
rulebook handy). Additionally, the player needs access to the
elements. For the Game Master, it may be unwieldy to try to
dice pool—either his own set or shared with someone else.
narrate a story around a nearly all-powerful godlike character.
Players may also need access to ten-sided dice (d10) for
Hence the pretext for these rules referencing a time period
certain charts or abilities and a few sheets of scrap paper where the Avatar is missing in action. Their lacking premise
might be helpful.
lends plausibility to a party filled with characters who could, in
Character generation uses a point-buy system, meaning time, substantially change the living world created by the GM.
each player has a budget of experience points (XP) he can Like all rules, this can be broken. You can read more about
invest in different aspects of his character. Characters begin including an Avatar PC or NPC mechanically and narratively
with a modest experience point budget—but there are a in Chapter IX: Game Master.
variety of ways a player may begin the game with additional
XP; these are discussed later. The Players
At the earliest stages of character creation, you, your fellow
Selecting a character’s archetype and class determines the players, and your game Master should have a detailed
character’s starting Characteristics and skills. After those discussion about the types of characters to create. If your GM
initial choices, players invest their experience points to has a specific campaign framework in mind, it could require
improve starting Characteristics, acquire training in key skills, the presence of specific types of skills or even focus on a
choose starting equipment, learn special talents, and even limited subset of species or archetypes.
unlock additional specializations.
Players should feel free to make requests concerning what
Character Concept they would like to do and see in the campaign, as well as ask
questions about what to expect. After all, no one enjoys
Before the first mark from a pencil is made on any paper,
making a PC whose skills and talents do not fit in the current
players should put some thought into what sort of character
campaign.
they want to play. Perhaps the character is an old hermit,
someone who was once a powerful bender who fought in a The GM should encourage players to discuss what kind of
civil war following the aftermath of the Hundred Year War, but characters might be the most useful during a campaign.
has retired to the country. Maybe they’re a taciturn Ideally, a group of PCs should include a mix of characters to
archaeologist driven to see and study everything in the world; ensure they’ll survive whatever the GM comes up with,
an aspiring diplomat eager to represent (or manipulate) an keeping the campaign style in mind. Most campaigns are well-
entire nation on the United Republic Council. The character served by an effective mix of different concepts, since most
may even be a young laborer growing up in their small village, players choose to play something at least moderately different
unsuspecting of his newfound airbending abilities. Any from everyone else, if for no other reason than to look and feel
concept from the Avatar universe is possible; however, as a unique as a character in the story.
general rule (which, like all rules, may be broken), no Player
Character should ever be the Avatar. It should be noted that no character is ever a “wrong” choice,
regardless of the campaign. The GM should never discourage
a player from any character concept and should integrate all
The Second Age v1.4 | Character Creation | 15
the concepts into the campaign at hand. In fact, some GMs start out, making starting characters more interesting to
relish the challenge of taking a random and diverse group and roleplay.
throwing them into adventures together. Perhaps the group
does not start out as a team, initially. Roleplaying games work More on this step can be found on page 24.
best when everyone is willing to work in a collaborative
fashion. Constructive criticism as well as meaningful Step 4: Determine Honor and Motivations
compromises during creation can lead to a more fulfilling When creating a character in The Second Age, the player
gameplay experience. may choose to assume some vow of Honor. Honor can
inform other decisions a player makes during character
creation, such as the type of character she wants to play, what
Generation Steps sort of overall group the players collectively want, and the
To create a character, each player follows these steps. The sorts of skills, gear, and abilities they may wish to start with.
steps are briefly explained below and then broken down into In this way, Honor is a mechanic which can help the player
more detail throughout the course of this chapter. roleplay, especially if they are new to the concept.
Step 1: Determine Background In addition to Honor, every player should begin with a starting
Every character starts as an idea. Does a player want to play Motivation for his character. A character’s Motivation is his
a dashing ranger or a swashbuckling pirate? A brawny primary call to act and experience adventures. For Benders,
earthbender? Perhaps the player wants to play a noble or the promise of greater ability is often compelling enough.
aspiring member of the Metalbending Police Force. Before
Motivations should derive directly from the background the
starting, the player should consider the character he wants to
player has crafted for his PC. In fact, though it is possible to
build and what he wants his character’s background to be.
roll randomly on the charts in the Motivation section, players
Where did he come from, and what happened to make him
should seriously consider the specific relationship between
into the person he is today? No one springs into being fully
their background, their Honor, and their Motivation. They
formed. Individuals are influenced by a lifetime of decisions
might find it more internally consistent to select (or invent new)
and circumstances, starting from birth.
Motivations that best fit the story they’ve already begun to tell.
This step has no mechanical purpose, and largely exists to
A character’s Motivation has four aspects: Desire, Fear,
provide plenty of plot hooks for the Game Master to use, so
Strength, and Flaw. Each of these Motivations has a list of
that each character can be woven into a living tapestry.
specific manifestations. Of course, you can always make up a
unique Motivation for your character; the list provided is
Step 2: Select a Character Archetype merely a guide.
Your choice among character archetypes reinforces your
character’s background, and establishes your character’s Motivations provide additional story elements for both the
base Characteristics as well as your secondary attributes, player and GM to draw from. Characters should gain
such as wound and strain thresholds. additional XP bonuses if the GM determines that a player kept
true to his character’s Motivation throughout the course of the
A character’s archetype determines her starting Characteristic
adventure. This is an incentive for the player to choose a
ratings for Body, Agility, Intellect, Guile, Charisma, and Chi. It
Motivation that will be comfortable to roleplay on a regular
also provides default wound threshold and strain threshold basis. Motivations are also very important to social
values as well as innate abilities, bonuses, and starting XP. encounters.
At this step in the process, players may select any two skills
to designate as class skills. Players should also designated Step 5: Invest Experience Points
whether their character is one who can bend the elements by The archetype a player selects for his character also
picking one, and only one, of the four elements (Earth, Fire, establishes an initial pool of experience points (XP). These
Air, or Water) to control. points can be can be spent to improve certain aspects of the
character: to increase Characteristics, purchase additional
Once selected, an archetype cannot be changed during ranks in skills, acquire talents, learn new specializations, or to
gameplay. acquire and upgrade Forms.
Step 3: Choose a Class & Specialization Players may spend their points in any combination of these
Choosing a class sets the character along a certain path or areas, meaning that two PCs with the same archetype, class,
way of life, establishing the central focus of a character's and specialization may end up very different from one
training, education, and professional experience—but it is by another. During gameplay, characters will earn additional XP
no means limiting (with exceptions). A class is a broad based on their achievements and successes, with bonuses for
template of related skills and abilities. Within each class are roleplaying. Those points can be spent to purchase new skill
several specializations representing the unique ways in which ranks, specializations, and talents.
these classes are utilized. Any player character can unlock
other classes, holding multiple simultaneously. Step 6: Determine Derived Attributes
This step should be taken only after the player completes the
Classes don’t rigidly define what your character does, previous steps, since Characteristics can be changed during
however. They simply make it easier to advance into some creation. Several attributes can only be determined after a
skills and talents, and harder to advance into others. They player fully establishes a character’s starting Characteristics
also help provide narrative depth to characters when they
16 | Character Creation | The Second Age v1.6

and talents. The derived attributes are wound threshold, strain these aspects could relate in some way to the character’s
threshold, defense, and soak value. Honor, Motivation, and Background, and other key choices
the player makes for the PC.
Step 7: Choose Gear & Description
As for starting gear, a PC begins with 500 copper pieces
Once all other characteristics are determined, the player can
which can be used to purchase equipment.
then flesh out the rest of his character, such as height, weight,
build, appearance, and other cosmetic details. Naturally,
Step 1: Determine Background

As the players begin sketching out their character’s characters who belong to this diaspora of benders. In this way,
background, they should consider the general status level of players should not feel as though all benders must be
the character’s previous life. Did they come from squalor and shoehorned into a background reflecting their respective
poverty? Did they live comfortably? Was the character nation. See Chapter X: The Avatar Universe for more
destined for a greater position? Even something as simple as information about the world and its fantastic locations,
“my character was a formerly rich heir to a noble family” peoples, and culture.
provides a wealth of ideas upon which to build up her
backstory and help determine both her starting Honor and Background Questions
Motivation. Where does your character come from? What are your
Backgrounds are thematic facets of a character that help character’s roots, and what does your character think about
define her as more than a set of numbers. Players do not need the place they grew up?
to strictly adhere to the backgrounds listed here, but they Who is their family? Did your character grow up with a lot of
should at least choose which culture birthed the character. siblings, or were they an only child? If their parents weren’t
What follows are broad descriptions of social backgrounds around, who raised them? Are they on good terms with
within each of the five nations in the world of Avatar to help family?
provide the players with ideas about where their characters
came from and what they left behind when they began their What is your character’s social standing? Is your character a
lives of adventure. respected member of their community and culture? Or are
they simply one of the unremarkable masses? Or maybe
Although a background has no mechanical effects on a they’re an outcast, shunned by the members of “decent”
character, they are incredibly useful to informing GM and society? What did your character do before they became an
player decisions. Their purpose as narrative devices and plot adventurer?
hooks cannot be understated.
How old is your character? Are they young and brash, or old
Creating a Unique Background and wise? (Or maybe old and brash, or young and wise.) If
Although players can choose between the five different they’re middle-aged or older, how have they changed as
sovereign realms represented in the world of Avatar, players they’ve aged?
should not feel obligated to select the nation that corresponds
What does your character think about the world? Your answer
to their abilities—particularly players who choose the Bender
could be very general (a cynical attitude toward everyone they
class. A waterbender need not necessarily hail from either of
meet), or specific to the setting (they hated the unjust rule of
the Water Tribes.
the Earth Queen). You could even ask and answer this
The setting of Avatar: The Second Age was chosen to reflect question multiple times, picking a different aspect of the
its diverse inhabitants in a world full of possibility. That is why setting each time.
the setting occurs during the events of Avatar: The Legend of
Why did your character leave home? Likely, your character is
Korra. In this time frame, with the advent of worldwide
now an adventurer and has left part or all of their old life
industrialization, global travel, and the creation of the United
behind them. Why? What happened?
Republic of Nations, it is not only believable that a firebender
is born in the Earth Kingdom, but factual. Mako is one of many
Step 2: Select an Archetype

Whereas a character’s background is indicative of where a as well as fascinating story hooks necessary for roleplaying
character comes from, their archetype is a backstory that and storytelling.
indicates who a character is regardless of their class or
specialization. Your choice among archetypes establishes your character’s
base Characteristics as well as your secondary attributes. It
A Player Character’s archetype is a mechanically sets the baseline for your character and provides you with a
representation of their lived experiences prior to the events of budget of experience points that can be spent to improve your
the first game session and gives the GM a little insight into the Characteristics, rank up skills and talents, or hone your
history of a PC. The archetype serves a mechanical and a character’s bending talents. Additionally, when an archetype
narrative function. It provides each Player Character with is chosen, the player designates any two skills they want
unique abilities, attributes, or skills independent of their class as class skills. These skills represent the background

knowledge and experience a characters attains irrespective of 2 2 2 1 3 2
their profession, occupation, or role in life.
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
These additional two skills are supplemental to skills gained
through the selection of a class and specialization in Step 3.
A player may not choose two skills from the same group (i.e.  Starting Experience: 105 XP
they cannot choose two combat skills, two knowledge skills,  Strain Threshold: 11 + Chi
or two general skills).  Wound Threshold: 10 + Body
 Special Abilities: The Outcast begins the game with
Keep in mind, this choice is permanent. Your character is not one rank in the Instinct skill. They may still not train
going to be able to adopt a new archetype in the middle of a Instinct above rank 2 during character creation.
game; you’d just build a new character at that point.
Archetype Layout
Raised by the Sea
Characters raised by the sea often live and die on open
An archetype can be broken into several different parts to
waters. They are hardy individuals, capable of weathering
make it easier to understand. The first part consists of the
hazardous conditions and hardened by the ever-changing
description, and starting Characteristics for your character. It’s
currents of life at sea. Often, these characters have a strong
important to note that these are starting Characteristics, which
background in seamanship, as evident by their skill in sailing
means you can improve them later on in Step 5.
and reading the stars to navigate themselves back home.
The second part consists of derived attributes. The two that
are specifically determined by archetype are your character’s 3 2 2 2 2 1
wound and strain thresholds, and their starting experience. BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
The third is a list of any special abilities, talents, or free skills

ranks your character begins the game with. It is important to  Starting Experience: 110 XP
note that the ranks conferred by an archetype do not  Strain Threshold: 8 + Chi
necessarily making those skills class skills for the character.  Wound Threshold: 12 + Body
Remember, even though an archetype lists starting  Special Abilities: Characters Raised by the Sea
Characteristics, a player can still work with their GM to use or begin the game with one rank in Sailing. They may
create their own archetype. An average character starts with still not train Sailing above rank 2 during character
2 in all Characteristics. Specialized archetypes may raise one creation.
Characteristic to a 3, lower one to a 1, and all others are 2.  By the Stars: Characters Raised by the Sea may
Players should feel free to follow this structure to personalize add one a to all Navigation and Sailing checks they
their own characters. make.
Archetypes The Intellectual

For some, knowledge is fulfillment. Intellectual characters
Wrong Place, Wrong Time have a background in some sort of academic pursuit. This
Sometimes, a character just happens to be in the wrong place, pursuit could be science, medicine, teaching, or even the
at the wrong time. Characters who take this Origin are bending arts. Characters who focus on using their brains
broadcasting to other players and the GM that their character should choose this if they have an educated background.
is just going along for the ride. The GM can use this Player
2 1 3 2 2 2
Character for a variety of narrative purposes and hook them
into nearly any plot points for the starting adventure. BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
Characters in the wrong place at the wrong time get a boost
to their number of starting experience points, but nothing else.
 Starting Experience: 110 XP
2 2 2 2 2 2  Strain Threshold: 12 + Chi
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI  Wound Threshold: 8 + Body
 Special Abilities: An intellectual begins with one
rank in a Knowledge skill of their choosing during
 Starting Experience: 125 XP character creation. They obtain this rank before
 Strain Threshold: 10 + Chi spending experience points, and may not increase
 Wound Threshold: 10 + Body the skill above rank 2 during character creation.
The Outcast Lap of Luxury

Some characters just don’t quite fit in with the crowd. They Not all characters come from a background rife with lived
may have been ostracized from their village; perhaps due to experiences full of trials and tribulations. Some are born with
some substantial past grievances. For whatever reason, this a silver spoon in their mouth and thus, have little experience
character has been cast out from society and thus has no true with the rest of the world. For one reason or another, they’ve
ties to any one community. Thus, outcasts are generally self- set out for adventure—prepared, of course, with a little extra
sustaining and rely heavily on what their gut tells them. coin in their pockets.

1 2 2 3 2 2 be quick-witted and know how to survive in the slums of any
city, weathering the stresses of an impoverished lifestyle.
1 2 2 2 3 2
 Starting Experience: 100 XP BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
 Strain Threshold: 9 + Chi
 Wound Threshold: 9 + Body
 Lap of Luxury: Characters born into a Lap of Luxury
begin the game with an additional 2500 copper
pieces and start the game with one rank of the Sound  Wound Threshold: 9 + Body
Investments talent.  Special Abilities: Down and Out characters begin
the game with one rank in Survival. They may still
not train Survival above rank 2 during character
Tradesperson creation.
Although some few are lucky enough to never work a day in
their life, the vast majority of people in the world belong to the
working class. These crafty individuals come from all walks of
The Aristocrat
life and represent a burgeoning, ever-growing class of The aristocracy is alive and kicking in the world of Avatar. This
individuals who not only produce goods and services, but buy archetype represents any character who has the gift of a silver
them as well. These individuals are used to the stresses of tongue. This could be a noble of some sort, a bureaucrat, a
day-to-day life. performance artist, or even a merchant. You should pick this
archetype if you want to create a character who fits one of
2 3 2 2 2 1 these molds.
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI 1 2 2 3 2 2
 Wound Threshold: 11 + Body  Starting Experience: 110 XP
 Special Abilities: A tradesperson begins the game  Strain Threshold: 10 + Chi
with one rank in Negotiation. They may still not train  Wound Threshold: 10 + Body
Negotiation above rank 2 during character creation.  Special Abilities: Aristocrats start the game with
 Craftsman: Tradespersons begin the game with one one rank in Negotiation during character creation.
rank of the Craftsman talent. They obtain this rank before spending experience
points, and may not increase Negotiation above rank
2 during character creation.
Disparate Colonist
After the end of the Hundred Year War, many Earth Kingdom
and Fire Nation citizens living in the former Fire Nation
Never Left Home
colonies were left to fend for themselves. Once the United Some characters have never left the village in which they’ve
Republic of Nations was created, those not living in Republic grown up. Their worldview is usually much smaller than that
City or its outskirts found themselves left by the wayside, often of other travelers and their understanding of world events is
fending for themselves in an increasingly globalized world. even smaller. When they do decide to venture out into the
Disparate colonists are great speakers, having to plead their world, characters who never left home are generally
case to generous benefactors who can aid them in lieu of their indistinguishable among the throng of busy citizens going
deaf governments. about their day.
2 1 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
 Starting Experience: 110 XP  Starting Experience: 115 XP

 Strain Threshold: 10 + Chi  Strain Threshold: 10 + Chi
 Wound Threshold: 10 + Body  Wound Threshold: 10 + Body
 Special Abilities: Disparate Colonists begin the  Special Abilities: Characters who Never Left Home
game with one rank in either Persuasion or begin the game with one rank in Discipline. They
Negotiation. They may still not train either above may still not train Discipline above rank 2 during
rank 2 during character creation. character creation.
 Indistinguishable: Characters who Never Left
Home start with one rank in the Indistinguishable
Down and Out talent.
Down on their luck and probably out of work, some characters
simply cannot catch a break. Life’s trials have proved to be
too much for them to handle at this point in their life and the
character is left to fend for herself. These characters tend to
not increase Athletics above rank 2 during character
Scars of War creation.
Not everyone has lived a peaceful existence in the world of
Avatar. Many communities and individuals still carry with them
the traumatic memories associated with conflict and the
Scoundrel
aggression of one authoritarian rule over another. Though Ruffians and thugs, a scoundrel is a lowlife character, often
they hold on to these heavy emotions, these characters are with a criminal background. Scoundrels know how to survive,
resilient in the face of any would-be troubles. Often, perhaps and often how to fight. A player should choose the scoundrel
despite their wishes, these characters are familiar with the art archetype if their character is someone with a shady history.
of war.
2 2 2 2 3 1
3 2 2 1 2 2 BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI

 Starting Experience: 100 XP  Strain Threshold: 9 + Chi
 Strain Threshold: 11 + Chi  Wound Threshold: 12 + Body
 Wound Threshold: 10 + Body  Special Abilities: A scoundrel starts with one rank
 Special Abilities: Characters with Scars of War in Sleight-of-Hand during character creation. They
begin the game with one rank in Resilience. They obtain this rank before spending experience points,
may still not train Resilience above rank 2 during and may not increase Sleight-of-Hand above rank 2
character creation. during character creation.
 Scars of War: Characters with Scars of War may  Street Life: Down and Out characters may add one
add one to all Knowledge (Warfare) checks. to all Knowledge (Streetwise) checks.
Wandering Heart Spiritualist

For some, the spirit of adventure is an innate quality. Not all For some, a pursuit of spiritual knowledge is a lifelong journey.
characters feel rooted or as though they belong to any given Characters who seek enlightenment can often focus their
place or time; instead, they wander the countryside, hike up inner chi and spend hours a day meditating. Their sharp
mountains, and explore relatively unknown territories. Those instinct gives them a natural edge in day-to-day survival.
with a wandering heart find themselves at the crossroads of
destiny and see every new opportunity as an adventure in 2 1 2 2 2 3
waiting. BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
1 2 2 2 2 3
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI  Starting Experience: 100 XP
 Starting Experience: 110 XP  Special Abilities: A spiritualist starts with one rank
 Strain Threshold: 10 + Chi in Meditation during character creation. They obtain
 Wound Threshold: 10 + Body this rank before spending experience points, and
 Wandering Heart: Characters with a Wandering may not increase Meditation above rank 2 during
Heart begin the game with on rank of the character creation.
Outdoorsman talent.
Bending Archetypes
The Laborer For players who are intent on creating characters who can
The laborer is a character who has a background in some bend the elements, let your GM know of your intention before
form of manual labor, and who is generally strong and tough. the game begins. It will likely be better to play as a bender
Laborers can be handy in a fight, especially melee combat. from the outset than to gain access at a later point in the
For these characters, every day is a test in resilience and adventure. When you’re creating a new character who can
hardship. bend the elements, consider the adventure you’ll be playing
and the way this fits into the world. How well do they know
3 2 1 2 2 2 their talents? Are they an earthbending architect who
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI understands their philosophy well enough to construct rigid
and sturdy structures; or are they just a simple craftsmen who
supplements their blacksmithing with firebending?
Unless you’re playing a specific type of character—say, an
airbender from a normal background who just acquired the
 Wound Threshold: 12 + Body ability through Harmonic Convergence—you may consider
 Special Abilities: A laborer starts with one rank in using your other free choice to select the Bending skill as well;
Athletics during character creation. They obtain this hence the Bender Archetypes which are built around several
rank before spending experience points, and may

different bending philosophies or lifestyles that we see in  Strain Threshold: 10 + Chi
Avatar.  Wound Threshold: 10 + Body
 Team Player: Professional benders add to their
A bender PC is any character with at least one rank in
offensive bending skill checks if the attack
Bending Arts. If your character does not have at least one
immediately follows an ally’s successful attack.
rank in this skill, they cannot use any bending Forms.
The Prodigy Bending Pupil

Some individuals master the bending arts as students,
It isn’t every day a prodigy is born whose manipulation over
becoming apprentices or through some other form of
their element is a gift from birth. Many benders go their entire
education from an instructor. What these characters lack in
lives without every fully tapping into their own potential—not
application they compensate for with thorough understanding
the prodigy. This character has been mastering their form
and manipulation of their element.
since before they could walk and is leagues beyond their
peers. 1 1 3 2 2 3
 Adept: Choose a Manipulation upgrade for forms of
your element. You acquire that upgrade before the
 Prodigy: The prodigy automatically generates a on
start of the game for free. Add to skill checks
any bending-related skill checks.
where you apply that upgrade.
Primal Instinct Bending Artisan

They may not have the best foresight, but the style of some
For some, the ability to bend the elements is just another fact
benders is informed by the gut, not the mind. Characters who
of life. These individuals harness their abilities to perform
follow their instinct tend to ‘have a feel’ for bending their
everyday tasks. Some even exploit their talents to make a
element, even if they don’t always understand their
living, turning the mundane into extraordinary through
methodology.
performance, craftsmanship, or other means.
3 2 1 2 2 2
2 1 3 2 2 2

 Gut Feeling: The character begins the game with
 Artisan: The character begins the game with one
one rank in Bending during character creation. They
rank in Bending Arts during character creation. They
obtain this rank before spending experience points,
obtain this rank before spending experience points,
and may not increase Bending above rank 2 during
and may not increase Bending Arts above rank 2
creation.
during creation.
Pro-Bender Inner Strength

Pro-benders spend months training their body extensively,
Certain eager benders are predisposed to very potent uses of
putting it through rigorous trials of physical endurance. The
their ability. Despite lacking a full grasp of their potential, some
athletes excel when they're a part of a cohesive team; training
characters have a vast pool of inner strength from which they
sessions are usually held together. While they've got a knack
draw to greatly enhance their form.
for dishing out or soaking a few blows, their true potential is
achieved when they’re in synchronicity with their teammates.
2 2 1 2 2 3
The lure of the arena attracts people from all walks of life, but BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
some pro-benders might be former triad or military while
others desire to attain peak performance. Still, some
characters might simply seek the fame and recognition.  Starting Experience: 100 XP
3 2 2 2 2 1  Wound Threshold: 10 + Body
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI  Warrior Within: Choose a Power upgrade for forms
of your element. You acquire that upgrade before the
start of the game for free. Add to skill checks
 Starting Experience: 110 XP where you apply that upgrade.
Disciplined
Some benders spend their entire lives perfecting their
technique and form. Perhaps a bit too straight-laced,
disciplined characters benefit from rigid structure, increasing
their threshold for the stresses of life. Those with such a stern The Resigned
demeanor often come off as crass or unapproachable; they Born with an ability they neither asked for nor desire, the
are usually not socialites. resigned bender sees their ability as less of a gift and more of
a burden. Although these abilities come easy, they take a toll
2 2 2 1 2 3 on their mind. These characters generally avoid using their
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI abilities whenever possible, and do their best not to draw
attention to themselves, or their gifts.
 Starting Experience: 100 XP 2 2 2 1 3 2

 Strain Threshold: 12 + Chi BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
 Regimented: A disciplined bender starts with one
free Mastery upgrade for their Blast form. They may  Starting Experience: 100 XP
not upgrade their form beyond their limit.  Strain Threshold: 11 + Chi
Self-Taught  Reluctant: The character may suffer 1 less strain to
perform their bending technique; if so, they must add
Not everyone can afford or experience the opportunity to learn
to their skill check.
how to harness their abilities through a wise master. Some
benders discover their gifts entirely on their own, and see
them simply as a means to an end.
2 2 2 2 2 2

Step 3: Choose a Class & Specialization
At this stage, the player chooses his character’s class (which
remains with the Player Character permanently) and his
What is a Class?
starting specialization (which may be only one of many the Classes serve two functions. The choices made here
character takes on over the course of his story). Both the class determine which skills are class skills; this means those skills
and specialization are critical choices made by the player to are cheaper to train with XP. Secondly, class and
establish a character’s history and potential future. specialization choice determine which talents are cheaper to
purchase, and which their character will have access when
It is a good idea for each player to look over all the options they begin the game.
before deciding. The idea is not only to look at the immediate
capabilities of a character, but to look forward to that What’s the Difference?
character’s growth potential. If a player imagines his PC will The most important difference between a class and
one day sail a small frigate into certain doom in a desperate specialization is the obvious one—specializations represent
battle against dark spirits, it’s a very good idea to make sure areas of expertise for an individual following a certain path.
good sailing options are considered for the character’s For purposes of storytelling and roleplaying, however, it is
development path. important to more deeply consider the two distinctions of
Each class has five associated class skills. These skills these two character elements.
should be marked on the character sheet to indicate they are What a player chooses as a class for her character defines
class skills. During this step of character creation, the player that character’s way of life. A class is more than just what a
may choose three of the five starting class skills and gain one character does for a living—it is her goals, passions, training,
rank in each of the selected skills for free (he does not spend and destiny. Areas of focus may shift over time, the means to
XP). He may not choose the same class skill more than once. get there can alter, but a character remains who they are at
During play, class skills are less expensive to train and their core. In other words, no matter how much he gets caught
improve than non-class skills. up in politics, Sokka will always be the meat and sarcasm guy.
A class also lists five associated class talents. These talents Specializations, on the other hand, represent a character’s
are not provided for free, but are cheaper to acquire for area of interest, education, and expertise. Whereas a class
characters who acquire that class. expresses the nature of a character, a specialization defines
what they do. For example, a marine-dwelling fisherman is a
Available skills will vary wildly depending on whether a player
Sailor, but may not necessarily be a Captain. However, both
chooses to play a bender or nonbender character. While they
have access to a wide variety of abilities, nonbenders cannot still have a firm understanding of life on the water.
acquire bending abilities (known as Forms) after
character creation. Of course, there are exceptions to every Choosing a Class
rule, but these exceptions are subject to GM approval; a Just looking at the mechanical advantages of each class can
nonbender character might become a bender during the provide a good basis for character creation, yet it won’t
campaign if, for example, that character’s story development provide as rich and rewarding an experience as possible. To
hinges on their bending abilities being latent until some get the most out of a selection, the player should seriously
unforeseen circumstances. consider the following key questions.
Each class has several specializations within its broader Which Role?
definition. Specializations are more focused and provide When gathering at the table to start a new adventure or
easier access to certain skills and talents. Each character campaign, one of the first questions that each person must
gains access to one specialization without spending answer for herself is, “which role will my character fill?”
experience at character creation. That specialization must be Diversity encourages creativity and excitement, and it could
one in his chosen class. be a fairly limited campaign if everyone at the table chooses
Each specialization also includes five additional class skills. to be Warriors or Assassins.
These five skills should be marked on the character sheet as Certainly, it is possible to make stories work around such a
class skills if they are not already marked. During this step of premise, but the diversity of classes reflects the essence of a
character creation, the player may choose three of the five ‘ragtag’ group gathered under difficult circumstances and
additional class skills and gain one rank in each (without doing the best they can to not only survive, but thrive. Through
spending experience). He may not choose the same skill more a complex set of both complementary and divergent skills and
than once unless he chooses a skill that was also trained talents, a group of PCs operating in the fringes can expect a
during the class selection step, allowing the character to start much greater chance of success, as well as a much wider
with a skill trained to level two. Skills may not be trained array of stories and plots to experience.
above rank two during character creation.
A player’s two foundational choices are their background and
If the character chooses more than one specialization at their class. In selecting a class, there are some questions and
creation, he may select one and only one specialization from answers that may help in the evaluation process:
which to choose his three free ranks in three class skills.
 Should this character be a strong combatant?

 Should this character be able to handle a ship or Specializations confer a discount on certain talents, which are
vehicle? described in each of the following upcoming sections.
 Should this character be the “face” of the group?
When a specialization is first acquired, the character will
 Should this character be the knowledge guy?
gain access to two Talents related to the skills and abilities
 Should this character be the sneaky one?
pertinent to that specialization. Each specialization will
 Should they be the dedicated support character?
describe which Talents these are.
These are also good questions to consider in choosing a
In addition, when the character would purchase talents, they
specialization, but the class choice determines which
receive a small discount on the talents most suited for their
specializations a character has best access to. Thus, having
specialization and class. This discount is 5 XP, to a minimum
answers worked out at this point makes the entire process
of 5 XP. If a talent has improved Expert and Master versions,
much easier and more effective.
it will be listed with a “+” in its name.
What’s the Story? How Did the Character Become Good at This?
The kind of story a player wants to tell goes together with his
Starting with the PC’s background, the player should put
character’s role. This includes everything that came before—
thought into the part of the story that covers what the PC has
his backstory—and all that may develop during the game (and
done up to now. As a member of a specific nation, with a
perhaps beyond). While a player cannot predict all that could
specific class, the Player Character has made her way
happen in an RPG campaign, he should still have a sense of
through the world and into the foray of events immediately
the kind of story he wants to tell with his Player Character. His
preceding the first adventure.
background sets the stage for this tale, but all that follows is
also part of the greater tapestry which is his PC’s personal What did she do for a living beforehand? How did she learn
saga. her craft or trade? Who did she work for, or with? Did she go
to school to learn these skills, or did she grow up learning as
The iconic characters from Avatar rarely ended as they began.
she went? What is she known for being good at, and does she
Sokka, the meat and sarcasm guy, turns into a master
have a reputation built around it? How was she brought to this
tactician and swordsman by the end of Book 3. Avatar Aang
place?
goes from a child who shirks his responsibility to a fully-
realized Avatar. Even the sinister Zuko has a beginning and Making the effort to evaluate the backstory and other
an end. Every character has a story to tell that involves growth decisions for character creation should make the final
and change into (hopefully) better versions of himself. Often, decision for a starting specialization much easier. The choice
the starting point for a character’s story can set the tone for is ultimately more satisfying, as well, and carries less chance
the rest of a long life. of later regret.
Players interested in beginning the game as benders may
want to consider the Bender class. Although there are no
What Tasks Will the Character Be Called Upon to
mechanical requirements to be a bender, this class confers Perform?
many benefits to those who wish to specialize in the bending When the PC is called upon by her allies or others to go on a
arts. mission, what will her specific tasks be? Why would she be
entrusted with these responsibilities? What does the PC do
Read more about the Bender class in Chapter III: The daily? Is she fixing broken things, patrolling perimeters,
Bending Arts. seeking supplies, or something else entirely?
Choosing a Specialization When she gets up in the morning, what does she do during
This is another situation where answering two questions the day? How does she get paid and who pays her? If she’s
greatly aids the player in planning a character. Once again, not currently earning anything, what does she need to do to
looking at the PC’s background is important, as well as find work?
evaluating the class choice process.

Bender
A Bender’s five class skills are Bending, Bending Arts,
Athletics, Meditation, and Knowledge (Spirit World). At Artisan
character creation, a bender automatically gains one rank in Benders who specialize in manipulating their element for fine
any three of these skills without spending experience points. crafts or fanciful display have the following skills marked as
class skills: Bending Arts, Knowledge (Culture), Empathy,
When a character takes on the role of a bender, they receive Engineering, and Meditation. The player chooses three of
a discount on the following talents: Deflect, Disorient, the skills in which to gain a free rank.
Elemental Strike, Grit, and Rapid Recovery.
Choosing the artisan specialization grants you a free rank in
A Bender’s Role the following Tier 1 talents: Meticulous Form and Utility Pouch.
In the world of Avatar exists the innate ability to bend the Artisans also receive a discount on the following talents when
elements to one’s will. Bending is a form of elemental they are purchased with XP:
spiritualism, and it allows some of the world’s inhabitants to
manipulate some aspect of the material world around them. Tier Talent
There are four elemental bending arts: water, earth, fire, and 1 Adverse Bending
air. Each is manipulated through skillful martial arts styles 1 Craftsman
which are reflective of the element’s nature. Though some 2 Controlled Bending
people seem to be born with an innate knack for bending, true 2 Inventor
skill requires intensive study, dedication, and refinement. 3 Well Rounded
3 Elemental Flair
Each Bending Form is largely channeled through patterned 4 Reflexive Bending
movements and stances which give shape and focus to the 4 Tinkerer
chi that allows one to bend. A bender is at their most 5 Way of the Elements
vulnerable when they are restrained, unfocused, or otherwise
distracted. However, certain benders who have unlocked
certain secrets of the bending arts have been known to
achieve astounding feats, even for a bender. Guru Laghima Spiritualist
and Zaheer are the only two airbenders known to achieve true The bending specialist marks the following five skills as class
flight; several waterbenders have been known to bloodbend skills: Decipher, Instinct, Medicine, Meditation, and
outside of a full moon; mighty earthbenders may control Knowledge (Spirit World). A free rank is gained in any three
molten earth; and combustion is an art known only to select of these skills.
few firebenders.
When you choose this specialization, your spiritualist
A bender’s versatility is reflected in the Bending Forms they automatically gains a rank in the following Tier 1 talents:
spend time learning, practicing, and refining. Though all Signature Form and Rapid Reaction.
benders of a respective element are generally familiar with the
same forms and techniques, the application of these abilities Additionally, the spiritualist gets a discount when learning the
vary wildly depending on the person’s background. following talents:
Tier Talent
Warrior 1 Attunement
A bending warrior’s five specialization skills are Athletics, 1 Physician
Bending, Instinct, Martial Arts, and Resilience. A player 2 Bending Specialist
gains a free rank in any pick of these skills. 2 Inventor
3 Call of the Spirit Wilds
Picking this specialization unlocks a free rank in the following 3 Superior Healing
Tier 1 talents: Elemental Strike and Martial Artist. 4 Secret Technique
4 True Understanding
Warriors gain a discount when purchasing the following
5 Unity of Spirit
talents:
Tier Talent
1 Meticulous Form
1 Second Wind
2 Powerful Bending
2 Attack of Opportunity
3 Battle Meditation
3 Combat Bending
4 Enduring Form
4 Determination
5 Warrior of the Elements

Martial Artist
The Martial Artist’s five class skills are Athletics, Discipline, Intimidation; when this is a PC’s first specialization, the
Meditation, Instinct, and Martial Arts. A Martial Artist player may choose three of these skills in which to gain a free
automatically gains one rank in three of these skills (of her rank.
choosing) without spending experience. She receives a
discount when she spends experience to purchase ranks in As the name implies, Pugilists excel at hand-to-hand combat
any of these skills. and are generally resilient and tough enough to counter and
match any technique.
Additionally, all martial artists receive a discount when they
spend XP to acquire the following talents: Balance, Picking this specialization unlocks a free rank in the following
Counterstrike, Knockdown, Grit, and Stunning Blow+. Tier 1 talents: Brawler and Improvised.
Unique to Martial Artists, aaa or a t can be activated to Fighters gain a discount when purchasing the following
trigger a second hit (for the same damage as the first hit); this talents:
is in lieu of increasing the difficulty outlined in Fighting with
Tier Talent
Two Weapons.
1 Brace
1 Toughened
A Martial Artist’s Role 2 Fisticuffs
Even benders must learn basic Martial Arts techniques, and 2 Headstrong
many who learn those techniques are not, in fact, benders at 3 Iron Body
all. These characters will still be able to go toe-to-toe against 3 Unarmed Specialist
even the most formidable bender. 4 Enduring
4 ‘Tis But a Flesh Wound
Chi Blocker 5 Focus
Chi blockers also start with the following class skills:
Acrobatics, Instinct, Sleight-of-Hand, Martial Arts, and
Stealth; when this is a PC’s first specialization, the player may Monk
choose three of these skills in which to gain a free rank. Monks have the additional starting skills of Medicine,
Discipline, Perception, Resilience, and Meditation; when
This specialization has talents which are focused on
this is a PC’s first specialization, the player may choose three
neutralizing benders by using their own Chi against them.
of these skills in which to gain a free rank.
Their signature skill, Chi Disruption, enables them to shut off
a target’s bending for several rounds. While they are trained in Martial Arts, Monks are generally a
more peaceful specialization and are more attuned to the
Picking this specialization unlocks a free rank in the following
spiritual aspects of the Martial Arts. They have unique access
Tier 1 talents: Duelist and Rapid Reaction.
to a potent ability allowing them to perform Martial Arts combat
Additionally, the Chi Blocker receives a discount when checks with their Chi skill.
purchasing the following talents:
When you choose Monk as your specialization, your character
Tier Talent gains a free rank in the following Tier 1 talents: Martial Artist
1 Bounce Back and Bounce Back.
1 Deflect
Monks also gain a discount when they acquire the following
2 Chi Disruption
talents:
2 Attack of Opportunity
3 Dodge Tier Talent
3 Pressure Point 1 Improvised
4 Frenzied Attack 1 Parry
4 Precision Strike 2 Precision
5 Lightning Reflexes 2 Quick Strike
3 Battle Meditation
3 Chakras Aligned
Pugilist 4 Determination
4 Secret Technique
Pugilists have the additional starting skills of Resilience,
5 Spiritual Guru
Athletics, Discipline, One-Handed Weapons, and

Entrepreneur
The Entrepreneur’s five class skills are Persuasion, An entertainer gains a free rank in the following Tier 1 talents:
Empathy, Negotiation, Leadership, and Deception. An Pep Talk and Good Company.
Entrepreneur automatically gains one rank in three of these
skills (of his choosing) without spending experience. He In addition, an entertainer receives a discount when they learn
receives a discount when he spends experience to purchase the following talents:
ranks in any of these skills.
Tier Talent
Additionally, all entrepreneurs receive a discount when they 1 Convincing Demeanor
spend XP to acquire the following talents: Smooth Talker, 1 Good Company
Know Somebody, Kill with Kindness, Nobody’s Fool, Plausible 2 Distraction
Deniability. 2 Empathy
3 Encouraging Performance
An Entrepreneur’s Role 3 Vulgar Display
4 Incite the Crowd
This class is an amalgamation of specializations focused on
4 Let’s Talk About This
social skills; its specializations gain access to a variety of
5 Biggest Fan
abilities centered around Player Characters who prefer to talk
their way out of sticky situations.
Essentially the ‘Bard’ of Avatar, the Entertainer class has
Merchant access to several unique social abilities which all amplify the
The Merchant also starts with the following class skills: character’s ability to manipulate and influence crowds.
Discipline, Knowledge (Streetwise), Perception,
Negotiation, and Persuasion when this is a PC’s first Diplomat
specialization, the player may choose three of these skills in Diplomats have the additional starting class skills of
which to gain a free rank. Deception, Discipline, Perception, Leadership, and
Knowledge (History); when this is a PC’s first specialization,
Picking this specialization also confers two Tier 1 talents to
the player may choose three of these skills in which to gain a
your character: Sound Investments and Know Somebody.
free rank.
Additionally, merchants receive a discount when purchasing
Diplomats gain a free rank in the following Tier 1 talents:
the following talents:
Clever Retort and Bought Intel.
Tier Talent
A diplomat can also purchase the following talents at a
1 Sound Investments
discount:
1 Wheel and Deal
2 Confidence Tier Talent
2 Savvy Negotiator 1 Bribery
3 Intense Presence 1 Respected
3 Well Rounded 2 Inspiring Rhetoric
4 Fortune Favors the Bold 2 Scathing Tirade
4 In the Know 3 Informant
5 Master Merchant 3 Nobody’s Fool
4 Discredit
4 Doublespeak
This specialization, as the name implies, is all about making
5 Clever Solution
money. Most of its abilities are centered on getting the best
deals and earning the most coin with the least effort.
Where the Entertainer is concerned with crowd control, the
Entertainer Diplomat is best utilized in one-on-one conversations where a
Entertainers gain Deception, Sleight-of-Hand, Empathy, specific target needs to be persuaded.
Animal Handling, and Perform as additional class skills;
they get a free rank in three of these skills if this is their first
specialization.

Soldier
A Soldier’s five class skills are Athletics, One-Handed Selecting the guard specialization confers a free rank in the
Weapons, Survival, Discipline, and Resilience. A Soldier following Tier 1 talents: Armor Master and Durable
automatically gains a rank in three of these skills without
spending experience, and she gains a discount on increasing Additionally, guards receive a discount when spending XP on
them with future experience points. the following talents:
When a character becomes a solider, they automatically Tier Talent

receive a discount when they spend XP to learn the following 1 Deflect
talents: Durable, Parry+, Physical Training, Toughened, and 1 Grit
Weapon Specialist. 2 Defensive Training
2 Headstrong
A Soldier’s Role 3 Bodyguard
3 Resolve
This class is focused on melee combat and each of its
4 Adrenaline Rush
specializations reflects a different facet of combat
4 Heroic Fortitude
engagements from offensive to defensive combat as well as
5 Indomitable
overall tactics.
Fighter The Guard, unlike the Fighter, is much more specialized in

Fighters gain Athletics, Instinct, Intimidation, Two-Handed that this specialization has several unique, defensive talents
Weapons, and One-Handed Weapons as additional class and abilities geared at staying alive during combat and
skills, and may receive a free rank in three of them if this is keeping teammates alive as well. Guards are often
the first specialization selected by the PC. accompanied by a mount, draft animal, or other beast of
burden.
When you choose the warrior specialization, you
automatically gain a free rank in two Tier 1 talents: Weapon Commander
Specialist and Duelist.
Commanders gain Resilience, Perception, Discipline,
Fighters also gain a discount when they spend XP to purchase Leadership, and Knowledge (Warfare) as additional class
the following talents: skills. If this is a PC’s first specialization, three of these five
skills begin with a free rank each.
Tier Talent
1 Second Wind Commanders gain a free rank in two of the following Tier 1
1 Weapon Specialist talents: Rapid Reaction and Veteran.
2 Fearsome
In addition, a commander will receive a discount when they
2 Weapon Master
spend XP on the following talents:
3 Imposing
3 Lethal Blows Tier Talent
4 Favored Weapon 1 Rapid Reaction
4 Frenzied Attack 1 Respected
5 Crushing Blow 2 Command
2 Coordinated Assault
3 Field Commander
The Fighter is meant for players who are looking for a
3 Rally!
Barbarian analogue. This class is as close to brute force as it
4 Back-to-Back
gets.
4 Brothers in Arms
5 Show of Might
Guard
For Guards, Resilience, Animal Handling, Medicine,
Ranged (Heavy), and Athletics are all added as class skills. The Commander class is a leadership role and has access to
So long as this is the first specialization for the PC, she gains many abilities that support and assist allies in combat by
a free rank in three of these skills. providing buffs for coordination and strategic maneuvering.

Scholar
A Scholar’s five class skills are Discipline, Perception, When you select the astrologer specialization, you
Medicine, Knowledge (History), and Decipher. A Scholar immediately gain the following Tier 1 talents: Apothecary and
automatically gains a rank in three of these skills without Survivalist.
spending experience, and he gains a discount on increasing
them with future experience points. In addition, the physician receives a discount when they learn
the following talents:
All scholar characters also receive a discount when they
spend experience to acquire the following talents: Tier Talent
Determination, Knowledge Specialization, Researcher, 1 Physician
Respected, and Well Rounded. 1 Surgeon
2 Emergency Medicine
A Scholar’s Role 2 Restoration
3 Resolve
Players won’t get very far in exploring and unlocking the
3 Superior Healing
secrets of the Avatar universe without characters who know
4 Mental Fortress
stuff. Scholars know lots and lots of stuff and can use this
4 Painkillers
information to aid allies in and out of combat.
5 Is Anyone a Doctor?
Archaeologist
Archaeologists gain five additional class skills—Perception, Astrologers can use the stars to navigate their party and tend
Decipher, Resilience, Knowledge (Spirit World), and to have a better understanding of the Spirit World than most.
Knowledge (Geography). They gain a free rank in three of
these (if this is the first specialization chosen). Tinkerer
The additional class skills for Tinkerers are Engineering,
Picking this specialization also confers two Tier 1 talents to
Sleight-of-Hand, Perception, Discipline, and Knowledge
your character: Cartographer and Relic Hunter.
(Culture). If this is the first specialization, the PC gains a free
Additionally, archaeologists receive a discount when rank in three of these skills.
purchasing the following talents:
The tinkerer specialization gains two free ranks in the
Tier Talent following Tier 1 talents: Salvager and Utility Pouch.
1 Cryptographer
Tinkerers can purchase the following talents at a discount:
1 Outdoorsman
2 Codebreaker Tier Talent
2 Identify 1 Craftsman
3 Informant 1 Solid Repairs
3 Museum Curator 2 Hot Fix
4 Fortune Favors the Bold 2 Inventor
4 Seen a Lot of Things 3 Contraption
5 Professor 3 Known Blueprint
4 Jury Rigged
4 Tinkerer
Although all Scholar specializations are good at Knowledge
5 Stroke of Genius
skills, Archaeologists know just a little bit more than the rest;
they’re also very good at deciphering ancient secrets and
mysteries. Tinkerers generally know less than their Scholar counterparts,
but they make up for that lack of Knowledge with the ability to
Physician craft and engineer new items and gear.
For the Astrologer, Meditation, Medicine, Discipline,
Survival and Knowledge (Nature) are all additional class
skills; if this is the first specialization, the PC gains a free rank
in three of these.

Mariner
A Mariner’s five class skills are Sailing, Instinct, Navigation, A pirate gains a free rank in the following Tier 1 talents:
Resilience, and Knowledge (Geography). A Mariner Bribery and Underground Contacts.
spending experience, and he gains a discount on increasing Additionally, the pirate specialization receives a discount
them with future experience points. when purchasing the following talents:
Additionally, all mariner characters receive a discount when Tier Talent

they spend XP to purchase the following talents: Sea Legs, 1 Bought Intel
Grit, Physical Training, Resolve, and Brothers in Arms. 1 Hidden Storage
2 Gut Instinct
A Mariner’s Role 2 Malicious
3 Animal Companion
In a world filled with more than 60% water, it will be imperative
3 Informant
to include someone in the party who knows how to traverse
4 Fencer
the seas. It’s not enough to simply know where you’re going,
4 Menace
but knowing how to get there as well. The Mariner class
5 Altered Deal
focuses on fulfilling the roles expected of someone travelling
on the open ocean.
While the Pirate is an adequate sailor, this unsavory
Sailor specialization excels in having underground connections and
Not surprisingly, Sailors gain Sailing, Discipline, Survival, combat on the open seas.
Medicine, and Instinct as class skills, and three of these gain
a free rank if this is the first specialization for the PC. Captain
Captains go into the field with Discipline, Leadership,
Sailors also gain a free rank in the two following Tier 1 talents:
Navigation, Resilience, and Survival as additional class
Let’s Ride and Excellent Swimmer.
skills; if this is the first specialization taken three of these five
In addition to these talents, sailors also receive a discount begin with a free rank.
when purchasing the following talents:
When you choose this specialization, a captain gains a free
Tier Talent rank in two Tier 1 talents: Cartographer and Respected.
1 Brace
Captains also receive a discount when purchasing the
1 Solid Repairs
following talents with their experience points:
2 Balance
2 Uncanny Senses Tier Talent
3 Iron Body 1 Rapid Reaction
3 Well Rounded 1 Toughened
4 Enduring 2 Command
4 Superior Reflexes 2 Evasive Maneuver
5 Master Sailor 3 Commanding Presence
3 Full Throttle
4 Brazen Maneuver
The sailor is the primary archetype for this class. They excel
4 Trust the Captain
at sailing and the sea has made them resilient to many of life’s
5 Inspiring Leadership
hardships; sailors are a great addition to any party planning to
do a lot of travel across open waters.
Much like his Commander counterpart on land, the Captain
Pirate specialization has several talents that enable the character to
Pirates gain Instinct, Intimidation, One-Handed Weapons, support allies as well as facilitate ship-to-ship combat.
Animal Handling, and Resilience as additional class skills.
If the Pirate is the character’s first specialization, three of
these new class skills gain a free rank each.

Mercenary
A Mercenary’s five class skills are Acrobatics, Sleight-of- additional class skills. If this is a PC’s first specialization, three
Hand, Stealth, Survival, Ranged (Light), and. A Mercenary of these skills gain a free rank.
spending experience, and he gains a discount on increasing In addition, the assassin gains a free rank in the following Tier
them with future experience points. 1 talents: Deft Hands and Indistinguishable.
Additionally, all mercenary characters receive a discount Assassins also receive a discount when they purchase the
when they spend experience points to acquire the following following talents with XP:
talents: Weapon Specialist, Animal Whisperer, Rapid
Tier Talent
Recovery, Hunter, and Favored Weapon.
1 Nimble
1 Rapid Reaction
A Mercenary’s Role 2 Side Step
A thing is in the name: the Mercenary class represents the 2 Stalker
tropes seen in Avatar of characters who are all willing to do 3 Disarm
whatever it takes to collect their pay. Mercenaries tend to work 3 Sneak Attack
for the highest bidder, and rarely break a contract unless the 4 Sixth Sense
price is worth the damage to their reputation. These classes 4 Unrelenting
are combat-oriented, each with many utility skills that diversify 5 Coup de Grâce
gameplay.
Mercenaries tend to fall into three categories: Bounty Hunters, The quintessential ‘Rogue’ archetype, this specialization is a
Assassins, and Rangers. With an arsenal of talents, master of stealth and maneuverability. Many talents are
mercenaries are excellent at tracking down their prey— centered around quick strikes and moving without being
whether they be big game, or their fellow human beings. While noticed. The functions of the assassin included espionage,
some mercenaries rely on their wit and weapons to get by, sabotage, infiltration, assassination and guerrilla warfare. It is
others employ cunning and stealth to stalk their marks. Still the rogue of the Avatar universe.
others make use of the world around them, often using beasts
of burden to snuff out the target.
Ranger
Beyond the urban settings of Ba Sing Se or Republic City, in
Bounty Hunter the vast countryside and forests dotting the Earth Kingdom,
Bounty Hunters gain One-Handed Weapons, Intimidation, rangers are known for hunting down their targets with
Instinct, Stealth, and Survival as their additional class skills; exceptional precision. Many rangers spend so much time out
taking this as the first specialization for a PC grants a free rank in the wilderness that they usually take on an animal
in three of these skills. companion to aid them in these endeavors.
Bounty Hunters also gain a free rank in the following Tier 1 The Ranger excels at ranged combat and has access to a
talents: Quick Draw and Expert Tracker. variety of outdoorsy talents related to tracking and animal
handling.
When you play as a bounty hunter, you may also purchase
the following talents at a discount: Not surprisingly, Rangers gain Ranged (Light), Medicine,
Navigation, Animal Handling, and Acrobatics as class
Tier Talent
skills, and three of these gain a free rank if this is the first
1 Bought Intel
specialization for the PC. When you choose the ranger
1 Underground Contacts
specialization, you also gain a free rank in two Tier 1 talents:
2 Bad Cop
Forager and Swift.
2 Crippling Blow
3 Nobody’s Fool Additionally, ranger characters receive a discount when they
3 Prey on the Weak learn the following talents:
4 Jury Rigged
4 Moving Target Tier Talent
5 Baleful Gaze 1 Outdoorsman
1 Skilled Jockey
2 Barrage
This specialization is primarily a weapons specialist, as it is 2 Longshot
one of the few with access to all weapon types as well as the 3 Animal Companion
talents necessary to put the nail in the coffin. 3 Deadeye
4 Steady Aim
Assassin 4 True Aim
5 Beast Master
An Assassin gains access to Martial Arts, Stealth, Sleight-
of-Hand, Deception, and Knowledge (Streetwise) as

Step 4: Determine Honor and Motivations
Honor plays a vital role in defining a Player Character. Defined
simply, Honor is a reflection of how well a character sticks to
Starting Honor
their principles—their good deeds and their bad ones, but it Each character begins play with at least one representation of
goes beyond morality. It represents the times they kept their their honor. In general, most players are assumed to be at
word, repaid their debts, or lied to others and got caught; it least a little honorable in their actions prior to the campaign—
represents the time they gave their earnings to an orphanage although players make work with their GMs to work out other
or, perhaps, burned down the orphanage. These honorable or arrangements.
dishonorable acts may be tangible (such as a financial The nature of this vow is determined by the player and should
obligation), or they could be intangible (like the duty to one's be based on her backstory. This represents the
family). A character’s actions can often be guided by his accomplishments or deeds that the character must carry with
Honor, and in The Second Age, Honor is a crucial aspect of them throughout all interactions. The value of the honor is
a character than can have very tangible effects on his determined by the GM and may be based on the following
development. table. Note that the Dishonorable column would be a
Over the course of a campaign, Honor can be gained or lost, representation of the negative value.
and put pressure on characters—having a reputation for being
TABLE: Individual Player Character Honor Values
dishonorable may reflect poorly on your attempt to gather
information. At the same time, accumulating Honor could Value Honorable Dishonorable
allow the characters to obtain goods and services that would 1–2 Praiseworthy Shameful
normally be far out of reach. A party’s honor can affect how
3–4 Respected Contemptible
much trust and influence its group has with certain
communities or organizations who could deprive them of 5–6 Esteemed Disreputable
access to certain equipment, upgrades, and information. 7–8 Renowned Disgraceful
During character creation, players not only customize their 9 – 10 Prestigious Deplorable
characters by selecting skills or Characteristics, but also by 11+ Exalted Notorious
identifying what sort of past deeds have defined them. Honor
may be a sense of duty to one’s nation or village, the PC being Player Starting Honor Values
a known pirate or thief, or even having a price on their head In general, a player's starting value should never be more than
for something they did (or did not) do. 3-5, depending on the number of players. Fewer players
means a potentially higher value. 4 - 5 Respected characters,
What is Honor? for example, will increase the party's overall reputation, even
if one of them did something a bit Shameful. Combined
Each PC begins the game with a small numerical value
together, the party's overall reputation can and should have a
representing the magnitude of their deeds. Although the value
dramatic, and narrative, impact on their adventures.
is determined by the GM, the player is the one who decides
what sort of principles are held by their character. These In addition, players may choose to describe their honor in
should be related to the characters Motivation and their such a way so as to gain additional starting experience or
overall backstory. Honor greatly impacts how a character additional credits to purchase starting gear. However, doing
carries himself and thus how others perceive them socially. so may decrease the overall value of one's honor (how did
you acquire an extra 1000 copper pieces, for example?), or
The player thus chooses whether they begin the game as an
the GM may impose a trait upon the player as a cost for
honorable warrior, or a dishonorable scamp, giving a name
additional XP or currency.
and brief description to the factors which drives their
character. As described previously, Honor may be a simple
vow or a complex relationship; it can be tangible or intangible. Honor as a Resource
In addition, each character’s Honor may include an emotional Each PC should have the option of working with the GM to
strength and weakness that help define a character’s determine whether any of their traits confer any additional
personality. Ultimately player characters who live up to (or mechanical benefits. For example, a character whose past
betray) their vows may be rewarded in additional XP for dishonor left them as a 'Known Thief' might begin the game
roleplay—or perhaps run into narrative complications. with extra copper, while a 'Devout' monk might start the game
with a boost in experience points. Each player may choose
Honor consists of two parts: only one option. The following table provides a couple
1. A title and narrative description: this does not examples of the kinds of benefits the value of one’s honor
have any effect on the rules, but is intended to offer might confer. Keep in mind the value may be positive or
an explanation that allows the player to work the negative, to represent whether the character is honorable or
Honor into her character’s story. This is another plot dishonorable.
hook for the GM, and an opportunity for the players
Additional Bonus Value
to roleplay.
2. A numeric value: this is the Honor’s size and +5 starting XP - 2 Honor
determines the mechanical effects of one’s Honor. +10 starting XP - 5 Honor

+1000 starting copper - 2 Honor Generally, as characters in the game acquire and lose Honor,
their ties deepen to the world around them. Even if the trait
+2500 starting copper - 5 Honor
seems innocuous, like neglecting to return a favor, someone
could have made an oath to the wrong mob boss.
Most importantly, neither the players nor the GM should feel Due to this, the GM has the option to set thresholds for the
confined to these options. Work together to determine group’s total Honor. In these cases, the GM may determine
whether some other boon might make more sense. Perhaps that the group’s total Honor must either be less or more than
a scholar known for their 'Punctuality' and never being late to the set threshold for them to attempt certain tasks. For
an arrangement imparts on all Discipline skill checks. example, a local politician may not be willing to meet with a
group whose Honor is less than 50, but a local crime boss with
Honor in Play important information may not trust a group whose Honor is
In addition to the narrative implications, Honor has a more than 50. In both cases, it's a matter of how the NPCs
mechanical impact as well. During a session, the GM may perceive the group’s overall reputation. If a character, or the
determine at any time whether the group’s total Honor affects party’s, Honor becomes too low, NPCs may shun them
the current scenario. altogether. Below is a rough guideline of how the GM can
represent the party's status in the world. Note that the
This is largely open to interpretation, and should be based on Dishonorable column represents a negative value.
the narrative circumstances for maximum effect. What follows
are merely a few examples of what you can do to represent TABLE: Overall Party Reputation
the consequences (or boons) of the Player Characters' Value Honorable Dishonorable
reputation. 10 Respected Contemptible
 At the GM’s discretion, something related to their 25 Esteemed Disreputable
Honor may introduce complications during the 50 Renowned Disgraceful
upcoming session. Or perhaps a character's
dishonorable deeds have come back to haunt the 100 Prestigious Deplorable
party, inflicting a point of strain on them as they try 150+ Exalted Notorious
to smooth out the situation.
 Maybe a character known for being 'Brave' has
received praised from everyone in town, as thanks
for saving a local child. Thus, all characters increase
Honor as Incentive
their strain threshold by 1 for the remainder of the In addition to a starting boon, a PC's Honor is an opportunity
session thanks to the supportive crowd, and the to reward your players for roleplaying their characters. Players
boost in morale. should be encouraged to play up their traits. If a 'Trustworthy'
character completes a social encounter where they succeed
 In addition, the GM can decide exactly whose Honor
as a result of their honesty, the trait's value should increase
triggered the incident. Something you could do in this
by 1 and the player should get some extra XP (how much
instance is have that Player Character increase (or
should be determined by the GM based upon the preferred
decrease) their strain threshold by 1-2 for the
scale for progression).
remainder of the session.
 A character known to be 'Trustworthy' might get On the flipside, if this same character did something
on their attempts to persuade or negotiate with an underhanded and betrayed their reputation for being
NPC, or even upgrade the check if their reputation 'Trustworthy', the value should decrease by 1. XP should
for being 'Trustworthy' is Renowned. never be taken away from a player; however, if they're
discovered by the NPC and outed as a liar, the GM may
These are just a few example mechanical affects you can use
decide that the character has earned a mark of shame in the
to represent internal or external pressure on the PCs because
form of a new Honor trait representing their dishonorable
of their actions. It could be as simple as the characters being
deeds. Working to shake off this reputation should come with
worried about leaving behind someone in need, or a decision
its own reward.
they made in a past session that has been haunting them.
Triggered Honor can also result in other tangible problems— Motivations

for example, a PC may have acted dishonorably toward an
Motivation provides a means to link all the different elements
NPC who has gone out and hired some fighters to settle a
of a Player Character into one coherent persona. It serves to
score with the PC. Or the characters may face scrutiny from
differentiate characters with similar classes by providing
random NPCs who have heard that the PCs are not honorable
different reasons for their decisions. Often, Motivation also
people to associate with, negatively impacting their social
sets up a thread that recurs across multiple adventures as the
checks. Ultimately, the narrative consequences are up to the
character continues to work toward achieving some lofty goal.
GM as to how the Honor affects the characters mechanically.
Whereas Honor has distinct effects on the gameplay,
Honor as Threshold Motivation does not and is intended to add depth to the
players’ roleplaying. Players should focus on linking the
Honor can also be used as a threshold, to measure the
character’s background, class, Honor and Motivation together
group’s notoriety or social standing depending on the volume
to create a detailed persona.
and types of Honor.

Motivation includes a character’s driving forces: what ultimate and reward the player with beneficial bonuses for taking
goal is your character pursuing? What are they most afraid certain actions that are in character.
of? What allows them to persevere in the face of adversity?
What flaws hinder their ability to pursue their goals? Secret Motivations
In Avatar: The Second Age, your character’s motivation has Once all the players have determined their character’s
four facets: Desires, Fears, Strengths, and Flaws. These Motivations, the GM should note them and keep them handy
aspects color the way your character perceives and interacts as a reference as the campaign progresses. However, a
with the world. Each general distinction breaks down into a player does not have to tell the other players his character’s
range of differing motivations to give players an additional Motivation.
layer of narrative depth. The four facets of Motivation can also One of the joys of roleplaying with a group of players is the
be leveraged by others when attempting to persuade, coerce, opportunity to reveal a character’s story to the other players.
or otherwise influence the character during social encounters. Coming right out and revealing Motivations openly may not
Finally, a GM interested in a more character-focused game always allow for such discovery, which is why players need
can look to the player character’s Motivations to craft not share their Motivations. Some of the example Motivations
compelling campaigns that include inner emotional arcs for provided might come with some inherent dangers, social
the characters in addition to their physical journeys. repercussions, or chance of corruption that might run counter
to the party’s overall goals. This is intentional, as sometimes
Motivations in Play keeping a character’s Motivation secret might make things
Motivations exist to offer a player an additional framework for hard for the group, but is excellent for creating tension and
how the PC interacts with the world. They establish the good roleplaying.
character’s priorities, but they need not be a restriction.
If a character chooses to keep his Motivation secret he can,
Rather, Motivations help suggest the character’s intuitive
with the GM’s permission, provide a ‘false front.’ the player
response to the challenges he encounters. Notably, a PC’s
should be encouraged to give the appearance of acting on
reactions must be colored by mitigating factors, so that a
behalf of the false Motivation, while furthering the goals of his
response is seldom based solely on a Motivation.
original.
Motivations are merely guides for roleplaying, giving the
player a foundation from which to consider decisions as well Roleplaying Awards
as determine reactions to circumstances. They can be used Game Masters are encouraged to provide bonus experience
to create or ease narrative tension, or advance character points to players who do a good job of roleplaying the effects
development. Motivations should never be treated as of their Motivations on their characters’ actions and decisions.
blinders, disabling a character’s ability to consider all aspects Good roleplaying of any kind should be rewarded, of course,
of a situation to make a rational decision. Plays should not feel but the way Motivation can sometimes limit or disadvantage a
that they must sacrifice the enjoyment of the game for PC should certainly be considered when such rewards are
themselves and fellow players simply because a given contemplated.
Motivation would guide them away from an otherwise
reasonable decision.
Types of Motivation
Changing Motivations In the following section, you have the chance to select or roll
Over time, a character’s attitudes can shift. Sometimes a randomly for a Desire, Fear, Strength, and a Flaw. If you do
single dramatic event can force the character to reprioritize. not care for the sample motivational facets, feel free to craft
Alternatively, an extended series of minor frustrations can be your own, unique to your character. Whichever route you
enough to change how the character views the world. Of choose, you should focus on linking your character’s
background, archetype, class and specialization with their
course, if a player discovers that he does not enjoy his
character’s Motivation, this can also be an important reason motivations.
to justify the change. Ultimately, changing Motivations is
simply a matter of discussing the issue with the GM, so that Desire
the GM can offer input, and then adjust any narrative elements This aspect of your character’s Motivation most closely tracks
with appropriate changes. what we typically think of when we hear the term “motivation”:
it’s the reason why the character acts. What, more than
Calling on Motivations anything else, does your character want or want to achieve?
If a player finds himself at a loss as to what his character This is the most important element of your character in a
should do in each situation, the GM can look up his Motivation character-driven campaign, because it is how you signal to
the GM the types of challenges you want your character to
and provide incentive for him to act by providing ‘bait’ that’s
appropriate to the Motivation. For example, a character with face. Desire flavors the way your character approaches the
the Ambition Desire might be presented with the opportunity story.
to usurp some authority for himself in some way; someone Desire represents the thing your character wants, although
with the Justice Desire could stumble across a helpless NPC they might not know what that is just yet. It provides a
that he feels inspired to assist. roleplaying touchstone for your character to help you answer
the question “What would my character do?” When your
Ultimately, the GM can determine that the character’s
Motivation would push him to succeed in certain situations character wants something, it’s easier for them to pursue it

EXAMPLE FEARS
Change: Your character finds routine and stability comforting, and fears changes that could upend their day-to-day routine.
Commitment: The idea of making promises or being relied on scares your character, who hates the idea. This fear of commitment could
manifest in relationships, on the job, or among family.
Death: The fear of death is deep and primal, and it drives a lot of our behaviors. There are a large number of ways this could manifest in your
character.
Expression: Your character has some behavior or means of expressing themselves privately that they do not want the world to know about.
The nature of that behavior is up to you, keeping the setting in mind.
Failure: Most people dislike failure, but some actively fear it. That fear may drive them to try to become absolutely perfect, or it may crush
them into inaction. Maybe it does both.
Humiliation: Characters who are especially concerned with how others view them are particularly sensitive to potential humiliation. They go
out of their way to avoid ever appearing foolish or wrong, even if that means passing up opportunity.
Isolation: Your character fears being isolated from other people and being doomed to live and die alone. Maybe this drives them to seek out
relationships with anyone and everyone, even when a relationship is unpleasant or unhealthy.
Nemesis: Your character has a deadly foe, someone they fear. The nature of this enemy is up to you, but we suggest you consult with your
GM. After all, your GM surely wants to bring this up in the game!
Obscurity: Your character wishes to be remembered after they are gone and works tirelessly to secure this legacy.
Poverty: For your characters, it’s all about wealth and security. They fear being without, and they work hard to amass money, supplies, or
other valuable items to ensure their status.
because they’re driven—because they’re excited and

enthusiastic.
Strength
Your character’s strength is one of the best things about them.
Your character’s Desire does not need to be a noble or It’s the first thing you’d put on your character’s resume, the
altruistic goal. However, as with the other facets of your one word other people use when praising your character, and
character’s Motivation, you should discuss your choices with the defining feature for which they’re known.
the GM. Having a negative or evil Desire, such as one that is
in conflict with the Motivations of the other PCs or the rest of A Strength is usually a personality trait or mental quirk that
society, may disrupt the party dynamics or the course of the your character possesses that sets them apart. Being rich,
adventure. athletic, or attractive are all certainly bonuses for a person, but
they’re not defining qualities of one’s persona.
Fear Flaw
A character’s Fear represents the thing they dread. It might
Everyone has an element of themselves that they’re not proud
be the character’s deepest insecurity, their bogeyman, or a
of. Why should your character be any different? When
deep-seated threat to their culture or life.
someone speaks ill of your character, this is usually the first
Acting against a character’s fears and overcoming them thing they bring up. It’s also what gets mentioned when your
makes for challenging encounters and rewarding moments of character’s friends say “They’re a great person, but…” that
roleplaying. Fear can be leveraged against individuals to “but” is your character’s Flaw.
make them do terrible things, or force them to give up on their
Just like your Strength, your Flaw is primarily a part of your
desires entirely. Your character may succumb by avoiding the
character’s personality. It is a selfish Motivation, bad habit, or
thing they fear, refusing to risk confronting their fear in order
element of a persona that your character wishes they didn’t
to obtain their desires, or doing something terrible because
have.
the object of their fear compels them to.
EXAMPLE DESIRES
Vengeance: At some point in the character’s past, they were brutally wronged. Now they seek vengeance and have a hard time focusing on
anything else.
Wealth: Money motivates this character. Few of their choices are based less on the consequence of right and wrong, and more on what will
be best for their pockets.
Power: The character wants to amass power and authority. Their aspiration to rule may be linked to altruism or despotic desire, but in either
case they want to control both their situation and those around them.
Enlightenment: The character seeks spiritual and intellectual enlightenment above all else. They do not seek to bring it to others, for they
realize such a goal is innately personal. A walk in the Spirit World is the ultimate existence.
Glory: Fame and the spotlight beckon to this character. They want to perform great deeds, and be celebrated for all time.
Justice: In a world full of wrongdoing, justice must be done. The character seeks to bring justice to those who deserve it.
Discovery: Seeking out and discovering new lands, information, artefacts or the wondrous secrets hidden among the landscape’s countless
ruins drives this character’s actions. They seek to be the first to discover what no one has.
Status: The character wants to elevate their social standing—gaining titles, commendations, and accolades. The character may come from
humble beginnings or otherwise strive for a higher position than where they began.
Love: Love and intimacy drive the character. They will do anything for those they care about, and may already have a true love—or may
strive to find companionship.
Redemption: The character seeks to atone for past sins or mistakes. He may have been a criminal, bounty hunter, or followed some pursuit
that caused him to act he now regrets.
EXAMPLE STRENGTHS
Adaptable: No matter what life throws at your character, they always rise to the challenge. Your character is flexible and can handle nearly
every situation, no matter how grim or strange the circumstances.
Analytical: Your character’s mind is like a computer, able to absorb a barrage of information and come to a logical conclusion. Your solutions
always have the inarguable weight of reason, and you know how to pick your battles and when to bide your time.
Courageous: Fear of death has no place in your character’s heart. They laugh at danger and gladly push themselves to confront what others
flee from. Your character is probably still afraid of something, though.
Curious: Life is a million mysteries, and your character wants to learn about every one of them. Whether curiosity drives them to meet new
people, explore distant cultures, or learn fantastic new truths and ideas is up to you.
Idealistic: What ideals your character believes in are up to you, but to your character, those ideals are nothing short of sacred. They may
feel that everyone should live up to those same ideals, or simply adhere to the standards they have set for themselves.
Independent: When everyone else has failed or fallen, your character knows they can still count on themselves. Your character may get
along with others just fine but makes sure not to rely on them. Your character is always prepared to deal with the situation and isn’t waiting
for someone else to help.
Patient: Your character is always willing to wait and knows the power of being calm. By waiting for the right opportunity, they avoid all manner
of unpleasant and dangerous situations. However, your character knows when to act swift and decisively.
Spiritual: Your character is deeply spiritual and at times very knowledgeable about the goings on of the spirits. Their belief gives them a solid
mental bedrock they can always rely on.
Wise: Through years of experience and countless events, your character has developed that rare quality: wisdom. The wise understand the
truths of how their world works. Just as importantly, they know that sometimes, with the right effort, those truths can be overcome.
Witty: Your character is extremely clever, with the right joke for a friend and the perfect insult for a foe. Some may love their company, while
others loathe their cutting remarks, but none can deny that your character has the sharpest tongue around.
EXAMPLE FLAWS
Anger: Your character lashes out at themselves or others with undue cause or with extreme force. They are quick to resort to physical force
to solve their problems.
Compulsion: This could be addiction, fascination, obsession, or impulsive behavior that is self-destructive or otherwise impedes your
character’s ability to function and be healthy.
Deception: Your character may be disloyal or a compulsive liar. They are concerned with their own wellbeing first and foremost, and they
might always present themselves in the best possible light even when that isn’t the case.
Greed: Your character is never satisfied with that they have, always wanting more. They are willing to flout the law or infringe upon others’
rights in order to get what they want.
Laziness: Your character always seeks the path of least resistance and becomes intimidated by difficult or complex tasks. They are
complacent with the status quo.
Ignorance: Your character lacks a basic knowledge or understand of society’s norms. This may be due to their upbringing or their recent
travel to another area of the world. This could be more than just being ‘uneducated’; at some level, your character may be willfully ignorant.
Intolerance: For whatever reason, your character harbors some prejudices toward a group of people. These may be relatively “minor” biases,
or they may give rise to an intense emotion of hatred or revulsion. Whatever form it takes, remember that intolerance is based more in emotion
than rationality.
Pride: Pride does not always have to be a Flaw, but it can easily become one. Your character is arrogant, vain, or self-absorbed, or thinks
highly of themselves at the expense of others.
Recklessness: Your character shows little regard for how their actions may affect themselves or others, due either to low self-esteem or lack
of forethought. They are especially prone to dangerous or inconsiderate actions.
Timid: Your character is extremely risk averse, opting instead to take more thorough or tried-and-true approaches. They may take too long
to act, or may be unable to act at all in the face of new or intimidating challenges.

Step 5: Invest Starting Experience
Experience is the primary means by which players customize Improving a rank 1 skill to rank 2 would require 10 experience
their character. Each Player Character starts with a beginning points. Ranks must be purchased sequentially.
pool of experience points which can be used to improve
aspects of the characters. Players will receive additional Characters can also purchase ranks in non-class skills. Each
experience to improve themselves as they progress in the rank of a non-class skill costs five times the rank it is being
campaign. raised to, plus 5 additional experience points.
Ranks in skills may be purchased during character creation or

Starting Experience later during gameplay.
Characters begin with a budget of experience points
based on their archetype. The XP used during character Acquiring Talents
creation are the same as the XP received during play. If a Talents are acquired by spending your character’s experience
player chooses to spend fewer XP during creation than his points (XP).
budget permits, those points carry over into the game and can
be used later. Starting experience may be increased Talents are organized into tiers, with each talent costing five
depending on a character’s Honor, or additional starting XP XP times its tier level. Thus, Tier 1 talents cost 5 XP, but Tier
may be handed out at the GM’s discretion. The following 5 talents cost 25 XP. You can buy as many Tier 1 talents for
section details the ways that players can improve their your character as you like, but if you want to purchase talents
characters. in higher tiers, you have to follow this rule: to buy a talent in
a higher tier, your character must have at least one more
Improving Characteristics talent in the tier directly below it.
New characters begin the game with starting points in their In addition, some archetypes (and all specializations) confer
Characteristics based upon their chosen character archetype. a free rank in a talent. These talents count for the purpose of
However, Characteristics can still be raised during character purchasing talents in a higher tier.
creation by spending XP. Raising an Characteristic to the next
highest rating costs ten times the value it is being raised to.
For example, raising a character’s Body from 3 to 4 would
Acquiring Additional Specializations
require 40 experience points. Each character starts with a single specialization within her
chosen class. However, the player may purchase access to
Each improvement must be purchased sequentially. This additional specializations.
means that raising a character’s Body from 3 to 5 would cost
90 experience points. 40 for raising it to 4, and 50 more for Purchasing a specialization means that the player may buy
raising to from 4 to 5. It is important to remember that during the ability to purchase talents associated with that
creation, no Characteristic can be increased to higher than 5. specialization at a discount. Each specialization has
Players may not spend more than 100 XP raising additional class skills. These skills now count as class skills
Characteristic ratings in this way. for the character (although the PC does not gain free
advances in them, as with the first specialization chosen
Because a character’s Characteristics primarily govern a during character creation). Finally, when a character acquires
character’s “mastery” when using a given skill, Characteristic a new specialization, they gain access to two Tier 1 talents
ratings are crucial. Generally, Characteristics affect how many inherent to that specialization’s niche. Characters may
are rolled, while skill ranks represent how many of those purchase any specialization in any class.
are upgraded to Proficiency Dice. It is important to consider
Purchasing an additional specialization within a character’s
increasing a character’s Characteristic ratings, as
class costs ten times the total number of specializations she
Characteristic points can only be purchased during
would possess with the new specialization. A character
character creation, and not at any time during gameplay.
purchasing their second specialization would pay 20 XP. A
third specialization would cost an additional 30 XP.
Skill Training
Each skill has five ranks of training available. A character may Advanced Start
have already acquired one or more ranks of skill. Characters
These character creation rules focus on creating new and fresh
may train additional skills and gain additional ranks during adventurers. However, you may want to start with characters
character creation. No skill can be raised higher than rank who have a bit more experience.
2 during character creation, unless specifically stated
otherwise by a rule or the GM. In this case, you can give your characters some additional XP to
spend after character creation. Another 50 XP can help your
The player should indicate each class skill on their character players push their characters deeper into their talents, and hone
sheet based on the choices they made when picking an their skills just a bit more.
archetype and a class; they are less expensive.
Alternatively, consider an advanced start in which the players
receive up to 100 XP, in addition to the XP budget granted by
Training a class skill to the next highest rank costs five times
their archetype, which can only be spent on attributes. This
the rank to which it is being raised. For example, training a encourages players to focus on increasing attributes to further
skill from rank 0 to rank 1 requires 5 experience points. define what their character is good (or bad) at doing. As a result,
they have that much more XP to then spend on skills and talents.

Specializations can also be purchased outside of a 10 XP. So, a character with one specialization could purchase
character’s class. Purchasing non-class specializations costs a second, non-class specialization for 30 XP. Nonbender
ten times the total number of specializations the character characters cannot purchase a Bender specialization after
would possess with this new specialization, plus an additional character creation.
Step 6: Determine Derived Attributes

Some of a Player Character’s attributes are based on other ranged defense and melee defense is zero. If a character’s
choices made during character creation or over the course of defense value is listed simply as “Defense” and not
a campaign. Some of these attributes may change frequently specifically defined by a separate ranged and melee values,
over the course of play or may be modified by talents, then the same value is applied to both.
equipment, or various special abilities.
Defense is most commonly gained by wearing armor or by
adopting a defensive position in combat, such as taking cover.
Wounds Some special talents may also increase a character’s defense
A character’s wound threshold represents how much physical rating.
damage he can withstand before he is knocked out. Wounds
can be serious and lead to a critical injury. They can be Defense is either granted or added. If an effect says ‘Gain
treated with the Medicine skill, but it may take time to recover Defense 2’, your base Defense rating is 2 and it does not stack
more serious wounds. with other ‘Gain Defense N’ effects. You always calculate
Defense with your highest ‘Gain Defense N’ effect as your
A character’s starting wound threshold is based on their base Defense. If a description states ‘Add N defense’, then it
archetype, adding the Body rating. After this initial value is stacks on top of the base defense with other ‘Add defense’
determined, wound threshold can be raised by purchasing effects.
certain talents or by increasing the Body Characteristic.
The max Defense value for any character is 4.
Strain Threshold
A character’s strain threshold represents how much stress a
Soak
character can withstand before becoming stunned, dazed, or A character’s soak value determines how much incoming
otherwise incapacitated. Strain represents psychological damage the PC can shrug off before taking real damage. The
stress, mental damage, or a blow to one’s morale. Strain is soak value is subtracted from any incoming damage to the
more easily suffered than wounds and can even be used as a character. Any damage remaining after subtracting the soak
resource by players to trigger certain character abilities. value becomes wounds applied to the character’s wound
Thankfully, character’s recover from strain more quickly than threshold.
from wounds.
A character’s default soak value is equal to his Body rating.
A character’s starting strain threshold is determined based Increases in Body increase the character’s soak value.
upon archetype, adding the Chi rating. After this initial value Additional soak value bonuses are most often gained by
is determined, the strain threshold can be raised by wearing armor. Some talents may also increase a character’s
purchasing certain talents or by increasing the Chi innate soak value, while other talents may temporarily
Characteristic. increase the value.
Defense
Defense determines how difficult a character is to hit in
combat situations. Characters have both a ranged defense
and a melee defense. A character’s default value in both
Step 7: Choose Gear & Appearance

At this stage, the players have taken care of most of the Before their characters begin the game, players may spend
mechanical elements of their characters. Now each player these credits to purchase items from Chapter VI: Gear and
has the chance to consider additional details that help define Equipment for their character. They may not purchase Rare
her character. These details tend to have a greater narrative (R) items unless specifically given permission by their GM.
impact on how the characters operate and add richness and
depth to their existence. This means, however, that players Characters keep any unspent coins when they start the game.
are able (and even encouraged) to be as creative as they like In addition, once the player has finished spending her starting
when inventing the description of their character. budget, she rolls 1d100. Her character gains this many
additional copper pieces as “pocket money” at the beginning
of the game. This additional money may not be spent during
Starting Gear character creation. Characters do not start the game with any
Player Characters in Avatar: The Second Age receive a items apart from what they purchase with their starting credits
budget of credits to spend on starting gear before gameplay or any miscellaneous trinkets they feel are appropriate for
begins. This budget is 500 copper pieces (5 silver pieces), their character such as personal mementos or a journal.
although it can be increased by undertaking additional Honor.

Currency in The Second Age is represented in terms of coins
or pieces of copper, silver, and gold. 1 gold piece is equal to Personality
10 silver pieces which equals 1000 copper pieces. In other A character’s personality is another place where players can
words, 100 copper pieces is the same as 1 silver piece. get creative. Traits, quirks, habits, likes and dislikes — players
can be as thorough or concise as they wish.
Physical Description Motivations and Honor make a great starting point for
The appearance of characters in The Second Age can vary consideration. They could even be the inspiration to create
wildly. PCs may stem from a variety of nations and someone with a completely unexpected personality. An
backgrounds. When determining their character's’ physical honorable, honest person torn because of their obligation to
appearance, players should start by reviewing the information underground criminals is a classic trope.
presented about their character during creation. With a
character’s traits in mind, a player can then consider what Alternatively, players may feel free to develop a personality
physical details she wants to embellish. Height, weight, build, for a character overtime, letting the personality evolve over
hair, eyes, even scars and tattoos are all areas for a player to the course of the game based on the decisions the players
consider. make.

TABLE: Character Creation Quick Reference
During character creation, players are required to make many choices. With the litany of information available,
and the number of customizations offered, it may be helpful to use the following outline throughout the character
creation process.
Players must choose the following:
 Archetype
o The archetype choice determines your character’s base rank in all characteristics, as well as
your Wound and Strain Thresholds;
o Along with a starting budget of experience points (XP), each archetype confers a minor
mechanical buff which may be one or more of the following: a free Talent rank, a free Skill rank,
or other unique ability.
o At this step, a player may choose any two skills and mark them as Class Skills; you do not gain
a free rank in those skills.
 Class
o A class designates five skills as Class Skills. A player gains a free rank in three of those five.
o A class designates five Talents as Class Talents. A player receives a 5 XP discount when
acquiring these Talents.
 Specialization
o A specialization designates five additional skills as Class Skills. A player gains a free rank in
three of these.
o Picking a specialization confers two free Rank 1 Talents, provided in the description.
o Each specialization is listed with a small table of nine Talents. A player receives a 5 XP discount
when acquiring these Talents (to a minimum of 5 XP).
After these choices are made, each player receives a minimum of 500 copper pieces to buy starting equipment
(excluding Rare items; subject to the Game Master’s discretion).
Finally, players may use their starting XP (determined by Archetype) to raise Characteristic scores, gain ranks
in their Skills, learn Bending Forms, or purchase Talents.

III – The Bending Arts
One of the most unique features about the world of Avatar is manipulate their element with only minimal movement of their
the ability for individuals and creatures to bend the elements; body, such as by using just their head or torso. In even rarer
in-universe the study and refinement of this ability is known as cases, benders can perform their bending without the aid of
the bending arts. There are five known bending arts; four of any physical movement at all, by instead using sheer focus
them are specific to a physical element while the fifth relates and force of will, a skill known informally as psychic bending.
to the energy within the human body, creatures and plants all
around, and even the universe itself. Learning the Bending Arts
The four elemental bending arts are based on the four Each element is also associated with a nation in the world; the
classical elements—water, earth, fire, and air—and each is Water Tribe corresponds with waterbending, the Earth
manipulated through certain martial art styles which are Kingdom with earthbending, the Fire Nation with firebending,
reminiscent of the qualities of the element itself. A more and the Air Nomads with airbending. However, other bending
aberrant and perilous technique is the ancient art of affiliated groups exist, like the Foggy Swamp Tribe for
energybending, which predates the other four arts, as well as waterbending and the Sun Warriors for firebending. Each
the arrival of the Avatar and the formation of the four nations. nation has its own revered bending masters, who train the
It involves bending the life energy within another being. Only younger benders how to use their abilities and pass the
the Avatar has ever been known to bend energy itself. culture on through the generations.
The bending arts are dependent on the energy, or chi, within Although such ability is not uncommon, an individual’s
the human body, relying on its flow through the body to bending talents must be developed over time. In most people,
manipulate a specific element. A person can bend when they the ability to manipulate the elements appears at a young age.
extend the influence of their chi beyond the body to interact Their gift often sets these individuals apart, as even untrained
with the environment. benders can bend the elements to their will.
Bending is a form of elemental spiritualism, allowing some of This does cause tension between benders and nonbenders.
the world’s inhabitants to manipulate the material world Misunderstandings between them throughout history have
around them. Though some degree of talent for bending been the primary source of conflict in the world. The Avatar
seems to be inborn to certain people or families, true skill in and the Order of the White Lotus are potent actors who try to
bending requires a lifetime of lengthy and intensive study, mitigate this conflict and maintain balance among the nations.
dedication and practice.
Even for those with innate talent, discipline and training are
Each bending form is largely channeled through patterned necessary to fully realize their inherent bending abilities.
movements and stances that give shape and focus to the chi Finding a master to assist one in learning about the different
that allows one to bend. As such, benders are at their most forms can be difficult, for much knowledge was lost during the
vulnerable when restrained or unfocused and unable to enact Hundred Year War. For many benders in different parts of the
these motions with accuracy and clarity. Each bending style world, using their talents is seen as taboo and thus they may
is tied thematically to the style of martial arts that inspired it, hide their abilities.
and thus, the motions of each style are quite distinct. While
bending is traditionally performed through the motions of
one's hands and feet, certain benders can effectively
Bending in Avatar: The Second Age

Bending permeates the world of Avatar, but not everyone has example). If this is the case, it will be described in the rules
the ability to bend. Although heritage can play a role, it does section of the talent or ability in question.
not appear to be the sole factor. All Air Nomads, for example,
had airbender children with each other, or non-benders. Only players with at least one rank in the Bending Arts skill
Avatar Aang had nonbender and waterbender children when can harness the power of the elements. Unless otherwise
he married a waterbender. directed by the GM, a player may only have mastery over
one element. Again, this is ultimately at the discretion of the
In the game, the ability to bend the elements is represented Game Master, but the spirit of the Avatar series necessitates
by a character’s Bending and Bending Arts skills. Whereas the cultural and personal dynamics created as a result of this
the Bending skill affects a character’s physical ability in inherent limitation. Indeed, a central theme of the series is that
manipulating their element, their Bending Arts skill reflects only the Avatar can master the four elements.
their understanding of the element and its deeper spirituality.
There are plenty of benders in the world, many of them far Benders
more powerful than the players. Yet bending skill alone does Bender characters include any characters with at least one
not put one on the same level as the Avatar. rank in Bending Arts. If your character does not have any
Certain talents and abilities may affect Benders differently, or ranks in this skill, they cannot use any Forms. For this
may only affect such characters (Chi Disruption, for reason, consider creating a character using the Bender
archetypes; you may still choose an archetype from the

regular pool for your bender, but you will probably want to elemental command can be subtle manipulation or
choose Bending Arts as a class skill. an expression of raw power.
When you’re creating a new character who can bend the These loose definitions allow players and GMs who desire a
elements, consider the adventure you’ll be playing and the more structured form of bending to keep track of what
way this fits into the world. How well do they know their elements are ‘in play’ and immediately usable, and in which
talents? Are they an earthbending architect who understands way it’s being (or has been) affected.
their philosophy well enough to construct rigid and sturdy
structures; or are they just a simple craftsmen who Bending Forms
supplements their blacksmithing with firebending? The art of bending is a conscious effort on the part of the
Unless you’re playing a specific type of character—say, an character. A true master can tap into her inner chi and
airbender from a normal background who just acquired the manipulate her environment to her will. Bending allows
ability through Harmonic Convergence—you may consider someone to do things others might see as fantastic or even
using your other free choice to select the Bending skill as well; unbelievable: levitating boulders, jumping high into the air,
hence the Bender Archetypes which are built around several lighting the candles in a room, or blocking arrows with a sheet
different bending philosophies or lifestyles that we see in of ice. Bending is how a bender can accomplish those tasks.
Avatar. In Avatar: The Second Age, bending is the broad, combat-
oriented abilities that allow players to perform impressive and
Still, there may be some rare instances in which a nonbender imaginative feats.
character could learn how to control the elements. There are
many times in the Avatar universe in which a character has Each form focuses on a specific task that can be performed
potential yet to be unlocked; this being a core motif of the through the creation, control or manipulation of a certain
series. Some may go their whole lives without ever realizing element. Bending forms might even require bending checks
they can bend the elements, or without ever learning how to to activate temporary effects, or they could require users to
control it. Lion Turtles have been known to grant, or take suffer strain to activate ongoing effects. Some might be able
away, the ability to bend the elements—and there’s been at to do both. While some bending Forms are Incidentals or
least one instance during which a spiritual-astral phenomenon Maneuvers, most Forms require the use of one action
left individuals around the world with the ability to airbend. during an encounter.
In general, a GM should require good narrative cause for the The initial purchase of each bending form costs a certain
sudden acquisition of these powerful abilities. number of experience points depending on its listed XP Cost.
Once a corresponding Form is chosen, the user may spend
additional experience to further customize and enhance it.
The Powers of Bending
In encounters, the Bending skill is unique in its form and Unless specified in the Bending form description, forms can
function. Benders can control and manipulate their only be acquired by their respective elemental specialization.
surroundings, even take command of the field of battle. The
The forms available to each element are described in detail
elements can also be used to inflict serious wounds or strain
later in this chapter.
upon any foes. Bending techniques open tactical and strategic
possibilities completely unavailable to nonbenders. The
power that bending bestows to a user can vary widely, but its Using Bending in Narrative
mechanical capabilities are loosely broken into three broad
categories for narrative purposes. Encounters
Bending checks are functionally handled like any other skill
 Create: Benders can harness the energy within check, and called for in the same circumstances. As with any
themselves and their surroundings to manifest the other skill, you should generally only require a check when
core element under their influence, creating an there are dramatic results or consequences for failure. For
instance within their direct control. Abilities of this instance, a well-trained firebender who regularly manifests
type allow benders to perform astounding feats that and manipulates fire should not need a check to light a torch
create a source from which they can then use their or campfire.
other powers.
 Transform: The second category of ability allows With bending being an innately open-ended concept, judging
Benders to alter and transform the physical and resolving bending checks may seem challenging, but it
environment surrounding them and the components really can be seen as the means through which an end is
of the elements under their control; an earthbender achieved. Focus less on the “how” of the technique, and more
might change boulders into sand, or a waterbender on what the task the form is accomplishing, or what obstacle
turning a pond into ice. bending is used to overcome. If the technique is basically
 Control: More innate than the powers of creation or replicating the effects of a nonbending skill, assign the
manipulation is the power to control the elements. difficulty correspondingly while still considering the
Benders can physically move the elements from one circumstances.
place to another, even hold their elements in midair
Bending should not be a catch-all skill that eliminates the need
while they redirect them at an opponent. This allows
for any others—indeed we see in the Avatar universe that this
them to gather bodies of water, shrink forest fires,
is not the case. Every element has its limits. Creating a water
heave large boulders, or grow gale force winds. This
vortex to lift you up and cross the river is probably more

difficult than simply swimming across, although your character the GM should call for a Bending Arts skill check. The difficulty
might find it easier if they aren’t trained in Athletics (or don’t of the check depends upon the nature of the task at hand.
want to take their clothes off).
The series demonstrates this duality of bending through its
Resolving a Bending check is really no different from any characters. For example, we see Katara show an aptitude for
other. If the check succeeds, the character achieves what waterbending in combat but she also has a very thorough
they set out to do. How exactly that happens is shown by the understanding of the spiritual nature of her element, hence
positive and negative results in the dice pool, as interpreted her healing abilities and how quick she was to pick up on the
by the GM and players. Bloodbending technique (and to fight against it). She would
be highly ranked in both Bending and Bending Arts skills.
Many bending abilities also have use outside of battle. A
waterbender may create a bridge across a river out of ice Haru the earthbender, on the other hand, knew very little in
while an earthbender might dam up the river altogether. This terms of technique or the art. He lived under the watchful eye
type of feat would be covered by a Bending Arts skill check. of Fire Nation authorities which had forbade it, and thus
The Forms listed later in this chapter are by no means an stunted his training and understanding. In the series, he is
exhaustive list of techniques that can be performed by seen bending rocks and lifting them or tossing them, but not
benders. The players should insist upon, and the GM should much else. Although he is skillful at simple, but practical,
encourage, improvised uses for their bending abilities. With bending, Haru shows little understanding of bending arts (until
GM guidance, players may even develop their own his later appearance) as it applies to earthbending. As a
techniques. character, his experience is largely with Bending.
In the Northern Water Tribe, we see a multitude of

The Bending Skills waterbenders who, unlike Katara, could never use their
There are two skills in The Second Age related to the ability abilities to fight; in fact their lack of training to fight is a point
to bend the elements. One skill, Bending Arts, represents a of contention between Katara and Master Pakku. While they
bender’s understanding of and connection to the natural and have a great understanding of the art, they are trained
spirit worlds, and their element in relation to it all. The other primarily as healers and priestesses. Their skills are largely in
skill, Bending, is the practical application of that wisdom. The the Bending Arts.
core of these actions follows the same skill check at the heart
the narrative dice. An earthbender might just use their Bending skill to create an
Earth Column for the party to cross a ravine one-by-one, but
While Bending can be used to attack opponents or protect they might instead use Bending Arts to create an intricate
allies, Bending Arts should be used to represent finesse of bridge built to support the entire party and their cargo all at
these abilities. Much like the other combat skills, the Bending once.
skill is focused on its application during physical
confrontations and is also considered a Combat skill. When
your character uses an ability that requires a Bending
Bending Checks in Structured
skill check, they suffer at least 1 strain (whether or not the
check succeeds). Some forms may specify more strain, and
Encounters
some upgrades may reduce that burden. Unlike the other skills, Bending is not tied to a single
Characteristic (e.g. Martials Arts is governed by Body).
Unless otherwise noted, all checks using a character’s Instead, the skill check for each form is governed by an
bending forms are determined by their Bending skill. Characteristic specified in the description of that ability.
Although each element is partial to one Characteristic in
Additionally, characters who are targeted by forms of the particular, not all techniques will reflect that affinity. Players
same element have an inherent resistance to that element. are encouraged to spread their Characteristic points out as
They gain half of their ranks (rounded up) in Bending Arts as well as opt for flexibility from the bending archetypes, rather
soak against those attacks. This means a firebender with than focusing on one specific Characteristic.
Bending Arts 5 would gain a temporary bonus of +3 soak
against an incoming firebending attack. Truly adept benders Characters who use melee bending forms may choose to use
with a deep understanding of their element are able to mitigate their Bending or their Martial Arts skill to make the necessary
its negative effects more readily. combat check, whichever of the two skills has the highest
rank. Because melee bending techniques are governed by
Bending or Bending Arts? Body, the two skills are interchangeable in this circumstance.
Skill checks for bending techniques made using Martial Arts
A situation may arise where a PC or the Game Master are
still receive any applicable Bending Arts bonus.
unsure which of the two skills applies to a given skill check.
Although both skills are similar, they represent two distinct
aspects of bending in the Avatar universe. Unless otherwise Bending Maneuvers
noted, the Bending skill is a combat skill and is generally only These maneuvers are specific to characters who are skilled in
used to make form skill checks. Still, certain forms may have the bending arts. Like most maneuvers, these don’t actually
application outside of battle. require checks, but affect the character’s skill checks.
The Bending Arts skill, on the other hand, represents the

utilitarian nature of bending abilities. When a PC wants to use
their bending abilities to overcome an obstacle, solve a
puzzle, or perform a feat not outlined by Talents and Forms,
description. If the character performs the concentrate
Narrating Concentration
maneuver during that next turn, the character may sustain a
Quite a few bending techniques can be maintained over number of forms no greater than their rank in Bending Arts,
multiple rounds to provide an ongoing effect. In structured and their effects, until the end of the character’s following turn.
encounters, your character does this by performing the Although forms can be sustained indefinitely by performing
Concentration maneuver. However, in narrative the concentrate maneuver each turn, they cannot be
encounters, tracking individual maneuvers can be sustained indefinitely without causing undue strain to the
unnecessarily tedious. bender.
Instead, consider taking a narrative approach to Regardless of how many forms, if a bender spends three
concentration and maintaining forms. You can decide that consecutive turns using Concentrate, the character becomes
a character can’t perform certain activities while also Stressed (see the section on States of Health in Chapter VII:
concentrating. A character might also start suffering strain Conflict & Combat.
in they try to sustain a form for too long. Finally, if
A sustained form is considered active only if the bender is not
something happens that could interrupt a character’s
incapacitated. Each sustained form imposes on all
concentration, the player may make an Average
subsequent skill checks made by the bender until the form is
Discipline check; failure means their character loses
no longer sustained. This penalty is cumulative; thus multiple
concentration and the form ends.
forms can be sustained at a time. A form that lasts due to a
Of course, the GM and players might also describe common duration does not impose . A bender can end their
maneuvers in terms of bending when it seems appropriate. concentration as an incidental, even if it is not their turn to act.
For instance, a player might describe swimming as their Concentration is lost if the character becomes staggered,
character does it with their waterbending. disoriented or incapacitated.
The maneuvers listed here are available to all benders, but Bending Chains
each element has its own form-specific maneuvers as well.
Master benders are adept at both the bending and martial
For benders, all elemental maneuvers require some rank in
arts, and in rare cases their momentum and chi enables them
Bending Arts. Some also require access to certain forms, and
to maneuver from one form to another. This is referred to as
the description will specify such requirements.
chaining, and it represents the fluid and dynamic nature of
combat in the Avatar universe.
Elemental Counter
Many skilled benders can counter and often redirect an In other systems, it’s referred to as exploding dice; in The
opponent's Form if they share the same elemental affinity. Second Age, benders may perform an additional form (take
another action) if they roll t results for Bending skill checks
If the defending bender has taken the Counter maneuver this as specified. These forms can be chained in quick succession
round, whenever an attacker would generate hhh on an as a standard Action during combat. Chaining a form
attack, the defending bender may choose to deflect the Form consumes the t and does not inflict a critical injury.
entirely, suffering no damage. This is in lieu of the normal
counterattack bonus granted by spending hh from a Some forms can only be used after beginning from a
Counter maneuver. If the attacker generates d the bender sustained form. For example, the airbender’s Cyclone can
may instead redirect the Form back to the attacker as if they only be performed as an Action in the subsequent turn
had used the Form, causing the attacker to suffer their own following a turn where they sustained the Vortex form. Chains
damage. like this must be built upon turn by turn and cannot be
performed in quick succession during a single Action. A
Concentrate chained form replaces the prior sustained form.
Many form effects last for a specific length of time before
ending. Some effects last only for the duration of the action. Contested Bending
However, some form effects can last for several rounds if the If two benders of the same element are vying for control of a
bender makes a concentrate maneuver to sustain it. If a single mass of their element, they must make an opposed
bending form can benefit from concentration, the form’s Bending (CHI) check, acquiring equal to half the
description will note this. character’s rank in Bending Arts, rounded down. To gain
Forms that can be sustained through concentration last until
the end of the character’s next turn, or as noted in their
EXAMPLE : Chaining an Air Vortex
Gyatso, an airbender, successfully performs his Air Vortex during his first turn. He chooses to spend two strain to acquire
his second maneuver to Concentrate on sustaining the vortex through the end of the round into his next turn and incurs an
additional on all subsequent skill checks as a result.
During the beginning of his next turn, Gyatso suffers a point of strain and rolls a successful check to intensify the vortex into
a cyclone. If Gyatso rolled a t during his initial Air Vortex, he could have created a cyclone during his second turn without
suffering any strain. Although the cyclone is stationary, Gyatso can choose to suffer strain and use a maneuver to move the
cyclone and end his turn.

EXAMPLE : Contested Bending description will specify which, so the target’s appropriate
defense rating can be used.
An NPC earthbender is attempting to move the same
boulder under control of a PC. Before doing so, they build Forms will also frequently specify the range up to which they
their pool of dice based on their rank in Bending Arts. can be used effectively; through greater finesse upgrades,
forms can have their effective range increased. A bender may
The PC has a Chi rating of 3, rank 2 Bending, 2 ranks in use their forms beyond the effective range, but they should
Bending Arts. His 3 Chi grant him while Bending 2 incur a Setback penalty for doing so. Using a form at Extreme
upgrades two of those dice into . His Bending Arts rank range should impose to represent the incredible
2 grants him a single . His dice pool will have at least 4 challenges of performing these feats.
dice before applicable talents and abilities: .
When performing a ranged attack with a Bending Form, the
The GM will build the opposing earthbender pool in the Form’s base difficulty is in addition to the range band modifier
same manner and the two characters will make their rolls. outlined in Chapter VII: Conflict & Combat. The table has
The character with the most s takes control of the been reproduced here for convenience.
boulder. On a tie, the character with the most a takes
control. Ranged Attack Difficulties
Range Band Difficulty Added
Engaged
control of the element, a bender must beat her opponent's skill
Short
check.
Medium
Cooperative Bending Long
In certain circumstances, multiple benders can work together Extreme
to accomplish larger and more powerful feats of bending. In
any cooperative bending attempt, one bender acts as the Dealing Damage with Bending Forms
primary bender for the attempt while any assisting characters A bending Form's base damage is the rating of the character’s
act as secondary benders. Two earthbenders can work governing Characteristic for that form. A bender with a rating
together to lift a boulder beyond either of their abilities while of Body 3 using Air Swipe will do at least 3 strain damage
an airbender and waterbender can harmonize their bending before adding additional damage due to uncanceled s, and
to shroud the party in a thick fog, putting the enemy at a any upgrades they have learned for Air Swipe. Characters can
disadvantage. spend their XP to upgrade their forms directly to deal more
Each bender who contributes to a Cooperative Bending damage with the Innate Strength improvement, the effects of
check increases some part of the Form’s result. With which can be stacked.
additional individuals, more objects may come under control. Base damage on top of s can add up quickly, and each
Assistance from additional benders could cause a Form’s technique likely has an innate quality, or a quality which can
silhouette to be larger, or increase the amount of damage be activated with a that can help deal more damage.
done by an attack with a Form.
However if you find that your PCs and NPCs are not dealing
To contribute to a Cooperative Bending check, the assisting enough damage to move combat encounters along, you can
character must suffer 1 strain, and the player review their rank add a damage modifier to each technique based on the
in Bending Arts. If the character’s rank is equal to or higher character’s rank in Bending Arts, similar to improvised or
than the Form’s requirement, the primary bender adds ; martial weapons, which add damage to a character’s base
otherwise, is added. damage (the governing Characteristic rating). As damage-
dealing techniques, it’s possible that a bender character lands
For narrative reasons alone it should be obvious that users of
a critical blow against an opponent, and so a Critical Rating
the same element can easily assist one another in bending
for each form is advised.
skill checks. This is demonstrated many times throughout the
Avatar series, and should be emulated in any game session. Additionally, it would not be unreasonable to conclude that the
amount of damage, indeed the intensity of any effects, would
Sometimes, benders can use their different elements in
be amplified by the size and force of the element in-question.
unique and collaborative ways. Benders of distinct disciplines
Surely a Fire Blast the size of a house would hit and explode
can bend cooperatively together, but narratively it must be
harder than a mere fireball from the palm of one’s hand.
something the character can feasibly manipulate with
bending. For example, a waterbender and an earthbender can Finally, characters who are targeted by forms of the same
work together to bend mud (containing both water and earth); element have an inherent resistance to that element. They
earth and airbenders might both affect the same mass of gain half of their ranks (rounded up) in Bending Arts as soak
sand, whipping its particles around to buffet opponents with a against those attacks. This means a firebender with Bending
grainy vortex. Arts 5 would gain a temporary bonus of +3 soak against an
incoming firebending attack. Truly adept benders with a deep
Bending Range understanding of their element are able to mitigate its
Attacks made with bending checks can be either melee or negative effects more readily.
ranged attacks, depending on the form used. The form

TABLE: Bending Form Suggested Base Damage and Critical Rating
Bending Arts Critical Rating Damage Modifier
Rank 1 aaaaaa +0
Rank 2 aaaaa +1
Rank 3 aaaaa +2
Rank 4 aaaa +2
Rank 5 aaa +3
TABLE: Spending a and t on Bending Checks

Cost Result Options
 Recover 1 strain (this option may be selected more than once).
a or t  Add Bonus to the next allied character’s check.
 Inflict a Critical Injury with a successful attack that deals damage past soak (a cost may vary).
 Perform an immediate free maneuver that does not exceed the two maneuver per turn limit (can be used
to sustain techniques)
aa or t
 Add to the targeted character’s next check.
 Add to any allied character’s next check, including the active character.
 Negate the targeted enemy’s defensive bonuses (such as the defense gained from cover, equipment, or
performing the any stances) until the end of the current round.
 Ignore penalizing environmental effects on bending such as inclement weather, disadvantageous
aaa or location, or similar effects until the end of the active character’s next turn.
t  When dealing damage to a target, have the attack disable the opponent or one piece of gear rather than
dealing wounds or strain. This could include hobbling him temporarily with a blow to the leg, or disarming
him. This should be agreed upon by the player and the GM, and the effects are up to the GM. The effects
should be temporary and not too excessive.
 Upgrade the difficulty of the targeted character’s next check.
t  Upgrade any allied character’s next check, including the current active character.
 Do something vital, such as hitting the engine of a Satomobile.
 When dealing damage to a target, have the attack destroy a piece of equipment the target is using, such
tt
as disintegrating his bow, or destroying a personal shield, or completely penetrate their defense
TABLE: Spending h and d on Bending Checks
Cost Result Options
h or d  The technique exhausts the character, and they suffer 1 strain
 The character adds to any bending attempts until the end of their next turn
hh or d
 The target of an attack gains an additional maneuver on their next turn
 The technique was more powerful than expected. One character of the GM’s choice is targeted or
hhh or otherwise affected by the Form as well
d  The target gains to their next skill check against the character
 The character must upgrade the difficulty of any bending attempt until the end of their next turn
 The character’s technique completely misses and hits a target of the GM’s choice
d
 The character adds to any bending attempts until the end of the encounter
 The character suffers one Easy or Average Critical Injury of the GM’s choosing
dd
 The character must upgrade the difficulty of any bending attempt until the end of the encounter
In addition to their martial combat bonuses, Benders will

The Environment experience a distinct advantage (or disadvantage) to their
One of the recurring motifs throughout the series is that a bending abilities depending upon where they are, the
bender’s ability to bend their element depends as much on weather, even the universe around them. Each of the
their spirituality and skill as it does their natural environment. elements experiences great bonuses when they perform their
Where a person is can dramatically impact their ability to techniques in synergy with their environment. Conversely, a
effectively manipulate and control their element. Sozin’s bender suffers immense setback when they attempt
Comet is an infamous example of this effect—during its techniques in unfavorable locations. A waterbender can
passing, the comet was named after Fire Lord Sozin after he control the tides when they’re near a large body of water, but
used the comet’s proximity and its influence over firebending unless they bring it with them, there is no water to bend in the
to launch the Hundred Year War. Earthbending prisoners desert. Earthbenders can be dangerous just about
were kept in Fire Nation prisons in the middle of the sea to everywhere they go—but take the earth from beneath their
deprive them of their ability to earthbend. feet and their skills mean nothing.
The following tables detail many circumstances during which off events and circumstances from the Avatar series, players
benders will experience bonuses—or setbacks—depending should feel free to consult with the GM if they believe certain
upon the environment around them. Although this list is based circumstances may warrant a or .
Bonuses can be cumulative, and the below tables are merely

a guideline. Players should feel free to modify the kinds of
bonuses (and under what conditions they apply).
WATERBENDING
Bonus Conditions
 Under the full moon
 Near a large body of water
such as an ocean or sea
 Under the moon (any other
time)
-1 Strain  Near a small to medium
sized body of water
 During the rain
 During the day
None
 When indoors (at all times)
+1 Strain  During a new moon
 In an arid or hot environment
No Bending
 Lunar eclipse
Possible
FIREBENDING
Bonus Conditions
No strain  During a comet passing
-1 Strain  In an arid or hot environment
 During the day
 During the night
No change
 Indoors (at all times)
 During the rain
+2 Strain
 Cold environment
No Bending  During Solar Eclipse
Possible  Holding breath
EARTHBENDING
Bonus Conditions
-1 Strain  When outdoors
No change  When indoors
 In sand
 In wet environments
No Bending  No earth within Extreme
Possible range
AIRBENDING
Bonus Conditions
No change Outdoors
No change Indoors
Confined

Bending Forms
The Bender class possesses a plethora of unique talents, powerful and potent bending abilities seen in the world of
referred to as Forms. As with the nonbending classes, bender Avatar.
talents are divided into techniques and traits. While Forms
work largely the same as Talents do for nonbending classes, Basic Forms
Forms are unique in that each form can be upgraded to Newly created bender characters and young learners in the
represent the ways certain techniques can be practiced, game have only just attained a beginner’s understanding of
enhanced, and mastered over time. the bending arts. Unseasoned benders still struggle to
manipulate even handfuls of the element and have trouble
Forms are specialized bending techniques with specific
sustaining and controlling the manipulated matter for
requirements for use. The character may have to suffer a
extended periods of time.
number of strain, perform a certain action, or be controlling a
specific amount of their element. See Table: Penalties When Basic forms are techniques which require 1 - 2 ranks in
Bending for some conditions that may make it harder to make Bending Arts to acquire and cost 10 XP.
a bending check.
Advanced Forms
Bending can also be risky, and using these abilities can come
Veteran benders have gained a familiarity over the basics and
with consequences. See Table: Spending h and d in
can more finely manipulate their respective elements.
Bending Checks on the previous section for some of those
Advanced forms are techniques that start to push the bender
consequences laid out. You may note that the consequences
to her limits, but enable her to perform more powerful
tend to be worse than the consequences characters normally
techniques and technical feats. Benders can sustain and
suffer. This is deliberate, as a balance for the strain that
chain techniques together for potent combinations.
comes from using one’s bending abilities.
Advanced forms are techniques which require at least 3 ranks
TABLE: Penalties When Bending in Bending Arts to acquire and cost 15 XP.
Penalty Condition
The character’s actions are hindered by Expert Forms
heavy armor or a cumbersome weapon. Expert bending forms are the result of truly dedicated benders
The character is gagged, bound, or who spend much of their time training and honing their art.
otherwise unable to move. Experts have an easy time manipulating their element to their
The character is in circumstances that will, can sustain techniques almost indefinitely and can
interfere with their ability to concentrate, transform them into devastating powers.
such as trying to bend while treading water
Upgrade
or hanging from a rope, being buffeted by a Expert forms are techniques which require at least 4 ranks in
difficulty
sandstorm, or using a Form that doesn’t Bending Arts to acquire and cost 20 XP.
target the character they’re currently
engaged with. Master Forms
Certain, rare forms are attainable only in unique
circumstances. These are not forms that your average bender
Forms can teach themselves, but must be taught or learned through
Most benders will use their Forms in the heat of combat other means. Bending Masters and bending scrolls are two
utilizing the core mechanic of the game (the dice roll) to sources for these powerful abilities which can turn benders
determine whether an action succeeds or fails. However, into a formidable force of nature.
unlike most skill checks, bending is meant to be a fluid and Master forms are techniques which require 5 ranks in Bending
dynamic system, allowing for multiple styles of play for Arts to acquire and cost 25 XP to learn.
benders. In this section, many of the iconic and widely-used
techniques from the Avatar series are defined through broad
categories of incidentals, maneuvers, and actions also called
Acquiring Forms
Forms. Each form describes how it might be used in Bender characters begin the game with immediate access to
structured encounters (typically combat) as well as narrative their respective Blast form only if they have at least one
encounters. rank in Bending Arts. All characters obtain their Blast form
when they acquire 1 rank of Bending Arts. Characters may
Some abilities have lasting and devastating consequences, acquire other Basic and Advanced forms at any time. Expert
others have passive effects, and others still can be sustained and Master Forms should typically require more than
or used as the foundation to perform still more incredible experience to learn, and must be taught or learned through
techniques. other means. This can provide the Player Characters and the
GM with the flexibility to encounter new opportunities
Each technique a bender can learn is represented by a unique throughout the story. A bending scroll can confer the
Form. There are different Forms based on level of expertise.
Basic forms are for untrained benders. Advanced forms are
indicative of dedication to the bending arts. Some techniques
require countless hours of training and meditation to attain,
however. These Expert forms contain some of the most

technique after rigorous training. Player characters may Innate Qualities
stumble upon—or deliberately seek out—a bending master
for their element. Just as with certain specialized weapons, a bender’s
elemental attack may exhibit certain qualities which are
Maneuvers and Forms sometimes inherent to the skill itself. While benders can
As with anything else characters might attempt in structured hone their offensive abilities to become more powerful,
encounters, bending techniques are categorized as either and thus exhibit more qualities, some of these qualities
Maneuvers or Actions. Since maneuvers are generally less are innate to the technique itself.
numerous, they are listed together. Actions are broken into If a form or upgrade describes an innate quality, the
tiers depending on whether they are Basic, Advanced, Expert
bender does not require aa to activate that quality (and
or Master Forms.
any additions or subtractions to that quality) on a
The upcoming four sections detail each element, and present successful hit. Innate qualities do not activate on f, but
example maneuvers and forms that cover some of the most can still be activated with aa on a f, just like normal
common techniques characters might attempt. A brief weapon and attack qualities.
narrative description of the ability as depicted in canon is
presented, but it should really be up to the players to describe Each element lists their forms in their own section, and is
the action at the table. accompanied by a Finesse Table at the end of each section
containing a list of upgrades. These upgrades can be added
The Form of Forms to any of that element’s forms, wherever applicable.
Each form can be divided into three aspects: the described
Some forms will also be listed with upgrades which are unique
technique, its relevant skill check and effects, and its profile. to those forms. These Mastery upgrades work just like those
When a character acquires a form, he immediately gains
found in the upgrade table, requiring the player to spend their
access to the most basic aspect of the technique, listed in its
character’s XP. Form-specific upgrades permanently fill up
description. The basic form is the bending technique at its
one of the five maximum upgrade ‘slots’ for any form the
simplest, and provides the foundation for all the potential
character has learned.
upgrades and training that may accompany the form.
Although each upgrade has its own requirements, the GM has
The description of the form contains information regarding the
the final decision on whether a Master form or upgrade can
technique’s effects, its use, and which Characteristic governs
be acquired given the narrative circumstances. Thus, players
its success. Different techniques will describe different
should be actively encouraged to seek out narrative
aspects such as range, damage, innate qualities and other
justifications to enhance their abilities.
qualities, target number and/or size, even duration. Unlike
normal weapon and attack qualities, innate qualities do
Acquiring Form Upgrades
not require a to activate.
Benders can purchase upgrades from the Finesse Table,
For additional narrative effect, forms can also be classified by paying the listed XP cost to do so. Characters may also
whether they allow a bender to create, control, or transform choose to acquire any upgrades listed in the form description.
the physical properties of the element in question. Benders can upgrade their forms a number of times equal to
their rank in the Bending Arts skill; at most, each Form can
Creation maneuvers and actions allow a Bender to manifest only have five associated upgrades. Form-specific
the element using only their inner chi. Firebending and upgrades apply to this limit.
airbending techniques typically fall under this category.
For example, a firebender PC who begins the game with
Control reflects the Bender’s ability to maintain and Bending Arts rank 1 would have access to Fire Blast. The Fire
maneuver a concentrated manifestation of an element Blast form can be upgraded once, due to her rank in Bending
through the material world. Benders either have control over Arts.
an element or they do not. Some techniques require that the
bender character be in total control of an element before they It may be possible for characters to acquire upgrades beyond
can manipulate it. this, but they must be taught by a master or introduced
through other narrative circumstances. As with talents, some
Transformation refers to technique maneuvers and actions upgrades may be acquired or applied more than once and will
that usually require a pre-existing source of a particular specify such in the description.
element to be under a character’s control in order for the
Bender to manipulate it to her will. Earthbending and Power and Manipulation upgrades are only purchased once,
waterbending techniques are largely transformative. and can be applied at-will to any Form.
Techniques that transform the element often mold the
Perfection upgrades
element for a specialized purpose.
Types of Form Upgrades
Finesse and Mastery Upgrades Form improvements are grouped into Finesse and Mastery
Just as we see in the Avatar series, a bender’s elemental upgrades. Finesse upgrades are temporary and can be used
forms can be a reflection of that character’s personality and to modify forms at-will, while mastery upgrades are
life experience. Players in The Second Age can customize permanent and offer greater boons. Upgrades listed with each
their bending forms by spending experience points (XP) to form specify whether they are Finesse and Mastery.
acquire upgrades.
The Second Age v1.6 | The Bending Arts | 49
A Form of Perfection
Upgrading a bending form simply means making it better. Mechanically, that means modifying existing effects in beneficial
ways or adding new abilities or qualities. The idea is to improve the form.
Narratively, this represents a benders continued training and learning about the nature of their element, and their unique art.
Certain terms like Finesse and Mastery have little mechanical purpose, but help to convey a certain narrative intent.
Finesse represents how players can modify their forms to serve their needs and their characters’ personalities. Finesse is
acquired through XP and can be purchased at any time; these upgrades are typically added at-will to a form. Each upgrade
is listed with its associated cost or other requirements.
Some upgrades listed in the Table may be listed as a Mastery in their descriptions. This kind of master finesse is available
only to benders who have spent most of their time training and learning to unlock the secrets of the bending arts through
experience. Mastery upgrades should require some sort of narrative justification; the GM can simply ask players how their
characters have been able to hone these abilities. Alternatively, an NPC may serve as a Master to the players and impart
her wisdom, allowing the players to access this esoteric knowledge of the bending arts. Separately, or in addition to
aforementioned suggestions, a GM could also require the players to pass a Hard Meditation check, perhaps once per
session, before they can access this deeper understanding of their element.
Although these upgrades are available to be applied generally ability for the form; similar to Mastery upgrades, perfection
to all of a bender’s forms, not all upgrades will apply to all upgrades are permanent and take up one of a Form’s upgrade
forms—and some may seem more potent when applied to slots.
specific forms. For instance, you wouldn’t be able to add
damage to a form that does not attack a target. Finesse Using Form Upgrades
upgrades are further classified into the following categories. Although some Finesse and Mastery upgrades have
passive, and thus permanent, effects many of them simply
Power upgrades are difficulty modifiers that completely
allow the character to actively augment the base ability of their
manipulate a form’s technique, allowing it to take on
forms.
temporary effects which might augment the potency of a form,
bestow certain qualities to the form, or even increase its Before making a bending action, the character may choose to
effective range. enhance their Form with any Finesse or Mastery they’ve
learned. However, each effect has a certain cost associated
Manipulation upgrades are intensity modifiers which affect
with it; you might have to increase or upgrade the difficulty,
how strenuous a form bending check will be; these upgrades
and/or suffer additional strain.
can also apply to form maneuvers that require the bender to
suffer strain. Most modifiers intensify the character’s focus You may not increase your form’s skill check if it would
when using the form, allowing them to amplify the form’s basic increase the difficulty of the check beyond Formidable
effects or to concentrate on more than one task at the same ( ) (after any relevant reductions, such as from
time. Talents). Each effect can be added once, unless the effect
specifies otherwise.
Perfection upgrades represent a bender’s full grasp of their
art when using a specific form. Each perfection upgrade
allows an experienced bender to unlock an extremely potent

Firebending
Firebending is the pyrokinetic ability to control fire. Among the Uniquely, fire’s persistent nature all but guarantees a constant
bending arts it is unique in that it is the only element in which source of fire for nearly any engagement. Firebenders do not
the user can spontaneously generate the element. suffer to sutain fire objects. This bonus does not apply to
Firebending is the most aggressive and damaging of the four gained from sustaining active forms.
elements. However, it has very few defensive moves and it is
also the most unwieldy of the elements as many of its  Requires: Bending Arts 1
techniques impose an inherent difficulty overcome only by  Cost: This maneuver is acquired for free with the first
masters of the art. rank in Bending Arts.
 Concentrate: Yes
The philosophy of firebending, when it was first created,  Finesse: The bender is immune to Burn effects (5
differs radically from that of the present-day Fire Nation. XP).
Originally representing warmth, energy and life, the Fire  Incineration (Mastery): Once per round, the
Nation had become fueled by greed and rage. Firebending is firebender may suffer 2 strain as an incidental (out-
not totally devoted to unleashing the power of fire on one's of-turn) to destroy an oncoming ranged projectile (15
enemies. In practice, the focus is placed upon balance. XP).
Firebending, however it is accomplished, is about decisively
 Ignition (Mastery): As an incidental (out-of-turn),
acting on one's desires or goals. Some firebenders do so by
the character may suffer 1 strain to spend hh
becoming one with the harmony of life, treating the flame as a
generated by an incoming combat check targeting
living, breathing thing. Others use their anger as a source of
the character to perform a firebending form (15 XP).
destructive power, a crude but effective path.
Breath control is one of the first things taught to young Fire Strikes [Create]
firebenders as without control of breathing, they are more A prolific ability, firebenders can use their jabs, kicks and
prone to lose control of the fire that they are creating or punches produce miniature fireballs, flame missiles, or
manipulating, leading to disastrous results. Firebending streaks of flame.
hinges on inner calm, discipline, and emotional and physical
The firebender may suffer 2 strain to increase the difficulty of
stability such as a firm balanced form, rhythmic breathing and
their next Martial Arts combat check. Small fireballs are
good health. Unlike other benders who depend on external
projected from the hands and feet until the beginning of the
sources of their elements to bend, firebenders can create fire
bender’s next turn. A successful combat check has innate
using their internal heat source in addition to controlling
Burn 1 quality. Fire Strikes may be used to reach targets up
already existent flames.
to short range with the Martial Arts check.
Maneuvers  Requires: Bending Arts 2

These maneuvers are specific to characters who are skilled in  Cost: 10 XP
the bending arts, specifically firebending. Like most  Concentrate: Yes
maneuvers, these don’t actually require checks, but affect the  Finesse: The bender may spend a to stack 1
character’s skill checks. additional rating of the Burn quality (10 XP).
 Fire Dagger (Mastery): The bender may suffer 2
Manifest Fire [Create] additional strain to increase the innate Burn quality
Firebenders use their chi as a source for their bending. This to a number equal to their rank in Bending Arts (15
facet of firebending is a sharp contrast to the other bending XP).
arts, which manipulate already present sources of their
element. As a result, summoning fire is a little more taxing for Hot Step [Transform]
firebenders. Skillful firebenders can use their abilities to enhance their
movement and agility.
The bender may suffer 2 strain to manifest one fire object no
larger than silhouette 0 within effective range and bring it The bender may suffer 3 strain to use their firebending to
under their control. The bender may suffer a number of enhance their movements for a number of rounds equal to
additional strain no greater than ranks in Bending Arts to their rank in Bending Arts. Each maneuver allows the
increase the silhouette of one object under their control by that character to move twice as far.
number, or increase the number of objects under their control
by that number. A bender’s effective range for this maneuver  Requires: Bending Arts 3
is one range band per rank in Bending Arts.  Cost: 15 XP
 Finesse: The bender may treat rough terrain as
The object lasts as long as the bender maintains normal (5 XP).
concentration. The bender may move, shift, warp, or  Mastery: The bender can make a free maneuver
otherwise manipulate any fire within effective range. This can that does not count toward the 2-per-round limit (10
be used to merge two objects into one, increasing the XP).
silhouette of the object to 1 more than the highest silhouette  Fire Walk (Mastery): The bender may suffer a
of the merged objects. This maneuver cannot be used to strike number of additional strain no greater than their rank
an opponent. in Bending Arts to gain one maneuver per strain

suffered in this way. These maneuvers can only be Fire Blast [Control]
used for movement and do not count toward the 2-
A basic short-range attack, firebenders can manipulate a
per-round limit (15 XP).
fireball at the end of a limb and thrust the flame creating an
explosive blast in any direction.
Fire Spin [Transform]
The firebender may suffer 4 strain to spin in place vigorously, The bender may project a single fire object under their control
twirling fire around them in a burst up to short range. All at a target within short range. They must make an Easy
characters within effective range of the bender must make a Bending (CHI) check. Fire Blast can be used as a counter
Hard Resilience check. Characters who fail take damage maneuver.
equal to the bender’s rank in Bending Arts, ignoring soak.
 Requires: Bending Arts 1
 Requires: Bending Arts 4  Cost: This form is acquired for free with the first rank
 Cost: 20 XP in Bending Arts.
 Mastery: The bender may spend t on a Fire Sweep  Fire Bomb (Finesse): Upgrade the difficulty by 1.
check to perform a follow up Fire Spin maneuver Fire Blast gains the Blast quality equal to its
without suffering strain. (15 XP). silhouette. This effect can stack with other sources
of this quality (15 XP).
Lightning Generation [Create]
Firebenders who have mastered their inner turmoil are able to Fire Kick [Create]
generate and manipulate lightning by separating the yin and Spinning kicks or sweeping arm movements create rings and
yang energies. If a firebender who harbors inner turmoil tries arcs to slice larger, more widely spaced, or evasive targets.
to generate lightning, the results could backfire.
The firebender may suffer 2 strain to make an Easy Bending
The firebender may suffer 4 strain to focus their inner peace, (BOD) check to deliver a fiery kick to an engaged target,
separating positive and negative energies within, acquiring a dealing melee damage in addition to the form’s innate Burn 1
buildup of energy which may be discharged with Lightning quality.
Blast.
If the bender is targeted by a melee attack before they can  Cost: 5 XP
discharge, the attacker must make a Hard Resilience check,  Finesse: The bender may spend aa to knockback
taking damage equal to the firebender’s rank in Bending Arts the target (5 XP).
(ignoring soak) if they fail.  Blazing Arc (Mastery): The bender may upgrade
the difficulty of Fire Kick by 1 to instead launch an
arc of fire forward in a line up to short range.
 Cost: 20 XP
Adjacent characters are knocked away from the arc
and suffer damage (15 XP).
Lightning Redirection [Transform]
Once per encounter, if the firebender has not reached their Fire Stream [Create]
maneuver limit, they may suffer 4 points of strain to redirect Firebenders can shoot continuous streams of fire from their
incoming electricity or lightning away from the target and the fingertips, fists, palms, or legs. These streams can be widened
source. This ability cannot be used to directly target any to create techniques that mirror modern day flamethrowers.
specific object or character.
The firebender may suffer 2 strain to make an Easy Bending
 Requires: Bending Arts 5 (INT) check. The bender may user their hands, feet, or even
 Cost: 25 XP mouth to create a stream of fire in a straight line up to short
 Mastery: The bender may redirect lightning at a range which lasts until the beginning of the character’s next
specific target within Medium range (15 XP). turn. The stream damages anyone in range, as well as any
characters who pass through it. This form requires
Actions concentration to sustain.
Below is a list of forms that any firebender can learn with the  Requires: Bending Arts 2
proper training and level of experience. Each form describes
 Cost: 10 XP
the type of skill check being made, in addition to any
requirements. Forms also may be listed with unique Finesse
 Finesse: Fire Stream gains innate Burn 1 quality (5
and Mastery upgrades along with how much they XP they
XP).
cost to acquire.
 Mastery: Using Two-Weapon Fighting rules, the
bender may suffer 1 additional strain to create
Basic Forms another stream which can be targeted in a different
Even firebenders who are only just discovering their abilities direction (15 XP).
still have access to several basic forms that most beginners
discover and explore on their own. They require a basic
understanding of the Bending Arts (rank 1 – 2).
Advanced Forms
Advanced forms are usually more capable versions of their
basic counterparts, and thus generally require a firebender
spend more time practicing their art, in addition to gaining

practical experience. Unless stated otherwise, advanced Fire Whip [Control]
forms require at least 3 ranks in Bending Arts. Depending on
This technique is a variant of the Fire Stream; this continuous
the general themes of the campaign, some or all advanced
flame has a semi-tactile quality and can be utilized as a whip.
forms may be restricted at the GM’s discretion unless the
bender finds a teacher, bending scroll, or other narrative The firebender may suffer 2 strain to create a whip from fire
explanation for their abilities. under their control until the end of their turn. The whip has all
the qualities of a normal whip except it inflicts Burn 1 against
Energy Reading [Transform] unarmored opponents and its short range may be increased.
In a similar way to healing, firebenders are capable of using Attacks made with Fire Whip are performed with an Average
fire to sense chi paths and interpret spiritual energies. Fire Bending (AGI) check.
sages can use this technique to ascertain and purify ailments,
even to identify the influence or presence of dark spirits.  Requires: Bending Arts 3
 Cost: 15 XP
The firebender may suffer 2 strain to make a Hard Bending  Concentrate: Yes
(CHI) check. Using a small flame, the character may heal a  Finesse: The whip gains the Sunder quality (5 XP).
target ally of all status effects.  Finesse: The bender may suffer 1 additional strain
to create a second whip. Two-Weapon Fighting rules
If the target is a spirit up to short range, the character uses
apply, raising the attack difficulty to Hard (10 XP).
their firebending to read the spirit’s aura, gaining an
understanding of its being. All bending form attacks against  Mastery: The bender may upgrade one to add the
the spirit have innate Pierce equal to the firebender’s rank in Blast quality with a rating equal to their rank in
Bending Arts. Bending Arts (15 XP).
 Requires: Bending Arts 3 Fire Sweep [Transform]

 Cost: 15 XP Typically through an extension of their kick, adept firebenders
 Finesse: Attacks against the target spirit generate can perform devastating combinations of melee attacks that
an automatic a(10 XP). leave a target knocked prone.
The firebender may suffer 2 strain to make an Average

Heat Wave [Transform]
Bending (BOD) check to sweep the feet of an engaged target
Certain advanced firebenders appear to have the ability to
with their feet or any weapon with Reach quality. The attack
control heat. Using this technique, firebenders can heat a
deals melee damage, has innate Burn 1, and knocks down
wide range of liquids, like water or tea, heat metal to scalding
the opponent.
temperatures, or melt ice. Heat redirection has also been
performed.  Requires: Bending Arts 3
 Cost: 15 XP
The firebender may suffer 3 strain to make a Hard Bending
(CHI) check. If successful, the burst of heat will disorient all  Mastery: The bender may spend t on a Fire Kick
engaged opponents and deal Stun Damage. check to perform a follow up Fire Sweep attack
without suffering strain. (15 XP).
 Cost: 15 XP Expert Forms
 Conduction (Mastery): The bender may redirect a Truly dedicated firebenders can perfect the use of forms that
heat source at a target with this check, dealing capture the essence of their element. Benders require at least
additional Stun Damage equal to the character’s 4 ranks in Bending Arts to acquire an expert form. Additionally,
rank in Bending Arts (15 XP). PCs must learn the form through a bending scroll, a master,
or must otherwise be able to narratively support how they
Fire Shield [Create] came to hone this ability.
Competent firebenders can create a protective shield of fire in
front of or around themselves or another individual that can Fire Lash [Transform]
deflect and deter attacks. An even further extension of the fire whip/stream, firebenders
can create a long lash of fire and bring it down on their
The firebender may suffer 3 strain to make an Average
enemies. Some firebenders have even managed to use
Bending (INT) check. If successful, they create a Fire Shield multiple lashes at once from their arms and legs.
around themselves which grants +1 bonus soak value.
Additionally, anyone who becomes engaged or disengages From a sustained Fire Whip, the bender may suffer 3 strain
with the bender suffer 1 wound, ignoring soak. to intensify the whip with an Average Bending (AGI) check.
The fire lash has all the qualities of a normal whip except it
 Requires: Bending Arts 3 inflicts Burn 3 against unarmored opponents and its medium
 Cost: 15 XP range may be increased; the fire lash lasts until the beginning
 Concentrate: Yes of the bender’s next turn. Attacks made with Fire Lash are
 Finesse: Fire Shield may be performed as a counter performed with an Average Bending (AGI) check.
(5 XP).
 Requires: Bending Arts 4, Fire Whip
 Cost: 20 XP

 Finesse: The Fire Lash may be used to grip or  Requires: Bending Arts 4, Lightning Generation
grapple a target (10 XP).  Cost: 20 XP
Wall of Flames [Control] Master Forms

One of a firebender’s few defensive techniques, either a These abilities are rarely seen among the bending population.
situated explosion or controlled inferno, this wall of Only an experienced and learned firebender can unlock the
concentrated flames acts as a barrier to incoming attacks. It full potential of their element. These forms require rank 5 in
not only protects against attacks, but at the right time, can be Bending Arts, and the PC must learn the form through a
used to escape from foes. bending scroll, a master, or must otherwise be able to
narratively support how they came to hone this ability.
The bender may suffer 3 strain to make an Average Bending
(INT) check to create a large (silhouette 2) fire column or
wall at a target location up to short range until the end of the
Combustion [Create]
round. A rare ability known only to those of the 'Third-Eye Tribe'
which allows the firebender to ignite objects with their mind
Targets engaged with the object take damage, and are instead of traditional firebending methods. Benders
inflicted with the attack’s innate Burn 1 quality. All characters concentrate the energy through a tattooed third eye to project
gain Burn 1 at the beginning of each turn they are engaged a ray of heat which detonates with great force, producing
with the wall or inferno column; this effect stacks. localized explosions with a great deal of precision. This
technique is extremely effective and very destructive, capable
Ranged attacks made through the object suffer . The object of use at close and long-range; it can completely disintegrate
lasts until the end of the round and requires concentration to hill-sized boulders and instantaneously evaporate large
sustain. bodies of water with ease. It can even be employed to burn
things without setting an explosion, similar to a lens focusing
 Requires: Bending Arts 4, Fire Shield
sunlight.
 Cost: 20 XP
 Concentrate: Yes The firebender may suffer 4 strain to spend a maneuver
 Finesse: Wall of Flames may be used as a counter focusing their breath. As a follow up action, they may attack a
(5 XP). target any location up to medium range and make a Hard
 Mastery: The bender may suffer 1 strain to increase Bending (CHI) check. A successful hit has an innate Blast 5
the Burn quality of the object by their rank in Bending quality, and Concussive 1. The bender must have a clear line
Arts (15 XP). of sight to the target.
Rocket Feet [Create]  Requires: Bending Arts 5

Truly skilled firebenders are able to conjure huge amounts of  Cost: 25 XP
flame to propel themselves at high speeds on the ground or  Finesse: The attack also deals equivalent Stun
through the air. Damage (10 XP).
 Mastery: The bender may upgrade the difficulty of
The firebender may suffer 3 strain to perform a Hard Bending the check by 1 to target around objects (15 XP).
(AGI) check to leap up to medium range in a single
maneuver. Propulsion [Control]
Normally, Rocket Feet can only be used for short periods of
 Requires: Bending Arts 4, Hot Step
time by regular firebenders; for few masters, however, the
 Cost: 20 XP technique can be used for sustained levitation and flight.
 Finesse: Until the end of the round, add to all
incoming combat checks (10 XP). The bender may suffer 4 strain to make a Hard Bending
(CHI) check. If they are successful, the character gains
Lightning Blast [Control] limited flight assisted by their firebending for a number of
Lightning, also known as "the cold-blooded fire", is considered turns equal to strain suffered in this way.
the most powerful firebending technique, and its use was
Flight can be sustained, but is more strenuous than usual;
initially available only to a select few firebending prodigies and
masters. However, seventy years later, the art has evolved to sustain Propulsion thus imposes instead of the usual 1
a well-known (and often feared) skill. to sustain forms.
If the firebender has performed the Lightning Generation The bender may attempt other actions during flight, but must
maneuver, they may perform a Daunting Bending (CHI) upgrade the difficulty of the check by 1.
check to send a bolt of lightning up to medium range, dealing
 Requires: Bending Arts 5, Rocket Feet
damage to target’s wound and strain thresholds. The attack
 Cost: 25 XP
has innate Pierce 2 and Vicious 2; Concussive 1 may be
applied with aa.
 Mastery: The bender only suffers 1 to sustain
If the bender fails their check, it means they cannot focus and Rocket Flight (15 XP).
their turmoil has overwhelmed their chi. h might cause the
bender to suffer even more strain, while d could have
disastrous consequences for the firebender.

TABLE: Firebending Finesse Upgrades
EFFECTS MODIFIER COST
Power
Searing: The form’s attack gains the Pierce 1 quality. This upgrade may be added multiple times, increasing
5 XP
the difficulty each time.
Range: Increase the effective range of the form by one range band. This may be added multiple times,
5 XP
increasing the range by one range band each time.
Close Quarters: Increase the difficulty of the check to hit a number of targets engaged with the original target
10 XP
no greater than your rank in Bending Arts. For each a, you may hit an additional engaged target.
Blast: The form gains the Blast quality equal to the bender’s rank in Bending Arts. 10 XP
Wide Flame: Increase the form’s area of effect by one range band, or one unit. The form affects additional
10 XP
targets within effective range.
Quality Control: Increase the difficulty of the check a number of times no greater than your rank in Bending
15 XP
Arts to boost a form’s quality rating by that number.
Additional Targets: Increase the difficulty of the check a number of times no greater than your rank in
Bending Arts to affect that many additional targets. You must have control over the same number of earth 15 XP
objects.
Deadly: The form’s attack has a Critical Rating of 2. The attack also gains the Vicious quality rating equal to
Upgrade 20 XP
the character’s rank in Bending Arts.
Manipulation
Good Form: You may suffer 1 less strain to perform this form after adding strain for other intensity modifiers.
- 1 Strain 5 XP
This upgrade may be added multiple times, decreasing the strain to a minimum of 0.
Reflexive Bending: You may suffer 1 additional strain to perform a bending maneuver as an incidental. +1 Strain 10 XP
Pressurized: You may suffer 2 additional strain to increase the damage output of this form by 1 per rank in
+2 Strain 10 XP
Bending Arts.
Focused Chi: You may suffer 2 additional strain decrease the Form’s difficulty by 1 to a minimum of easy.
+2 Strain 10 XP
This upgrade may be added multiple times.
Bring the Heat: You may suffer a number of strain no greater than your rank in Bending Arts to add the Burn
+N Strain 15 XP
quality to your attack equal to the strain suffered in this way.
Perfection
Deep Burn: You may spend a t to ignore the target’s soak. N/A 10 XP
Master Focus: You may concentrate to sustain this form without incurring any . N/A 10 XP
Innate Strength: Permanently increase the damage done by this form by 1. This upgrade may be added
N/A 10 XP
multiple times.
Residual Heat: You may spend aa to inflict Burn 1. N/A 10 XP
Fire Arc: You may spend aa to send a blazing arc up to medium range in the direction of your bending N/A 10 XP
attacks. The arc deals damage equal to your rank in Bending Arts.
Scaling Intensity: The form’s innate quality rating increases by 1 rank per size of the fire object’s silhouette. If
N/A 10 XP
the form’s innate quality rating is larger than its silhouette, retain that value instead.

Airbending
Airbending is the aerokinetic ability to control and manipulate up to medium range from up to 10 fall damage (5
air. Airbending is notable for being the passive-defensive XP).
bending art. Maneuverability and battlefield control are the  Hypersensitive (Mastery): Airbenders can perceive
specialty of the airbender. Unless otherwise specified, all subtle shifts and vibrations in the surrounding air
combat-based airbending abilities inflict Stun Damage, currents, giving them a split-second advantage in
dealing strain rather than wounds. their reaction time. The bender adds to an
Initiative check (15 XP).
Airbenders have the ability to enhance their movements
 Windfall (Mastery): As an incidental (out-of-turn),
during battle. They can take giant leaps into the air, move at
the character may suffer 1 strain to spend hh
high speeds, run on water and vertical surfaces, glide on air
currents to slow their descent and even spin around like a
the character to disarm the attacker (15 XP).
tornado to move quickly and confuse opponents. They can
also create cushions of air to soften and blunt the falls of
With the Wind [Create]
heavy objects. Airbenders can project powerful gusts of wind
The bender may suffer 1 strain to upgrade their next Martial
from their mouths. Master Airbenders can create vortices to
Arts combat check. If successful, compressed blasts of air are
disorient and tornadoes to attack opponents. Airbenders are
projected from the hands and feet dealing additional Stun
also capable of projecting solidified constructs of air to knock
Damage equal to ranks in Bending Arts, in addition to the
an opponent off balance or to provide defense from projectile
wounds dealt by melee combat.
weapons.
Airbending is based on using one’s own momentum as a  Requires: Bending Arts 2

weapon, constantly building up inertia for explosive  Cost: 10 XP
counterattacks that evoke the unpredictable nature and  Leaf on the Wind (Mastery): After performing any
explosive force of the wind. While being the most dynamic of airbending action, the bender may spend aa to
the bending arts, the style lacks fatal finishing moves, being gain a free movement maneuver, not counting
an almost entirely defensive art. toward the 2-per-round limit (15 XP).
 Like the Feather (Mastery): The bender may
always perform a second maneuver during their turn
Maneuvers without suffering strain, not exceeding the 2-per-
These maneuvers are exclusive to characters who are skilled round limit (15 XP).
in the bending arts, specifically airbending. Like most
maneuvers, these don’t actually require checks, but affect the Breath of Wind [Transform]
character’s skill checks. The airbender may suffer 2 strain to take a maneuver to
enhance the ability to hold their breath. The bender can hold
Manipulate Air [Control] their breath a number of turns equal to their ranks in Bending
By channeling their energies, airbenders can manipulate the Arts. The effect ends at the end of the round of their last turn
air around them to manifest an ‘object’ comprised entirely of unless sustained.
controlled air. This basic form serves as the foundation for all
other airbending techniques.  Requires: Bending Arts 3
 Cost: 15 XP
The bender may suffer 1 strain to manifest one air object no  Concentrate: Yes
larger than silhouette 0 within effective range and bring it
 Amplify (Mastery): By using this technique, the
under their control. The bender may suffer a number of
airbender can also magnify the sound waves
additional strain no greater than ranks in Bending Arts to
generated by a whistle, other instrument, or their
increase the silhouette of one object under their control by that
own voice (15 XP).
by that number. A bender’s effective range for this maneuver Air Shield [Create]
is one range band per rank in Bending Arts.
The airbender creates a sphere of whirling air surrounding
The object lasts as long as the bender maintains their body, protecting them from ranged attacks.
concentration. The bender may move, shift, warp, or
The bender may suffer 2 strain to add +1 ranged defense until
otherwise manipulate an air object within effective range. This
the beginning of their next turn.
can be used to merge two objects into one, increasing the
silhouette of the object to 1 more than the highest silhouette  Requires: Bending Arts 3
of the merged objects. This maneuver cannot be used to strike  Cost: 15 XP
an opponent.
 Requires: Bending Arts 1  Finesse: Air Shield may be used as an Incidental
 Cost: This maneuver is acquired for free with the first (Out-of-turn) (5 XP).
rank in Bending Arts.  Mastery: The airbender may target an ally up to
 Concentrate: Yes short range and protect them with Air Shield (15
 Finesse: The bender may suffer 1 strain as an XP).
Incidental (out-of-turn) to protect oneself or an ally
Suction [Transform] Air Bomb [Transform]
The bender may suffer 2 strain to bring an object no larger This technique creates a powerful, outward-moving current in
than silhouette 0 within short range into their possession. all directions around the airbender. Usually performed after
This cannot be a weapon currently held by another character. landing on the ground from above, this form has great
concussive force, and the capacity to completely blow away
 Requires: Bending Arts 3 anything in its radius.
 Cost: 15 XP
 Vacuum (Mastery): The bender may suffer a The bender may suffer 2 strain to make an Average Bending
number of additional strain no greater than their rank (CHI) check, creating an outward blast of air up to engaged
in Bending Arts to affect objects of a silhouette range. This attack has a Concussive 1 quality which may be
equal to the strain suffered in this way (15 XP). triggered with aa.

Actions  Cost: 10 XP
All airbending forms that any airbender can learn with the  Finesse: Air Bomb may be performed as a counter
proper training and level of experience is listed here. Each (5 XP).
form describes the type of skill check being made, in addition  Shockwave (Mastery): If Air Bomb is performed
to any requirements. Forms also may be listed with unique after a fall, jump, or other long-distance maneuver its
Finesse and Mastery upgrades along with how much they XP effects and effective range are increased by one
they cost to acquire. level per range band traveled (15 XP).
Basic Forms Air Funnel [Transform]

Even airbenders who are only just discovering their abilities A small-scale air vortex, airbenders use this technique as a
still have access to several basic forms that most beginners cannon by creating a small air funnel through which small
discover and explore on their own. They require a basic projectiles can be loaded and fired out of the opposite end.
understanding of the bending arts (rank 1 – 2).
The bender may suffer 2 strain to make an Easy Bending
Air Blast [Control] (INT) check, to perform a ranged attack against a target up to
short range. This attack requires some sort of projectile to be
An airbender can create a compressed ball of air by moving
launched, which may inflict wounds at the GM’s discretion.
their hands together in a circular motion. The user can then
The funnel lasts until the beginning of the bender’s next turn.
make a more offensive maneuver involving a direct pulse or
jet of strong wind from the hands, feet, or mouth.  Requires: Bending Arts 2
The bender may thrust a single object under their control at a  Cost: 10 XP
target within short range. They must make an Easy Bending  Concentrate: Yes
(AGI) check to deal Stun Damage.  Mastery: The Air Funnel has the Auto-Fire quality
(15 XP). Auto-Fire allows you to increase the
 Requires: Bending Arts 1 difficulty of the check by 1. If successful, extra
 Cost: This form is acquired for free with the first rank attacks can be triggered with aa.
in Bending Arts.
 Winded (Mastery): Air Blast disorients targets for a Air Swipe [Create]
number of turns equal to the bender’s rank in When equipped with a staff or bladed weapon, the bender
Bending Arts (15 XP). may create a wave of air, sending it toward an engaged
 Mastery: Disorient becomes innate (15 XP). target. The air swipe is both a defensive and offensive
technique in which an airbender uses a staff or bladed
Air Kick [Create] weapon to conjure a crescent-shaped wave of compressed
Another more offensive move than is typical of the airbending air to stun and knock back opponents or even deflect
discipline, air punches or air kicks are small, compressed projectiles.
formations of air that can be fired off the fists or feet of an
Attacking with their weapon, the character makes an Average
airbender.
Bending (BOD) check to deal melee damage in addition to
The bender may suffer 1 strain to make an Easy Bending innate Knockback. The air swipe can be used as a counter
(BOD) check to deliver a blustery kick to an engaged target, maneuver.
dealing melee damage with Stun quality equal to the bender’s
 Requires: Bending Arts 2, staff or bladed weapon
rank in Bending Arts. The kick can knockback a target on
aa.  Cost: 10 XP
 Deflect (Mastery): Air Swipe can be used to perform
 Requires: Bending Arts 1 the Deflect talent (15 XP).
 Cost: 5 XP
 Mastery: Air Kick’s Stun quality becomes innate (15 Advanced Forms
XP). Advanced forms are usually more capable versions of their
basic counterparts, and thus generally require an airbender
practical experience. Unless stated otherwise, advanced

forms require at least 3 ranks in Bending Arts. Depending on Air Scooter [Transform]
A spherical "ball" of air that can be ridden balancing on it like
a top, this form was invented by Avatar Aang when he was
bender finds a teacher, bending scroll, or other narrative
only 12 years old, subsequently earning him the title of master
explanation for their abilities.
and his airbending tattoos.
Air Barrage [Transform] Requires a silhouette 1 air object. The bender may suffer 3
Some airbenders can create a successive stream of air strain to make an Easy Bending (AGI) check to successfully
punches in rapid succession. balance upon a rotating air sphere for increased
maneuverability, speed, and agility.
Bender may barrage a single target up to short range with
successive Air Blasts using air objects under their control. The While active, the scooter grants +1 defense and 1 additional
bender may suffer 2 strain to make an Average Bending maneuver toward movement-only per difficulty level; this does
(AGI) check, dealing Stun Damage. Attacks made in this way not count toward the 2 maneuver limit per round. The air
have the Stun quality rating equal to the bender’s rank in scooter object lasts for one round per level of difficulty until
Bending Arts. end of the final round unless sustained.
 Requires: Bending Arts 3, Air Blast If sustained, scooter grants 1 less maneuver than the round
 Cost: 15 XP before. An Easy scooter, which grants only 1 maneuver,
 Mastery: Stun becomes an innate quality (15 XP). therefore cannot be sustained.
 Mastery: The bender may spend t on an Air Blast
May spend aa to treat Rough terrain as normal.
check to perform a follow up Air Barrage check
without suffering strain (15 XP).  Requires: Bending Arts 3
 Cost: 15 XP
Air Sweep [Transform]  Concentrate: Yes
Airbenders who are truly adept in martial arts can use their  Finesse: May spend aa to traverse up to 90
opponent’s weight against them, knocking them to the ground degree angles, up to medium height (5 XP).
with a swift kick or sweep of a long weapon and a little  Finesse: The character may increase the difficulty of
airbending. this check by one level per rank in Bending Arts (10
The bender may suffer 1 strain to make an Average Bending XP).
(BOD) check to sweep the feet of an engaged target with a  Mastery: The bender may carry one additional target
wind-powered kick. This attack deals inflicts wounds, and has per additional silhouette size of the air scooter (15
innate knockdown. The Air Sweep can be chained from an Air XP).
Kick with t.
Air Vortex [Control]
 Requires: Bending Arts 3, Air Kick A larger funnel of air, the air vortex can be used to trap or
 Cost: 15 XP disorient opponents as well as to deflect any objects thrown
 Finesse: Air Sweep may be used as a counter (5 at it.
XP).
 Mastery: The bender may spend t on an Air Kick The bender may suffer 2 strain to make a Hard Bending (INT)
check to create a silhouette 1 air vortex object at a target
check to perform a follow up Air Sweep check
location up to short range.
without suffering strain (15 XP).
Targets engaged with the vortex are disoriented until they
Air Jet [Control] are no longer engaged. All engaged characters suffer 1 strain
A more advanced Air Blast, the air jet involves a direct pulse (ignoring soak) at the beginning of each turn they are engaged
or jet of strong wind being projected from the hands, feet, or with the vortex.
mouth of the user.
Ranged attacks made through vortex suffer .
The bender may target an area up to short range to blast that
area with a constant stream of air. Suffer 1 strain and make The air vortex lasts until the beginning of the bender’s next
an Average Bending (AGI) check to inflict Stun Damage to turn.
all targets within the area, knocking back any character who
ends the round in the area of effect. The airstream lasts until  Requires: Bending Arts 3, Air Funnel
the end of the round.  Cost: 15 XP
 Requires: Bending Arts 3  Mastery: The bender may ride the Air Vortex and
 Cost: 15 XP use it to double their maneuver effectiveness when
 Concentrate: Yes applied to movement (15 XP).
 Finesse: Air Jet may be used as a counter (5 XP).
 Mastery: The bender may spend t on an Air Blast Expert Forms
check to perform a follow up Air Jet check without Truly dedicated airbenders can perfect the use of forms that
suffering strain (15 XP). capture the essence of their element. Benders require at least
4 ranks in Bending Arts to acquire an expert form. Additionally,

PCs must learn the form through a bending scroll, a master,  Requires: Bending Arts 4, Air Swipe, staff or bladed
or must otherwise be able to narratively support how they weapon
came to hone this ability.  Cost: 20 XP
 Finesse: Air Blade gains the Vicious 1 quality (5 XP).
Cyclone [Transform]  Striking Breeze (Mastery): The bender may suffer
An extremely talented airbender can transform their vortex 1 strain to add the Sunder quality to Air Blade equal
into a larger and more powerful cyclone. to the bender's rank in Bending Arts (15 XP).
From a sustained air vortex, the bender may suffer 2 strain

to intensify the vortex with a Hard Bending (INT) check. If
Master Forms
successful, the object’s silhouette increases by 1 and all These abilities are rarely seen among the bending population.
characters within range are disoriented while they remain Only an experienced and learned airbender can unlock the full
within effective range. If the user fails, they may suffer 1 strain potential of their element. These forms require rank 5 in
to maintain their concentration to sustain the vortex; Bending Arts, and the PC must learn the form through a
otherwise, it is destroyed. bending scroll, a master, or must otherwise be able to
narratively support how they came to hone this ability.
Targets within range with the cyclone are disoriented until
they are no longer within range. All characters suffer within Tornado [Transform]
range suffer 1 strain (ignoring soak) at the beginning of each Only master airbenders can harness the very essence of
turn they are engaged with the cyclone. nature to produce winds of this magnitude.
The cyclone lasts until the beginning of the bender’s next turn From a sustained air cyclone, the bender may suffer 2 strain
unless sustained. to intensify the cyclone into a tornado with a Daunting
Bending (INT) check. If successfully, the object’s silhouette
 Requires: Bending Arts 4, Air Vortex
increases by 1 and all characters within effective range are
 Cost: 20 XP staggered while within range. If the user fails, they may suffer
 Concentrate: Yes 1 strain to maintain their concentration to sustain the cyclone;
 Mastery: The bender may spend t on an Air Vortex otherwise, it is destroyed
check to perform a follow up Cyclone check without
suffering strain (15 XP). Targets within range of the tornado are also disoriented until
they are no longer within range. All characters within range
Astral Projection [Control] suffer 2 strain (ignoring soak) at the beginning of each turn
The bender may suffer 3 strain to make a Daunting Bending they are engaged with the tornado.
(CHI) check to enter a meditative airbending trance and
The tornado lasts until the beginning of the bender’s next turn
create a temporary incorporeal version of himself. This
unless sustained.
projection can be used to communicate with allies up to a
range commensurate with the character’s rank in Bending  Requires: Bending Arts 5, Cyclone
Arts. Only at rank 5 should a character be able to  Cost: 25 XP
communicate with someone across the world.  Concentrate: Yes
The projection lasts for as long as the GM and players  Mastery: The bender may spend t on Cyclone
determine would be appropriate to communicate a vital piece check to perform a follow up Tornado check without
of information. suffering strain (15 XP).
 Requires: Bending Arts 4 Suffocation [Control]

 Cost: 20 XP A forbidden airbending technique where the bender
 Spirit Projection (Mastery): The bender may manipulates the flow of air within a person's respiratory
upgrade the check to a Formidable Bending (CHI) system, extracting it from the lungs via the nostrils and mouth,
check to communicate with an agitated spirit to turn and prevents any new intake of breath by forming a ball of air
a combat encounter into a social one (15 XP). around the head, thus eventually killing the victim by
suffocation.
Air Blade [Create]
The bender may suffer 3 strain to make a Hard Bending
When equipped with a staff or bladed weapon, the bender
(CHI) check against a target up to medium range. If
may create a wave of air, sending it toward an opponent. The
successful, the target is immobilized, staggered and suffers
air blade is a powerful offensive technique in which an
2 strain per round (ignoring soak) while Suffocation is active.
airbender uses a staff or bladed weapon to conjure a
crescent-shaped wave of compressed air to stun and knock Suffocation’s effects last until the beginning of the target’s
back opponents or even deflect projectiles. next turn. A target may attempt to break suffocation at the
beginning of their turn by making a Hard Resilience check.
When equipped with a staff or bladed weapon, the bender
If the target fails the check, the bender may sustain the form.
may create a blade of air, sending it toward a target up to
short range. Attacking with their weapon, the bender makes  Requires: Bending Arts 5, Suction
a Hard Bending (BOD) check to deal melee damage in  Cost: 25 XP
addition to Stun Damage equal to the bender’s rank in
Bending Arts. Air Blade has innate Slashing 1 quality.

Untethered [Control] If the character attempts any actions for the duration of their
flight, they must upgrade the difficulty of the check by one. If
Once thought to be a myth, the great Guru Laghima was the
they fail or suffer d, the bender loses their concentration and
first known airbender to ever let go of his earthly tethers, and
begins to fall, taking damage commensurate to the distance
fly. They say he did not touch the ground until his death 40
fallen.
years later.
The bender may suffer a number of strain no greater than their  Requires: Bending Arts 5
rank in Bending Arts to make a Daunting Bending (CHI)  Cost: 25 XP
check. If they are successful, the character gains flight  Concentrate: Yes
assisted by their airbending for a number of turns equal to
strain suffered in this way.

TABLE: Airbending Finesse Upgrades
Power
Disorient: The form gains innate Disorient 1 quality. This upgrade may be used multiple times to increase the
5 XP
quality and difficulty by 1 each time.
Disarm: The form can disarm the target on a successful hit. 5 XP
5 XP
increasing the range by one range band each time and difficulty by 1.
10 XP
no greater than your rank in Bending Arts.
Inner Chi: The form deals additional damage equal to the bender’s rank in Bending Arts. 10 XP
15 XP
Bending Arts to affect that many additional targets. You must have control over the same number of air 15 XP
objects.
Manipulation
- 1 Strain 5 XP
Cycling Winds: You may suffer 1 additional strain to increase the form’s duration for one additional round per
+1 Strain 5 XP
strain suffered in this way. This upgrade may be added multiple times.
+2 Strain 10 XP
Blown Away: You may suffer 2 strain to add innate Knockback quality to your attack. +2 Strain 15 XP
Perfection
Knock ‘Em Down: You may spend aa to knock down your target. N/A 10 XP
N/A 10 XP
multiple times.
Gale Force: The form gains innate Stun 1 quality. This upgrade may be acquired multiple times, increasing
N/A 10 XP
the quality by 1 each time.
Impediment: Targets treat all terrain as rough when engaged with or moving through this form. N/A 10 XP

Waterbending
Waterbending is the hydrokinetic ability to control water in its by that number. A bender’s effective range for this maneuver
various forms. Relying on fluid and graceful movements, this is one range band per rank in Bending Arts.
bending acts in concert with the environment around them,
turning their defense into their offense and using their own The object lasts as long as the bender maintains
opponents force against them. Waterbenders can also concentration. The bender may move, shift, warp, or
manipulate the molecular cohesion of water for cutting and otherwise manipulate a water object within effective range.
grasping objects or running on water. Water is the most This can be used to merge two objects into one, increasing
versatile of the four elements. Many waterbending techniques the silhouette of the object to 1 more than the highest
have an ice variant with varying effects and damage; silhouette of the merged objects. This maneuver cannot be
waterbenders also have a good variety of support techniques used to strike an opponent.
to defend their allies or hamper their enemies.
Water controlled by waterbenders can also be used as
Unlike some other bending disciplines, waterbending focuses weapons, either by shaping them into gigantic whips, swung
on turning an opponent's own strength against themselves, repeatedly at a target as a snake-like body, formed
rather than direct strikes. Since water can exist in different momentarily into a razor-sharp edge that can cut through
physical states, waterbenders can freeze, melt, evaporate, even metal, or simply dropped onto an opponent to smother
sublimate or condense water. The ability to alter the physical them or put out a fire.
state of water gives waterbenders an array of defensive,
evasive and offensive techniques in battle such as encasing
 Cost: This maneuver is acquired for free with the first
an opponent in ice, hiding behind a wall of mist, surfing on
rank in Bending Arts.
bodies of water on a platform of ice, and battering enemies
with lashing whips and waves.
 Finesse: As an incidental (out-of-turn), the bender
While a bender's victory in battle is usually based on skill and may suffer 1 strain to add one point of temporary
technique, a waterbender gains a notable advantage or soak last until the end of the current character’s turn
disadvantage over other bending arts depending on the (10 XP).
amount of water in their vicinity. Waterbenders are more  Water Shield (Mastery): Once per round, the
powerful at night than during the day due to their spiritual waterbender may suffer 2 strain as an incidental
connection with the moon. Waterbenders are at their most (out-of-turn) to absorb an oncoming ranged projectile
powerful during the full moon, and are powerless during a (15 XP).
lunar eclipse or when the Moon Spirit is in danger.
Waterbenders also have the added benefit of Pierce on some Frost Breath [Transform]
of their attacks which negates damage resistance from armor. One of the first steps a waterbender takes in learning to
However, they do rely on their element being present for their manipulate water and turn it into ice is breath control. A
attacks so it is recommended that a waterbender carry around waterbender can use their breath to freeze objects, or
a flask or gourd to carry some with them. opponents. Advanced versions of the technique require the
bender to take a deep breath and exhaling a cloud of freezing
Maneuvers mist.
These maneuvers are specific to characters who are skilled in The bender may suffer 2 strain to slowly freeze an object no
the bending arts, specifically waterbending. Like most larger than silhouette 0. The object must be wet, submerged,
maneuvers, these don’t actually require checks, but affect the or have some water in its composition.
character’s skill checks.
Manipulate Water [Create]  Cost: 5 XP
Using nearby sources, no matter the size of this body of water,  Finesse: The bender may suffer 1 additional strain
waterbenders can conjure a bubble of water and manipulate to freeze an object with silhouette equal to their rank
it to their will. in Bending Arts (10 XP).
 Mastery: The bender may target character’s and
Almost all forms of waterbending involve moving and shaping perform an Average Bending Arts check to
a body of water to the waterbender's desire. By simply immobilize the target until the end of the round (15
levitating a large mass of water, waterbenders can move XP).
water anywhere they wish, even parting it under the surface
of a lake or sea, allowing them to walk along the bottom of a Phase Shift [Transform]
basin without the need to swim.
Waterbenders also possess the ability to alter the physical
The bender may suffer 1 strain to manifest one water object state of the water they manipulate, between liquid, solid and
no larger than silhouette 0 within effective range and bring gas, at will. Changing the phase of water allows for multiple
it under their control. The bender may suffer a number of techniques in the course of a battle, from encasing an
additional strain no greater than ranks in Bending Arts to opponent in ice to hiding behind a wall of mist.
increase the silhouette of one object under their control by that
The waterbender may suffer 1 strain to turn water under their
control into ice or vapor. The bender can perform Phase Shift

again to transform the ice or vapor back into water. The movement and do not count toward the 2-per-round
bender cannot take one maneuver to skip two states of matter limit (15 XP).
(solid > gas, skipping liquid or vice versa).
Water Boxing [Control]
 Requires: Bending Arts 2 A prolific ability, waterbenders can use the nature of water to
 Cost: 10 XP enhance their jabs, kicks and punches to produce maximum
 Finesse: The bender may shift between any state of impact.
matter with one Phase Shift (10 XP).
 Cold Feet (Mastery): As an incidental (out-of-turn), The waterbender may suffer 1 strain to increase the difficulty
the character may suffer 1 strain to spend hh of their next Martial Arts combat check. Successful attacks
generated by an incoming combat check targeting deal Stun Damage equal to the bender’s rank in Bending Arts
the character to knockdown the attacker with their in addition to wounds inflicted. The water ‘gloves’ last until the
waterbending (15 XP). beginning of the character’s next turn unless sustained.
 Mastery: The bender may perform Phase Shift
without suffering strain; this does not apply to Cold  Requires: Bending Arts 3
Feet (15 XP).  Cost: 15 XP
Ice Sculpture [Transform]
The waterbender may suffer 2 strain to create a wall or Water Tentacle [Transform]
column, or other basic geometric shape out of any ice object Some waterbenders can engulf an entire arm in water to form
under their control. Ice structures like walls or columns can a tentacle-like tendril extending the bender's reach. The
provide cover to an object with silhouette equal to or less than Bender can extend these tentacles to great lengths without
the silhouette of the ice object used to make the structure. jeopardizing strength or control to slam, trip, or disarm
Objects created in this way are temporary and do not require opponents.
concentration to sustain. Ice objects last for a number of
The waterbender may suffer 2 strain to create a silhouette 1
rounds equal to the silhouette of the object.
water tentacle from one free hand. Tentacles can be moved
 Require: Bending Arts 2 independently with one maneuver to interact with objects up
 Cost: 10 XP to short range. A water tentacle can be used to perform a
 Finesse: Ice Sculpture may be performed as a counter or grapple maneuver. Tentacles may also be used to
slam, trip, or disarm opponents. The tentacle lasts until the
counter (5 XP).
beginning of the bender’s next turn unless sustained.
 Finesse: The bender may suffer a number of
additional strain no greater than their rank in Bending  Requires: Bending Arts 3
Arts to create the same number of ice objects (10  Cost: 15 XP
XP).  Concentrate: Yes
 Density (Mastery): The bender may suffer a
 Fluid Reach (Mastery): Water tentacles under the
number of additional strain no greater than their rank
bender’s control can reach up to 1 additional range
in Bending Arts to add the same number as a soak
band for each additional size silhouette (15 XP).
value bonus. This bonus applies to characters who
 Mastery: Water tentacles may be used to perform
use the structure for cover (15 XP).
the Water Whip form (if it is known). The difficulty of
the attack increases to Hard and a successful hit
Flow like Water [Transform] deals Stun Damage equal to the bender’s rank in
Skillful waterbenders can use their abilities to enhance their Bending Arts (15 XP).
movement and agility, they might create a sled or ramp of ice
to slide across, or they could use the tides to propel Ice Gauntlet [Control]
themselves.
An experienced martial artist can use their waterbending to
The bender may suffer 3 strain to use their waterbending to freeze water around their hands, turning it into a large gauntlet
enhance their movements for a number of rounds equal to to slam or impale their opponent.
their rank in Bending Arts. Each maneuver allows the
The waterbender may suffer 2 strain to cover one arm with ice
character to move twice as far.
until the beginning of the bender’s next turn unless sustained.
 Requires: Bending Arts 3 While active, the Ice Gauntlet adds Stun Damage equal to the
 Cost: 15 XP bender’s rank in Bending Arts to all unarmed melee attacks.
 Finesse: The bender may treat rough terrain as Ice Gauntlet adds Pierce 2 quality to unarmed attacks,
requiring aa to trigger.
normal (5 XP).
 Mastery: The bender can make a free maneuver  Requires: Bending Arts 4, Phase Shift
that does not count toward the 2-per-round limit (10  Cost: 20 XP
XP).  Concentrate: Yes
 Mastery: The bender may suffer a number of
 Frostbite (Mastery): Pierce becomes an innate
additional strain no greater than their rank in Bending
quality equal to the bender’s rank in Bending Arts (15
Arts to gain one maneuver per strain suffered in this
XP).
way. These maneuvers can only be used for

Plantbending [Create] describes the type of skill check being made, in addition to
any requirements. Forms also may be listed with unique
When the Avatar found his tribe, Master Huu of the Foggy
Finesse and Mastery upgrades along with how much they XP
Swamp illustrated that talented waterbenders can manipulate
they cost to acquire.
plant life. Plantbending has enables benders to control and
manipulate every form of plant life from the highly water-
saturated vines and roots found within the swamp lands to Basic Forms
seaweed from the ocean floor. Even waterbenders who are only just discovering their
abilities still have access to several basic forms that most
The waterbender may suffer 3 strain to bring 1 plant object beginners discover and explore on their own. They require a
no larger than silhouette 0 within their control until the end of basic understanding of the Bending Arts (rank 1 – 2).
their turn. The character may suffer 1 additional strain per rank
in Bending Arts to increase the silhouette by 1 per strain Water Blast [Control]
suffered in this way. The waterbender bends a large amount of water and sends it
Control over plant objects may be sustained, but is more in a forceful blow toward their target.
strenuous than usual, imposing . The bender may project a single water object under their
control at a target within short range. They must make an
The plant matter may be used to perform any waterbending
Easy Bending (INT) check. Water Blast inflicts Stun Damage
check so long as it makes sense to the players and the GM
and can be used as a counter maneuver.
that the plants under control could achieve the end result.
Upgrade the difficulty of a waterbending form check made  Requires: Bending Arts 1
with Plantbending by one per silhouette size of the plant object  Cost: This form is acquired for free with the first rank
under the character’s control. Attacks made with Plantbending in Bending Arts.
have innate Stun quality equal to the object’s silhouette.
Ice Slam [Control]
 Requires: Bending Arts 4 Manipulating the water, snow, or ice in the surrounding area,
 Cost: 20 XP waterbenders can use a mass of it to shove an opponent off
 Concentrate: Yes to the side.
 Finesse: Plantbending only imposes to sustain (5
XP). The bender may suffer 1 strain to push an ice wall, column or
other medium or larger object into an opponent up to short
 Finesse: Form checks made with Plantbending can
range, dealing Stun Damage with an Average Bending
Ensnare on aa (10 XP).
(BOD) check.
 Thorny Strike (Mastery): The bender may suffer a
number of strain no greater than their rank in  Requires: Bending Arts 2
Bending Arts to shape all plant objects under their  Cost: 10 XP
control as an incidental. The object gains innate
Slashing quality equal to the strain suffered in this Soothing Waters [Transform]
way (15 XP).
Skilled waterbenders can use their abilities to heal a sick or
injured person with water, which glows during the process.
All Around Us [Create]
Going a step beyond plantbending, a skilled waterbender is The bender may suffer 2 strain to make an Average Bending
can also separate and completely extract the water from plant (INT) check to heal a target character. The target recovers
life. This process will leave behind the withered remains of all two strain per uncanceled Success.
the affected plant life or even making them collapse in the
case of large trees. The degree of skill in manipulating plant  Requires: Bending Arts 2
life depends on the experience of the bender and whether or  Cost: 10 XP
not a full moon is present.  Finesse: Upon success, the bender heals one
wound per uncanceled Success, and two strain per
The waterbender may suffer 4 strain to bring a silhouette 0 uncanceled a (10 XP).
water object within their control from living plants or damp
environments within medium range. Water Whip [Control]
The water whip is a commonly used move that involves
 Requires: Bending Arts 5, Plantbending
creating a lashing tendril of water to swipe at an opponent.
 Cost: 25 XP
The shape, size, and length are all determined by a
 From Within (Mastery): The bender may suffer 1
waterbender's control, and more powerful benders can create
additional strain to bring a small amount of water
larger whips, or ones of greater finesse.
under their control from the water vapor in the air, or
unconventional sources like vats of perfume, or even The waterbender may suffer 1 strain to create a whip from
the bender’s own sweat (15 XP). water under their control until the end of their turn. The whip
has all the qualities of a normal whip except it inflicts Stun 1
Actions against unarmored opponents and its short range may be
increased. Attacks made with Water Whip are performed with
Below is a list of forms that any waterbender can learn with
an Average Bending (AGI) check.
the proper training and level of experience. Each form

 Requires: Bending Arts 2  Finesse: Water Cloak may be performed as a
 Cost: 10 XP counter (5 XP).
 Finesse: The bender may spend a to add the Water Volley [Transform]
Sunder 1 quality to their attack (5 XP). Advanced waterbenders can barrage a single target with
 Finesse: The bender may suffer additional strain to successive blasts of water.
create a second whip (10 XP). Two-Weapon Fighting
rules apply, raising the attack difficulty to Hard. The bender may suffer 2 strain to target an opponent up to
short range and make an Average Bending (AGI) check. If
 Vine Whip (Mastery): With Plantbending, the
successful, they may repeatedly hurl a number of objects
bender may suffer 2 additional strain when creating
under their control no greater than their rank in Bending Arts,
a whip to create a vine whip. The whip has innate
dealing Stun Damage to a target.
Slashing 1 and can ensnare targets on aa (15 XP).
Attacks made with Water Volley have the Auto-Fire quality.
Water Spout [Control] Auto-Fire allows you to increase the difficulty of the check by
Similar to the air vortex but on a smaller scale, a waterbender 1; if successful, you can trigger an additional hit with aa.
can manipulate a mass of water, swirling it to form a whirling
column.  Requires: Bending Arts 3
 Cost: 15 XP
The bender may suffer 2 strain to make an Average Bending  Mastery: The bender may spend t on a Water Blast
(INT) check to create a silhouette 1 water spout object at a check to perform a follow up Water Volley attack
target location up to short range until the beginning of their without suffering strain (15 XP).
next turn.
Targets engaged with the spout take Stun Damage, and are Ice Blade [Transform]
disoriented until they are no longer engaged. All engaged Using a substantial portion of water, waterbenders can create
characters suffer 1 Stun Damage (ignoring soak) at the a sword-like blade of ice to slash, jab, or swing at opponents.
beginning of each turn they are engaged with the spout.
The bender may suffer 2 strain to make a Hard Bending (INT)
Ranged attacks made through spout suffer . check to transform water under their control into a small
blade-like object until the beginning of their next turn. The
 Requires: Bending Arts 2 blade can be used as an improvised melee weapon, has
 Cost: 10 XP innate Slashing 1 quality, and adds +3 damage to attacks with
 Concentrate: Yes a Critical Rating of 3.
 Mastery: The bender may suffer a number of
 Requires: Bending Arts 3, Phase Shift
 Cost: 15 XP
Arts strain to increase the Stun Damage of the spout
by that number (15 XP).  Concentrate: Yes
 Mastery: The bender may suffer 1 additional strain
to create a larger blade with Reach and Defensive 1
Advanced Forms qualities. More water is required to create a larger
Advanced forms are usually more capable versions of their blade (15 XP).
basic counterparts, and thus generally require a waterbender
spend more time practicing their art, in addition to gaining Ice Shards [Control]
practical experience. Unless stated otherwise, advanced
Waterbenders are able to rapidly shoot shards of ice at their
forms require at least 3 ranks in Bending Arts. Depending on
opponents. Shards can be elongated or created rapidly to
damage or incapacitate targets. Benders can also freeze
streams of water into a spike and firing it at the intended
bender finds a teacher, bending scroll, or other narrative
target.
explanation for their abilities.
The bender may suffer 3 strain to make an Average Bending
Water Cloak [Control] (AGI) check to throw shards of ice at a target up to short
Waterbenders can bring water under their control toward their range. Shards have innate Pierce 1 and innate Slashing 1.
body, the water hugging their body to provide a protective The bender must have ice under their control.
layer.
 Requires: Bending Arts 3, Phase Shift
The bender may suffer 2 strain to make an Average Bending  Cost: 15 XP
(CHI) check. On success, the bender gains a bonus to their  Ice Pin (Mastery): The waterbender may instead
soak value equal to their rank in Bending Arts. Water Cloak’s increase the difficulty by 1, and attempt to ensnare a
bonus lasts until the character takes damage or the end of the target up to medium range to a nearby surface in
round. which a thrown weapon could stick (15 XP).
Calming Mist [Control]
 Cost: 15 XP
Tapping into their inner chi, some waterbenders can align
their energy with that of their allies, potentially reducing their
stress or heightening their situational awareness.

The bender may suffer 3 strain to make an Average Bending  Concentrate: Yes
(CHI) check to cover a small (silhouette 2) area up to short  Finesse: The bender may spend aa to create an
range with an invigorating mist until the end of the next round. additional Water Tentacle (5 XP).
Allies within the area of effect immediately recover a number
of strain equal to the bender’s rank in Bending Arts. Allies Water Vortex [Control]
recover 1 additional strain at the beginning of each turn they This high-level technique involves controlling a whirlpool-like
begin shrouded in mist. pillar of water or snow, rotating it and directing its movements
at the same time, making it easier for the user to dodge
attacks.
 Cost: 15 XP
 Concentrate: Yes From a sustained water spout, the bender may suffer 2 strain
 Finesse: Select one ongoing status effect the target to intensify the spout with a Hard Bending (INT) check. If
is suffering. That effect ends immediately (10 XP). successful, the object’s silhouette increases by 1 and all
 Mastery: Suffer 1 additional strain when performing characters within range are disoriented while they remain
Calming Mist to add to all checks made by allies within effective range. If the user fails, they may suffer 1 strain
shrouded by the mist (15 XP). to maintain their concentration to sustain the spout; otherwise,
it is destroyed. Water vortex lasts until the end of the turn
Expert Forms unless sustained. All engaged characters suffer 2 Stun
Damage (ignoring soak) at the beginning of each turn they are
Truly dedicated waterbenders can perfect the use of forms
engaged with the spout.
that capture the essence of their element. Benders require at
least 4 ranks in Bending Arts to acquire an expert form.  Requires: Bending Arts 4, Water Spout
Additionally, PCs must learn the form through a bending  Cost: 20 XP
scroll, a master, or must otherwise be able to narratively
support how they came to hone this ability.
 Mastery: The bender may spend t on a Water
Spout check to perform a follow up Water Vortex
Iceberg Spike [Transform] attack without suffering strain (15 XP).
Waterbenders can cause a giant spike to protrude from a  Buoyant (Mastery): The bender may ride the Water
large source of water. The Northern Water Tribe employs Vortex and use it to double their maneuver
these as a primary defense of their homeland when enemy effectiveness when applied to movement (15 XP).
ships are sighted.
The bender may suffer 3 strain to make a Hard Bending Healing Waters [Transform]
(BOD) check to create a silhouette 3 ice glacier object, With extensive training, waterbenders can heal injuries by
erupting from the surface of a target small area up to short redirecting chi throughout the body, using water as a catalyst.
range. This form requires at least silhouette 2 of water to They lay their hands upon another living creature and channel
transform. positive energy to them through the water under their control.
The object deals damage to all engaged targets, and deals The bender may suffer 2 strain to make a Hard Bending (INT)
additional Stun Damage equal to the bender’s rank in Bending check to heal a target character. The target recovers one
Arts. Terrain within short range of the iceberg becomes rough. Critical Injury.
Objects created in this way are temporary and do not require  Requires: Bending Arts 4, Soothing Waters
concentration to sustain. Ice objects last for a number of  Cost: 20 XP
rounds equal to the silhouette of the object, but will last longer  Finesse: Select one ongoing status effect the target
if sustained. is suffering. That effect ends immediately (10 XP).
 Rejuvenation (Mastery): The bender may spend
 Requires: Bending Arts 4, Phase Shift one Story Point to upgrade the difficulty to instead
 Cost: 20 XP target individuals who are incapacitated and
 Concentrate: Yes rejuvenate them to one below their wound and strain
thresholds (15 XP).
Octopus Form [Create]
A body of water formed around the bender with a number of Master Forms
Water Tentacles which can be used to grasp or strike an These abilities are rarely seen among the bending population.
opponent or to intercept incoming attacks. Only an experienced and learned waterbender can unlock the
The bender may suffer 3 strain to make a Hard Bending full potential of their element. These forms require rank 5 in
(CHI) check. Upon a success, an additional Water Tentacle Bending Arts, and the PC must learn the form through a
is created from a free appendage, or at the feet of the bender bending scroll, a master, or must otherwise be able to
until the end of their turn. Tentacles require at least silhouette narratively support how they came to hone this ability.
1 water. The bender is required to perform only one
concentration maneuver to sustain any number of Tentacles Bloodbending [Control]
created by Octopus Form. Bloodbending is a rather sinister application of the principle
that water is present in every living organism, thus making
 Requires: Bending Arts 4, Water Tentacle them bendable objects themselves. Initially, it was thought
 Cost: 20 XP that bloodbending could only be done during the full moon,
where waterbenders are at their most powerful. However, it provides an additional +1 range and melee defense, as well
has been shown that mastery of bloodbending does not as +2 bonus soak value per silhouette. The bender’s
require a full moon to practice the ability. This was movement is hindered.
demonstrated by Yakone, and later his sons Noatak and
Tarrlok. When the bender takes a successful hit while Plant Armor is
active, the armor’s bonus soak value decreases by 1. The
The bender may suffer 4 strain to make a Daunting Bending armor also deteriorates 1 bonus soak at the end of each round
(CHI) check to target one character within short range. Until and lasts until the bonus soak value is zero. Plant Armor
the end of the round, that character can make no actions. requires concentration to sustain.
Whenever that character would take a maneuver, the
waterbender chooses their maneuver for them.  Requires: Bending Arts 5, Plantbending
 Cost: 25 XP
Bloodbending can be sustained for subsequent rounds and, if  Concentrate: Yes
it is, the target character may make a Hard Resilience or  Finesse: Attacks made with Plantbending while
Meditation check to break free from the hold. This cannot be Plant Armor is active deal additional Stun Damage
done in the first round. equal to the armor’s silhouette (10 XP).
 Rapid Growth (Mastery): As an incidental each
For narrative purposes, Bloodbending should be restricted to
round, the bender may suffer 2 strain to replenish +2
use only during a full moon (or for practical purposes, once
bonus soak up to the maximum soak permitted by
per game session, assuming an encounter took place during
silhouette size (15 XP).
a full moon).
 Requires: Bending Arts 5, All Around Us Spiritbending [Transform]

 Cost: 25 XP A variation of the healing technique with the addition of
 Concentrate: Yes spiritual knowledge and a true master’s experience. By
 Mastery: The bender may perform Bloodbending encircling spirits with water, one is able to induce a change
without requiring a full moon (15 XP). between the positive and negative energies, creating balance
 Mastery: The bender may suffer 2 additional strain or imbalance within the target.
to make a Hard Bending (CHI) check instead to
The bender may suffer 3 strain to select a target up to short
force the target to perform one action of the bender’s range and make a Daunting Bending (CHI) check. If
choosing. The difficulty of the check is upgraded a
successful, and the target is human, the target suffers Stun
number of times equal to the target’s rank in
Damage with innate Pierce 3 quality. If the target is an ally,
Resilience (15 XP).
they immediately recover a number of strain equal to their
rank in Meditate plus 1 strain for each success.
Plant Armor [Transform]
The waterbender covers their entire body with plant matter, If the target is a spirit, the bender may shift the target’s
providing them with limited protection. More substantive uses spiritual balance and calm a non-Nemesis Dark Spirit into its
of this form create large ‘plant suits’ surrounding the entire natural state, or enrage a non-Nemesis Spirit into a Dark
body and providing strong defensive and offensive Spirit.
capabilities.
 Requires: Bending Arts 5, Healing Waters
The bender may suffer 3 strain to make a Hard Bending (INT)  Cost: 25 XP
check to transform at least silhouette 1 of plant matter under
their control into plant armor. While active, the Plant Armor

Table: Waterbending Finesse Upgrades
Power
Hard Impact: The form can disorient the target on a successful hit, staggering them for one round. This
upgrade may be added multiple times, increasing the number of rounds the target is disoriented, upgrading 5 XP
the difficulty each time.
5 XP
Wrecking: The attack gains the Knockdown quality. 5 XP
Wide Effect: Increase the form’s area of effect by one range band, or one unit. The form affects additional
10 XP
targets within effective range. This upgrade may be added multiple times, increasing the difficulty each time.
10 XP
Cutting Ice: The form gains the Slashing quality equal to the bender’s rank in Bending Arts. 10 XP
15 XP
Arts to boost a form’s inherent rating by that number.
Bending Arts to affect that many additional targets. You must have control over the same number of water or 15 XP
ice objects.
Deadly: The form’s attack has a Critical Rating of 2. The attack also gains the Vicious quality rating equal to Upgrade 1
20 XP
the character’s rank in Bending Arts. Difficulty
Manipulation
- 1 Strain 5 XP
Drench: You may suffer 1 additional strain to give the form innate Disorient quality with a rating equal to your
+1 Strain 10 XP
rank in Bending Arts. This rating stacks with the Disorient quality of other sources.
+2 Strain 10 XP
Shape the Ice: You may suffer a number of strain no greater than your rank in Bending Arts to add the
+N Strain 15 XP
Slashing quality to your attack equal to the strain suffered in this way.
Perfection
Disarm: You may spend aa to disarm your target. N/A 10 XP
N/A 10 XP
multiple times.
Stream the Water: You may spend t to perform a second Form. N/A 10 XP
Frostbite: You may spend a to add Pierce 1 to your attack. N/A 10 XP
Stunning Slam: You may spend aa to knock your target back one range band with ice. N/A 10 XP

Earthbending
Earthbending is the geokinetic ability to manipulate rock and  Requires: Bending Arts 1
earth in its various forms. Earthbending maintains a balance  Cost: This maneuver is acquired for free with the first
between offense and defense. rank in Bending Arts.
To be in close connection with their element, many
 Finesse: As an incidental (out-of-turn), the bender
earthbenders choose to be barefoot. Like the element of earth
may suffer 1 strain to resist being knocked back,
itself, earthbenders are almost universally proud, enduring,
knocked prone or staggered (10 XP).
durable and stubborn. Still, earthbenders can pack a powerful
 Ground Control (Mastery): As an incidental (out-of-
wallop. As one of the more balanced elements, it has a
turn), the bender may suffer 1 strain to spend hh
healthy mix of offense and defense and many techniques
have a lasting effect. However, it is not perfect. Earthbending
the bender to knockback the attacker with their
relies on being in contact with earth, so an earthbender is at a
earthbending (15 XP).
disadvantage the less earth is nearby, and practically useless
in the air or at sea.
Earth Structure [Transform]
Earthbenders use their skills to shield themselves and their An earthbender with a decent grasp of sculpting can craft a
allies. Many skilled Earthbenders absorb and intercept attacks variety of objects from walls to columns, even replicas of
before overwhelming the opponent with superior force. Some human appendages or bodies from any rock source and move
can tunnel through the earth to outmaneuver their foes. them from place to place. This form can also be used by
Earthbenders have been known to use objects to augment earthbenders to create a shelter or dome which can provide
their bending. Earthbending is not limited to rock or soil alone. an instant shelter in the wilderness.
A skilled earthbender can even manipulate other earth-based
substances including mud, slurry, sand, gemstones and coal. The bender may suffer 1 strain to create a wall or column, or
Refined metals, such as tempered iron and steel, are beyond other basic geometric shape out of any earth object under
the influence of all but the most powerful earthbenders; their control. Earth structures can provide cover to an object
however, even they are limited as highly refined metals lose with silhouette equal to or less than the silhouette of the earth
their trace earth contents. object used to make the structure. Objects created in this way
are permanent and do not require concentration to sustain.
Maneuvers  Requires: Bending Arts 2

These maneuvers are specific to characters who are skilled in  Cost: 10 XP
the bending arts, specifically earthbending. Like most  Finesse: Earth Structure may be used as a counter
maneuvers, these don’t actually require checks, but affect the (5 XP).
character’s skill checks.  Finesse: The bender may suffer a number of
Manifest Earth [Create] Arts to create the same number of earth objects (10
Using the stones, pebbles, even the ground beneath their very XP).
feet, earthbenders can conjure a mass of earth and  Density (Mastery): The bender may suffer a
manipulate it to their will. number of additional strain no greater than their rank
in Bending Arts to add the same number as a soak
Earthbenders can easily destroy rocks and boulders with value bonus. This bonus applies to characters who
punches and kicks, even if they have a small amount of use the structure for cover (15 XP).
muscle mass. This technique is useful when facing other
earthbenders, as it allows the bender to destroy any earthen Earth Gauntlet [Transform]
projectiles sent at them and break out of imprisoning The gauntlet is a much less advanced version of earth armor
techniques with relative ease. that can be used to throw back opponents with hard solid
The bender may suffer 1 strain to manifest one earth object force. The technique is useful in that it grants some level of
no larger than silhouette 0 within effective range and bring the protection of earth armor but allows the rest of the body to
it under their control. The bender may suffer a number of remain flexible.
additional strain no greater than ranks in Bending Arts to The earthbender may suffer 2 strain as a maneuver to cover
increase the silhouette of one object under their control by that one arm with earth until the beginning of their next turn. While
number, or increase the number of objects under their control active, the Earth Gauntlet adds +1 melee and ranged defense
by that number. A bender’s effective range for this maneuver to the wearer.
is one range band per rank in Bending Arts.
The object lasts as long as the bender maintains
 Cost: 10 XP
concentration. The bender may move, shift, warp, or
otherwise manipulate an air object within effective range. This
 Finesse: Earth Gauntlet may be used as a counter
can be used to merge two objects into one, increasing the
(5 XP).
silhouette of the object to 1 more than the highest silhouette
of the merged objects. This maneuver cannot be used to strike  Stone Fist (Mastery): Melee attacks made with the
an opponent. Earth Gauntlet gain the innate Stun quality with a

rating equal to the character’s rank in Bending Arts The bender can use Manifest Earth and Manipulate Earth
(10 XP). maneuvers to work with sand instead of compact earth.
 Gravel Punch (Mastery): The earthbender may
suffer 1 strain to make an Easy Bending (BOD) As a maneuver, the bender may suffer 2 strain to turn earth
check to perform an unarmed melee attack, dealing under their control into sand or vice versa.
base damage with knockback (10 XP). If the bender attempts an earthbending form with
sandbending, upgrade the difficulty of that check by 1. This
Earth Armor [Transform] represents the difficulty with which nearly all earthbenders
Adept earthbenders can bring rocks, dust, pebbles, or crystals struggle to learn to manipulate sand. Native Sandbenders do
around them and mold them to fit their body and create not suffer this penalty.
something similar to armor. They can also hide inside the
earth by bending the rock around them as a shell. This  Requires: Bending Arts 4
earthbending move is great for defense, especially against  Cost: 20 XP
fire. It is not as effective for offensive moves, since it limits the  Finesse: Form skill checks made with Sandbending
practitioner's range of motion. have the innate Sunder quality (10 XP).
The earthbender may suffer 2 strain to encase their entire
Metalbending [Create]
body with rocks, pebbles, or other earth until the beginning of
Metalbending is a specialized sub-skill of earthbending that
their next turn. While active, Earth Armor adds +1 melee and
allows an earthbender to bend earthen impurities found within
ranged defense and the wearer gains 1 soak. The bender
metal in a similar fashion to bending regular earth. Although
moves at reduced speed and counts as a structure for cover.
this talent requires a lot of training, it is becoming much more
 Requires: Bending Arts 3, Earth Gauntlet common among earthbenders, especially those who spend
 Cost: 15 XP any amount of time in Zao Fu.
 Concentrate: Yes As a maneuver, the earthbender may suffer 3 strain to bring 1
 Finesse: The bender may suffer 2 additional strain metal object no larger than silhouette 0 within their control.
to compress the earth and harden the armor, The character may suffer 1 additional strain per rank in
increasing its defensive bonus by 1 (10 XP). Bending Arts to increase the silhouette by 1 per strain suffered
 Density (Mastery): The bender may suffer a in this way.
number of additional strain no greater than their rank
in Bending Arts to add the same number as a soak The metal may be used to perform any earthbending check
value bonus (15 XP). so long as it makes sense to the players and the GM that the
metal under control could achieve the end result. Upgrade the
Seismic Sense [Transform] difficulty of an earthbending form check made with
A technique originally developed by the blind badgermoles, metalbending by one per silhouette size of the metal object
skilled earthbenders are able to sense vibrations through the under the character’s control.
ground, "seeing" by sensing their surroundings and making a
Attacks made with metalbending have the Pierce 1 quality.
mental image of it. It allows for a 360 degree field of "vision",
outside of normal line-of-sight. Earthbenders must be directly  Requires: Bending Arts 4
touching the ground to utilize this technique.  Cost: 20 XP
The bender may use Seismic Sense to replace their  Concentrate: Yes
Perception or Instinct checks. If they so choose, the bender  Finesse: Offensive form checks made with
instead rolls a Bending Arts check. metalbending have innate Slashing 1 quality (10
XP).
 Requires: Bending Arts 3  Finesse: Defensive form checks made with
 Cost: 15 XP metalbending confer +1 soak where appropriate (10
 Mastery: The earthbender may invoke Seismic XP).
Sense to upgrade the difficulty of any Deception  Sharpen (Mastery): The bender may suffer a
checks for which they are the target a number of number of strain no greater than their rank in
times equal to their rank in Bending Arts (15 XP). Bending Arts to sharpen all metal objects under their
 Detection (Mastery): Once-per-encounter, the control as an incidental. The object gains innate
earthbender may use their Seismic Sense ability to Pierce quality equal to the strains suffered in this way
determine whether a target character is lying by (15 XP).
making a Hard Bending Arts check (15 XP).
Lavabending [Transform]
Sandbending [Transform] Certain earthbenders are able to change the phase of the
The earthbender has learned to adapt to adverse conditions earth they are manipulating, melting it into lava for more
commonly found in the Si Wong Desert. Most, if not all, versatility in battle, similar to what waterbenders do with ice.
earthbenders can learn to manipulate sand, but the loose A bender using this ability can form the lava into different
nature of the material makes the transition difficult. Native weapons or summon magma from the ground. So rare is this
sandbender characters can acquire Sandbending and related ability, that only two earthbenders have ever been known to
forms with 2 fewer required ranks in Bending Arts and for 10 do it: Bolin and Ghazan.
XP less than the listed cost.
70 | The Bending Arts | The Second Age v1.6

Because of its freeform and difficult nature, lavabending Earth Tremor [Transform]
requires the bender suffer 4 strain to excite earth under their
Striking the ground with their feet, fists, or even hammers,
control until it superheats into lava.
earthbenders can create a localized tremor to throw
With lava, a bender may attempt to make actions not outlined opponents off-balance.
in this section with a Daunting Bending Arts check, with the
The earthbender may suffer 2 strain to perform an Easy
GM upgrading into depending on the described action. Bending (BOD) check. If successful, the character creates a
The bender to upgrade the difficulty of an earthbending check tremor emanating up to short range from the bender. Terrain
by two to attempt an earthbending form with lavabending. This within effective range becomes rough. All characters engaged
level of difficulty reflects the unstoppable momentum of with the target are disoriented until the end of the round.
natural forces like shifting the states of the earth. Earth Tremor lasts until the beginning of the bender’s next turn
Lavabending attacks have innate Burn 3 quality. unless sustained.
 Requires: Bending Arts 5  Requires: Bending Arts 2

 Cost: 25 XP  Cost: 10 XP
Actions Immobilize [Create]

All earthbending forms that any earthbender can learn with More advanced earthbenders can forcibly sink their
the proper training and level of experience is listed here. Each opponents into the ground, or use the ground beneath their
form describes the type of skill check being made, in addition feet to briefly imprison them. With proper timing, an
to any requirements. Forms also may be listed with unique earthbender can bind an opponent's arms with slabs of earth.
Finesse and Mastery upgrades along with how much they XP This technique is generally used if the opponent is in a
they cost to acquire. vulnerable position, for example on their knees.
Basic Forms The bender may choose one target up to short range and
suffer 2 strain to make an Average Bending (CHI) check. If
Even earthbenders who are only just discovering their abilities
successful, the target is immobilized until the end of the
still have access to several basic forms that most beginners
bender’s next turn.
discover and explore on their own. They require a basic
understanding of the Bending Arts (rank 1 – 2).  Requires: Bending Arts 2
 Cost: 10 XP
Earth Blast [Control]  Concentrate: Yes
The most common earthbending technique involves levitating  Earth Shackles (Mastery): The bender may suffer
nearby pieces of earth and stone of various sizes and an additional number of strain no greater than their
propelling them at foes with punching or kicking motions. rank in Bending Arts to immobilize the target for that
The bender may launch a single object under their control at many additional rounds. Immobilize only needs to be
a target within short range. They must make an Easy sustained at the end of its duration, and must be
Bending (BOD) check. sustained each subsequent round (15 XP).
 Requires: Bending Arts 1 Advanced Forms

 Cost: This form is acquired for free with the first rank Advanced forms are usually more capable versions of their
in Bending Arts. basic counterparts, and thus generally require an earthbender
Earth Slam [Control] practical experience. Depending on the general themes of the
One of the most basic offensive earthbending techniques, campaign, some or all advanced forms may be restricted at
practitioners can use any object under their control to slam the GM’s discretion unless the bender finds a teacher,
their opponents with surprising force. bending scroll, or other narrative explanation for their abilities.
The earthbender may suffer 1 strain to push an earth wall, Crystal Therapy [Transform]
column or other medium or larger object they control into their
The glowing crystals that form beneath Ba Sing Se have been
opponent, dealing Stun Damage with an Easy Bending
a staple of its culture for millennia. More than just luminescent
(BOD) check. Earth Slam can be used as a counter
rocks, these crystals (like all others) can be manipulated
maneuver.
through earthbending. Ancient earthbenders relied heavily on
 Requires: Bending Arts 1 the crystals’ spiritual properties, and have been used in
 Cost: 5 XP relatively obscure healing rituals.
 Earth Cage (Mastery): The bender may increase The bender may suffer 2 strain to consume a glowing crystal
the difficulty by 2 to surround the target with four under their control to make an Average Bending (INT)
small earth structures to immobilize them for a check. On success, the bender restores 1 strain to an
number of rounds equal to their rank in Bending Arts. engaged target character per each net Success.
The target may break free by making a Hard skill
check with a relevant skill (15 XP).  Requires: Bending Arts 3

 Cost: 15 XP  Concentrate: Yes
 Finesse: The target recovers from one status effect  Aftershock (Mastery): The bender may increase
(5 XP). the difficulty of the check by 1 to cause Earthquake
 Mastery: Increase the difficulty of the check by 1 to to do 1 stun damage (ignoring soak) to any character
restore a number of additional strain equal to the in range of the Earthquake at the end of the round
bender’s rank in Bending Arts (15 XP). (15 XP).
 Bottled Up (Mastery): When you would consume a  Mastery: The bender may spend t on an Earth
glowing crystal to heal strain or remove status Tremor check and sustain it into the following round
effects, that glowing crystal instead transforms into a without suffering strain to use the Earthquake form
dark crystal earth object of the same silhouette. If (15 XP).
an Earthbending attack using that object hits a
target, the Earthbender can choose to afflict that Earth Wave [Control]
target with the healed strain (as equivalent stun High level earthbenders can create and control a wave of
damage) or removed status effect (15 XP). earth to ride on and use it as a form of transportation. Earth
Wave takes a lot of energy to produce, as well as intense
Earth Piston [Transform] concentration; the slightest distraction could cause the user to
A more powerful version of rock projectiles, this technique lose control of the wave. The wave can also be forced outward
involves forcing columns of rock out of the ground at high and used as an extremely devastating attack.
velocity. An earthbender can shoot a stream of small ruts and
protrusions from underground at their opponent. Skilled The bender may suffer a number of strain no greater than their
earthbenders can also use this ability to enhance their jumps. rank in Bending Arts to make a Hard Bending (CHI) check.
It is, however, limited to the ground and does not have the If they are successful, the character creates a large
same range as a rock projectile. (silhouette 2) wave of earth beneath their feet increasing their
movement for a number of turns equal to strain suffered in this
The earthbender may suffer 2 strain to perform an Average way. Earth wave lasts until the end of the bender’s turn.
Bending (AGI) check. If they are successful, the bender
creates a tall pillar object at target location up to short range. When riding the wave, the earthbender can make a number
This pillar erupts from the ground and slams any target at its of movement maneuvers equal to strain suffered. If the
location, dealing damage. Earth Piston has innate Stun 1 character would take a path where another character is in the
quality. This damage is done to all characters engaged with way, that character must make a Hard Athletics check, being
the pillar at the time it erupts. Small pillars disintegrate at the knocked back and prone on a Failure, as well as suffering a
end of the character’s turn unless sustained. number of wounds equal to the bender’s rank in Bending Arts.
 Requires: Bending Arts 3, Earth Structure If the character attempts any actions for the duration of their
ride, they must upgrade the difficulty of the check by one. If
 Cost: 15 XP
they fail or suffer d, the bender loses their concentration and
begins to fall, taking damage commensurate to the distance
 Finesse: May spend aa to knockdown the target
fallen.
(5 XP).
 Finesse: The earthbender may instead perform this  Requires: Bending Arts 3
check to enhance their jump. If successful, the  Cost: 15 XP
bender may leap up to the form’s effective range (10  Concentrate: Yes
XP).  Finesse: Earth Wave can also be used as an attack
up to medium range, having the same innate
Earthquake [Transform] Knockback and Knockdown qualities (10 XP).
Powerful earthbenders can strike the ground with feet, fists,
or even hammers, to create localized earthquakes or fissures Quicksand [Transform]
to throw opponents off-balance. More advanced earthbenders Earthbenders turn certain surfaces to quicksand to immobilize
can make narrow fissures for precise attacks. an enemy, or to create a soft landing for themselves should
The earthbender may suffer 3 strain to make a Hard Bending they fall from a height. They have a difficult time doing the
(BOD) check to damage all characters within medium range, reverse, however.
disorienting and possibly immobilizing them. The bender may suffer 2 strain to make an Average Bending
(INT) check to immobilize one target up to short range. This
Targets in range become Disoriented until the start of the
earthbender’s next turn. The bender may spend aa per creates a small area of sand beneath the target’s feet and they
target to immobilize an affected target. must spend twice as many maneuvers moving through it, or
to get out.
The terrain within medium range of the bender becomes
rough. Earthquake and its effects last until the beginning of  Requires: Bending Arts 3
the bender’s next turn and can be sustained through  Cost: 15 XP
concentration; concentration does not cause Earthquake  Finesse: The bender may suffer a number of strain
to do additional damage in subsequent rounds. no greater than their rank in Bending Arts to enlarge
the area affected by Quicksand by one range band
 Requires: Bending Arts 3, Earth Tremor per strain suffered in this way (10 XP).
 Cost: 15 XP

 Mastery: The bender can also do the reverse of this Sand Spout [Control]
if they have Sandbending, compacting sand together Like both the water and the air spout, an earthbender can
to create harder projectiles or a firmer grip on the manipulate the fine sand particulates to form a whirling
ground (15 XP). column. Sandbenders use this technique to propel their sand
sailers through the Si Wong Desert.
Expert Forms
Truly dedicated earthbenders can perfect the use of forms The bender may suffer 3 strain to make a Hard Bending
that capture the essence of their element. Benders require at (AGI) check to create a silhouette 1 sand spout object at a
least 4 ranks in Bending Arts to acquire an expert form. target location up to short range.
Additionally, PCs must learn the form through a bending
Targets engaged with the spout take damage, and are
scroll, a master, or must otherwise be able to narratively
disoriented until they are no longer engaged. All engaged
support how they came to hone this ability.
characters incur 1 strain at the beginning of each turn they are
engaged with the spout.
Crystal Ward [Control]
Proficient earthbenders can use their abilities to vibrate Ranged attacks made through spout suffer .
glowing crystals, amplifying their energy and repelling the
influence of dark spirits in the area. The sand spout lasts until the beginning of the bender’s next
turn and requires Concentration to sustain.
The earthbender may suffer 3 strain to use glowing crystals
under their control to make a Hard Bending (INT) check to  Requires: Bending Arts 4, Sandbending
cause the crystals to resonate, immobilizing all spirits within  Cost: 20 XP
medium range until the end of the bender’s next turn. Crystal  Mastery: The bender may suffer a number of
Ward requires concentration to sustain. additional strain no greater than their rank in Bending
Arts strain to increase the Stun Damage of the spout
 Requires: Bending Arts 4, Crystal Therapy by that number (15 XP).
 Cost: 20 XP
 Concentrate: Yes Tectonic [Transform]
This same form used to master earthquake can enable
Metal Whip [Control] incredibly skilled earthbenders to sculpt a landmass or to slice
Less of a whip and more of a long, thick wire, this technique large chunks of rock clean off a surface to create avalanches
was perfected by Toph and Lin Beifong. This technique is or rock falls.
predominantly used by the metalbenders of the Republic City
Police as a quick and agile means of pursuit, launching the The earthbender may suffer 3 strain to make a Hard Bending
wires at high rooftops and swinging across town. However, (CHI) check. Choose a small area up to medium range to
the technique has many applications. cause the ground to rise or sink sharply by 5 feet. All
characters within the area must pass a Hard Acrobatics
As a maneuver, the earthbender may suffer 3 strain to create check, falling prone if they fail.
a wire from any silhouette 1 metal object under their control
until the end of their turn. The wire has all the qualities of a  Requires: Bending Arts 4, Earthquake
normal whip except it gains innate Slashing 1 against  Cost: 20 XP
unarmored opponents and its short range may be increased.
Attacks made with Metal Whip are performed with an Average Zaofu Style [Transform]
Bending (AGI) check. The earthbender may suffer 4 strain to make a Hard Bending
(CHI) check. Select a number of targets up to short range no
 Requires: Bending Arts 4, Metalbending greater than your rank in Bending Arts to sunder their weapon
 Cost: 20 XP or a piece of their armor, if it is made of a metal other than
 Concentrate: Yes platinum. This sunders the equipment at a quality rating of 1.
 Finesse: The bender may spend a to add the
Sunder 1 quality to their attack (5 XP).  Requires: Bending Arts 4, Metalbending
 Finesse: The bender may suffer 1 additional strain  Cost: 20 XP
to create a second wire (10 XP). Two-Weapon  Finesse: Increase the Sunder rating by 1. This
Fighting rules apply, raising the attack difficulty to upgrade may be purchased multiple times, adding 5
Hard. XP to the cost each time (10 XP).
 Grappling Hook (Mastery): As an action, the
character can make a Hard Bending (AGI) check to Master Forms
launch their wire at a target up to medium range. If These abilities are rarely seen among the bending population.
the target is a structure larger than the user, the user Only an experienced and learned earthbender can unlock the
may instantly move to the target structure; if the full potential of their element. These forms require rank 5 in
target is another character, success will immobilize Bending Arts, and the PC must learn the form through a
the target until the beginning of the player’s next turn bending scroll, a master, or must otherwise be able to
(15 XP). narratively support how they came to hone this ability.

Dust Cloud [Control] use them as detachable hands, maintaining the hand shape
and literally grabbing and restraining the opponent from a
By shaking the ground back and forth, earthbenders can use
distance.
sand to create dust clouds to provide cover, the particles of
which can also be manipulated themselves. The earthbender may suffer 2 strain to make a Hard Bending
(AGI) check to ensnare a target up to medium range with
The bender may suffer 2 strain to make a Hard Bending (INT)
check to create a silhouette 2 cloud of dust covering a small hand-shaped rock projectiles. Ensnared targets are
immobilized while this form is sustained.
area around the bender until the end of the round. Characters
who make melee combat checks within the Dust Cloud, or Rock Gloves may be used to make a ranged Stone Fist attack.
who make ranged combat checks into the Dust Cloud, suffer
on their checks. Rock Gloves are considered dexterous, and cean be used to
grapple or manipulate objects.
 Requires: Bending Arts 5, Sandbending
 Cost: 25 XP  Requires: Bending Arts 5, Stone Fist
 Concentrate: Yes  Cost: 25 XP.
 Finesse: Dust Cloud may be used as a counter (5  Mastery: The bender may suffer 1 additional strain
XP). to deal stun damage equal to the character’s rank in
Bending Arts (15 XP).
Fissure [Transform]  Mastery: The earthbender may perform a Rock
Advanced earthbenders can make narrow fissures in the Gloves check to instead attach to stone surfaces and
ground for precise attacks. remain suspended for a number of turns equal to
their rank in Bending Arts. Rock Gloves can thus aid
The earthbender may suffer 2 strain to make a Hard Bending earthbenders in climbing rock or stone surfaces (15
(INT) check to create a direct path in the ground up to a target XP).
location or character at short range. The fissure follows this
path, pushing through any targets in the way, disorienting Separation is Illusion [Transform]
them until the beginning of their next turn and dealing damage Through their training, master earthbenders have come to
to all affected characters. understand that earth impurities are all around, within and
without, permeating nearly all facets of the natural world.
 Requires: Bending Arts 5, Earthquake
 Cost: 25 XP The earthbender may suffer 3 strain to make a Daunting
 Finesse: The character may increase the difficulty of Bending (CHI) check. If they are successful, this ability
this check by 1 to knock prone characters affected allows the bender to warp metal with a single touch,
by Fissure (10 XP). permanently destroying the object, disfiguring it, or otherwise
affecting its shape, form, or integrity. A metal door can swing
Rock Gloves [Transform] open. A ship hull could spring a leak.
Similar to an earth gauntlet, highly-adept earthbenders can
cover their hands in small rocks and launch them at a target  Requires: Bending Arts 5, Metalbending
as small projectiles or compacted fists to bludgeon an  Cost: 25 XP
opponent. A more refined and favored method however is to

TABLE: Earthbending Finesse Upgrades

Power
Hard Impact: The form gains the Disorient quality. This upgrade may be added multiple times, increasing the
5 XP
number of rounds the target is disoriented, increasing the difficulty each time.
5 XP
Wrecking: The attack gains the Knockdown quality. 5 XP
10 XP
Inner Chi: The form deals additional Stun Damage equal to the bender’s rank in Bending Arts. 10 XP
Rooted Feet: The form affects one additional target within effective range. You may spend a to affect one
additional target within effective range, and you may affecting multiple targets in this way, spending a each 10 XP
time.
15 XP
Bending Arts to affect that many additional targets. You must have control over the same number of earth 15 XP
objects.
Manipulation
-1 Strain 5 XP
Compression: You may suffer 1 additional strain to compress the earth for this form, causing it to hit harder.
+1 Strain 5 XP
Attacks gain innate Stun 1 quality. This upgrade may be added multiple times.
Focused Chi: You may suffer 2 additional strain decrease the form’s difficulty by 1 to a minimum of easy. This
+2 Strain 10 XP
upgrade may be added multiple times.
Shape the Earth: You may suffer a number of strain no greater than your rank in Bending Arts to add the
+N Strain 15 XP
Slashing quality to your attack equal to the strain suffered in this way.
Perfection
N/A 10 XP
multiple times.
Stunning Slam: You may spend aa to knock your target back one range band or disorient them. N/A 10 XP
Scaling Intensity: The form’s inherent quality rating increases by 1 rank per size of the earth object’s
N/A 10 XP
silhouette. If the form’s inherent quality rating is larger than its silhouette, retain that value instead.
Impediment: Targets treat all terrain as rough when engaged with or moving through this form. N/A 10 XP

IV – Skills
Many of the characters’ actions are governed by abilities that Each rank of a skill represents a substantial degree of training
they have learned through education or experience. Any time and practice. Furthermore, that practice must often come
they attempt an action which has a reasonable chance of under strenuous conditions. A character who spends endless
success or failure, their skills come into play as a means of days picking the same lock does not improve his Sleight-of-
determining the result. In some cases, the task may be so Hand skill. However, if that same character were regularly
trivial or the character so capable that the GM may not call for working on a range of different locks that varied in difficulty, it
a check. Other times, the task is so outlandish that the player is likely that he could soon improve his rank.
might choose to act differently once the odds are calculated.
Ultimately, when there is a reasonable chance of failure, the The first two ranks of a skill represent someone who has a
player must depend upon his character’s skills to see him thorough grounding in a skill but little practical experience.
through to success. The third and fourth ranks are indicative of a true professional.
Few individuals attain the fifth rank of a skill.
Skill values fulfill this role in conjunction with Characteristics.
These two values interact to directly establish the Ability Skill Descriptions
and Proficiency dice used when attempting any action. A
Each skill is presented with clarifications of how it may be
character’s innate abilities are generally described by
used, along with key differences from similar skills. In addition,
Characteristics, while skills require learning and practice. In
examples are provided highlighting potential ways that a skill
this way, the intersection of education and natural ability
might use a results.
contributes to a character’s chances of success or failure.
Sometimes, through fortuitous results, a character may roll
Skills Explained more s than are needed to accomplish a task. Each entry
Anything that a character might learn could be considered a presents ways that these additional s may be used. These
skill. The world is a big place, however, not everything a are not necessary, but are intended to add additional flavor.
person might learn has applications that are appropriate. The GMs and players are encouraged to work together to provide
list of skills in this game may not cover every imaginable alternative ways that extra s might appropriately and
situation, but it should address those that are most likely to dramatically modify a given situation.
come up during a game session.
Custom Skills
Skills are divided into three categories based upon their
At the GM's discretion, new skills may be introduced to a
general application and use. Knowledge skills are entirely
campaign. The most common of these might pertain to
mental. They do not govern actions—only understanding.
Knowledge. For example, if the characters regularly travel
Combat skills deal with how a character may act and react undercover as a group of detectives, an ‘Investigate’ skill
in a direct physical confrontation. Social skills, on the other might be appropriate. Before adding such skills, GMs should
hand, deal with how your character may act and react in a carefully consider whether the addition is critical for the
social setting. They essentially mirror combat skills; social campaign tone and how often it might come into play.
skills are how your character interacts with others outside of
When adding a new skill, the GM and players work together
combat.
to decide which classes might offer it.
Other skills may be useful during an altercation, but combat
skills can seldom be used without violence. All skills that deal Choosing Skills
with characters taking non-combat actions are considered During character creation, it is vital that each player selects
General skills. the skills to cover his character’s core area of expertise. A
bounty hunter must be able to use his weapon, a diplomat
Skill Ranks must be able to negotiate, and a bender must know their art.
When a PC attempts an action, the player begins by forming This does not mean that every character should maximize her
a dice pool. The higher of the relevant characteristic and skill core skills, but those who fail to at least take a rank are likely
ranks is used to determine the total number of Ability dice to regret it. Skills beyond that central focus must be chosen
in the pool. The smaller of these two values indicates how carefully. Skills related to a character’s profession are
many of those dice are upgraded to Proficiency dice . substantially more economical than those outside his class.
General Skills
This group of skills represents most of the actions that a do not govern combat actions, life and death may still ride
character will attempt. In dramatic situations, the entire upon their effective use.
success or failure of a mission might ride on how effectively a
given character uses one of these skills. While general skills In the following sections, the general skills are outlined by the
Characteristic which governs their success.
76 | Skills | The Second Age v1.5

Body Intimidation
Body represents a character’s raw power, strength, and When a character needs to break a target’s will through
overall toughness. This determines skill in melee combat, with threats or aggressive means, they use Intimidation. Examples
or without weapons, hit points, and more. Characters with include:
high Body are physically fit, hardy, and tend to make good
 Issuing an explicit threat. An implied threat such as
fighters. It governs the following skills:
gesturing or pointing towards a weapon, is not
sufficient to invoke the use of this skill and would fall
Athletics under Persuasion. But pointing the weapon at a
Player Characters lead dramatic lives, filled with constant character, however, or invading a character’s
physical confrontations. Often that confrontation comes from personal space (engaged) would be governed by
an enemy bender, but sometimes it may be a mountain to be Intimidation.
scaled, a river to be swum, or a chasm that must be leapt. The  Questioning or coercing a target to yield information
Athletics skill governs these actions. It exists as a measure of under conditions of duress.
the character’s overall fitness and physical conditioning.
Those who actively engage in a regimen of physical training Triumphant Intimidation checks can induce fear.
such as warriors or professional benders are most likely to
have a high rank of Athletics. Intimidation is an opposed check, resisted by the target’s
Discipline or Meditation. Attempting to persuade a subject to
 Any aspects of climbing—including rappelling or betray core beliefs should always add to the pool.
swinging on a line—fall under the purview of the
Athletics skill. The difficulty of these tasks is Sailing
calculated by the surface and weather conditions The Sailing skill represents a character’s physical capacity to
during the attempts. endure the harsh conditions of the sea. One must be in top
 Characters who attempt to swim in difficult condition to perform one’s duties on the ship.
conditions must check their Athletics. Water
conditions, particularly waves, currents, and tides—  Preparing a ship for its voyage.
dictate the overall challenge of any efforts to swim.  Maneuvering a ship in naval combat.
 A character’s vertical and horizontal jump are both  Tending to shore duties and mooring.
determined through use of an Athletics check
(unless otherwise augmented by Talents). Sailing checks naturally become more difficult for larger ships
Gravitational conditions and the distance required and harsher conditions. Even hoisting the colors (raising one’s
factor into the difficulty. flag) could go awry given the right circumstances. Nimbly
 Any character can run, but sprinting or running for an navigating through crushing waves and alongside rocky
extended time may fall under the purview of an coasts requires the highest degree of seamanship.
Athletics check.
Resilience
The difficulty of an Athletics check is set by the severity of the Resilience represents a character’s physical fortitude against
task and the conditions. Attempting to perform a routine task a variety of threats. To achieve their objectives, characters
under normal conditions should never require a check. A more must often have the perseverance to overcome the most
challenging task—jumping more than a person’s body length challenging obstacles. These can include sleep deprivation,
or staying afloat for hours, should require enough to hideous climates, and malnutrition.
reasonably represent the circumstances of the task. Adverse
conditions—extreme rain, rough winds, or aggressive  Attempting to go without sleep for significantly longer
pursuit—could impose one or more . A combination of these than is healthy.
elements can make a check significantly more difficult.  Resisting the effects of a toxin after ingesting it.
Extremely adverse conditions, hurricane force winds or a  Enduring prolonged exposure to a hostile
surface covered in oil as well as superhuman feats may environment.
introduce one or more .  Dehydration and malnutrition can quickly leave a
character badly fatigued, and Resilience protects
Additional s on an Athletics check can either reduce the time
against this.
required to make the check or increase the distance traveled
with that check. The difficulty for a Resilience check is based upon the severity
of the effects that the character attempts to overcome. Going
aa or more on an Athletics check may be used to grant the
24 hours without sleep may add only one , but traveling
character an additional maneuver during his turn that can only
through the Si Wong desert with no water at midday for the
be taken to move or perform some sort of physical activity.
third day in a row should be far more difficult.
t results on successful checks should allow the character to
perform the check with truly impressive results—instead of Agility
heaving a boulder, he can hurl it into the air (perhaps at the Agility measures a character’s manual dexterity, hand-eye
enemy) and instead of grabbing onto the edge of a levitating coordination, and body control. Characters with high Agility
rock, the character could use his momentum to flip atop it, have a good sense of balance, dexterity and flexibility.
landing on his feet.
The Second Age v1.6 | Skills | 77

Determines ranged combat, reflexes, dodge and nimbleness, Stealth checks are typically opposed by Perception, based on
etc. It governs the following skills: whether the opponent is passively or actively searching for the
hidden character or objects.
Acrobatics
The Acrobatics skill serves as a measure of how well a Intellect
character can maintain their balance while traversing Intellect reflects how much a character knows. It measures
treacherous surfaces. It allows a character to demonstrate a educations and the ability to reason and rationalize.
certain nimbleness in a situation that might require grace and Characters with a high Intellect can recall nearly anything, can
a delicate touch. strategize and even design upgrades for your sea-faring
vessel. It governs the following skills:
 Suspending one’s self from a wire or rope, the
Acrobatics skill would govern success. Strength of
the rope and environmental circumstances may Decipher
impact the difficulty. When a character attempts to understand the hidden meaning
 Crossing a narrow mountain pass may require an behind a mural or scroll, or when they need to unlock the
Acrobatics check to maintain one’s footing. secrets of a puzzle or encoded message, they make a
 Escaping from restraints. Decipher skill check.
The difficulty of a Decipher check depends entirely on the task

Piloting at hand.
Much like the Sailing skill, the Piloting skill reflects a
character’s ability to operate mechanized vehicles. Piloting Engineering
high-speed vehicles relies heavily on quick hand-eye
The Engineering skill represents the expertise required to
coordination.
repair, modify, or understand something beyond a club or an
 Driving motorized vehicles like Satomobiles, axe. Blacksmiths and inventors alike require a basic
motorcycles, and airships. understanding of the mechanical properties of the world, both
 Preparing, piloting, and maneuvering airships in and in terms of planning and blueprints, and to bring those ideas
out of combat. to fruition.
With the advent of technological innovation after the Hundred Use This Skill When…
Year War, Satomobile and airship travel has become much  Your character attempts to sabotage an enemy’s
more commonplace. Under normal conditions and for regular vehicle, or find a weak point in the hull of their ship.
actions, a character is not required to make a Piloting check.  Your character needs to repair a damaged weapon,
When those actions are complicated by treacherous weather vehicle, or other piece of gear.
conditions, the use of a failing vehicle, or enemy assault, then  Your character needs to identify any parts or tools
the character piloting the craft must demonstrate his or her necessary for completing a task, saving time and
expertise. money.
 Your character wants to create blueprints for new
Sleight-of-Hand items, vessels, and other useful tools to be crafted
When a character needs to perform nimble tricks or tasks with once the necessary components are acquired.
their hands, or they need to make a quick exchange, he  Your character tries to modify any weapons, armor,
makes a Sleight-of-Hand check. or vehicles.
 Can pick pockets, draw hidden weapons, and take a Don’t Use This Skill When…
variety of actions without being noticed.  Your character has a simple task like cleaning the
 Sleight-of-Hand might be opposed by Perception if a rudder of the ship.
character is conscious or present in the same space.
Medicine
Stealth Through the course of their travels, the characters will suffer
The Stealth skill reflects how talented a character is at not injuries. This skill is used to treat those injuries and perform
being seen. first aid.
 Attempting to blend in with a crowd. Use This Skill When…

 Hiding from all an opponent’s senses.  You or another character have suffered wounds, and
 Hiding people or objects from the attentions of your character wants to heal those wounds.
others, either through concealment or misdirection.  Your character tries to counteract or administer a
poison.
The difficulty of a Stealth check often depends on the abilities  Your character needs to cure a disease.
of those the character is attempting to avoid. Certain  You attempt to make a remedy using natural
earthbenders, for example, have a seismic sense that enables ingredients.
them to detect when a character is lying, as well as where  You or another character has suffered a Critical
characters are in a room. Injury, and your character wants to heal it.

 Your character performs a complex medical threats that others seek to impose upon her. It is used to resist
procedure such as surgery or amputation. other characters’ uses of nearly all social skills.
Don’t Use This Skill When…  Acting normally when pinned down by heavy assault.
 Your character researches a disease or poison.  Facing down a formidable foe rather than fleeing.
 Your character tries to heal their own strain at the  Resisting fear.
end of an encounter. Recovering from strain at the  When confronted by a creature or spirit with
end of an encounter requires a Discipline or inherently terrifying aspects.
Meditation check.
Discipline is often used to oppose another’s actions—where
 Your character tries to administer poison through
there is no roll—so it may not always be possible to generate
sleight of hand, such as by dropping it in a drinking
extra Success. In situations where extra Success is earned,
cup or surreptitiously injecting it into an unsuspecting
target. one may be spent to downgrade a Challenge to a on the
character’s next turn.
When treating injuries, the difficulty of the check is based on
the target’s current state of health. On a successful check, the Perception
target recovers a number of wounds equal to the number of Characters must often maintain a careful awareness of their
s generated by the Medicine check and an amount of strain environment. The Perception skill represents the character’s
equal to the amount of a generated. constant, active state of awareness. Perception encompasses
all a character’s natural senses.
Navigation
The Navigation skill represents a character’s ability to use  Noticing a trap or an ambush before falling prey to
knowledge of the world, its geography and its seas, to most surprise.
effectively traverse the terrain for any destination.  Spotting a disguise.
 Noticing a subtle clue, such as an overheard
 Knowing a certain pass exists which will take you conversation or the smell of a poison.
around a mountain, cutting your travel time down
significantly. Perception may be opposed by skills used for concealment,
 Providing answers when a character wants to know or it might have a difficulty set by the environment. The noise
what cities, regions, and landmarks are nearby. of a loud inn could conceal a conversation, just as a spicy dish
might prevent a character from noticing a poison.
Guile Survival
Guile reflects how craft, devious, clever, and creative a
Learning to recognize the dangers of the natural environment
character can be. Characters with high Guile have the
as well as how to exploit its resources is dependent upon the
discipline, self-control and mental wherewithal to think on the Survival skill.
fly and withstand the stress of everyday life. They can pick up
on social and environmental cues and use their opponent's  Identifying safe food, potable water, or shelter in a
weaknesses against them. natural environment.
 Tracking animals and characters.
Deception  Recognizing the signs of dangerous weather
When a falsehood plays the central part in a character’s conditions and knowing the best way to prepare for
persuasive effort, then that character is employing the them.
Deception skill. Whether it’s an effort to persuade someone to
make a purchase, do a favor, or simply go somewhere they Charisma
don't want to go, a convincing lie can make the difference
A character’s charisma is a representation of his personality
between success and failure.
and presence in the room. Leadership and confidence, this
 If a character wishes to mislead a buyer or seller skill impacts one's ability to communicate their ideas and
about an object’s value to his a; thoughts with others. Character’s with a high Charisma make
 Any time a character wants to distract an opponent; natural leaders, draw attention when they enter a room, can
 When pursued, a character may choose to use easily strike up a conversation, and are quick to adapt to
Deception to lay a false trail. social situations. It governs the following skills:
Attempts to deceive are subject to the perceptions of the Animal Handling

target. Deception is opposed by the subject’s Instinct or Characters who want to work animals, teach them tricks, get
Discipline. In situations where a character is attempt to them to follow commands, or even domesticate them must
convince multiple characters at once, can be upgraded to make an Animal Handling check. Animals have a powerful
. connection to the Spirit World. Assistance and allies gained in
this way could be a boon to a character’s overall success.
Discipline
The ability to maintain composure and react in an effective Perform
manner is governed by the Discipline skill. Good Discipline Historically not as numerous as other professions like
can enable a character to overcome attempted treachery and artisans, craftsmen, soldiers, and laborers, entertainers and
performers are much more common to the world of Avatar Extra Success may be used to extend the target’s support for
with the prosperity brought about by the conclusion of the additional time. Each Success spent in this way gains the
Hundred Year War. A sort of cultural revolution, many character more time in which the target is willing to support
characters in the world are inspired to create and to impress. her.
Musicians, orators, poets, even actors with the advent of a may be spent to affect unexpected subjects beyond the
movers, may be lauded in the upper echelon of social circles original target. These may be bystanders or others not directly
because of the entertainment they provide. Many nobles, involved in the scene, but who may aid the character in their
leaders, and other influencers have greatly varied opinions on own way. With t, the player may choose to have a target
the value of performers. NPC become a recurring character who remains predisposed
to assist his character. This individual may not join the crew,
The difficulty of this check would depend entirely on the mood but might offer a better than usual price for fencing goods or
of the audience as determined by the GM. A target character may let certain customs slide.
or several characters may add to the check if their Empathy
skill is particularly low, while characters with high Empathy are h and d are, in reverse, harmful to a character’s standing
more likely to appreciate artistic performance. Perform is only with those he is trying to sway. h may be spent to reduce the
opposed by other Perform skill checks. number of people the character can influence or turn those
affected negatively against the character altogether. The GM
Persuasion may use d to turn a single NPC against the character and to
make him a minor recurring adversary.
For a character with a kind smile and a silver tongue, it may
be possible to travel the world depending on the kindness and
generosity of others. An individual with this knack can give just Leadership
the right compliment or veiled threat to his target—often by This skill represents a character’s ability to instill faith and trust
deciphering the subject’s social and cultural background. in friends, allies, and subordinates.
Flagrant flattery, however, may be better suited to using the
Deception skill. Outright threats should be governed by  Rallying allies.
Intimidation. Politicians, salesmen, and con artists are all  Swaying an assembled crowd to take action.
renowned for their charming and convincing personalities.
The difficulty of this check is based on the complexity of the
 Convincing an individual to make a special exception orders a character is attempting to convey, as well as the
to her usual practices through flattery, flirting, and intelligence and professionalism of the subjects that the
grace typically relies upon Persuasion. character is attempting to command.
 Appeals to a target’s better nature - even if it does When a character attempts to command a target to perform
not exist - generally require a character to use an action that could result in harm to the target, or is in some
Persuasion. These sorts of requests may often way against the target’s nature or best interests, an opposed
require the target to go out of his way to aid the check is required. The character’s Leadership check is
characters, without any hope of remuneration. opposed by the Discipline of the target, depending on the
 Seduction attempts rely upon Persuasion, but for specific order given.
situations with the interest is entirely feigned it is
more appropriate to use Deception.
 Coercing an individual to make decisions that go
Negotiation
against their interests may fall under Persuasion; The art of negotiation deals with determining exactly how
however, threats to a person’s body or friends may much of what a subject wants must be sacrificed before
fall under the realm of Intimidation. getting a particular good or service in return. Characters with
expertise in negotiation often go on to become diplomats or
Persuasion is often an opposed check, using the subject’s spokespersons as their skills are transferable. Examples
Discipline, Instinct, or even Meditation except in situations include:
where the PC is trying to persuade large groups, in which case
it is often a set difficulty. Of course, situational modifiers may  Purchasing goods or services for less than the
also apply based upon the character’s style of dress, seller’s asking price.
background, and other characteristics. For instances in which  Acquiring trade, legal or otherwise, at the best
the desired outcome is directly opposed to the target’s possible rates, making connections along the way.
interests, an additional may be added.
Negotiation is usually an opposed check, using the target’s
For situations in which the character is attempting to sway Negotiation or Discipline. Situational modifiers may also
multiple subjects or a target who is already predisposed to apply, based on any past relationship between the characters
react favorably, the character would not need to make an involved.
opposed check. Instead, the difficulty of the check is
determined by the number of subjects and their disposition. Chi
Larger crowds or groups who are predisposed against the Chi is a measure of one's affinity with the spirit world, it
character’s desired outcome require a more difficult check, significantly influences the potency of a bender's abilities. The
while persuading those already favorable may require few, if more connected to the natural and Spirit World, the more
any . energy a bender can put into her actions. Characters with a

high Chi can act as needed without on instinct. It governs the This Skill Should Not Be Used to…
following skills:  Persuade a character using any sort of logical
appeal.
Bending Arts  Attempt to mentally strongarm a target into
A character would need to make a Bending Arts skill check to capitulation.
perform basic bending tasks, like knocking over a clay vase
from afar with earthbending or lighting the candles in a room Empathy could be an opposed check, often against a target’s
with one’s firebending. Discipline or Deception.
A Bending Arts check becomes more difficult the more Instinct

complex a task becomes. Bending a rock off a table might be A character’s Instinct is their gut feeling. Adventurers rely on
relatively easy, but opening a human-sized hole in an earthen instinct to stay on their toes in even the most precarious
wall might prove a little more challenging. situations to avoid drawing attention or to survive in the heat
of combat. Grants initiative for battle. This skill is also used to
A character’s rank in Bending Arts also determines the tier of
oppose Persuasion and Intimidation checks.
Bending Form a character may learn, as well as the number
of times a Form may be upgraded. Forms are discussed in
greater detail in Chapter III: The Bending Arts. Meditation
In uncertain times, characters skilled in Meditation can
Empathy constantly prepare to face a variety of challenges, known or
unknown, and attempt to increase their chances of success.
Empathetic characters can attune themselves to the thoughts
This sort of preparedness requires mental discipline and
and feelings of other characters, even if those characters say
unabated focus and hinges upon a character’s ability to use
very little. This skill is like Perception, but strictly within a social
their wisdom and connection to the Spirit World to maintain
context. Peering through the lies of another character or
composure in even the most adverse conditions.
reading their emotions are its primary uses. While the
Persuasion skill is used to influence a target to act a certain  Attempting to go without sleep for significantly longer
way, the Empathy skill gives the Player Character a better than is healthy.
understanding of the target’s motivations and can provide the  Resisting the effects of a toxin after ingesting it.
PCs with better insight on how to proceed.
 Enduring prolonged exposure to a hostile
Empathy is governed by Chi, rather than Charisma, because environment.
it represents the ways in which people connect on an  Your character wants to heal strain they are suffering
interpersonal level, beyond the veneer of a personality. from at the end of an encounter.
 Your character wants to meditate, calm their mind,
This Skill Should Be Used If… and reach a mental equilibrium.
 You want to attempt to understand one aspect of a
target character’s Motivations. A character’s Meditation skill can also be used to overcome
Intimidation or even Persuasion. Characters can also use
 You are trying to bond with a target character in order
Meditation in combat. Doing so counts as a full action and
to woo them for a particular purpose.
confers on all checks for the remainder of the encounter
 You need to appeal to the heart of a target character
upon a successful skill check of average difficulty. This check
or an audience.
becomes challenging if the character is engaged or was
recently targeted by a ranged attack.
Combat Skills
Skills that are tightly focused on use during physical
confrontations are considered Combat skills. Application of One-Handed Weapons (Body)
these abilities is almost always violent, but need not be Character’s with this skill have handled a weapon before and
deadly. Full details on using Combat skills during conflicts are can readily do so again. Virtually any reasonably sturdy object
described in Chapter VII: Conflict & Combat. Chapter VII can be used as a makeshift weapon, so a character adept in
also contains information concerning how a character may one-handed combat can often make due from debris laying
make use of extra s as well as a and t, along with the around.
negative results.
Two-Handed Weapons (Body)
Martial Arts (Body) Large melee weapons rely upon the physical fitness and
Some individuals are thoroughly trained in unarmed combat, sheer strength of the character just to be wielded. Two-
have natural weapons that they prefer to use during physical handed weapons require more training but often inflict
altercations, or seek to drop foes without seriously injuring significant damage.
them. In any of these situations, Martial Arts is the skill used
to determine success or failure of a hand-to-hand strike. Ranged (Heavy) (Agility)
Attacks made in this way can inflict wounds or strain upon
Particularly large ranged weapons, such as ballistae bending
their target (chosen by the attacker).
attacks like ice torpedoes or surface-to-air-rocks, and large

melee weapons that are thrown require a special understand  Nearly all light range weapons inflict wounds against
of physics and skillful precision in a league of their own from targets. Those that are capable of inflicting strain are
a typical bow and arrow. specifically indicated as such.
 Characters may wield a Ranged (Light) weapon in
 Ranged (Heavy) weapons inflict wounds upon each hand, or wield a melee weapon that can
targets by default. A subset of the weapons in this reasonably be used one-handed and a light ranged
category may be able to inflict Stun on the target. weapon in the other hand. This counts as two
Ranged (Heavy) check difficulties are determined by the weapon fighting.
distance to the target. The difficulty may be modified by Ranged (Light) check difficulties are determined by distance
maneuvers the character makes and specific combat to the target. The difficulty may be modified by maneuvers the
situational modifiers described in Chapter VII: Conflict & character makes and specific combat situational modifiers
Combat. Using a heavy ranged weapon while engaged with described in Chapter VII: Conflict & Combat. Using a ranged
an enemy increases the difficulty of the check by one and weapon while engaged with an enemy increases the difficulty
adds one . of the check by one.
Ranged (Light) (Agility) Bending (Variable)

Typically with one hand, sometimes both, light ranged The success of nearly all of a bender’s special abilities are
weapons are any hand-held tools that can deal damage from determined by their rank in the respective Bending skill. This
a distance such as a bow, a bending attack, or a Melee is a skill exclusive to the Bender class.
weapon with the Light quality. This skill also includes any
weapon that can be thrown. Some individuals feel that they Unlike the other skills, Bending is not tied to a single
must be able to keep a hand free, allowing them to, for Characteristic (i.e. Martials Arts governed by Body). Instead,
example, ride a mount and attack at the same time. each roll for a successful bending technique is governed by a
technique’s specifically stated Characteristic. For example, a
A broad selection of weapons falls under the category of this Flame Kick is governed by Body while Water Whip is tied to
skill. It includes any weapon that can be held, without the Agility. Each element is partial to one Characteristic but not all
necessity of a brace or other support. This includes short techniques will reflect that affinity. This encourages players to
bows, ranged bending strikes, nets, countless thrown spread their points out as well as flexibility with bending
weapons and even certain melee weapons (when thrown). archetypes, rather than piling everything into one
Characteristic. More about the Bending skill is explained in
This skill reflects the hand-eye coordination that a character
has developed in conjunction with their intuitive grasp of wind
resistance, gravity, and distance.
Knowledge Skills
The actions that a character takes are often performed in This skill represents a character's knowledge and
reaction to his knowledge about a situation. Players can never understanding of history in all its facets. This could be
be expected to know as much about life in the game setting knowledge about past Avatars, kings or queens, nations, or
as the characters who have lived there. Knowledge skills generally anything that isn’t covered by the other Knowledge
serve to bridge this gap. They enable a player to make skills.
decisions about his character’s actions that are informed by
what his character might know.  If a character needs to recall past Avatars in the
cycle, he would make a History check.
All dice results may be spent among the different Knowledge  When determining whether an old city is in the desert
skills with similar results for each. Additional s represents the or the jungle, a character might may a History check.
character’s recalling information or completing research with  If a Player Character is trying to recall information
remarkable haste, while a may be spent to learn minor but from a past gaming session, a GM might allow a
possibly useful information about the subject. t may be spent character to probe their memory with a History
to learn relevant, beneficial information concerning the check.
subject, perhaps a ship’s hull weak points in the case of
Knowledge (Warfare), or information concerning dark spirits History checks naturally become more difficult the more
in the case of Knowledge (Spirit World). h may be spent by obscure or generally unknown the information might be.
the GM to omit a vital detail about the subject at hand, while
d may be used to seed the character with misinformation and Spirit World
outright falsehoods.
The Spirit World is a parallel plane of reality that coexists
alongside the mortal world, and is home to the spirits,
History immortal supernatural entities which often embody different
The history of the world extends tens of thousands of years aspects of life and nature. In a time where the Spirit and
into the past. Some scholars spend their entire lives dedicated material worlds are once again merged, knowledge about
to learning about just one era, sometimes even just a specific which spirits are good natured and which want to steal a
dynasty or event or person. character’s face is more important than ever.

 When a character wants to identify a spirit, or learn about the physical terrain, the landmarks, and the climate of a
about its disposition, a Spirit World check would be given region will always come in handy to travelers.
warranted.
 Knowing how to reach the Spirit World or a specific  A character attempting to locate the Misty Palms
place within it would require a Knowledge check of Oasis in the Si Wong desert would need to make a
this kind. Geography check.
 Communicating or interacting with spirits may  Knowing the quickest route between point A and
necessitate a Spirit World check. point B would necessitate a Geography check.
 Identifying the highest peak in a mountain range or
This check is generally difficult by default, as few individuals other landmarks would require a Geography check.
have the knowledge required to successfully understand and
navigate the Spirit World. The check becomes more difficult Geography checks are generally an average difficulty and
per how much import the GM places on the information. become more difficult the more information a character
purports to know. If the location or identification of a landmark
is key to the story, a GM may raise the difficulty where it is
Nature appropriate.
A vast range of fauna inhabit the world of Avatar; most of the
animals present in the world are notably chimeras or
crossbreeds of two real world animals. There are certain
Streetwise
exceptions though, such as Kuei's pet bear, Bosco, the In an increasingly fast-paced world, the only way to know
herbalist's cat, Miyuki, or the messenger hawk. Using the what’s going on is by keeping your ear to the streets. Finding
chimera as a jumping-off point, the GM should feel free to a local gang leader can be tough in areas with tighter official
include entirely new creatures whenever it would suit the security. But even knowing who to talk to might be tough
narrative, keeping in mind that the source material is rife with because the range of cultures intermixing is so great. Not
plenty of unexplored opportunities like the buffalo-deer and everything relevant can be learned about the Fire Nation by
the wolfbat. eavesdropping on a couple of travelers. Those who listen find
that a lot can be learned if you know where to look.
Nature also represents a character’s knowledge of local flora
and the understanding of some of its properties. Characters  If a character needs to find out what illegal activities
may need to know the difference between a deadly poison or take place in a town and who coordinates them, he
delicious tea. could make a Streetwise check.
 When determining the best location to acquire critical
 Used to check for poisonous or healing herbs in each supplies, a Streetwise check might reveal locations
area along with identifying unknown substances, or where the goods can be found at a reasonable price.
other natural oddities.  When interacting with someone from the inner ring
 When the character first encounters a creature of an of Ba Sing Se, a character might make a Streetwise
unfamiliar species, a Nature check can be made to check to know what behaviors are considered
identify the general nature of the beast. This may be necessary and polite and what could be considered
used to avoid potentially aggressive animals. offensive.
 Knowing which trees produce the sturdiest wood.
 If a character wishes to tame, or attempt to tame, an The difficulty of a Streetwise check is generally proportionate
unusual animal, Nature may assist him in identifying to the rarity or obscurity of the information required. The
a quirk or quality of the creature that the character difficulty of the task should also be challenging if the individual
can use to her advantage. must get his hands dirty to acquire the information.
 Understanding the climate and weather patterns.
 Knowing the difference between a moose lion Culture
protecting her young and a badgermole on a Art, cuisine, architecture, and even fashion are all facets of
rampage would require a Nature check. the day-to-day lives of the people living in this world.
Sometimes a character needs to know what to wear to an
The difficulty for a Nature check should be based upon both
occasion or event; other times they may need to identify the
how often the character interacts with this species as well as
make and model of an airship or seafaring vessel. A character
the relative rarity of the creature; likewise, difficulty should
with a working knowledge of The Arts is important to any
vary depending on the flora in question, its general rarity, the
worldly party.
character’s “understanding” of its properties and the plant’s
general utility in the story. As always, the GM has the ultimate  Knowing the layout of a building would require a skill
discretion in determining how hard it is to find, identify, or check in Culture.
comprehend natural phenomena.  Identifying food or fashion to blend in requires a
character to make a Culture skill check.
Geography  A character would need to make a skill check in
Prior to the Hundred Year War, the world of Avatar was rigidly Culture to understand and apply a blueprint for
divided between the four nations, each of which had a unique crafting an item or vehicle.
defining landscape and geographical features; but the world
The more obscure or rare a piece of the information, the more
is much smaller now, and anyone may traverse the continents
difficult this skill check becomes. Information that would be
for nearly any reason (especially commerce). Knowledge
classified or kept secret, for example the blueprint to the Earth

palace, would be very difficult to acquire and thus out-of-reach  A character’s knowledge of the strategies and tactics
of most players. of naval, ground, or even air warfare is represented
by the Warfare skill.
Warfare  Any time a character wants to remember details
about a significant event, organization, or individual
The world of Avatar has been shaped for centuries by warfare.
who played a role in a conflict, he should make a
From the ancient conflicts that established the Fire Nation to
Warfare check.
the conquests of Chin the Conqueror to the more recent
 Wanting to point out the weak points of a ship’s hull
Hundred Year War, warfare has played a large part in the
or armor would necessitate a Warfare check.
history and lives of people throughout the world. This skill
covers a character's knowledge of conflict, both on the ground The difficulty of the Warfare check is based upon how hard it
and at sea. Many things factor into this, from training and would be to acquire the information the character purports to
insight on the strategies and tactics of modern warfare, to an know. Classified, highly localized, or ancient information is
awareness of the personnel and technology of the factions obviously more obscure, while standardized structures and
involved, to the knowledge gained from studying the other patterns that the character has encountered before are much
great wars in history. easier to remember.

V – Talents
Player characters are often distinguished by their special
abilities. Where a minor character might surrender to Talent Tiers
overwhelming odds, a hero is expected to dramatically defeat Some talents are more potent than others. They may have
his foe and triumph. Talents provide a game mechanic for a more exciting abilities or just better mechanical boosts for your
character to perform tasks with beyond-average flair and character. Talents are balanced into various tiers and create
ability. These generally represent specialized techniques or an opportunity for characters to progress toward better
tricks that a character has mastered—typically through abilities.
intense practice and study.
A talent’s tier determines how many experience points a
Talents are linked to a character’s identity, specifically his character must spend to acquire a talent.
identity as represented by his class. A character is likely to be
more successful when engaged in actions for which he has  Tier 1: Each talent costs 5 XP.
both a skill and a talent appropriate for the situation.  Tier 2: Each talent costs 10 XP.
 Tier 3: Each talent costs 15 XP.
Talents have more narrow applications than skills, generally.  Tier 4: Each talent costs 20 XP.
If your character wants to climb a wall, they use the Athletics  Tier 5: Each talent costs 25 XP.
skills. Talents, on the other hand, modify how a character uses
that skill (such as rerolling a failed Athletics skill check when Specializations confer a discount on certain talents, which are
attempting to c limb that wall). Talents may also modify some described in Chapter II: Character Creation. This discount is
of your character’s other attributes (such as increasing their 5 XP, to a minimum of 5 XP.
wound threshold), or perform actions normally not allowed by
When you are purchasing talents for your character, you must
the rules (such as ignoring Critical Injuries).
follow one simple rule. After buying the new talent, your
Players gain most of their techniques and traits by spending character must have more talents in the next lowest tier. So,
their experience points to acquire them. Each talent has an if your character has two Tier 1 talents, they can only have a
experience point cost based on how powerful the talent is. single Tier 2 talent, and cannot have any Tier 3 talents. But if
your character has four Tier 1 talents, they can have three Tier
Types 2 talents, two Tier 3 talents, and a single Tier 4 talent.
There are many different types of talents. Some are A talent worksheet is included in the back of the book with the
associated with an individual skill or closely-related group of other character sheets.
skills. These tend to be particular knacks that a character has
acquired through the process of mastering that skill. In many
cases, talents represent operational shortcuts—corners an
Multiple Ranks
Most talents can only be learned once. However, some talents
experienced individual knows can be safely cut or particularly
are ranked, which means they can be learned repeatedly.
effective methods they can follow.
When a character learns a talent for a second—or later—time,
Other talents are simply natural abilities that fit in especially she gains an additional rank of the talent. These talents have
well with the use of that skill. These could include a certain a cumulative effect: the more of them you purchase, the better
mental process, physical technique, or learned pattern. A they become.
number of talents are specifically associated with conflict and
However, after you purchase the talent, subsequent
fighting. These combat talents represent techniques that a
purchases count as being in the next highest tier for the next
character may have learned through practice and experience.
time you want to purchase it. This means the experience cost
Finally, some talents are associated directly with
goes up, and this new version of the talent takes up one of
specializations, and reflect the nature of those specialized
abilities. your more valuable talent slots in a higher tier.
If a ranked talent is already at Tier 5 (or has reached Tier 5

after multiple purchases), that talent remains at Tier 5 for any
subsequent purchases.
Talent Descriptions
An explanation of the descriptions for each of the talents used Each talent belongs in one of five Tiers, as described
in Avatar: The Second Age follows. Every entry includes the previously in this chapter. The higher the tier, the more XP it
information required for gameplay. costs for your character to purchase the talent.
Every talent has a Name, making it easy for you to refer to the Trigger explains whether a talent is always in use (Passive)
talent, and hopefully providing a bit of a colorful description as or if a character must take some sort of action to activate it
well as making it easier to recall its effects. (Active). If activation is required, the type of action necessary
is indicated. Some talents can be activated on other
characters’ turns, or in the middle of combat (counter
The Second Age v1.6 | Talents | 85

maneuver, incidentals out-of-turn). If this is the case, the
Trigger will indicate such. Talent Entries
The following is a list of the talents that are fairly universal to
Ranked indicates if a talent can be purchased multiple times all the different classes and characters in the world of Avatar.
(Yes) or only once (No). Talents are grouped by tier, and in each grouping the talents
are listed alphabetically.
The final paragraph details the specific game Rules involved
in using the described talent. Some talents may have certain If you’re a Game Master, keep in mind that this list does not
requirements before they can be purchased, and will specify have to be exhaustive for your players. Using the talents laid
in their description what that is. Talents with “(Expert)” in their out here, don’t be afraid to build your own talents for your own
name require their base form. Likewise, you must have the game.
(Expert) level before you can acquire a “(Master)” talent.
Tier 1
Adverse Bending Bought Intel
Bender only. Remove per rank of Adverse Bending when you make When required to make a Knowledge skill check, the character can
a Bending or Bending Arts check. This talent does not apply to instead make a Bought Intel action. He spends a number of copper
added as a result of an opponent’s Defense rating or incurred through pieces equal to 50 times the difficulty of the check and counts as
Concentration. succeeding on the check with one uncanceled Success. At the GM’s
discretion, the character may not be able to use this ability if the
 Trigger: Passive information sought is particularly esoteric or hard to find, or if the
 Ranked: Yes character is in a situation where he could not purchase information
 Tier: 1 (such as marooned in the middle of the desert with no messenger
hawk).
Apothecary
 Trigger: Active (Action)
When a patient under your character’s care would recover from
wounds or strain from a natural rest, they heal an additional amount  Ranked: No
equal to your character’s ranks in Apothecary.  Tier: 1
 Trigger: Passive Brace

 Ranked: Yes As a maneuver, the character may Brace himself. This allows a
 Tier: 1 character to remove dice per rank of Brace from the next skill
check based on changing conditions, inclement weather, unstable
Attunement surfaces, high winds, rocking boats, or other disruptive physical
Bender only. Once per encounter, your character may use this talent obstacles that would make a skill check more difficult.
to add an automatic h per rank of this talent to another character’s
Bending or Bending Arts check.  Trigger: Active (Maneuver)
 Ranked: Yes
 Trigger: Active (Incidental, Out-of-Turn)  Tier: 1
 Ranked: Yes
 Tier: 1 Brawler
Your character adds a to combat checks that are unarmed or with
Armor Master an improvised weapon.
When wearing armor, the character increases his total soak value by
one.  Trigger: Passive
 Ranked: No
 Trigger: Passive  Tier: 1
 Ranked: No
 Tier: 1 Bribery
Before making a social check, the character may perform a Bribery
Ba Gua maneuver and spend up to 50 copper per rank of Bribery. For every
A fluid maneuver practiced by airbenders. Once per round on your 50 copper spent, the character upgrades the ability of the skill check
turn, you may take the Ba Gua stance instead of a normal defensive once. How the money accomplishes this can be up to the player and
maneuver. Until the start of your next turn, you may suffer 1 strain as GM, but could take the form of gifts, favors, or even information, like
an incidental to upgrade the difficulty of all ranged Bending checks blackmail, that gives the character the upper hand in the interaction.
targeting you by 1.
 Trigger: Active (Maneuver)
 Trigger: Active (Maneuver)  Ranked: Yes
 Ranked: No  Tier: 1
 Tier: 1
Cartographer
Bounce Back Remove per rank of Cartographer from all Navigation checks. In
Once per round on the character’s turn, the character may stand up addition, Navigation checks take 50% less time. This does not
from prone or a seated position as an incidental. increase with multiple ranks of Cartographer.
 Trigger: Active (Incidental)  Trigger: Passive

 Ranked: No  Ranked: Yes
 Tier: 1  Tier: 1
86 | Talents | The Second Age v1.6

Clever Retort  Trigger: Passive
Once per encounter, your character may suffer 1 strain to make a  Ranked: Yes
Clever Retort to add hh to another character’s social skill check.  Tier: 1
 Trigger: Active (Incidental, Out-of-Turn) Elementalist

 Ranked: No Bender only. You automatically gain a on any Bending Form check
 Tier: 1 that can be used to trigger any effects or qualities inherent to the form
or its upgrades. This a does not count for any other purpose, and
Convincing Demeanor does not cancel h.
Remove per rank of Convincing Demeanor from any Deception,
Perform or Sleight-of-Hand check.  Trigger: Passive
 Ranked: No
 Ranked: Yes
 Tier: 1 Excellent Swimmer
The character may move through water as though it were normal
Craftsman terrain. Particularly harsh conditions, such as running rapids or
Remove per rank of Craftsman from all Engineering checks per powerful ocean currents, may still impose significant difficulties and
rank of Craftsman. In addition, the cost to create, upgrade, or repair thus the GM has ultimate discretion.
items decreases by half. This halving bonus does not stack with
multiple ranks in Craftsman.  Trigger: Passive
 Ranked: No
 Ranked: Yes
 Tier: 1 Expert Tracker
Remove per rank of Expert Tracker from checks to find or follow
Cryptographer tracks or other signs of quarry. Checks made to track targets take
Remove per rank of Cryptographer from all Decipher checks per 50% less time than normal. This does not decrease with additional
rank of Cryptographer. ranks of Expert Tracker.
 Trigger: Passive  Trigger: Passive

 Ranked: Yes  Ranked: Yes
Deflect Feather Foot

When the character suffers a hit from a ranged combat check, after The character adds to all Acrobatics checks.
damage is calculated (but before soak is applied), the character may
take a Deflect incidental. He suffers 3 strain and reduces the damage  Trigger: Passive
dealt by that hit by a number equal to 2 plus his ranks in Deflect.  Ranked: No
 Tier: 1
 Trigger: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
 Ranked: Yes Forager
 Tier: 1 Remove up to from skill checks to find food, water, shelter, wild
game, herbs, etc. Survival checks take half the time. If another skill
Deft Hands would reduce the time by half, these effects do not stack.
The character adds to their Slight-of-Hand skill checks.
 Trigger: Passive
 Trigger: Passive  Ranked: No
 Tier: 1
Good Company
Duelist When attempting a Persuasion or Negotiation check, the character
The character adds to his melee checks when engaged with only may suffer a number of strain to downgrade the difficulty of the check
a single opponent. Your character adds when engaged with two or a number of times equal to the strain suffered. This number cannot
more opponents. exceed her ranks in Good Company. When the character is the target
of a Persuasion or Negotiation check, the character may suffer a
 Trigger: Passive number of strain to upgrade the difficulty of the check a number of
 Ranked: No times equal to the strain suffered. This number cannot exceed her
 Tier: 1 ranks in Good Company.
Durable  Trigger: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)

The character may reduce a Critical Injury result he suffers by 10 per  Ranked: Yes
rank of Durable, to a minimum of one.  Tier: 1
 Trigger: Passive Grit

 Ranked: Yes Each rank of Grit increases a character’s strain threshold by one.
 Tier: 1
Elemental Strike  Ranked: Yes
Bender only. You increase the base damage of your Bending Forms  Tier: 1
by +1 per rank of Elemental Strike to a maximum no greater than
your rank in Bending Arts.

Hidden Storage Let’s Ride
Any large equipment, vehicle or other vessel that the character owns Once per round on the character’s turn, the character may mount or
has one or more hidden compartments for smuggling appropriately- dismount from a vehicle or creature, or get behind the controls of any
sized gear. The number of compartments is up to the player, be operable vehicle, as an incidental instead of a maneuver.
cannot be enough to hold a total encumbrance value of items more
than the character’s ranks in Hidden Storage. The size of the  Trigger: Active (Incidental)
compartments is proportional to the size of the vessel or storage unit  Ranked: No
in question. Any checks to detect these compartments have a  Tier: 1
Formidable ( ) difficulty.
Martial Artist
 Trigger: Passive The character adds to all Martial Arts checks.
 Ranked: Yes
 Tier: 1  Trigger: Passive
 Ranked: No
Hung Gar  Tier: 1
The most common stance utilized in earthbending. Once per round
on your turn, you may take the Hung Gar stance instead of a normal Meticulous Form
defensive maneuver. Until the start of your next turn, you may suffer Bender only. Once per round, after making a successful Bending
2 strain as an incidental (out-of-turn) to upgrade the difficulty of all check, you may suffer a number of strain no greater than your ranks
melee Bending checks targeting you by 1. in Meticulous Form to reduce the number of h by that amount. You
cannot reduce the total number of h below the number of a.
 Ranked: No  Trigger: Passive
 Tier: 1  Ranked: Yes
 Tier: 1
Improvised
The character adds +1 damage per rank of Improvised to any Nimble
successful attacks made using an improvised weapon. Remove for each rank of Nimble from Acrobatics, Sleight-of-Hand,
and Stealth skill checks.
 Ranked: Yes  Trigger: Passive
 Tier: 1
Indistinguishable
The character’s appearance is so common that people have a hard Outdoorsman
time identifying distinguishing traits. Opposing characters add f to The character removes per rank of Outdoorsman from checks to
any checks made to identify him once per rank of Indistinguishable. move through terrain or manage terrain or environmental effects.
Decrease overland travel times by 50%. This does not decrease with
 Trigger: Passive multiple ranks.
 Ranked: No
 Ranked: Yes
Kill with Kindness  Tier: 1
Remove per rank of Kill with Kindness from all Persuasion,
Leadership, and Perform checks the character attempts. Parry
When the character suffers a hit from a melee combat check, after
 Trigger: Passive damage is calculated (but before soak is applied), the character may
 Ranked: Yes take a Parry incidental. He suffers 3 strain and reduces the damage
 Tier: 1 dealt by that hit by a number equal to 2 plus his ranks in Parry. This
talent may only be used once per hit when the character is wielding a
Know Somebody One-Handed or Two-Handed weapon.
When attempting to purchase a legally available item, the character
may spend one Story Point to reduce its rarity by one level per rank The Martial Artist specialization may count being unarmed, or using
of Know Somebody. martial weapons to use Parry.
 Trigger: Active (Incidental)  Trigger: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)

Knowledge Specialization Pep Talk

When the character first acquires this talent, he may choose one Once per encounter, your character may suffer 1 strain to make a Pep
Knowledge skill. When making checks with that skill, he may spend Talk to add aa to another character’s social skill check.
t to gain additional s equal to his ranks in Intellect. This talent can
be acquired multiple times, but each Knowledge Specialization can  Trigger: Active (Incidental, Out-of-Turn)
only be associated with one Knowledge skill.  Ranked: No
 Tier: 1
 Ranked: Yes Physician
 Tier: 1 Whenever your character makes a Medicine check to help a
character recover wounds, the target heals 1 additional strain per rank
of Physician.

 Trigger: Passive  Trigger: Active (Action)
 Ranked: Yes  Ranked: No
Plausible Deniability Second Wind

Remove per rank of Plausible Deniability from all Intimidation and Once per encounter, the character may use a Second Wind incidental
Deception checks the character attempts. to recover an amount of strain equal to his ranks in Second Wind.
 Trigger: Passive  Trigger: Active (Incidental)

Quick Draw Shaolin

Once per round on the character’s turn, she may draw or holster an A stance perfected by firebenders throughout the world. Once per
easily accessible weapon as an incidental, not a maneuver. This round on your turn, you may take the Shaolin stance instead of a
talent also reduces the amount of time to draw or stow a weapon that normal defensive maneuver. Until the start of your next turn, you may
usually requires more than one maneuver to properly prepare or stow, suffer 2 strain as an incidental to upgrade one of your next Bending
by one maneuver. Form check into a .
 Trigger: Active (Incidental)  Trigger: Active (Maneuver)

 Ranked: No  Ranked: No
Rapid Reaction Signature Form

The character may suffer a number of strain to add an equal number Bender only. When you take this talent, pick one Bending Form to
s to any Perception or Instinct check to determine initiative order. be a Signature Form. When you use this form and its upgrades, you
The number may not exceed his ranks in Rapid Reaction. suffer one less strain.
 Trigger: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)  Trigger: Passive

Rapid Recovery Skilled Jockey

When this character heals strain after an encounter has concluded, The character removes per rank of Skilled Jockey from all Piloting
he heals one additional strain per rank in Rapid Recovery. checks and Animal Handling checks the character attempts when
riding a vehicle or creature.
 Tier: 1
Relic Hunter
The character may spend one Story Point to take an action to make Smooth Talker
a Hard ( ) Knowledge (History) check remember a single When a character acquires this talent, he chooses one skill for a
relic, lost treasure, ruin, or other piece of history (subject to GM’s permanent bonus: Persuasion, Negotiation, or Deception. When
approval). making checks with that skill, he may spend t to gain additional s
equal to his ranks in Smooth Talker.
On a successful roll, the character may introduce one fact about a
piece of history somewhere in the world. The character must give a  Trigger: Active (Incidental)
brief explanation about the provenance and significance of the lost  Ranked: Yes
treasure. Additional details, such as location or actual value, may be  Tier: 1
provided with additional aa or t, and all final details are subject to
GM approval. Solid Repairs
The character repairs +1 hull trauma per rank of Solid Repairs
 Trigger: Active (Action) whenever he repairs a vehicle, airship, or boat.
 Ranked: No
 Ranked: Yes
Respected  Tier: 1
When this talent is chosen, choose one social group, or strata or class
(e.g. law enforcement, academia, outcasts, the poor, nobility, etc.). Sound Investments
The character downgrades the difficulty of checks to interact with this At the beginning of each game session, the character gains copper
group equal to his ranks in Respected. pieces equal to his ranks in Sound Investments times 100. How this
money is earned is up to the player and the GM, and could be actual
 Trigger: Passive investments, business dealings, or even a small legal or illegal side
 Ranked: Yes business. The GM can also decide that the current events of the
 Tier: 1 adventure may make these funds temporarily unavailable.
Salvager  Trigger: Passive

The character may take a Salvager action. With a Hard ( )  Ranked: Yes
Engineering check, the character may harvest components and  Tier: 1
parts from a device or item.

Surgeon Utility Pouch
When your character makes a Medicine check to heal wounds, the The character may spend one Story Point to perform Utility Pouch as
target heals one addition wound per rank of Surgeon. an incidental to produce a previously undisclosed—but essential—
small tool from his utility belt, satchel, pockets, or backpack, with a
 Trigger: Passive rarity no greater than four (4). This cannot be a weapon unless the
 Ranked: Yes weapon has the Limited Ammo 1 quality.
 Tier: 1
 Trigger: Active (Incidental)
Survivalist  Ranked: No
When in the wilderness, your character may make a Simple (—)  Tier: 1
Survival check, instead of Discipline or Meditation, to recover strain
at the end of an encounter. Underground Contacts
When looking to purchase illegal, exotic, or black market goods, the
 Trigger: Active (Action) character may decrease an item’s rarity by one level per rank in
 Ranked: No Underground Contacts. For each level an item’s rarity is decreased,
 Tier: 1 its cost increases by 50%.
Swift  Trigger: Passive

The character does not suffer the penalties for moving through difficult  Ranked: Yes
terrain (she moves through it at normal speed, without spending  Tier: 1
additional maneuvers).
Veteran
 Trigger: Passive Flip a story point. Your character may collect a small favor from a
 Ranked: No current or former member of a nation’s military, even if they do not
 Tier: 1 currently owe your character a favor.
Tai Chi  Trigger: Active (Incidental)

A technique practiced by in the Water Tribe. Once per round on your  Ranked: No
turn, you may take the Tai Chi stance instead of a normal defensive  Tier: 1
maneuver. You suffer 2 strain to maintain your concentration on this
maneuver, and until the start of your next turn, you add to all Weapon Specialist
Bending checks you make and one to any Bending checks made When your character acquires this talent, pick a weapon type. This
against you. character adds on all combat checks made using that weapon. The
character must select a different weapon each time they take this
 Trigger: Active (Maneuver) talent.
 Ranked: No
 Ranked: Yes
Toughened  Tier: 1
The character increases his wound threshold by two per rank of
Toughened. Wheel and Deal
When he sells legal goods to a reputable merchant or business, the
 Trigger: Passive character gains an additional 10% more coins per rank of Wheel and
 Ranked: Yes Deal (based on the current value of the good or item).
 Tier: 1
 Ranked: Yes
 Tier: 1
Tier 2
Adverse Conditioning  Trigger: Passive
The character may spend one Story Point to remove from any  Ranked: Yes
one skill check.  Tier: 2
 Trigger: Active (Incidental) Bad Cop

 Ranked: No The character may spend aa from a Deception or Intimidation check
 Tier: 2 to upgrade the ability of a single ally’s subsequent Social Interaction
skill check against the same target in the same encounter. Upgrade
Animal Whisperer the ability a number of times equal to the character’s ranks in Bad
The character gains per rank of Animal Whisperer to any tasks he Cop. A single check may only benefit from one use of Bad Cop.
instructs a creature to perform.
 Trigger: Passive  Ranked: Yes
 Ranked: Yes  Tier: 2
 Tier: 2
Balance
Attack of Opportunity The character may perform the Balance maneuver. If they do so, they
The character adds on all combat checks against disoriented, cannot be knocked prone until the beginning of their next turn.
immobilized, or staggered targets per rank of Attack of Opportunity.

 Tier: 2
Controlled Bending
Barrage Bender only. When your character acquires this talent, pick one of the
Adds one damage per rank of Barrage to a successful Ranged attack Manipulation upgrades from the upgrade table for your element with
made from long or extreme range. a cost no greater than 5 XP. You may apply this upgrade to all of your
current Bending Forms without using an upgrade slot.
 Tier: 2  Ranked: No
 Tier: 2
Bending Specialist
Bender only. When your character acquires this talent, choose one Coordinated Assault
Maneuver from the list of Bending Forms for your element. You learn The character may make a Coordinated Assault maneuver. If he does
this maneuver without spending experience. You do not have to meet so, a number of allies engaged with him equal to his ranks in
the Bending Arts requirement for this Form. Leadership gain a on combat checks they make until the end of your
character’s next turn. The range of this maneuver increase by one
While your Bending Arts skill is less than the requirement for this band per rank of Coordinated Assault.
Form, suffer an additional number of strain equal to the requirement
minus your ranks in Bending Arts. When your Bending Arts skill meets  Trigger: Active (Maneuver)
the Form’s requirement, you do not suffer any strain for the base  Ranked: Yes
Form.  Tier: 2
You must select a different Form each time you acquire this talent. Counterstrike
The character removes any imposed on their attacks generated
when performing the Counter maneuver.
 Ranked: Yes
 Ranked: No
Brute Strength  Tier: 2
The character deals +1 damage on all successful melee combat skill
checks per rank of Brute Strength. Crippling Blow
The character may voluntarily increase the difficulty of a combat
check by one to deal a crippling blow. If he succeeds and deals
 Ranked: Yes
damage, the target suffers one strain whenever he moves for the
 Tier: 2 remainder of the encounter.
Chi Disruption  Trigger: Active (Incidental)
As an action, the character perform a Hard ( ) Martial Arts  Ranked: No
combat check to deal Stun Damage instead of wounds in addition to  Tier: 2
blocking a bending opponent from using their Forms until the end of
the bender’s turn in the next round. Daring Posture
Bender only. Before your character makes a Bending check to use
one of their forms, they may take a Daring Posture action. Add a
 Ranked: No number of h no greater than your rank in Daring Posture to add an
 Tier: 2 equal number of s.
Codebreaker  Trigger: Passive

The character adds to his Decipher skill checks equal to his ranks  Ranked: Yes
in Codebreaker.  Tier: 2
 Trigger: Passive Defensive Training

 Ranked: Yes When the character wields a One-Handed or Two-Handed weapon,
 Tier: 2 that weapon gains ranks in the Defensive item quality equal to the
character’s ranks in Defensive Training (in addition to any ranks in
Command Defensive the weapon already has).
Gain when making Leadership checks (or other checks to inspire,
lead, or rally an audience) per rank of Command. Inspired targets also  Trigger: Passive
add per rank to any subsequent Discipline checks they make over  Ranked: Yes
the next 24 hours.  Tier: 2
 Trigger: Passive Disorient

 Ranked: Yes After a successful combat check, the character may spend aa to
 Tier: 2 disorient her foe. Disoriented targets add to all skill checks. The
target is disoriented for a number of rounds equal to the attacker’s
Confidence ranks in Disorient.
The character may decrease the difficulty of any Discipline check to
avoid the effects of fear by one level per rank of Confidence to a  Trigger: Passive
minimum of Easy ( ).  Ranked: Yes
 Tier: 2
 Ranked: Yes

Distraction  Ranked: Yes
The character may make a Distraction maneuver and suffer a number  Tier: 2
of strain no greater than his ranks in Deception. If he does so, an
equal number of adversaries or NPCs he is engaged with suffer h on Fisticuffs
checks they make until the beginning of the character’s next turn. The The character adds to all unarmed combat checks, including those
range of this maneuver increases by one band per rank of Distraction. made with martial weapons. This does not affect a bender’s Forms.
 Trigger: Active (Maneuver)  Trigger: Passive

Dual Wield Good Cop

The character lowers the difficulty of all two-weapon fighting checks The character may spend aa from a Persuasion or Negotiation
by one. check to upgrade the ability of a single ally’s subsequent social skill
check against the same target in the same encounter. Upgrade the
 Trigger: Passive ability a number of times equal to the character’s ranks in Good Cop.
 Ranked: No A single check may only benefit from one use of Good Cop.
 Tier: 2
Eagle-Hawk Awareness  Ranked: Yes
Allies within short range of the character add to their Perception  Tier: 2
and Instinct checks. Allies engaged with him add instead.
Gut Instinct
 Trigger: Passive The character adds per rank of Gut Instinct to all Instinct checks.
 Ranked: No
 Ranked: Yes
Empathy  Tier: 2
The character adds to all Persuasion and Empathy checks.
Headstrong
 Trigger: Passive On any turn in which the character is staggered or disoriented, he may
 Ranked: No perform the Headstrong action—this action may be specifically
 Tier: 2 performed even though he is normally barred from performing actions
when staggered. He makes a Daunting ( ) Discipline
Emergency Medicine check. If he succeeds, he is no longer staggered or disoriented. The
Before making a Medicine check, your character may choose to difficulty of this check decreases by one per additional rank of
apply Emergency Medicine. This talent adds s equal to their ranks in Headstrong, to a minimum of Easy ( ).
Emergency Medicine to the result. After the check is resolved, the
target suffers 2 strain.  Trigger: Active (Action)
 Ranked: Yes
 Trigger: Active (Incidental)  Tier: 2
 Ranked: Yes
 Tier: 2 Hot Fix
You may flip a story point, you may have your character temporarily
Evasive Maneuver repair one damaged item they can interact with. For a number of
The character may perform an Evasive Maneuver when piloting an rounds equal to your character’s rank in Engineering, the item may
airship or sailing at sea. The character selects an opponent and be used without penalty, even if it would normally be unusable. When
makes an opposed Piloting or Sailing check. If he succeeds, the the effect ends, the item is damaged one additional step. If this would
opponent cannot make any attacks against the character’s vehicle for bring the object beyond repair, it is destroyed.
a number of rounds equal to the number of Success results. This
talent can only be performed once per encounter.  Trigger: Passive
 Ranked: No
 Trigger: Active (Action)  Tier: 2
 Ranked: No
 Tier: 2 Hunter
The character adds per rank of Hunter to all skill checks when
Fateful Spirit interacting with wild beasts and animals, including combat checks.
The character may spend one Story Point to add to any one skill Add +10 per rank to all Critical Injury rolls against animals per rank of
check. Hunter.
 Trigger: Active (Incidental)  Trigger: Passive

Fearsome Identify
When an opponent becomes engaged with the character, the Whenever the character comes across an item or other object of
character may force the opponent to make a fear check with the unknown provenance, he may make an attempt to identify it. The
difficulty equal to the character’s ranks in Fearsome. At the GM’s character makes a Hard ( ) Knowledge check using any of his
discretion, some adversaries may be immune to this talent based on knowledge skills he chooses. The character must explain how this
the type of adversary or the ongoing circumstances. particular area of his expertise is helping him to identify the object,
item, or artefact.

 Trigger: Passive  Trigger: Passive
Inspiring Rhetoric Powerful Bending

The character may take the Inspiring Rhetoric action; making an Bender only. When your character acquires this talent, pick one of the
Average ( ) Leadership or Empathy check, for each s, one ally Power upgrades from the upgrade table for your element with a cost
within close range recovers one strain. For each a, one ally no greater than 5 XP. You may apply this upgrade to all of your current
benefiting from Inspiring Rhetoric recovers one additional strain. Bending Forms without using an upgrade slot.
 Trigger: Active (Action)  Trigger: Passive

Inventor Precision
When crafting new items, or modifying existing ones, the character Once per round on the character’s turn, the character may perform a
may choose to add or remove from the check per rank of Precision maneuver before attempting a combat check and voluntarily
Inventor. suffer a number of strain. The number of strain cannot exceed his
ranks in Precision. He then decreases the target’s defense (ranged
 Trigger: Passive and melee) by one per strain suffered for that combat check.
 Ranked: Yes
 Tier: 2  Trigger: Active (Maneuver)
 Ranked: Yes
Knack for Bending  Tier: 2
Bender only. You gain one a on any Bending or Bending Arts
check you make. Quick Strike
When performing a combat check, the character adds per rank of
 Trigger: Passive Quick Strike to combat checks against any target that has not yet
 Ranked: No acted in the encounter.
 Tier: 2
Knockdown  Ranked: Yes
After hitting with a melee attack, the character may knock the target  Tier: 2
prone by spending a t. If the target is larger than the character, it
requires one additional t for each silhouette larger. Researcher
On a successful Knowledge check, the character gains an automatic
 Trigger: Passive a per rank of Researcher. Researching takes 50% less time (this
 Ranked: No does not increase with multiple ranks of Researcher).
 Tier: 2
Longshot  Ranked: Yes
Once per round before making a non-thrown ranged attack, the  Tier: 2
character may perform a maneuver to attempt a Longshot. Longshot
increases the maximum range of his ranged weapon up to one range Restoration
band per rank of Longshot. For each rank beyond the normal Add whenever the character makes a Medicine check to help
maximum of the weapon, upgrade the difficulty of the ranged check himself or patient recover from poison, venom, burns, toxins, or other
by one (this is in addition to the normal difficulty of the shot due range, status effects.
as described by the range table).
 Trigger: Active (Maneuver)  Ranked: No
 Tier: 2
Rude Words
Malicious Once per encounter, the character can make Rude Words at a target.
The character adds to all Intimidation and Deception checks per The character makes an Opposed Deception check. If successful,
rank of Malicious. the target must attack the character during their next turn.
 Trigger: Passive  Trigger: Active (Action)

Manipulation Savvy Negotiator

Bender only. The character adds to all Bending skill checks per Once per social encounter, while engaged in a debate or argument,
rank of Manipulation. the character may make a Hard ( ) Negotiation check. If
successful, a number of bystanders or observers equal to s see one
 Trigger: Passive of your opponent’s points (chosen by your character) as entirely
 Ranked: Yes unreasonable. The GM has the final say as to whether bystanders are
 Tier: 2 around, or could see a point as unreasonable.
Physical Conditioning  Trigger: Active (Action)

The character adds per rank of Physical Conditioning to his  Ranked: No
Athletics and Resilience checks.  Tier: 2

Scathing Tirade  Trigger: Passive
The character may take the Scathing Tirade action; making an  Ranked: Yes
Average ( ) Persuasion or Perform check, for each s, one  Tier: 2
enemy within short range suffers one strain. For every a spent, one
affected target suffers 1 additional strain. Strong Arm
Characters with the Strong Arm talent treat thrown weapons as if they
 Trigger: Active (Action) had one step greater range, to a maximum of long range.
 Ranked: No
 Ranked: No
Sea Legs  Tier: 2
The character gains to all Sailing checks per rank of Sea Legs.
Stunning Blow
 Trigger: Passive The character may make a Hard ( ) Martial Arts check. If
 Ranked: Yes successful, in addition to the normal damage dealt, the attack inflicts
 Tier: 2 a number of strain on the target equal to your rank in Martial Arts.
Shortcut  Trigger: Active (Incidental)

During a chase, the character adds equal to his ranks in Shortcut  Ranked: No
to any checks made to catch or escape an opponent. This applies to  Tier: 2
characters and creatures located using the Survival skill as well.
Targeted Blow
 Trigger: Passive On a successful attack during combat, the character may suffer a
 Ranked: Yes number of strain no greater than his Agility rating to deal one
 Tier: 2 additional point of damage equal to the number of strain suffered.
Side Step  Trigger: Active (Incidental)

Once per round on the character’s turn, the character may perform a  Ranked: No
Side Step maneuver to side step and attempt to avoid incoming  Tier: 2
ranged attacks. He then suffers a number of strain no greater than his
ranks in Side Step. Until the start of the character’s next turn, upgrade Uncanny Senses
the difficulty of all ranged combat checks targeting the character a The character adds per rank of Uncanny Senses to all Perception
number of times equal to the strain suffered by the character. checks.
 Trigger: Active (Maneuver)  Trigger: Passive

Spirit Healer Weapon Master

Patients under the character’s supervision regain an additional wound When your character purchases this talent, choose one combat skill.
per rank of Spirit Healer each time they recover a wound while using The character may spend one Story Point to reroll one skill check
a spirit pool. which uses that skill. You must choose a different combat skill on
subsequent purchases of this talent.
 Ranked: Yes  Trigger: Active (Incidental)
 Tier: 2
Stalker
The character adds per rank of Stalker to all Acrobatics or Stealth
checks.
Tier 3
Animal Companion character adds to all Animal Handling skill checks involving this
Upon a successful Hard ( ) Animal Handling check, the companion.
character creates a bond with a single animal with which he is
Once per round during an encounter, the character may spend one
currently interacting. This cannot be done during structured
maneuver to direct his animal in performing one action and one
encounters and may only be achieved once per game session. This
maneuver. The animal must be within hearing and visual range of the
animal must have a silhouette less than the character’s ranks in
character (generally medium range) to do this. Otherwise, the animal
Animal Handling when the bond is created. This means that a
does not contribute to the encounter. The specifics of its behavior are
character with 1 rank in Animal Handling could only bond with a
up to the player and the GM.
silhouette 0 creature. The bond persists as long as the character
chooses it to, although at the GM’s discretion, the bond may also be  Trigger: Passive
broken due to abusive treatment or other extenuating circumstances.
 Ranked: No
As long as the bond persists, the animal remains near the character,  Tier: 3
and the controlling player dictates the animal’s overall behavior
(although, since the animal is only bonded with the character, not Armor Master (Expert)
dominated, it may still perform certain inconvenient actions such as When wearing armor with a soak value of two or higher, the character
scratching furniture, consuming rations, and marking territory). The increases his melee and ranged defense by one.

 Trigger: Passive can fashion a device to solve a current problem using the tools and
 Ranked: No other items on hand. This device must be approved by the GM and
 Tier: 3 functions for the duration of the current encounter only. The items are
lost in the process. A t may be spent to hold the contraption over
Battle Meditation into the next game session.
The character may take the Battle Meditation action. To perform this
action, he must make an Average ( ) Meditation check. If  Trigger: Active (Action)
successful, he increases one Characteristic for his character by one  Ranked: Yes
for the remainder of the encounter, and suffers four strain. A  Tier: 3
character’s individual Characteristics may each only be increased
once by Battle Meditation during an encounter. Combat Bending
Bender only. Your character does not add to any bending form
 Trigger: Active (Action) checks for wearing heavy armor, using a shield, or not having at least
 Ranked: No one free hand.
 Tier: 3
Bodyguard  Ranked: No
Once per round on the character’s turn, the character may perform a  Tier: 3
Bodyguard maneuver to protect one ally he is engaged with. He then
voluntarily suffers a number of strain no greater than his ranks in Commanding Presence
Bodyguard. Until the start of the character’s next turn, upgrade the You may spend a Story Point to take the Commanding Presence
difficulty of all combat checks targeting the protected ally a number of action. Make an opposed Discipline check to force the target to
times equal to the strain suffered by the character. leave an encounter. This does not work on a Nemesis-level enemy.
 Trigger: Active (Maneuver)  Trigger: Active (Action)

Call of the Spirit Wilds Craftsman (Expert)

Bender only. Whenever your character makes a Bending check to When the character makes an Engineering check, they may suffer
use a Form you apply the following: when such a skill check generates a number of strain no greater than their ranks in Engineering. They
a t, you roll an additional and add its results to the pool in addition may convert that many s into a.
to its normal effect; additionally, when such a skill check generates
d, you roll an additional and add is results to the pool in addition
to its normal effect. Each of these can only occur once per check.  Ranked: No
 Tier: 3
 Ranked: No Cryptographer (Expert)
 Tier: 3 The character may reduce the difficulty of a Decipher skill check by
one per rank of Cryptographer.
Chakras Aligned
The character adds to all skill checks based on their Chi
 Ranked: Yes
Characteristic.
 Tier: 3
 Ranked: No Deadeye
 Tier: 3 The character may voluntarily suffer a number of strain equal to his
ranks in Deadeye to increase the damage of his next Ranged attack
Chi Channeling by half the strain (rounded up) suffered.
Bender only. Once per encounter, the bender may perform the Chi
Channeling maneuver. Until the beginning of their next turn, they may
 Ranked: Yes
perform one bending form without suffering the strain associated with
its use. This includes any strain they would incur to upgrade or modify  Tier: 3
the form.
Deflect (Expert)
 Trigger: Active (Maneuver) When the character suffers a hit from a ranged combat check and
 Ranked: No uses the Deflect incidental to reduce the damage from that hit, after
 Tier: 3 the attack is resolved, the character may spend d or hhh to
automatically hit one target within medium range, dealing the same
Chi Disruption (Expert) damage as the hit from the initial ranged attack.
The user may increase the difficulty of Chi Disruption a number of
The ranged attack’s hit must be one that can be deflected and
times no greater than their ranks in Medicine; benders affected by Chi
redirected (generally only solid objects such as rocks or arrows;
Disruption are affected for an extra number of rounds equal to the
anything else is subject to GM oversight). This talent may not be used
number of times difficulty is increased in this way.
if the original attack incapacitates the character.
 Ranked: No
 Ranked: No
 Tier: 3
 Tier: 3
Contraption
The character can spend one Story Point to take a Contraption action.
With a successful Hard ( ) Engineering check, the character

Disarm Imposing
After a successful combat check, the character may spend t or aa The character may take an Imposing action to make a Hard ( )
to disarm his foe. Intimidation check to convince a number of bystanders or minions
no greater than your ranks in Intimidation to depart the scene.
 Ranked: No  Trigger: Active (Action)
 Tier: 3
Dodge
When targeted by a combat check, the character may choose to Informant
immediately perform a Dodge incidental to suffer a number of strain, Once per session, the character may spend a Story Point to reveal or
then upgrade the difficulty of the combat check by that number. The introduce an NPC contact who can shed light on a chosen subject.
number of strain suffered cannot exceed his ranks in Dodge.
 Trigger: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)  Ranked: No
 Tier: 3
Inspiring Rhetoric (Expert)
Elemental Flair Each ally affected by Inspiring Rhetoric gains on all skill checks for
Bender only. After making a successful combat check with one of your a number of rounds equal to the character’s ranks in Leadership or
forms, you may choose to suffer a number of strain no greater than Empathy (whichever is larger); this does not stack with itself.
your ranks in Bending Arts to convert the same number of excess s
into a.  Trigger: Passive
 Ranked: No
 Trigger: Active (Incidental)  Tier: 3
 Ranked: No
 Tier: 3 Intense Presence
The character may suffer a number of strain equal no greater than her
Elementalist (Expert) ranks in Intense Presence to downgrade the difficulty of any check
Bender only. Whenever a form’s quality or effect is triggered, you may using the Charisma Characteristic by the number of strain suffered.
spend excess a (including the bonus conferred by Elementalist) to
increase its rating by 1.  Trigger: Active (Incidental)
 Ranked: Yes
 Ranked: No
 Tier: 3 Intimidating
When attempting an Intimidation check, the character may suffer a
Encouraging Performance number of strain to downgrade the difficulty of the check a number of
The character uses their voice, instrument, or other showmanship to times equal to the strain suffered. This number cannot exceed his
put on an Encouraging Performance. Make an Average ( ) ranks in Intimidation. When the character is the target of an
Perform check. For each s, one ally within medium range adds Intimidation check, the character may suffer a number of strain to
to their next skill check. For each a, one ally benefiting from upgrade the difficulty of the check a number of times equal to the
Encouraging Performance recovers 1 strain. strain suffered. This number cannot exceed his ranks in Intimidation.
 Trigger: Passive  Trigger: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)

Field Commander Inventor (Expert)

The character may take a Field Commander action. By successfully Whenever your character makes an Engineering check to create,
passing an Average ( ) Leadership check, a number of allies modify, or repair something you apply the following When such a skill
equal to his Charisma may immediately suffer one strain to perform check generates a t, you roll an additional and add its results to
one maneuver (out-of-turn). This does not count against the limit the pool in addition to its normal effect; additionally, when such a skill
against maneuvers per turn. If there are any questions as to the order check generates d, you roll an additional and add is results to the
in which allies act, the character using Field Commander is the final pool in addition to its normal effect. Each of these can only occur once
arbitrator. per check.

Full Throttle Iron Body

When piloting or sailing a vessel, your character may use this talent Increase the Critical Rating of all incoming attacks by 1 per rank of
to make a Hard ( ) Piloting or Sailing check. If successful, the Iron Body.
top speed of the vehicle increases by one (to a max of 5) for a number
of rounds equal to your character’s Guile.  Trigger: Passive
 Ranked: Yes
 Trigger: Active (Action)  Tier: 3
 Ranked: No
 Tier: 3 Known Blueprint
The character may spend a Story Point to make to make a Hard
( ) Engineering check. Success means the character is

familiar with a building or vehicle’s design. He now knows the location Pressure Point
of critical components or facilities within the building or vehicle as well When making a Martial Arts check against a living opponent, the
as his own location. He can also plan unconventional routes around character may choose to forgo dealing damage as wounds, instead
obstacles. dealing the equivalent damage as strain, plus additional strain equal
to his Chi rating. These checks cannot be made with any weapons,
 Trigger: Active (Maneuver) but the additional strain damage is not reduced by soak.
 Ranked: No
 Tier: 3  Trigger: Active (Incidental)
 Ranked: No
Lethal Blows  Tier: 3
The character adds +10 per rank of Lethal Blows to any Critical Injury
rolls inflicted on opponents. Prey on the Weak
Gain +1 damage on a successful combat check against disoriented
 Trigger: Passive or staggered targets per rank of Prey on the Weak.
 Ranked: Yes
 Ranked: Yes
Museum Curator  Tier: 3
If you spend one Story Point, the character may take a Museum
Curator action. The character may make a Daunting ( ) Rally!
Leadership check to convince one NPC to relinquish their relic, Once per encounter, the character may make a Hard ( )
artefact, scroll, or other item of historical value to the player character. Leadership check. On a success, their allies may take their turns
immediately.
 Ranked: No  Trigger: Action (Active)
 Tier: 3
Natural
When your character purchases this talent, choose two non-combat Resolve
skills. The character may spend one Story Point to reroll one skill When a character involuntarily suffers strain, he suffers one less
check that uses one of those two skills. strain per rank of Resolve, to a minimum of one.
On subsequent purchases of this talent, you may only choose one  Trigger: Passive
additional skill.  Ranked: Yes
 Tier: 3
 Ranked: Yes Scathing Tirade (Expert)
 Tier: 3
Each enemy affected by Scathing Tirade suffers on all skill checks
for a number of rounds equal to the character’s ranks in Persuasion
Nobody’s Fool
or Perform (whichever is higher); this does not stack with itself.
The difficulty of any Persuasion, Intimidation, or Deception checks
attempted against the character is upgraded once for each rank of  Trigger: Passive
Nobody’s Fool.  Ranked: No
 Tier: 3
 Ranked: Yes
Signature Form (Expert)
 Tier: 3
Bender only. Upgrade skill checks using your Signature Form once.
When you use this form and its upgrades, you suffer one less strain
Parry (Expert)
per rank in Bending Arts.
When the character suffers a hit from a melee combat check and uses
the Parry incidental to reduce the damage from that hit, after the  Trigger: Passive
attack is resolved, the character may spend d or hhh to  Ranked: No
automatically hit the attacker once with the weapon your character is
 Tier: 3
wielding. The hit deals the weapon’s base damage, plus any damage
applicable from talents or abilities. Sneak Attack
The melee attack’s hit must be one that can be parried. This talent Add +1 damage per rank in Sneak Attack when you perform a
successful combat check against a surprised or unsuspecting target.
may not be used if the original attack incapacitates the character.
 Ranked: Yes
 Ranked: No
Point Blank Stunning Blow (Expert)

When dealing strain damage with melee attacks, the character may
The character adds one damage per rank of Point Blank to one
spend t to stagger the target one round per t.
successful ranged attack made while at short range or engaged.
 Trigger: Passive  Trigger: Active (Incidental)

 Tier: 3
 Tier: 3

Superior Healing Vulgar Display
When this character makes a check to help a character heal wounds, The character uses their voice, instrument, or other showmanship to
the target heals one additional wound per rank of Superior Healing. put on Vulgar Display. Make an Average ( ) Perform check. For
each s, one enemy within medium range adds to their next skill
 Trigger: Passive check. For each a, one enemy affected by Vulgar Display suffers 1
 Ranked: Yes strain.
 Tier: 3
Surgeon (Expert)  Ranked: No
Targets healed by this character can ignore the effect of one Critical  Tier: 3
Injury rated ( ) or lower.
Well Rounded
 Trigger: Passive The character chooses any two skills. They permanently become
 Ranked: No class skills.
 Tier: 3
Unarmed Specialist  Ranked: Yes
Reduce the Critical Rating of an unarmed combat check by 1 per rank  Tier: 3
in Unarmed Specialist. This does not apply to martial weapons.
 Ranked: Yes
 Tier: 3
Tier 4
Adrenaline Rush Bodyguard (Expert)
Your character adds +2 damage to any successful attacks they make Once per encounter, when an ally protected by the character’s
for each Critical Injury they are currently suffering. Bodyguard maneuver would suffer a hit from a combat check, the
character may choose to suffer that hit instead of the ally.
 Ranked: No  Trigger: Active (Incidental, Out of Turn)
 Tier: 4
Back-to-Back
While engaged with one or more allies, your character and those allies Brazen Maneuver
add to your combat checks. If one or more allies engaged with your While driving, piloting, or sailing a vehicle, your character may use
character also has Back-to-Back, the effects are cumulative to a this talent to select one other vehicle within medium range and make
maximum of . an opposed Piloting/Sailing v. Piloting/Sailing check targeting the
other vehicle’s driver, pilot, or sailor. If successful, roll twice on the
 Trigger: Passive Critical Hit table for vehicles. Choose one Critical Hit result to apply to
 Ranked: No your own vehicle, and apply the other Critical Hit to your target’s
 Tier: 4 vehicle.
You may spend t to add +20 to one Critical Hit result. The GM may
Battle Meditation (Expert)
spend d to add +20 to both Critical Hit results.
As an incidental, when performing the Battle Meditation action, the
character may increase the difficulty of the Meditation check to Hard  Trigger: Active (Action)
( ). If she does so, she suffers one strain instead of four.  Ranked: No
 Tier: 4
 Ranked: No
Brothers in Arms
 Tier: 4
Once per encounter, the character may make a Hard ( )
Discipline check. If successful, your character and one ally per s
Bending Specialist (Expert)
within medium range gains +1 defense for the remainder of the
Bender only. When your character acquires this talent, choose one
encounter. The effect ends for an ally if they are no longer within rang.
Action from the list of Bending Forms for your element. You learn
this action without spending experience. You do not have to meet the  Trigger: Active
Bending Arts requirement for this Form.
 Ranked: No
While your Bending Arts skill is less than the requirement for this  Tier: 4
Form, any checks related to this Form add . When your Bending
Arts skill meets the Form’s requirement, any related checks instead
Chi Channeling (Expert)
Bender only. The bender may perform Chi Channeling as an
add .
incidental rather than a maneuver.
 Ranked: No
 Ranked: No
 Tier: 4
 Tier: 4

Chi Disruption (Master)  Tier: 4
If the character increases the difficulty of Chi Disruption, targets
affected by the attack become staggered until the beginning of their Favored Weapon
next turn. Each time the character gains a rank of Favored Weapon, she must
choose one combat skill. Once per encounter, the character may add
 Trigger: Passive her basic training ranks in that combat skill as additional damage to
 Ranked: No one hit of a successful attack made using that skill. Each rank of
Favored Weapon must be associated with a different combat skill.
 Tier: 4
Controlled Bending (Expert)
 Ranked: Yes
Bender only. When your character acquires this talent, pick one of the
 Tier: 4
Manipulation upgrades from the upgrade table for your element with
a cost no greater than 10 XP. You may apply this upgrade to all of
Fencer
your current Bending Forms at no additional cost, provided it has an
The character may perform One-Handed Weapon combat checks
open upgrade slot. You may immediately apply this upgrade when
using their Agility rating instead of Body.
your purchase a Form in the future at no additional cost.
 Ranked: No
 Ranked: No
 Tier: 4
 Tier: 4
Field Commander (Expert)
Determination
When taking a Field Commander action, the character may affect
The character gains +3 to their strain threshold.
allies equal to twice his Charisma. In addition, he may spend t
generated on his Leadership checks to allow one ally to suffer one
strain to perform an action, rather than a maneuver.
 Ranked: Yes
 Ranked: No
Discredit
 Tier: 4
Once per encounter, the character may take an action to Discredit
someone in conversation. Make a Hard ( ) Deception check Fortune Favors the Bold
to upgrade one of a target’s social checks until the end of the Once per session as an incidental, you may suffer 2 strain to flip one
encounter. Upgrade an additional per aa or t. GM Story Point to a Player Story Point.
 Trigger: Active (Action)  Trigger: Active (Incidental)

Distraction (Expert) Frenzied Attack

When affected by Distraction, NPCs suffer hh when making checks When making a melee combat check, the character may suffer a
targeting the character’s allies. number of strain, then upgrade the ability of his combat check by that
number. The number cannot exceed his ranks in Frenzied Attack.
 Ranked: No  Trigger: Active (Incidental)
 Tier: 4
Doublespeak
You may spend aa or t from a successful Persuasion or Deception Full Throttle (Expert)
check to disorient a number of opponents within short range equal to Suffer 1 strain to attempt Full Throttle as a maneuver and decrease
your character’s Charisma for the remainder of the round and the next its difficulty to Average ( ).
two rounds.
 Trigger: Passive  Ranked: No
 Tier: 4
Heroic Fortitude
Enduring The character may spend one Story Point to ignore the effects of
The character gains +1 soak per rank of Enduring. ongoing Critical Injuries on any Body or Agility related checks; she
must suffer one strain per check each time she wishes to ignore the
 Trigger: Passive effects of her Critical Injuries and the Critical Injuries. She continues
 Ranked: Yes to suffer from the injury itself.
 Tier: 4
Enduring Form  Ranked: No
Bender only. Once per encounter, whenever you roll a successful  Tier: 4
check to complete a Bending Form, you can choose to spend aaa
or t to sustain a Form through the end of the encounter. Forms In the Know
sustained this way do not add . You may spend a Story Point to have your character can purport to
be In the Know. They can make an opposed Deception v. Instinct
 Trigger: Active (Incidental) check, downgrading the difficulty a number of times equal to your
 Ranked: No ranks in In the Know. The target believes one falsified fact per s.

 Trigger: Active (Action) Menace
 Ranked: Yes Once per round during the character’s turn, the character may spend
 Tier: 4 a maneuver to instruct any suitably threatening creature linked
through Animal Companion to perform the Menace maneuver when
Incite the Crowd the creature is with at least short range of the enemy. The target
You may spend one Story Point to take an Incite the Crowd action to gains on their next combat check.
make a Hard ( ) Persuasion check. If successful, a number of
beings up to twice his ranks in Persuasion become moved by the  Trigger: Active (Maneuver)
character’s words and will attempt to take action, whether against an  Ranked: No
organization or authority, or for the benefit of the party, until the end  Tier: 4
of the encounter. This may be due to something the character did or
said, or just because of their predisposition. Mental Fortress
The character may spend one Story Point to ignore the effects of
 Trigger: Active (Action) ongoing Critical Injuries on any Intellect or Guile related checks; she
 Ranked: No must suffer one strain per check each time she wishes to ignore the
 Tier: 4 effects of her Critical Injuries and the Critical Injuries. She continues
to suffer from the injury itself.
Inspiring Rhetoric (Master)
The character may voluntarily suffer 1 strain to perform Inspiring  Trigger: Active (Incidental)
Rhetoric as a maneuver instead of an action. Requires Inspiring  Ranked: No
Rhetoric (Expert).  Tier: 4
 Trigger: Active (Incidental) Moving Target

 Ranked: No If your character has already acted this round, increase your ranged
 Tier: 4 defense by 1 per rank of Moving Target until the end of the round.
Jury Rigged  Trigger: Passive

The character chooses one personal weapon or piece of armor and  Ranked: Yes
may do one of the following per rank of Jury Rigged: increase the  Tier: 4
damage of the weapon by one; decrease the a cost on its Critical or
any single other effect by one to a minimum of one; or increase Nerves of Steel
armors ranged or melee defense by one. Alternatively, he can The character may spend on Story Point to ignore the effects of
decrease the encumbrance of the item by two to a minimum of one. ongoing Critical Injuries on any Charisma or Chi related checks; she
This bonus increases the value of the item by 20% per modification. must suffer one strain per check each time she wishes to ignore the
effects of her Critical Injuries and the Critical Injuries. She continues
 Trigger: Passive to suffer from the injury itself.
 Ranked: Yes
 Ranked: No
Let’s Talk About This  Tier: 4
Your character can use this talent to make an opposed
Persuasion/Deception v. Discipline check targeting a single non- Painkillers
Nemesis adversary within medium range. If the check succeeds, the Your character’s knowledge of herbal medicine and salves allows
target cannot make attacks (or perform hostile actions) against your them to use recovery items more effectively. Recover an additional 1
character until the end of their next turn. wound and/or strain per rank of Medicine when using or applying
consumables.
You may spend aa to increase the length and effect by one
additional turn, and spend t to extend the benefits to all of their  Trigger: Passive
known allies within short range of the target.  Ranked: No
 Tier: 4
The effect ends immediately if your character or an ally attacks the
target. In addition, your GM may rule that some targets are immune Powerful Bending (Expert)
to this ability. A beast-of-burden, for example, has no capacity to Bender only. When your character acquires this talent, pick one of the
resolve a conflict through talking, nor would a Dark Spirit consumed Power upgrades from the upgrade table for your element with a cost
by rage. no greater than 10 XP. You may apply this upgrade to all of your
current Bending Forms at no additional cost, provided it has an open
upgrade slot. You may immediately apply this upgrade when your
 Ranked: No
purchase a Form in the future at no additional cost.
 Tier: 4
Longshot (Expert)  Ranked: No
The character may perform the Longshot maneuver without  Tier: 4
upgrading the difficulty. In addition, successful ranged attacks made
using Longshot add +1 damage for each rank in Longshot (including Precision Strike
Expert). The character may perform Martial Arts combat checks using their
Agility rating instead of Body.
 Tier: 4

Reflexive Bending but can modify a number of pieces of equipment equal to his ranks in
Bender only. When an enemy generates hh on a combat check Tinkerer. If he loses, breaks, or sells a modified piece of equipment,
against you, if you would not be incapacitated, you may use any he may apply Tinkerer to a new one.
learned Maneuver form once the check resolves.
 Trigger: Active (Incidental, Out-of-Turn)  Ranked: Yes
 Tier: 4
‘Tis But a Flesh Wound
Scathing Tirade (Master) When you would suffer a Critical Injury, you may spend a Story Point
The character may voluntarily suffer one strain to perform Scathing to instead attempt to shrug it off as nothing but a scratch. Make a
Tirade as a maneuver instead of an action. Hard ( ) Resilience check to prevent the Critical Injury and
take half damage (rounded down).
 Ranked: No  Trigger: Active (Incidental, Out-of-Turn)
 Tier: 4
Secret Technique
When making a check using the Martial Arts skill, the character may True Aim
use Chi instead of Body. Once per round, before the character makes a ranged attack, he may
perform a True Aim maneuver. By performing this maneuver, the
 Trigger: Passive character gains all the benefits for aiming and also upgrades one
 Ranked: No in his attack roll dice pool per rank of True Aim.
 Tier: 4
Seen a Lot of Things  Ranked: Yes
Whenever your character would fail a Knowledge check, they may  Tier: 4
spend aaa to reroll the check. This can only be done once per
check. True Understanding
Bender only. Once per day, you can lower the difficulty of any Bending
 Trigger: Passive check by 1 per rank of True Understanding to a minimum of 1 to use
 Ranked: No any form.
 Tier: 4
Sixth Sense  Ranked: Yes
The character adds +1 ranged defense.  Tier: 4
 Trigger: Passive Trust the Captain

 Ranked: No The character may implore her allies to Trust the Captain. The
 Tier: 4 character may make a Hard ( ) Leadership check. If
successful, for the rest of the encounter any ally within short range
Steady Aim increases their ranks in Discipline by an amount equal to ranks in
Your character does not lose the benefits of the aim maneuver if they Trust the Captain.
perform other maneuvers (including moving) or actions.
 Trigger: Passive  Ranked: Yes
 Tier: 4
Unrelenting
Superior Reflexes Once per round after resolve a successful melee combat check, your
The character adds +1 melee defense. character may suffer 4 strain to make an Unrelenting strike; as part of
the incidental, roll an additional melee attack against the same target.
 Trigger: Passive Increase the difficulty of the check by 1 if you are using a secondary
 Ranked: No weapon; increase the difficulty by 2 if you are using the same weapon.
 Tier: 4
Tinkerer  Ranked: No
The character makes one piece of equipment more modifiable. He  Tier: 4
chooses one piece of equipment and increases its number of
hardpoints by one. He can only do this once per piece of equipment,
Tier 5
Altered Deal Armor Master (Master)
Your character may spend one Story Point to make a Hard ( ) Once per round, when the character suffers a Critical Injury, he may
Negotiation, Persuasion, or Intimidation check to radically change suffer 3 strain to take the Armor Master incidental. If he does, he
a previously-made deal or bargain to your character’s advantage. reduces the Critical Injury result that he suffers by 10 per point of his
soak, to a minimum of 1.
 Ranked: No  Trigger: Active (Incidental, Out-of-Turn)

 Tier: 5 Clever Solution
Spend one Story Point. Your character can choose to make one skill
Baleful Gaze check using Charisma rather than the Characteristic typically linked
When you are targeted by a combat check from within medium to that skill. When he does this, he must explain how, in this instance,
range, you may spend a Story Point to upgrade the difficulty of the his personality is helping him overcome this challenge.
check a number of times equal to your ranks in Intimidation.
 Trigger: Active (Incidental, Out-of-Turn)  Ranked: No
 Tier: 5
Coup de Grâce
Battle Meditation (Master) On any successful combat check, for each t your character may roll
When performing the Battle Meditation action, each t may be spent an additional , adding its results to the pool. Your character may do
to increase an additional Characteristic by one. this for any number of t rolled initially, and in addition to any t
generated on successive rolls. You cannot add more to the pool
 Trigger: Passive than you have ranks in Coup de Grâce.
 Ranked: No
 Ranked: Yes
Beast Master  Tier: 5
You must already have Animal Companion to acquire this talent.
Your companion is considered its own NPC and can act of its own Crushing Blow
accord. Any maneuvers and actions it takes are assumed to be the After rolling a melee attack but before resolving the check, your
result of an intense bond between you two, such that the creature character may spend one Story Point to deliver a Crushing Blow. The
understands your subtle signals and commands. weapon gains the Breach 1 and Knockdown qualities, and destroys
one item the target is wielding that does not have the Reinforced
 Trigger: Passive quality.
 Ranked: No
 Ranked: No
Biggest Fan  Tier: 5
If you spend a Story Point, your character may take a Biggest Fan
action to make a Hard ( ) Persuasion check. If successful, one Deadeye (Expert)
NPC of the character’s choice in the current encounter turns out to be Deadeye also adds the Pierce quality to your next attack equal to
the character’s self-proclaimed “biggest fan.” The exact effects of this ranks in Deadeye, in addition to the extra damage dealt by Deadeye.
vary depending on the NPC and the situation. They can include
drastically decreasing the difficulty of social interaction skill checks  Trigger: Passive
the character makes targeting his biggest fan, the fan being willing to  Ranked: No
perform minor or even significant favors for the character, or the  Tier: 5
character even becoming a recurring ally in the narrative.
Dedication
At the GM’s discretion, this talent may not be able to target certain Each rank permanently increases a single Characteristic of the
NPCs whose adversarial nature is vital to the plot, or NPCs who would player’s choice by one point. This cannot bring an Characteristic
be unable to appreciate the character’s work such as beasts, spirits, above 6. You cannot increase the same Characteristic with
and enemies. Dedication twice.
Drop Your Weapons! Deflect (Master)
After initiative has been rolled for a combat encounter with sentient If the user did not make a combat check during his previous turn, he
beings, the character can spend one Story Point to make a Daunting suffers 1 strain when taking the Deflect incidental instead of 3.
( ) Persuasion or Deception check. If successful, the
encounter instead becomes a social encounter, with the PCs  Trigger: Passive
attempting to convince the opposition to back down, come around to  Ranked: No
their viewpoint, or accept a compromise.  Tier: 5
The GM is the final arbiter of how the situation resolves without
Elementalist (Master)
violence, or how the combat encounter continues if the character’s
Bender only. You automatically gain aa on any Bending Form
check is unsuccessful.
check that can be used to trigger any effects or qualities inherent to
 Trigger: Action (Incidental, Out-of-Turn) the form or its upgrades. The a does not count for any other purpose,
and does not cancel h.
 Ranked: No
 Ranked: No
Chi Disruption (Master)
 Tier: 5
Chi Disruption immobilizes the target until the beginning of their next
turn for the number of rounds indicated by the difficulty level.
Focus
Before making a skill check, the character may perform the Focus
maneuver. The character suffers one strain to upgrade the ability of
 Ranked: No
the skill check once.
 Tier: 5
 Trigger: Active (Maneuver) Master Merchant
 Ranked: No Before making a check when buying or selling items, or undertaking
 Tier: 5 or paying off one’s debts, the character may choose to suffer two
strain. If the check succeeds, he sells the item for 25% more than
Full Throttle (Master) base cost, buys it for 25% less, pays off additional debt, or gain aa.
When performing Full Throttle, the top speed of the vehicle increases
by 2 instead of 1.  Trigger: Active (Incidental)
 Ranked: No
 Ranked: No
 Tier: 5 Master Driver/Pilot/Sailor
Once per round when piloting an airship, ground vehicle, or sailing a
Indomitable marine vessel, the character may voluntarily suffer two strain to
Once per encounter, when your character would be incapacitated due perform any action as a maneuver instead.
to exceeding their wound or strain threshold, you may spend a Story
Point to use this talent. Then, your character is not incapacitated until  Trigger: Active (Incidental)
the end of their next turn. If your character reduces their strain or  Ranked: No
wounds to below their threshold before the end of their next turn, they  Tier: 5
are no incapacitated.
Parry (Master)
 Trigger: Active (Incidental, Out-of-Turn) If the user did not make a combat check during his previous turn, he
 Ranked: No suffers 1 strain when taking the Parry incidental instead of 3.
 Tier: 5
Inspiring Leadership  Ranked: No
Make a Hard ( ) Leadership check. If successful, a number of  Tier: 5
allies not exceeding your character’s Charisma within medium range
add s to their next skill check. Professor
Once per round, suffer 2 strain to allow an ally within short range to
 Trigger: Active (Maneuver) count as having the same number of ranks in Discipline as your
 Ranked: No character for the next Discipline check that character makes.
 Tier: 5
 Trigger: Active (Incidental, Out-of-Turn)
Is Anyone a Doctor?  Ranked: No
Whenever an ally would fall below their strain or wound threshold, the  Tier: 5
character may spend a Story Point to stabilize them instead, bringing
them to 1 below their threshold. Psychic Bending
Bender only. You may suffer 3 strain to use a Bending Form even if
 Trigger: Active (Incidental, Out-of-Turn) you are bound, at a disadvantage, or your appendages are otherwise
 Ranked: No indisposed (such as a missing leg or both hands wielding a weapon
 Tier: 5 or holding onto something). Additionally, you always ignore any
normally imposed in these circumstances.
Lightning Reflexes
Spend one Story Point. Your character can choose to make on skill Psychic Bending does not apply to any situation during which it would
check using Agility rather than the Characteristic typically linked to be impossible to bend; i.e. you cannot firebend during an eclipse;
that skill. When he does this, he must explain how, in this instance, waterbend in the middle of the desert; or earthbend on wooden prison
his agile prowess is helping him overcome this challenge. in the ocean.
 Trigger: Active (Incidental)  Trigger: Active (Incidental)

Master Quick Fix

When you purchase this talent for your character, choose one skill. Spend one Story Point. Your character can choose to make on skill
Once per round, the character may voluntarily suffer two strain to check using Guile rather than the Characteristic typically linked to that
decrease the difficulty of the next check using that skill by two, to a skill. When he does this, she must explain how, in this instance, her
minimum of Easy ( ). wit is helping her overcome this challenge.

Craftsman (Master) Show of Might

When the character makes an Engineering check to create, modify, Spend one Story Point. Your character can choose to make on skill
or repair an existing piece of equipment or a vehicle, the character check using Body rather than the Characteristic typically linked to that
may spend a t to add a new quality or feature to the object. skill. When he does this, he must explain how, in this instance, his
brawn is helping him overcome this challenge.
 Ranked: No  Trigger: Active (Incidental)
 Tier: 5

Signature Form (Master) Surgeon (Master)
Bender only. You gain one additional upgrade slot for your Signature Whenever this character attempts to heal any Critical Injury, lower the
Form. difficulty of the check one per rank of Surgeon to a minimum of Easy
( ). This includes all versions of Surgeon.
 Tier: 5
Sneak Attack (Expert)
Once per encounter, you may spend a Story Point to add t to the Unity of Spirit
results of your attack action. This does not count as s, but as a result Bender only. Whenever you suffer strain in order to perform a bending
in addition to the resolved dice roll. form as an attack, deal the same number of strain as additional
damage against the target.
 Tier: 5
Spiritual Guru
Spend one Story Point. Your character can choose to make on skill Warrior of the Elements
check using Chi rather than the Characteristic typically linked to that Bender only. Whenever you would miss an opponent targeted by your
skill. When he does this, she must explain how, in this instance, her Bending Form you may spend aaa or t to perform a check to
spiritual connecting is helping her overcome this challenge. use a Bending Form as a maneuver this turn. You must have an
additional maneuver, and may not perform more than two maneuvers
 Trigger: Active (Incidental) in a turn.
 Ranked: No
 Ranked: No
Stroke of Genius  Tier: 5
Spend one Story Point. Your character can choose to make on skill
check using Intellect rather than the Characteristic typically linked to Way of the Elements
that skill. When he does this, he must explain how, in this instance, Bender only. Once per session, you may spend a Story Point to
his intelligence is helping him overcome this challenge. perform any Bending Form as a maneuver instead of an action.


VI – Gear and Equipment
Skill, intelligence, and sheer luck are certainly valuable assets In The Second Age, the most important thing for a character
in the world of Avatar, but even a farmer knows not to enter is to be prepared. Fortunately, most equipment can be
the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se unarmed or to venture out into procured from innumerable vendors throughout the world.
the countryside without a little protection. Benders know that Potions, bandages, messenger hawks, weapons and armor,
the most powerful weapon they can wield is the elements, but even ships and Satomobiles are all for sale—provided you
even their abilities can fall short of expectations in the face of have the coin. While most equipment is relatively easy to
an entire squad of elite warriors. Some of the most powerful come by, some items are exceedingly valuable and incredibly
benders of all time, even the Avatar, have still wielded rare. Not every town will carry bending scrolls, or even high-
weapons which helped enhance their natural abilities. quality weapons. Collectors, pirates, and other scoundrels
may also stand in the way.
No matter who they are, characters rely on gear and
equipment to perform tasks regardless of how trivial or vital. In the following chapter, players can find information on
Smart characters prepare themselves for the situations common personal weapons, armor, and gear critical for
they’re most likely to encounter—and those unexpected. traveling the world from the Fire Nation capital to the Si Wong
You’ll never catch any decent thief without their lock picking Desert. They can also find out how coin can be earned easily,
kit. Guards and warriors know that even the best armor may and how it can be spent even easier.
not stop a determined foe, but they still know it can mean the
difference between life and death.
Economics in Avatar
The exchange of goods and services is the force that drives
the world—what characters produce and what they consume. Currency
Some trade is local, such as the crops from the outer ring of Goods and services are paid for with coins. This is a universal
Ba Sing Se being imported to its inner-most ring. Other trade term for everything from local units of currency with distinctive
is transcontinental. The world’s finest iron comes from Yu names and denominations to international standards. Coins
Dao, and it’s no surprise this is a result of the mixed have greater or lesser value depending upon the metal from
techniques due to firebenders and earthbenders working which they are made. Thus, no matter what region or nation
together to refine the ore. Yet the best pies come from the Air you are in, your coins are always legal tender.
Nomads and are treasured the world over.
With the advent of the Satomobile and cross-country
The trade of these goods across the continents, islands, and transportation like airships and trains, paper currency has also
seas requires fleets of boats, airships, pilots, sailors, and other gained a special foothold in larger cities, especially Republic
crew members who in turn require food, fuel, and navigators City. Of course, these paper notes operate essentially as
to track the fastest routes; they also require weapons to I.O.Us and are ultimately redeemable for their value in copper,
protect their precious cargoes from those with less of an silver, or gold.
interest in lawful procurement.
Currency in The Second Age is represented in terms of coins
Trade organizations, corporations, guilds, and governments or pieces of copper, silver, and gold. 1 gold piece is equal to
regulate and tax this commerce wherever and whenever the 10 silver pieces which equals 1000 copper pieces. In other
can. Many organizations purport to use this wealth for the words, 100 copper pieces is the same as 1 silver piece.
common good. Local authorities, such as those that govern
Republic City in the United Republic of Nations, employ local Motivations
police forces for the protection of valuable cargo.
Sadly, being a wandering adventurer doesn’t pay very well.
Naturally where there are rules, there are those who break Heroes and villains alike may have strange and mysterious
them; just as the Earth Kingdom levies its tariffs, so, too, does powers at their disposal, but everyone is beholden to coin. Not
the black market circumvent them. Smugglers profit greatly by even bending can put food on the table. Still, some characters
transporting and selling restricted or taxed goods throughout seem to have a natural knack for earning and are interested
the world’s port cities. Some of these goods are simply stolen in material wealth and the easy life of luxury they think such
weapons, food or fuel. Other goods hold no use in the hands wealth will bring them. Others seek adventure and want
of street criminals, but are of great value to collectors and airships or boats of their own.
scholars. Still, some smugglers merely catch the ire of
Characters may approach these tasks in several different
dastardly rulers who prevent shipments of medicine to be
ways. Some may use the gear and coin they obtain during
delivered to local dissidents.
their adventures to keep themselves afloat. Stolen items could
Characters in Avatar: The Second Age may be be tracked by rightful owners, however, and characters who
unscrupulous pirates or stalwart warriors, but ultimately the attempt to sell a cargo of Fire Nation weapons may find the
aim is the same: make money where you can. Fire Nation Navy not far behind.
The Second Age v1.6 | Gear & Equipment | 105

Most jobs the party takes on may have relatively low cash the party access to the tools they need to take on new
rewards. Commodities such as replacement parts, new adventures, but avoids stockpiles of cash that would keep
weapons, or even ships might be awarded instead—or they them from taking on new jobs.
might be gained by taking on new vows of Honor. This grants
Rarity
Some items are naturally more difficult to procure than others, check and can be modified by certain talents. The difficulty
depending on where characters find themselves at any given generally depends upon the rarity of the item, but the difficulty
time. The world is a big place, after all, and the vagaries and can increase based on the law enforcement capabilities of the
intricacies of international trade mean that some items are region (as determined by the GM).
easy to find in certain places and very difficult to find in others.
Of course, some items are rare no matter where one goes, Selling illegal goods also requires a Streetwise check and,
while other items are commonplace and inexpensive again, can be modified. If hhh or a d are generated,
wherever you are. something has gone terribly wrong; the buyer may attempt to
rob the characters, or the local law enforcement officials may
Rarity in Avatar: The Second Age is a simple way of arrive to arrest everyone involved.
measuring how difficult an item can be to find on a scale of 0-
10, with 0 being the easiest to track down and 10 being the Finding black market items always requires a Streetwise
hardest. But, whether an item is available for purchase should check, and the items may cost far more than the list price
never be solely a matter of rolling dice. Instead, the needs of depending on their scarcity within a region. This varies from
the plot make it at least partially the GM’s decision. place to place, so the GM should determine if an item is
Nevertheless, for simple items, rarity provides an easy way for restricted or not, to what degree, and what the difficulty is to
the GM to determine whether something is available and to let track it down. Some items are marked with an (R) by their
the players easily track items down. Finding an item in a place price, which means they are restricted and always count as
requires a successful Negotiation check (although the GM black-market items.
may allow the character to use an appropriate Knowledge skill
Most black market merchants have established patterns,
check or talent instead).
customers, and habits that allow them to stay under the radar
of the authorities and, more importantly, stay in business. The
TABLE: Item Rarity
Player Characters may not have these connections and may
Rarity Difficulty Example even be selling to a criminal who plans to turn around and
0–1 Simple (—) Food, bandages resell the goods again. For that reason, PCs selling illegal
items net one-quarter of the listed price with a successful
2–3 Potions, Jasmine tea
Streetwise check, one-half with two Success, and three-
Whale-tooth scimitar,
4–5 quarters with three Success or more.
weapons
Smoke bomb, Kyoshi War Truly exotic and illegal items, like rare animals or stolen
6–7
Fan bending scrolls, can be sold for higher values, but these are
Air Glider, Fire Nation
8–9 set based on the story and the difficulty it took to find then.
Uniform
The rules above present the general rules for buying and
Bending Scroll, Spiritual
10+ selling most black market items.
Artefacts
Selling and Trading

This table lists the rarities, the corresponding check difficulty
Selling legal items follows similar guidelines to selling illegal
to find items with those rarities, and examples of items with
ones. PCs can generally sell an item for one quarter of its
those rarities. Depending on the circumstances, and at the
costs on a successful Negotiation check, increasing that to
GM’s discretion, the rarity of certain items may be modified to
one-half with two Success, and three-quarters with three
reflect the market environment. For example, while bandages
Success or more.
may be a common item in nearly all markets, they may be
harder to come by in war-ravaged communities. Likewise, There are some cases in which the PCs might wish to engage
weapons may be more common than usual when being in trade; buying multiple items at one location, then selling
procured from a smith or near an ongoing conflict. them at another location where they are rarer. These actions
can be handled narratively, but if the GM wishes to use some
The Black Market mechanical guidelines for this process, here are some basic
rules covering trading.
Not all goods are available everywhere. A city might outlaw
weapons within its limits, and several regional authorities Whether black market items or legal items, trading works the
forbid explosives outright. Selling illegal goods is dangerous, same. Selling the items follows the rules for selling items listed
but lucrative for those with the nerve, and finding them often above; however, when determining the sell price based on the
means dealing with thugs and criminals like the Triple Threat success of the Negotiation check, first multiply the cost of the
Triads. item based on the difference in the item’s rarity between
where the item was bought and where it is sold.
Exactly what is and is not illegal in each city is up to the Game
Master, or may be specified in that area’s description. Finding Of course, these are merely general rules and do not account
an illegal item typically requires a Knowledge (Streetwise) for all sorts of details, such as buying in bulk, marketing and
106 | Gear & Equipment | The Second Age v1.6
advertising, and a litany of other factors that may affect prices meant to be modifiable by the GM and players, and are
and costs. Thus, all rules for buying, selling, and trading are subject to the GM’s discretion.
Encumbrance
The Second Age is meant to be played as a fast-paced, satchels, and quivers, can affect a character’s encumbrance
narrative-based game. Keeping track of the weight of every threshold.
item isn’t usually considered “fun” by many players, but it is
important to know when a character is burdened by the weight
of the very nice armor he just took from a Fire Nation armory;
Lifting and Carrying Excessive
having an idea of how many days’ worth of rations a character Encumbrance
can carry as he marches across the Si Wong desert could
Characters should not typically carry more than their
mean the difference between life and death.
encumbrance threshold. When necessity demands, however,
Generally, players and the GM won’t always need to track a they can do so for a short time (suffering the effects described
character’s encumbrance (how much she is carrying on her above).
person). Occasionally, however, it may play an important part
If a character needs to lift an object greater than her threshold
in the story, and a player needs to know if the weight, mass,
permits, such as an ally who has fallen, she must make an
and collective bulk of her items impedes her actions.
Athletics check. The difficulty is simple if the object’s
encumbrance value is less than or equal to the character’s
Encumbrance Values threshold. Add 1 to the difficulty for every point over, up to a
Each item listed in this chapter has an encumbrance value. maximum additional encumbrance of 4 and difficulty of
Most items that can be commonly carried have a value of 0 Daunting ( ). A ranger with a 2 Body and a threshold
through 5—from relatively light objects (such as coins or of 7, for example, tries to lift a rock with an encumbrance value
clothing) to heavier items (like a bardiche or plate armor). The of 10. That’s 3 over, so the difficulty is Hard ( ). An
encumbrance value of armor is discussed in more detail later, earthbender, however, would be able to lift the rock with little
and is different when it is worn, where the weight is distributed to no difficulty.
evenly on the body, as opposed to when it’s carried, when it’s
just another item in one’s pack. Concealing Gear
Characters in The Second Age frequently carry small objects
Generally, encumbrance doesn’t merely represent weight. It
on their persons. Sometimes a character wants everyone to
also represents mass, bulk, and how easy items are to carry
see the massive hammer she’s carrying as well as the knives
to and fro. A fitted suit of armor isn’t much of a burden, while
a bulky crate of stink bombs is quite a haul. at her hips, knowing that her intimidating demeanor will let
people know she won’t go down easy. Other times a rogue
Small items like bending scrolls, shock gloves, or knives have character needs to slip in undetected which often means
an encumbrance value of 1 or 2. Medium items such as bows looking inconspicuous.
and swords might be a 2 or a 3 in encumbrance. Larger items,
Items with an encumbrance value of 1 or less can be hidden
naturally, will have much higher values.
on a personal easily. No checks are required for successful
If it becomes critical to the story to have more detail, concealment unless a foe inspects the target up close—
encumbrance values can be assigned to multiple, identical usually with a physical pat down. In the latter case, the
items in bulk, particularly if they are stored in an effective searcher makes an opposed Perception check against the
manner. Certain items, like quivers or pouches, can also target’s Stealth. Add to the searcher’s check for every
modify the encumbrance values of items. Carrying 20 loose encumbrance point over 1 that is due to the hidden item. If
arrows would be a greater burden than carrying those arrows there are multiple items, use the highest.
in a quiver, for example.
The Game Master should adjust this based on the situation.
An unusually large character might be able to easily conceal
Encumbrance Threshold items with an encumbrance value of 2, for example. Of
All characters have a base encumbrance threshold of 5, plus course, their size could still draw unwanted attention. The
their Body rating, which limits how much they can carry under same rules can apply to similar situations—such as hiding a
normal conditions and without penalty. A total encumbrance sword in a wagon of lumber. The GM should decide what
value over the threshold means that the character is value of object can be hidden without notice, and add for
‘encumbered,’ or burdened, and they suffer one to all Agility every point over that.
and Body checks for every point of encumbrance over her
threshold. This is cumulative with any other
strain or other conditions.
suffered for Encumbrance and Vehicles
A ship’s cargo hold can house the amount of encumbrance
Encumbered characters also lose their free maneuver each listed in its profile. Smuggling compartments have varying
turn and must suffer 1 strain to perform their first maneuver. limits. These small caches are usually secretly placed around
The character can still perform up to two maneuvers, but each the vessel to avoid detection. Most smuggling compartments
maneuver costs 2 strain. Certain items, like backpacks, have an encumbrance limit between 2 and 30 depending on
their size and location.

Combat Skills
Skills represent the ability to use, identify, maintain, and care
for the weapons in each category. For example, the One- Ranged Weapons
Handed Weapons skill governs combat with short swords, Whether with one hand or both, ranged weapons are anything
blades, battle fans—anything small enough to fit in one hand. that can deal damage from a distance such as a bow or a
The skill is also used analyze weapons, identify certain bending attack. This also includes any weapon that can be
features to determine origin, and so on. This section thrown. Using a ranged weapon while engaged with an enemy
discusses combat skills as they relate to various weapons. increases the difficulty of the check by one.
Note: some weapons and items have qualities which

drastically improve or alter their use and performance. Please
One-Handed Weapons
see the Item Qualities descriptions in the next section for more One-Handed weapons are generally shorter than a few feet in
information. length and they vary greatly from daggers and short swords
to battle fans, whips, and hand axes.
Martial Arts Attackers must be engaged with their target to attempt an
Although many martial arts styles emphasize unarmed attack with a One-Handed Weapon.
combat, others utilize weapons as an extension of the body.
Martial weapons are generally light and cover the hands. They Two-Handed Weapons
are easy to wield in close quarters and often designed with
Two-Handed weapons, as the name implies, are large
grips, or attach to the forearm, to prevent them from being
enough to require two hands to wield. Many large weapons
dropped easily in close quarters combat.
fall into this category, such as long swords, bardiches,
Metal claws, brass knuckles, shock gloves, even rock gloves warhammers, and lances.
are all examples of martial weapons, as are the various
An attacker must be engaged with his target to attempt an
disciplines of unarmed combat and their attacks are covered
attack with a Two-Handed Weapon, although some weapons
by Martial Arts as well. Martial Weapons add their damage
may have the Reach quality. These weapons can be used
value to the user’s Characteristic; damage done by Martial
with one hand but the wielder suffers when performing
Weapons is thus the user’s Body Characteristic plus the
an attack.
weapon’s modifier.
A Martial Arts attack can only be performed when the attacker

is engaged with her target.
Weapon Characteristics
Each weapon has a variety of characteristics that define its
abilities and distinguish it from other weapons. All weapons
Critical Rating
share several characteristics, while many feature special Indicates the number of a required to trigger Critical Injuries
qualities that add additional rules to their operation. using this weapon. If the weapon’s critical rating triggers, the
character rolls percentile dice on the corresponding Critical
Injury chart to determine the effect on the target. A Critical
Name Injury can only be triggered on a successful hit that deals
The general name of the weapon. This may be a broad label damage exceeding the target’s soak value.
that applies to several closely related weapons.
Some weapons and talents modify this Critical Injury roll,
Governing Skill potentially making a Critical Injury more or less effective. In
The combat skill used when attacking with this weapon. addition, a character can only generate one Critical roll per hit
on a target. However, if the roll generates enough a to trigger
the critical rating of the weapon more than once, the character
Base Damage can choose to add +10 to the Critical Injury roll for each
The base damage the weapon inflicts. This is the minimum subsequent trigger.
damage inflicted if the attack with this weapon successfully
hits. Each net Success generated during the attack check
adds one point of damage to this based damage rating.
Encumbrance
Encumbrance is an abstract measurement of how heavy and
awkward something is to carry and transport. The higher the
Range encumbrance value, the more difficult the item is to carry.
The range of the weapon. Range is measured in several
broad range bands. Melee weapons require the attacker to be
engaged with the target unless they have the Reach quality.
Hard Points
Ranged weapons have ranges listed as short, medium, long, Many items can be customized, to an extent determined by
or extreme. the number of modification points they have. The vast majority
of weapons have a limited number of Hard Points that
determine how many modifications can be made to the item.

the part of the user. Active qualities must be triggered by the
Price user, often by spending one or more a to activate the effect.
The price of the weapon on the open market. An (R) next to
the price means the weapon is restricted and cannot be Item qualities usually have a number associated with them.
bought on the open market, in which case the price listed is This is their rating. Ratings affect qualities in different ways,
the closest average black market price. depending on the quality in question.
Active qualities require aa to activate unless otherwise

Rarity stated in their description. Weapon qualities can only
The rarity of the item, before modifiers.
trigger on a successful attack, unless otherwise specified.
Special Accurate
These are the qualities or other special rules each weapon Passive. Accurate weapons are easier to aim or wield,
possesses. More in-depth descriptions of these qualities were
whether through design or craftsmanship. For each level of
described above, while rules specific to a certain type of
this trait, the attacker adds to her attack dice pools while
weapon are detailed in the weapon’s description.
using this weapon.
Weapon Maintenance Auto-Fire

Weapons will invariably begin to wear down after extended Active. A weapon with Auto-Fire can be set to shoot in rapid
use. Rolling a d result may indicate a weapon has broken succession and potentially spray an area with projectiles. The
down or is otherwise unusable until it can be repaired. advantage in using Auto-fire is that it has the chance to hit
multiple targets or hit a single target multiple times.
Weapons can be repaired using the Engineering skill
depending on the complexity of the weapon. Basic weapons Attacking with a weapon on Auto-fire is generally less
such as blades and simple bows can be repaired with the accurate, and the attacker must increase the difficulty of the
Engineering skill while more complicated weapons like shock attack check by 1. The user may choose not to use the Auto-
gloves or crossbows require someone with more specialized Fire quality on an attack; in this case, he cannot trigger the
knowledge. quality, but also does not suffer the aforementioned penalty.
Weapon repairs are generally classified as minor, moderate, If the attack hits, the attack can trigger Auto-fire by spending
or major. The magnitude of the required repairs indicates two aa. Auto-fire can be triggered multiple times. Each time the
things: the severity of any penalties applied to the user when attack triggers Auto-fire, it deals an additional hit to the target.
using the defective weapon, and the difficulty rating of the Each of these counts as an additional hit from that weapon,
necessary repairs. Repairing a weapon requires adequate and each hit deals base damage plus the number of
time and tools, generally one to two hours per difficulty level. uncanceled Success on the check.
If a character attempts repairs in less time, she increases the
difficulty by one. Likewise, if the character lacks the proper These additional hits can be allocated to the target, or to other
tools, she increases the difficulty by one. These factors are targets within range of the weapon. If the attacker wishes to
cumulative. hit multiple targets, he must decide to do so before making
the check. Furthermore, if he wishes to hit multiple targets,
Repairing the item also requires some expenses be incurred. his initial target must always be the target with the highest
Raw materials may need to be purchased, but the GM may difficulty and highest defense (if this is two separate targets,
also opt instead to require players expend copper pieces. This the GM chooses which target is the initial target). The initial
sometimes can mean that it’s easier to buy a new weapon hit must always be against the initial target. Subsequent hits
rather than fix an existing one, but of course that isn’t always generated can be allocated to any of the other designated
possible. targets.
Weapons with minor damage require an Easy ( ) check and Auto-fire weapons can also activate one Critical Injury for
users will incur until the weapon is repaired. each hit generated on the attack per the normal cost; the
Critical must target the target of the specific hit.
Weapons with moderate damage require an Average ( )
repair check and impose one additional until it is repaired.
Blast
Weapons with major damage require a Hard ( ) repair Active. This weapon has a large spread, an explosive blast,
check and are unusable until they are repaired. or a general area of effect, like the detonation of a Varrick
Industries bomb or certain Firebending techniques. If the
Item Qualities attack is successful and Blast activates, each character
(friend or foe) engaged with the original target suffers damage
Some equipment features special qualities that add variety equal to the Blast rating (plus an additional wound per each
and depth to the vast array of items in the Avatar universe. Success as usual).
Some special qualities are inherent to certain items, while
others are general qualities that can be applied by the GM to In a relatively small and enclosed area, the GM might decide
specifically tailor an item to the story. that everyone in the room suffers damage.
Special qualities are generally either passive or active. If the Blast quality does not activate, the blast still occurs
Passive qualities are always on and require no activation on narratively, but bad luck or poor aim means that the explosion

may not catch anyone else in the radius. Even if the attack
misses, the user may still trigger Blast if they spend three
Ensnare
Advantage. In this case, the original target and everyone Active. A weapon with Ensnare binds a foe and restricts his
engaged with them suffer damage equal to the Blast rating of movements. When Ensnare is triggered, the target is
the weapon. immobilized for a number of rounds equal to the weapon’s
Ensnare rating. An Ensnared target may attempt a Hard
( ) Athletics check as his action on his turn to break free
Burn from the effect. Immobilized targets cannot perform
Active. The Burn quality inflicts damage over time. If an attack maneuvers.
with this quality is successful, the target continues to suffer
the base damage of the weapon or attack each round for a
number of rounds equal to the Burn rating. Damage is applied
Finesse
at the start of each of the target’s turns. Passive. A weapon with this quality allows the user to perform
the attack using their Agility rating rather than their Body
A victim might be able to stop the damage by rolling around rating.
on the ground and making an Agility check as an action. This
is an Average ( ) Acrobatics check on hard surfaces, or Heavy
an Easy ( ) Acrobatics check on grass or soft ground. Passive. Weapons with this quality indicate they require a
Jumping into a body of water stops the damage immediately. Ranged (Heavy) or Two-Handed Weapons check.
Waterbenders can also make an Easy ( ) Bending Arts
check to put out fires or aide allies inflicted with Burn. Armor with this quality limits the wearer to one maneuver per
turn.
Concussive
Active. The weapon’s attack can leave the target shell- Inaccurate
shocked from mighty blows or punishing shockwaves, unable Passive. Inaccurate weapons are weapons of a shoddy or
to perform any but the most basic actions. The target is inferior construction, which means they are less likely to be
staggered for a number of rounds equal to the weapon’s accurate or precise. Alternatively, the weapon’s nature may
Concussive rating. A staggered target cannot perform actions. inhibit accuracy. Inaccurate weapons add to the attacker’s
dice pool, equal to their Inaccurate rating.
Cumbersome
Passive. A Cumbersome weapon is large, unwieldy, Inferior
awkward, or heavy. To wield a Cumbersome weapon Passive. An Inferior item is a lackluster example of its kind,
properly, the character needs a Body rating equal to or greater representing shoddy and poor craftsmanship. An Inferior
than the Cumbersome rating of the weapon. For each point of weapon generates an automatic h on all checks related to its
Body by which the character is deficient, she must increase use, and has its base damage decreased by one. Inferior
the difficulty of all checks made while using the weapon by armor has its encumbrance increased by one and its defense
one. decreased by one. If it does not have defense, decrease its
soak value by one, to a minimum of zero.
Defensive
Passive. Defensive weapons are particularly good at fending Knockback
off incoming melee attacks. A character wielding a weapon Active. Weapons with the Knockback quality cause the target
with the Defensive quality increases his melee defense by the to become disengaged from the attacker. Unless otherwise
weapon’s Defensive rating. stated, Knockback requires a to trigger, plus one additional
a per silhouette of the target beyond silhouette 1.
Deflection
Passive. An item with the Deflection quality increases the Knockdown
wearer’s ranged defense equal to its Deflection rating. Active. When Knockdown triggers, the target is knocked
prone. Unless otherwise specified, Knockdown requires aa
Disorient to trigger, plus one additional a per silhouette of the target
beyond silhouette 1.
Active. A weapon with Disorient can daze an opponent. When
Disorient is triggered, the target is disoriented for a number of
rounds equal to the weapons’ Disorient rating. Disoriented Light
targets add to all skill checks they perform. Passive. Any weapon with the Light quality can be used
without incurring the additional difficulty of a two-weapon
Durable combat check. Light weapons can also be thrown, if need be.
Passive. Items crafted to last can endure damage that would
destroy less well-made works. Limited Ammo
Passive. A weapon with the Limited Ammo quality may be
When a Durable item would become damaged, it loses the used to make a number of attacks equal to its Limited Ammo
Durable quality instead. rating before it must be reloaded with a maneuver. In addition,
each shot expends one of a limited number of rounds of ammo
which, once used, must be purchased or otherwise obtained

before firing the weapon again. This also applies to thrown
weapons.
Stun Damage
Passive. Some weapons deal Stun damage instead of regular
damage. In this case, the weapon deals damage as strain
Pierce instead of wound. This damage is still reduced by a target’s
Passive. An attack made with this weapon ignores one point soak.
of soak for each rank of Pierce. If the weapon has more ranks
of Pierce than the target’s total soak, it completely ignores the
target’s soak. For example, Pierce 3 against a soak of 2
Sunder
ignores 2 points of soak, but the extra point of Pierce has no Active. When activated, the attacker chooses one item openly
further effect. wielded by the target (such as a weapon, shield, or item on a
belt). That item is damaged one step: to minor if undamaged,
from minor to moderate, or from moderate to major. If a
Prepare weapon already suffers from major damage, it is destroyed.
Passive. Weapons with this quality require time to set up
before being used. The user must perform a number of Sunder requires one a to activate. If activated multiple times
preparation maneuvers equal to the weapon’s Prepare rating in the same attack, each activation can be applied against the
before making attacks with that weapon. same weapon, potentially taking a weapon from undamaged
to destroyed in a single successful attack.
Reach
Passive. Weapons with this quality allow the user to attack Superior
targets at Short range. Due to the unwieldy nature of these Passive. A Superior item is a sterling example of its kind,
weapons, melee attacks performed against a target at Short representing masterful craftsmanship. A Superior weapon
range suffer which cannot be negated. generates an automatic a on all checks related to its use, and
has its base damage increased by one. Superior armor has
Reinforced its encumbrance reduced by one and its soak value increased
Passive. Items with this quality cannot be affected by Sunder. by one.
Armor with this quality ignores the Pierce quality.
Unwieldy
Slashing Passive. Unwieldy weapons impose a number of equal to
Passive. Weapons with the Slashing quality generate one the weapon’s Unwieldy rating. A character may negate a
automatic a result per Slashing rating. number of equal to the difference between the Unwieldy
rating and their rank in the weapon’s governing skill. For
example, a character using an Unwieldy 2 bardiche with 1
Stun rank in Two-Handed Weapons will suffer .
Active. A weapon with Stun deals strain to the target. When
the Stun quality is activated, it inflicts strain equal to the
weapon’s Stun rating. Since this is strain, and not strain
Vicious
damage, Stun is not reduced by the target’s soak. Passive. When this weapon scores a Critical Injury or Hit, the
character adds ten times the Vicious rating to the Critical roll.
With Vicious 3, for example, the victim adds +30 to his Critical
Hit result.
Weapon Descriptions
From the great forges of Yu Dao to a simple blacksmith’s forge
in a tiny Earth Kingdom village, the production of arms is one
Brass Knuckles
of the most lucrative industries in the world. Every warrior who A simple piece of metal shaped to fit around the knuckles to
swings an axe, archer who lets loose an arrow, or assassin be used in hand-to-hand combat. These simply add some
throwing his knives seeks the highest quality of weapon they extra damage to attacks with your fists.
can afford—their life depends on it. The following list of
weapons comprises those most commonly found in the Shock glove
armories scattered around the world. They are organized by A portable weapon that releases a powerful electrical shock
the skill associated with their use. capable of rendering a victim unconscious. Shock gloves can
stun and disorient your opponents and can turn the tide in any
Martial Weapons melee brawl.
While most weapons act as an extension of the body, martial
weapons are used in conjunction with martial arts and serve
Nunchaku
to augment the body’s own abilities. This unwieldy weapon consists of two sticks connected at
their ends with a short chain or rope. They take some skill to
use, since the inexperienced often wind up hitting themselves
with it.

Trident Dagger Butterfly sword
This dagger comes to a fine point and is shaped like a This is a short dao, or single-edged blade, also known as Wu
miniature trident. Its fork-like shape can sometimes be used Dip Dao or Hu Die Dao. The top of the hilt is turned up so that
to catch incoming weapons and redirect their thrust. the fighter can flip the sword around their thumb.
War Fans Tiger blade

Shanzi, or fans, are often made of iron and used in martial Three weapons in one: a long pole with a hook at the end, a
arts. They are used for defense and can be thrown. These curved blade above the fist, and a spearhead beneath the
shanzi are the primary weaponry of the Kyoshi Warriors and handle. An experienced user can hook the ends together to
are usually used first when fighting. double the reach of the weapons.
One-Handed Weapons War Hammer

Whether wielded with one hand or two, melee weapons have Like a sledgehammer in construction and appearance, it can
a long and storied history among the warriors of the world. be used to augment the potency of earthbending attacks.
One-Handed weapons allow the wielder to keep one hand These hammers can be dual wielded.
free, just in case.
Two-Handed Weapons
Hand Axe Two-handed weapons, as the category implies, require the
An average-sized axe that can come in all varieties. A water wielder to use both hands to perform an attack. These
tribe axe may come with a blue-and-white blade and a weapons are often unwieldy and only used by highly-trained
medium-length white handle. warriors.
Dagger Polearm
A small blade on a small hilt. This weapon comes in all A large two-handed edged weapon, usually in the form of a
varieties and is often used as a secondary weapon for close- long metal or wood pole slightly taller than a person, with an
quarters combat. Additionally, daggers can be concealed axe-like head. It has a scythe-like blade attached to a long
easily and many make good off-hand weapons for fighters wooden pole.
who favor dual wielding.
Lochaber Axe
Battle Club A weapon consisting of a pole with an axe head mounted at
A weapon used in the Southern Water Tribe. The base is its end. The axe itself is like tools used with crops, such as the
carved from a polar bear femur and has a design in blue paint scythe, which is designed for reaping. The point on the back
on each side of the blade. There is a heavy ball on the end of the blade is styled after the hook found on the original
and a notch for hooking opponent's weapons. A leather strap Scottish Lochaber Axes, in which the hook can be used for
is attached for a more secure grip. catching, hooking, and dragging clothing, skin, or weapons,
not unlike the hook sword.
Broadsword
It is a category of single-edge swords primarily used for Guan Dao
slashing and chopping (sabers). Due to its ease of use, this A type of pole weapon. It is very large and heavy and typically
weapon can be easily dual wielded. used by a mounted soldier.
Electrified Kali Sticks Meteor Hammer

Metal prods used to stun and immobilize opponents upon A meteor hammer amounts to little more than a ball and chain.
contact. They are powered by a generator strapped to the Most variations of the weapon include a ball made entirely of
back of the user. metal, but Earthbenders have taken a liking to balls made
from hardened stone or impure metals so that the weapon
Ninjato itself can be used with their earthbending abilities.
A short sword. It has a square grip, and a straight blade, with
a small edge on its tip. Staff
A generic wooden or metal staff. The famed Air Nomad glider
Jaw Blade falls into this category, as it can be used as a staff and to
Primarily a hunting tool, made by sharpening the jawbone and enhance bending abilities. Rules for use of the air glider as a
teeth of a large arctic wolf. One side is rigid and is used as a means of transportation are covered in Chapter VIII:
saw, while the other is a blade side that is used for hunting Vehicles.
and scraping skins clean. It can be used to amplify vibrations When used as a means to use airbending forms, it increases
in the environment, allowing the character to accurately detect the effective range of the bending form by one range band.
intruders.

Katana Stink bomb
A long, curved, slender, single-edged blade, with a circular A container that releases a pungent odor capable of
guard. It has a long grp to accommodate to hands. It is favored disorienting an opponent.
by the Kyoshi Warriors and is one of the most effective means
of cutting through organic material. Smoke bomb
Canisters that release a thick smoke to block an opponent's
Naginata vision.
A pole weapon consisting of a wooden shaft with a curved
blade on the end. It has a thick, slightly curved katana-like Short Bow
blade connected to a long wooden pole. A smaller weapon that uses tension to propel arrows.
Ranged Weapons Longbow

Weapons that can reach enemies from afar, are thrown, or A larger version of the short bow, it has a longer range and
that launch projectiles are considered ranged weapons. can deal more damage.
Spear & Javelin Crossbow

Like the pike, this weapon is a long pole with a pointy bit at A weapon consisting of a bow mounted on a stock that shoots
the end. It can be used for hunting, but its primary advantage projectiles. Its range is significantly shorter, but the damage it
is that it is light enough to be thrown. deals is greater.
Sling Ordnance
A sling is a projectile weapon typically used to throw a blunt These are weapons that are necessarily wielded by an
projectile such as a stone, clay, or lead "sling-bullet". individual, but are instead ammunition or too large to be
handled by an individual.
Bolas
A bola consists of weighted lengths of cord which can be Tangle mine
thrown to entangle and knock down opponents. Weapons made with a bamboo frame and covered with dried
animal skin filled with skunk fish and seaweed. These mines
Boomerang float in the water and detonate upon contact with another
A small, L-shaped weapon made of metal. It is a thrown object. They were invented by Hakoda of the Southern Water
projectile that travels in a curved path and returns to its point Tribe, who called the weapon the "Stink 'n Sink".
of origin when thrown correctly.
Ballista
Shuriken A large crossbow-like crew-served weapon that launches
A concealed weapon that can generally be used for throwing, heavy spear-like bolts, harpoons or explosive shells.
and sometimes stabbing or slashing.
Blasting jelly
Stiletto An explosive, volatile weapon used for demolition.
Small arrow-like darts. They are thrown much in the same way
as throwing stars and can restrain an enemy by pinning their Ice torpedoes
clothes to a surface behind or below them. These are warheads full of blasting jelly with a lit fuse inside.
Waterbenders can propel them because of the surrounding
Throwing Knives ice.
A variety of small knives can be designed so that they can be
thrown with varying degrees of accuracy.
Net
Just a regular net weighted down on its edges so that it can
be used for ensnaring targets.

TABLE OF WEAPONS
Name DMG Crit Range Encum HP Price Rarity Special
Martial Arts
Brass
+1 4 Engaged — — 100 cp 1
Knuckles
Nunchaku +2 3 Engaged 1 — 400 cp 2 Unwieldy 1, Finesse
Trident
+3 4 Engaged 1 1 500 cp 2 Pierce 1, Finesse
Dagger
War Fans +2 4 Engaged 1 1 300 cp 3 Deflection 1, Light
Shock
+3 3 Engaged 2 1 1200 cp 8 (R) Stun 1, Vicious 1, Disorient 5
Gloves
One-Handed Weapons
Dagger 3 5 Engaged 1 — 75 cp 2 Pierce 1, Light
Jaw Blade 3 4 Engaged 1 — 150 cp 4 Light
Butterfly
3 3 Engaged 2 1 300 cp 3 Light, Slashing 1
Sword
Ninjato 3 3 Engaged 2 1 600 cp 4 Finesse, Slashing 1
Broadsword 5 4 Engaged 2 1 500 cp 4 Light, Slashing 1
Tiger Blade 4 4 Engaged 2 1 550 cp 4 Light, Reach, Defensive 1
Hand Axe 4 3 Engaged 1 — 450 cp 3 Vicious 1
Battle Club 3 5 Engaged 1 — 200 cp 2 Disorient 2
Warhammer 6 4 Engaged 3 1 750 cp 4 Disorient 2, add to earthbending checks
Electrified
7 3 Engaged 3 2 1100 cp 8 (R) Light, Stun 2, Vicious 1, Disorient 1
Kali Sticks
Two-Handed Weapons
Lance 5 5 Engaged 3 — 200 cp 3 Reach
Polearm 6 4 Engaged 3 — 550 cp 4 Reach, Pierce 2
Lochaber
7 5 Engaged 3 1 1000 cp 4 Reach, Pierce 1, Slashing 1, Vicious 1
Axe
Guan Dao 8 5 Engaged 4 1 750 cp 4 Reach, Slashing 2, Unwieldy 1, Cumbersome 1
Meteor
8 4 Engaged 4 1 750 cp 5 Reach, Disorient 5, Unwieldy 2, Knockdown
Hammer
Disorient 2, Knockdown, add to airbending
Staff 4 5 Engaged 2 — 250 cp 2
checks
Katana 9 3 Engaged 2 1 1000 cp 4 Slashing 2, Defensive 1
Naginata 7 4 Engaged 4 1 700 cp 5 Reach, Pierce 2
Ranged Weapons
Can be used when Engaged (Two-Handed),
Javelin 4 5 Medium 2 — 250 cp 3
Reach, Pierce 1, Limited Ammo 1
Sling 3 3 Medium 1 — 150 cp 2 Disorient 3
Bolas 4 4 Medium 1 — 250 cp 3 Ensnare 1, Unwieldy 1
Disorient 2, Unwieldy 1, Second Target on
Boomerang 3 4 Medium 1 — 450 cp 3
aaa
Shuriken 5 4 Short 1 — 500 cp 5 Limited Ammo 3, Pierce 1, Vicious 1
Stiletto 5 4 Short 1 — 600 cp 5 Limited Ammo 2, Pierce 2, Ensnare 1
Thrown
6 3 Short 1 — 300 cp 4 Limited Ammo 1, Pierce 2
Knives
Net — — Short 2 — 550 cp 2 Limited Ammo 1, Ensnare 2
Stink bomb — — Short 2 — 1000 cp 7 Limited Ammo 1, Disorient 2
Smoke
— — Short 1 — 1250 cp 7 Limited Ammo 1, Concussive 1, Low Visibility
bomb
Short Bow 5 4 Medium 1 — 350 cp 4 Pierce 1
Longbow 7 3 Long 3 — 875 cp 5 Heavy, Accurate 1, Pierce 2, Limited Ammo 1
Crossbow 9 4 Medium 2 1 800 gp 7 Heavy, Preparation 1, Pierce 3,

Repeating
8 5 Short 2 1 1700 gp 8 Heavy, Auto-Fire, Pierce 2,
Crossbow

Armor
The effectiveness of armor has been the subject of fierce example, if a piece of armor provides 1 melee defense and no
debate for millennia. Ask any Kyoshi Warrior or Republic City ranged defense, it will read “0/1”.
police officer, however, whether they would prefer going into
a skirmish without some sort of protective covering. Even the Soak
world’s rogues understand the value of some simple leather A suit of armor’s soak is added to the wearer’s Body, and that
armor which turns aside a knife in the dark. Regardless, many sum is subtracted from any incoming damage. If an attack
fighters will say that a good piece of armor can be the causes 10 damage, for example, a soak of 2 plus a Body of 3
difference between life and death. reduces the damage suffered by 5 to a total of 5 points of
The type of armor any adventurer wears depends on a variety damage.
of circumstances—what works best with their skillset, how
long they will be wearing it, how easy it is to move around, and Encumbrance
the intensity of combat they expect to face. Of course, a good Each full suit or discrete piece of armor has a listed
set of armor will require a good deal of money to finance it. encumbrance rating. Armor encumbrance rating only comes
into play when the armor or piece is carried instead of worn.
In addition to armor, characters can also equip different helms When the armor is worn, the encumbrance rating is reduced
which also confer some defensive benefits. Helms and Armor by 3 points.
together can turn even a paperweight into a formidable
punching bag. Furthermore, some helms and armors will,
when worn together, confer an additional ‘set bonus’ which Armor Types
can greatly enhance the features inherent to the armor. Below is a list of the most common types of armor worn by
soldiers, warriors, and other adventurers throughout the
Generally, stronger armor tends to be heavier and more world.
difficult to maneuver in while lighter armor providers less
protection but more mobility. Wolf Armor
Protective leather gear created from a great wolf pelt. This is
Shields the preferred style of the Southern Water Tribe.
The arguments about shields are much more straight-forward.
For those that have blocked a heavy hammer meant to crush Wolf Helmet
their skull, or thrown aside an ice-encrusted shield after
A protective battle helmet made from the skull and fur of a
parrying a particularly vicious waterbending attack, the effort
wolf. This is a Southern Water Tribe motif.
of wielding their shield is well worth carrying it into battle.
Shields can be relatively small, designed to fit on the forearm Conical Military Hat
and be utilized to parry or deflect small arms, or can scale up A round, conical hat used by the Earth Kingdom military and
into large tower shields, designed to be used in siege warfare the Dai Li. It can easily deflect or protect the user from
or against enormous creatures. firebending blasts.
The cost and weight of shields tends to go higher as the
quality improves, although the best and rarest shields are Common Clothes
crafted using materials beyond the reach of most adventurers These are just your average, everyday clothes. Worn by
and may weigh next to nothing. everyone across the world, they provide little in the way of
protection.
Shields can only be equipped, and thus their bonuses active,
when the user is wielding a one-handed weapon. Common Military Armor
A beige and green colored armor consisting of bracers, body
Armor Characteristics armor, shin guards and a green colored belt-hung ge xie
Whether it’s a simple helmet or a sophisticated suit of plate (protective clothing).
mail, every piece of armor has the following characteristics in
common. Armor also shares some characteristics with Fire Nation Armor
weapons, notably price, encumbrance, modification points, Red and black armor which may be accompanied by a helmet.
and rarity. The descriptions of the latter characteristics can be Some helmets may include a protective skull-shaped mask for
found above. benders.
Defense Small Buckler

The armor’s defense adds equal to the defense rating A protective device, meant to intercept attacks. It is not as
directly to the attacker’s dice pool. This reflects the armor’s sturdy as its larger cousin.
ability to deflect damage away from the wearer’s body.
Defense is a score comprised of two separate ratings and will
always be listed as #/#. This represents the ranged defense
and the melee defense rating, listed in that order. For

Traveling Clothes Tower Shield
Designed to be take a beating, these clothes provide a modest A tall, broad shield meant to protect the user from incoming
amount of protection and can last the wearer a long time. Has ranged attacks. Its enormous size can be a burden to smaller
the Durable quality. individuals.
Wooden Shield
A protective device meant to intercept attacks. It can take a
beating.
TABLE OF ARMOR
Type DEF Soak Price Encum HP Rarity Special
Helms
Wolf Helmet 0/0 1 350 cp 1 — 8 Gain a on all combat checks with set
Conical Hat 1/0 1 500 cp 2 — 4 +1/1 Defense against Firebending attacks
Fire Navy Helm 0/1 1 400 cp 2 1 6 -1 on all Intimidation checks with set
Pro-Bending
0/0 2 500 cp 1 1 5
Head Gear
Leather Cap 0/0 1 100 cp 1 — 3
Iron Helm 1/1 1 400 cp 2 1 3
Kyoshi
0/0 1 300 cp 1 — 8 to all combat checks with set
Headdress
Armor
Wolf Armor 0/0 1 500 cp 1 1 8 Gain a on all combat checks with set
Leather Armor 0/1 1 500 cp 2 — 4
Common Military
0/1 2 800 cp 4 1 6
Armor
Kyoshi Armor 0/1 2 1000 cp 3 — 8 to all combat checks with set
Chainmail 1/1 1 1000 cp 2 — 4
Fire Nation Armor 0/1 1 650 sp 4 1 7 -1 on all Intimidation checks with set
Common Clothes 0/1 0 100 cp 1 —
Traveling Clothes 0/0 1 300 cp 1 1 4 Durable
Shields
Small Buckler 0/1 0 250 cp 1 — 3
Wooden Shield 1/1 0 500 cp 3 — 4
Tower Shield 2/1 0 1500 cp 6 — 6 Upgrade one for all incoming ranged attacks
Gear
Although it may not be as exciting as a sword or as glamorous items on them, depending on what they feel their characters
as a shiny piece of armor, this basic equipment is often the would carry.
foundation for a successful attack or business venture,
especially when these are one and the same. Reliable tools,
survival in inhospitable environments, repairing weapons and
Consumables
armor, even keeping allies alive after things go wrong are all Not all consumables are beneficial; indeed, some are
impossible if no attention is paid to outfitting yourself incredibly toxic and can, in small doses, maim or kill even a
beforehand. After all, even the world’s best bow is useless if moose lion. While some consumables restore vitality, or
you haven’t got the arrows to launch. reduce strain, others (like poisons) kill and disable; alcohol
can incapacitate or cloud judgment, even compromise motor
Miscellaneous Sundries functions.
There are plenty of pieces of gear that characters are likely to The price and quality of food may also vary: from bland
carry that are too mundane or inexpensive to track on their military rations to exquisite and authentic Fire Nation cuisine
sheets. Journals, writing implements, pocket knives, coins, to the luxurious spread on the tables of Earth Kingdom nobles;
casual clothing, shoes, inexpensive jewelry, snacks, or even there exists something for everyone and every palate.
mementos; all of these things and more are details that can Consumable items may provide a short-term benefit once and
bring a character to life, but are not important enough to track. are removed from the character’s inventory after use.
PCs can assume that they have any number of miscellaneous
Jasmine Tea Disguise Kit
The combination of soothing properties found in green tea and More of a stage acting kit, a disguise kit comes with makeup
the scent of jasmine will help you reduce stress, anxiety, and and prosthetics to allow characters to conceal their identity
tension effectively. and make themselves harder to identify.
When consumed, if the character would voluntarily suffer any

strain, they suffer 1 fewer point of strain to a minimum of one.
Tent
This effect lasts one hour. Tents come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are used to
provide a makeshift shelter from the weather and environment
when undisturbed rest is necessary. Characters receive a +2
Bean Tea bonus to all wound and strain recovery when the character
This chi-enhancing tea is a natural stimulant. When has access to a tent. Tents require some effort to set up.
consumed, it improves strength and increases energy tenfold,
and is frequently consumed by military officials and soldiers,
though used sparingly due to its rarity.
Lantern/Torches
Lanterns or torches are small, handheld sources of light used
Characters who consume bean tea gain a temporary increase to illuminate within a reasonable range.
in their max Strain Threshold of one point. This effect can be
stacked up to three times. Bean Tea effects last for four hours. Lockpick Kit
A lockpick kit can help a character break into almost anything.
Materials
Materials are the general resources needed to craft new items Tool Kit
or modify existing gear. Materials include things like ore, A standard kit for any mechanic or engineer who needs to
wood, textiles, or other various components that might be repair or make modifications to their ships, vehicles, or other
required by a blueprint to craft an item. equipment.
Utility Utility Belt

Utility items serve a practical purpose and may be used in and Often worn in conjunction with bags and backpacks, these
out of combat as the situation provides. belts are used to house common items for wandering
adventurers. Can conceal any item of encumbrance 1. This
Backpack does not negate the item’s encumbrance, but makes the item
harder to detect.
Incredibly useful and comes in many styles and sizes.
Backpacks increase the wearer’s encumbrance threshold.
Waterskin
Bandage Frequently carried by waterbenders all over the world, this
leather pouch of water contains just enough fresh liquid for a
Bandages can be used to assist with wound recovery. A
bender to use in a pinch. Contains enough water to use for a
character can use a single bandage once per day to instantly
few ice shards, or a single water whip.
recover 5 wounds.
Airbender Staff Wingsuit

A prototype created by Asami Sato of Future Industries, some
An airbender staff is a wooden stave used primarily by
airbenders have been offered a chance to test out these
airbenders to augment their bending. These versatile
specially-designed suits that work with airbending to allow for
instruments were a major part of Air Nomad culture and used
gliding or short-term flight.
in the execution of several complex airbending techniques.
Staffs were constructed to unfold into fan-like gliders, which
enabled airbenders to fly while manipulating the air currents Black Market Items
around them. Black markets exist across the globe, from the wretched hives
of lawless frontier settlements to the hidden corners of Ba
Climbing Gear Sing Se. A smuggler might visit a black market to avoid
An assortment of tools used to scale steep or sheer surfaces. Republic City forces or to avoid tariffs on otherwise legal
Add to all climbing attempts. goods or to unload stolen items without the scrutiny of
authorities, but he might also visit in search of contraband
items unavailable at regulated port cities.

TABLE: Consumables
Item Price Encumbrance Rarity Special
Materials
Ore 25 cp 1 3
Wood 10 cp 1 1
Textiles 15 cp 0 2
Components 125 cp 1 6
Utility
Backpack 100 cp — 1 Increases encumbrance threshold by 3
Bandage 25 cp — 1 Instantly recover 5 wounds once per day
1500 Can be used to mimic flight; adds +1 Bonus to all
Airbender Staff 2 7
cp airbending checks regarding flight when equipped
Climbing Gear 50 cp 2 2
Disguise Kit 100 cp 1 3 to relevant Stealth, Perform, or Deception checks
Tent 100 cp 2 2 to all wound and strain recovery attempts
Lantern 100 cp — 2 Create a source of light illuminating up to short range
Lockpick Kit 300 cp 1 5 (R) Gain to all attempts to unlock stuff
Gain to attempts to repair, modify, upgrade, or craft
Tool Kit 250 cp 1 3
items or vehicles
Utility Belt 250 cp — 4 Conceal a single encumbrance 1 item
Waterskin 100 cp — 3 Contains a small amount of water
2500 Can be used to mimic flight; adds +2 Bonus to all
Wingsuit 1 7 (R)
cp airbending checks regarding flight when equipped
Consumables
Jasmine Tea 200 cp — 5 Suffer 1 less strain when you voluntarily suffer strain
Bean Tea 500 cp — 7 (R) Temporarily increase your strain threshold by 1
Customization and Modifications

Equipment and weapons in the Avatar universe are made in modification gives the item or vehicle some sort of bonus or
every conceivable way. Some are handcrafted, others might edge (extra soak for a piece of armor, or extra damage for a
be stamped out of a Future Industries assembly line in a weapon, for instance). In most cases, that’s as far as it goes.
factory somewhere outside of Republic City. Even the latter The character spends money for her new attachment or
may have a drastically different look from similar products modification and gains an improved and unique piece of
made in other parts of the world. The statistics and rules for equipment specifically tailored to suit her needs.
gear in The Second Age are framed in general categories to
present clear, simple, and unified rules for their use, but the
look of your character’s gear can be tailored both cosmetically
Modifying Equipment
and mechanically. Many attachments have a listed series of mods. These are
additional modifications that a skilled engineer or craftsman
In general, players can purchase modifications to customize can make to the attachment to further improve the weapon or
their gear. Modifications can be inherent to the item itself, or item’s performance. These are listed under each attachment’s
because of using attachments. Attachments are physical modification options.
items that attach to or are installed in items, vehicles,
weapons and armor to add capabilities or improve or change These modifications options are potential mods for gear.
performance in some way. Attachments have a set of base Some of the modifications options have a number listed
modifiers that they automatically grant when installed. before them, which indicates that the option can be installed
Modifications without attachments are simple changes to the multiple times. Otherwise, the option can only be used once.
item, weapons, and armor which can alter the existing Modifications represent dedicated engineering finesse and
properties of the piece of gear. Upgrading an item with an superior craftsmanship in tweaking and customizing gear. Of
attachment is relatively straightforward and only requires course, even the most talented smith can only do so much
about an hour of work. with a piece of equipment.
In terms of gaming mechanics, modifications fill up the Hard
Points listed in a piece of equipment’s qualities. Each

 Damage mods: These mods increase the damage
Making Modifications dealt by the weapon.
To make a modification, the user selects an uninstalled
 Item quality mods: These mods add a listed quality
modification option from the attachment’s available list. The
to the item. Some qualities have values that can
character then spends the necessary coin on materials and
increase; if this is the case, then the mod lists it as
supplies, makes sure she has a tool kit, spends a couple of
“Quality (+1),” indicating that it increases an existing
hours at a workbench, and makes a Hard ( )
quality if the quality is already present or adds the
Engineering check.
quality rating 1 if it’s not there already.
If she succeeds, she successfully modifies her gear, and the  Innate talent mods: These mods grant the user the
item now benefits from the bonus provided by the mod. If she listed talent only when wielding this gear, and it only
fails, however, the mod is not installed and the materials and affects this gear. For example, if a dagger had the
supplies are expended in the process. If she failed and her innate talent Quick Draw, the user would be able to
check generated at least one d while adding an attachment, use Quick Draw to draw or sheath her dagger but
the attachment itself is rendered useless by her tinkering; none of her other gear.
otherwise, her toolkit could break altogether.  Skill and Characteristic bonuses: These mods
grant the user a bonus in the listed skill or
Each additional modification made to equipment beyond the Characteristic as long as she is using or has
first increases the difficulty of the Engineering check by one. equipped the item.
 Additional mods: some mods may not fall into any
Types of Modifications of the listed categories. If a mod does something
There are several types of mods, each falling into one of the specific and unique, it is described in the entry.
following broad categories:
Weapon Modifications
Coming Soon…
Crafting
Tinkerers, engineers, and craftsmen do more than just to create their own unique blueprints—all it needs is a Name,
maintain and improve their own equipment; skilled artisans Materials, Check, Time, and profile for the result, which GMs
frequently build their own devices. Whether their creations are can provide to their players as they see fit.
made from refined materials procured at great cost or thrown
together in desperation from whatever scraps happen to be After selecting a template, a character moves on to the next
on hand at the time, the tools and mechanisms that tinkerers step.
put together are often incredibly works of ingenuity.
The rules in this section provide GMs and players with options
Step 2: Acquire Materials
for crafting their own weapons, armor, gadgets, and other To attempt to build an item from a blueprint, the PC must
gear. When a player wishes to have a character craft an item, acquire the appropriate materials for the template. These are
listed under “Materials” on the relevant table. As always, at
the player should consult with the Gm, and then the two
should collaborate to go through the steps listed below to the GM’s discretion, certain supplies might not always be
create the device. As with all such matters, anything that the available for the listed price at any given market.
player wants to craft is subject to the GM’s approval. This step requires as much time as it takes for the PC to
Crafting follows three steps: select a blueprint, acquire physically obtain the materials. This could be as short as a trip
materials, and construction. to the local market, or as long as an epic quest to find a rare
ore. After acquiring the materials, a character moves on to the
final step.
Step 1: Select a Blueprint
When a craftsperson sets about creating an item, the player
first chooses a template from one of the tables in this section,
Step 3: Construction
shown later. The blueprint dictates the materials required To construct an item from a blueprint with the appropriate
materials, the character must make the associated check,
(Materials), the challenge of building it (Check), and estimate
of how long construction takes (Time), and the results should listed under “Check” on the relevant table, to actually
the character succeed on the check. construct the item. If the character succeeds, the item is fully
functional and has the profile listed in its template. If the
Each blueprint can encompass a wide number of specific character fails on the check, the product that comes out of the
types of items. Two engineers might approach the same attempt is unusable, and the materials are lost.
problem in completely different ways and come up with
The relevant tables include suggestions on how to integrate
completely different solutions. A blueprint describes what a
crafted item does, but not necessarily how it accomplishes it, other results into construction. First, crafters can use a and
or what embellishments it might possess; those are the mark t to make improvements to the item. Then the GM can spend
of the crafter. Thus, players and GMs should feel free to be h and d to add flaws. Unless a limit is specified, an option
creative in coming up with their own unique types of item that from these tables may be selected any number of times, and
a given template can represent. Inspired GMs are encouraged its effects stack.

The amount of time it takes to construct an item is determined For certain, particularly complex machines, like new parts for
by the estimate of working hours listed in the template under a vehicle, might require more than a single check to complete.
“Time.” Every Success the character rolls on the check
beyond the first reduces this time by 2 hours (to a minimum of
1 hour). Other factors can also affect the time required, at the
Blueprints
GM’s discretion. [Coming Soon]
120 | Gear & Equipement | The Second Age v1.6

VII – Conflict & Combat
The world can be a dangerous place. Conflict persists despite military leaders, pirates, mercenaries, gangs and street
the presence of the Avatar and end of the Hundred Year War. urchins thrive in the dark corners of cities like Ba Sing Se or
Earth kings compete for territory while even the Water Tribes Republic City. They prey on the weak and each other alike.
fight amongst themselves. With the spirit portals open, Shady deals, clandestine meetings, political power struggles,
negative energy flows into the Spirit World, corrupting the however small, are still day-to-day business.
spirits and spewing them back out into the material world.
These dark spirits plague the countryside and follow In other words, the world is ripe for adventure.
humanity’s own war and destruction. Crime lords, aspiring
Narrative and Structured Gameplay

Much of the gameplay in Avatar: The Second Age is done difficulty of the roll may depend upon the situation at the
on a narrative basis, with the GM describing events and the discretion of the GM.
players describing their characters’ actions and reactions to
these events. Combat, however, necessitates more Step 2: Determine Turn Order
structured gameplay. Once all Initiative checks have been made, the GM notes
down the results of each check and ranks characters in order,
Narrative gameplay does not require the GM or players to
from highest number of s to lowest number of s. If two
keep track of the exact passage of time, and for the most part,
checks are tied, the check with more a is ranked higher. A t
this is perfectly acceptable. Usually, it’s enough to know that
will double the results. If a PC and an NPC are tied, the PC is
certain actions or events may take a few minutes, hours, days,
ranked higher. This is the Initiative order. If two or more Player
or even weeks. Narrative gameplay is most often used in any
Characters tie, they can decide amongst themselves when
situation where the precise order of actions is unimportant.
they will act in turn during that round.
We talk more about Social Encounters at the end of this
chapter.
Step 3: Complete a Round of Turns
Structured gameplay is, at its heart, a rules system that breaks Beginning at the top of the Initiative order, the players and GM
up a character’s actions in what he could reasonably perform each take turns for the respective characters in that slot.
in a predetermined amount of time. It also gives each Players and the GM follow in order of Initiative from highest
character in a scene the opportunity to perform actions in turn. results to lowest.
It is most often used for players to play through combat
situations, although the GM may decide to employ structured Step 4: Round Ends
gameplay in certain non-combat situations she feels would Once all NPCs and PCs have taken a turn, the round ends. At
benefit from requiring the players to clearly define their this point, certain effects that last until the “end of the round”
characters’ actions within a rule set. may end. The GM also determines if the ongoing encounter
warrants additional rounds or if it has been resolved. If it must
Gameplay Overview continue, repeat step three using the same Initiative order
generated in step 1. If the action has been resolved and the
When using structured gameplay, the game is broken down encounters is over, proceed to step 5.
into a series of rounds, each of which is further broken down
into a series of turns. During a single round, each Player Note: characters whose Initiative results were tied are not
Character and Non-Player Character gets one turn, during required to act in the same turn order as the last round. PCs
which they can accomplish tasks and perform various actions. tied with NPCs always take their turns first.
Rounds should represent roughly a minute or so in time, Step 5: Repeat Until Encounter Ends
although the elapsed time is deliberately not specified.
Once the action has been resolved, the Gm ends the
Players should keep in mind that a single round lasts long
encounter. At this point, any character abilities that may only
enough for their character to move to a new location and
be used “once per encounter” reset and any abilities that last
perform an important action. They should also remember that
“until the end of the encounter” expire. Each PC also has a
although each round is broken up into turns that happen
chance to catch their breath and recover strain, and may take
sequentially in gameplay, narratively the turns are occurring
steps to help heal any incapacitated characters.
at roughly the same time.
Structured gameplay events (also called encounters) such Perception or Instinct?

as combat follow these steps: Two different skills in The Second Age can be used to
determine Initiative: Perception and Instinct. Which skill
Step 1: Determine Initiative should be used in a situation is determined by the situation at
At the beginning of the first round of combat, all players and hand.
NPCs need to determine in what order the characters will take
their turns. This is referred to as the Initiative order. To Characters should determine their Initiative using the
determine the Initiative order, each PC and NPC generally Perception skill when they are aware of their surroundings
makes a Simple Perception or Instinct check, although the while their combat readiness may impact the difficulty of the
The Second Age v1.5 | Conflict & Combat | 121

roll. For example, rolling to see who goes first in an Agni Kai, something they’re holding or speaking to another character.
or springing an ambush on an unsuspecting enemy would There is no hard limit to the number of incidentals a character
require Perception, as Perception is a skill to represent a may perform during his turn, although the GM may veto
character’s alertness, intuition and cunning. excessive numbers of them or decide they are complex
enough to warrant classification as a Maneuver. The following
Characters should rely on the Instinct skill when combat (or are examples of incidentals:
any encounter) begins unexpectedly. Two enemies walking
around a corner and running into each other would fall back  Speaking to another character.
on Instinct to determine their Initiative, for example. Likewise,  Dropping an item held in one’s hands.
someone being ambushed would also use Instinct to  Releasing someone the character is holding.
determine Initiative (and if they end up at the top of the  Minor movements such as shifting position, peeking
Initiative order, clearly they were vigilant enough to spot the around a corner, or looking behind a person.
ambush at the last second).
It is important to note that different characters may rely on Maneuvers

different skills to determine Initiative during the same Maneuvers are activities that are generally not complex
encounter, depending on their circumstances. In addition, if enough to warrant a skill check, but do involve time and effort
the players and GM are both unsure as to which of the two on the part of a characters. Characters are allowed one
skills best applies to a situation, they may use either. maneuver during their turn, and certain circumstances may
allow them a second maneuver as well.
Cinematic Combat  Aiming a weapon.
Avatar: The Second Age strives to capture the pure  Moving one range band closer or farther away from
cinematic and fluid experience found in the Avatar universe. an enemy.
Encounters should be frequent, fast-moving, and meant to  Opening a door.
showcase the talents and abilities of Player Characters.
 Taking cover.
The dice system borrowed from Fantasy Flight’s Edge of the  Standing up.
Empire helps push the story-driven nature of the game  Preparing a technique.
forward. Even a single attack roll generates enough options
(some good, some bad) to give the GM sufficient information Actions
to make combat far more than just a matter of rolling to hit and Actions are important activities that are vital to a character
rolling to wound. In turn, the players are highly encouraged to accomplishing goals. Each character may normally only
provide interesting detail before rolling an attack, to give the perform one action during his turn, and it will likely be the most
GM hooks in describing the results. important activity he undertakes during his turn. Actions
almost always involve performing a skill check, although
Combat is similarly streamlined so the players do not bog
certain abilities may require using an action to activate them.
down gameplay with too many mathematical decisions;
The following are some examples:
descriptions of their actions and the roll of the dice is sufficient
to help facilitate the encounter.  Unlocking a door.
 Firing a weapon.
The Turn  Punching or grappling an opponent.
Each character (whether a Player Character or a Non-Player  Instructing allies with a series of orders.
Character) gets on turn to act during each round. During this  Performing first aid on an ally.
turn, the character has the chance to undertake certain  Sneaking up on a vigilant foe.
activities, such as moving from place to place, using his skills,  Climbing a cliff.
and even attack others. The activities the character can  Creating, manipulating, or controlling the elements
perform during his turn are split into three different categories: with bending.
Incidentals, Maneuvers, and Actions.
Out of all these options, the most common during combat is
likely attacking an opponent. Attacking an opponent requires
Incidentals a combat skill check, sometimes referred to in shorthand as a
Incidentals are minor activities that characters can undertake combat check or simply an attack.
that require extremely little time or effort, such as dropping
122 | Conflict & Combat | The Second Age v1.6

Maneuvers
Because The Second Age utilizes an abstract method of Aim
describing combat, movement is similarly described in broad
During combat, a character can use the Aim maneuver to
strokes. Characters often do far more than fire arrows in
steady a weapon or line up a hit before attacking, granting a
combat, including pulling out medicines to heal a wounded a
boon to his next combat check. A character only gains the
comrade, unlocking doors, or scaling a wall to get an
benefit of aiming if he remains in his current position and does
advantage on their opponents.
not perform any additional maneuvers or actions before his
Not all undertakings require a check. These minor activities next combat check. Any damage that exceeds the
are known as maneuvers and cover a wide range of activities character’s soak also negates the benefit of aiming.
that any character can perform. They require an investment
Aiming provides the character with one of the two following
of time and effort on the character’s part, but are simply
bonuses:
enough that there is no chance of failure when doing them.
Technically, characters perform maneuvers during narrative  Gain on the next combat check. Certain abilities
gameplay as well as encounters. However, maneuvers are may grant additional .
tracked and defined during encounters because characters  Target a specific item carried by the target, or a
are more limited in their time and efforts by the frantic pace of specific part of the target. This could allow the
conflict. character to attempt to strike or shoot a weapon from
his opponent’s hand, for example, or target an
Maneuver Limitations opponent’s limb to cripple him. If the character
A character may perform one free maneuver on his turn. He spends one maneuver aiming to do this, he takes
may also perform a second maneuver by voluntarily suffering one point of strain and suffers to his next attack.
two points of strain. Characters may also receive a second or If he spends two consecutive maneuvers aiming, the
bonus maneuver through a particularly successful skill check, combat check inflicts , but two points of strain.
or by other means listed elsewhere. Regardless of the source,
a single character may not perform more than two Assist
maneuvers during his turn. Performing an assist maneuver allows an engaged ally to add
to her next check. Several characters can use the assist
Outside a Character’s Turn maneuver to add to the engaged ally’s next check.
In some cases, a character may even be able to perform a Awarded dice last only until the end of the engaged ally’s next
maneuver when it is not his turn. A Dai Li agent rolling horribly turn, however. The GM should use discretion when allowing
on a Stealth check to ambush a character may generate Players to assist one another. Some actions simply do not
several f on his check. The GM may decide that the blunder benefit from assistance.
permits his would-be victim the opportunity to perform a
maneuver, even though it is the agent’s turn. Cooperative Bending
In certain circumstances, multiple benders can work together
Any bonus maneuvers gained outside of a character’s turn do to accomplish larger and more powerful feats of bending. In
not count towards the limit of two maneuvers per turn— any cooperative bending attempt, one bender acts as the
specifically because it happens outside of their turn. These primary bender for the attempt while any assisting characters
additional maneuvers are generally awarded at the act as secondary benders. Two earthbenders can work
providence of the GM, and thus there is no hard and fast limit together to lift a boulder beyond either of their abilities while
to the number of maneuvers that can be awarded in this an airbender and waterbender can harmonize their bending
manner. to shroud the party in a thick fog, putting the enemy at a
disadvantage.
Types of Maneuvers
The following is a list of the maneuvers a character can Each bender who contributes to a Cooperative Bending
perform during combat. Note: this list is not exhaustive. The check increases some part of the Form’s result. With
entire premise of maneuvers is that they can and should cover additional individuals, more objects may come under control.
any activity relatively easy to perform that still requires some Assistance from additional benders could cause a Form’s
amount of time and effort. Thus, the listed maneuvers are silhouette to be larger, or increase the amount of damage
deliberately general to cover a wide variety of options. If a done by an attack with a Form.
player comes up with something not listed here, he should To contribute to a Cooperative Bending check, the assisting
explain what he’d like to accomplish to the other players and character must suffer 1 strain, and the player review their rank
the GM, who can decide ultimately whether the maneuver can in Bending Arts. If the character’s rank is equal to or higher
realistically be performed.
than the Form’s requirement, the primary bender adds ;
Some activities may also require multiple maneuvers to otherwise, is added.
perform. Generally, these maneuvers must be performed
For narrative reasons alone it should be obvious that users of
sequentially, without being interrupted by the character
the same element can easily assist one another in bending
performing other maneuvers or actions, for the task to be
skill checks. This is demonstrated many times throughout the
successful.
Avatar series, and should be emulated in any game session.

Sometimes, benders can use their different elements in  Draw or put away something from storage. A
unique and collaborative ways. Benders of distinct disciplines character can perform a maneuver to retrieve an
can bend cooperatively together, but narratively it must be item from a pouch, backpack, satchel, or another
something the character can feasibly manipulate with accessible container. This can also be used to stow
bending. For example, a waterbender and an earthbender can items in a similar fashion.
work together to bend mud (containing both water and earth);
earth and airbenders might both affect the same mass of Mount or Dismount
sand, whipping its particles around to buffet opponents with a Mounting and dismounting a domesticated animal such as a
grainy vortex. trained shirshu, komodo rhino, or ostrich horses requires a
maneuver. Successfully mounting an untrained or wild animal,
Counter however, requires a Hard ( ) Animal Handling check
Performing this maneuver allows a defender to perform a free which may be harder depending on how ornery the GM feels
(but challenging) attack if they are targeted by a combat the animal is. Similarly, mounting a vehicle, sliding into the
check. Attackers cannot counter this maneuver. driver’s seat, or otherwise engaging a vehicle for steering or
piloting requires a maneuver as well.
To perform this maneuver, a character takes the counter
stance. When an attacker’s combat check generates at least Move
hh, the targeted character may perform a subsequent
This maneuver allows the character to move within his
counterattack, adding a to the dice pool of their combat
environment. The game defines several different broad types
check.
of movement. When characters move, they do one of the
following:
Defensive Stance
A character can take a maneuver to assume a guarded  Change range increment. Performing this
stance, helping him defend against melee attacks. A maneuver allows a character to move between short
character who performs this maneuver adds to any combat and medium range relative to another person or
checks he makes until the end of his next turn. However, he object. This also allows characters to move between
also gains an additional 1 melee defense until the end of his medium and long range by performing two
next turn. maneuvers or between long and extreme range by
performing two maneuvers. When covering long
Environmental Interaction distances, multiple maneuvers do not have to be
Often a single maneuver is enough to interact with the performed on the same turn, but the character is not
environment around a character. This is a broad category of considered to be in the new range increment until
possible interactions, such as opening a blast door, ducking after two have been performed.
behind a wall, pressing a specific button on a control panel, or  Engage or disengage from an opponent. If a
grabbing a shock glove off the ground. The following are some target is already within short range of a character,
more specifically designed examples of interaction with the the character can perform a maneuver to engage
environment: that target. If the character is engaged with an
opponent or adversary, he must perform a maneuver
 Moving a large item. Flipping a table, shoving a to disengage with that opponent before moving to
barrel into a maneuver path, hefting a crate, any other location. This only changes his range
controlling an element; these would take a maneuver relative to his opponent from “engaged” to “short”
to perform. and represents the effort of backing away and
 Opening or closing a door. Whether a latched door avoiding his opponent’s attacks. Characters do not
or a primitive thatch door, opening or closing it takes need to perform this maneuver to leave an
a maneuver. engagement consisting only of friendly characters or
 Taking cover. Ducking behind a door jam, allies.
crouching behind a wall, or peeking around a tree  Moving within short range. Performing this
trunk; these allow the character to gain +1 to their maneuver allows an unengaged character to move
ranged defense (additional defense bonus can be to another position that is currently within short range
awarded depending on the circumstances). It takes of him.
a maneuver to take cover, but once in cover, the
character maintains the bonus unless the Flight
circumstances around him change, or he moves out Flight in The Second Age is handled in two different ways.
of cover. Airships and biplanes that fly use the rules found in Chapter
VIII: Vehicles to handle their flight as well as some pieces of
Gear Interaction equipment or abilities which allow individuals to mimic their
Managing items and equipment is accomplished by this flight and use these rules as well.
maneuver, which can cover the following options:
However, some creatures or individuals can fly, but not at the
 Draw, ready, load, or put away a weapon. This same speeds as vehicles or devices such as gliders. In these
maneuver covers the basic manipulations of most cases, these creatures or individuals simply move from one
weapons, such as drawing a sword from its sheath, place to the other by flying, but still use the rules presented in
knocking an arrow, or turning on a shock glove. this chapter for situations such as combat. Their flight is
handled mostly narratively, with a common-sense approach.

For example, a buzzard wasp or vulture griffin could easily fly spend one maneuver every turn to move (they can change
over difficult or impassable terrain, or fly over water without position, or just circle or wheel in place and effectively remain
having to swim through it. It could cover vertical distances in where they are). Most flying creatures can move faster than
the same way that individuals in this game cover horizontal hovering or ground creatures, and could move from long to
ones. However, there are some aspects to keep in mind short range using a single maneuver.
concerning flight.
Going or Leaving Prone
Creatures and characters that can hover (such as buzzard
Dropping prone and standing from a prone position each
wasps and flying bison) rely on swiftly moving wings or
require a maneuver. Dropping prone allows the character to
airbending, while staying above the ground. These simply
add to all ranged attacks made against him, although he
move in the same manner as other creatures, with the
also must to all melee attacks made against him.
following exceptions: hovering creatures ignore difficult or
impassable terrain if they can reasonably stay above it, and
ignore the penalties for moving through water. They generally
Preparation
must stay relatively close to the ground (within Medium Some actions require additional preparation to perform safely.
range), unless noted otherwise. The preparation maneuver is generally performed in
conjunction with another ability to confer , offset a penalty,
Sustained flight, however, uses aerodynamic principles such or fulfill a requirement. The individual talents or abilities that
as lift to stay aloft. These follow all the same rules about utilize the preparation maneuver define its specific effect. It is
terrain as creatures that hover. However, they must maintain sometimes abbreviated under the requirements as “prepare.”
at least some speed to stay aloft, and thus while flying must
Actions
During a character’s turn, he generally has the chance to Skill Check
perform on primary activity. This is the character’s action.
The most common actions that characters take during their
Actions include any activity complex enough to warrant
turns are actions that require a skill check to resolve. These
involving a skill check, and can range from unlocking a blast
are activities for which success is not guaranteed or for which
door to shooting an arrow.
the failure of the task may be important to the ongoing story.
For example, walking from one place to another does not
Limitations bring with it any inherent risk of failure. Therefore, a skill check
A character may only perform one action in a turn. Some would be called for if failure could occur and requires an action
characters may have abilities allowing them to perform an to be performed during an encounter.
action as a maneuver. This does not violate the limit of one
action per turn, however, the action now counts as a Most skill checks and what they can accomplish are covered
maneuver and does count toward maneuver limits per turn. in Chapter IV: Skills. What a character can do with a skill
outside of an encounter is the same as what he can do with it
inside of an encounter. The only difference is that inside an
Types encounter, he has certain time limits imposed. In fact, the GM
There are five major types of actions a character can perform can determine that certain activities may require more than
during his turn: exchanging an action for a maneuver, one action to perform, if they would normally take a great deal
spending the action to activate an ability or talent, performing of time.
a skill check, performing a combat check, and performing
certain complicated maneuvers. The last two are both
Grappling
variations on performing a skill check. However, enough
A character may perform the Grapple action. To do so, the
unique circumstances surround it that it requires its own entry.
character must make an Opposed Martial Arts check
against an engaged opponent to place a target under grapple
Exchange Action for Maneuver until the beginning of the character’s next turn. Targets under
A character may exchange his action for an additional
grapple incur one on their next skill check for each point of
maneuver during his turn. He may then perform any maneuver
difference between the characters’ Body ratings. At least one
he would be able to perform normally, following all the rules
is always applied. In addition, until the beginning of the
that govern maneuvers. However, he still may not perform
character’s next turn, grappled targets must spend two
more than two maneuvers during his turn, no matter how he
maneuvers instead of one maneuver to move from engaged
gained access to them.
range to short range. This breaks the grapple.
Spend Action Combat Check
Certain abilities or talents can require an action to activate.
A player makes a combat check when he uses a combat skill
When a character spends an action to activate an ability or
to attack a target. This is also referred to as an attack. The
talent (even if spending the action does not require a check or
combat skills in Avatar: The Second Age consist of the
any other activity on the character’s part), he has used his
following: Martial Arts, One-Handed Weapons, Two-Handed
action for his turn. He may not take a second action, unless
Weapons, Ranged (Light) and (Heavy), and Bending. These
he specifically has an ability that would grant him a second
skills are covered in Chapter IV: Skills.
action.
The first and foremost point to keep in mind is that a combat
check is just a skill check. It follows all the rules and
procedures for making a skill check, including the steps for Weapon qualities are special effects and abilities that apply
assembling the dice pool. However, there are additional steps only when using that weapon. They come in two forms, active
included in a combat check. and passive. Active abilities require the user to spend a
certain number of a to trigger them. Generally, this is aa,
Step 1: Declare an attack and select targets. although some qualities may require more. Passive qualities
The character chooses to make an attack. He selects what always grant their effect. Qualities may inflict effects on a
skill he would use to make the attack and if the skill requires target, which unless specified otherwise, are always in
a weapon to use, which weapon he will be using. He then addition to other effects, Critical Injuries, and damage.
declares the target of his attack.
A t can be spent to activate these abilities as well. A single
Step 2: Assemble the dice pool. t is all that is needed to inflict one Critical Injury no matter
The character then assembles his dice pool based on the skill, the Critical Rating of the weapon. In addition, t may be spent
its Characteristic, and any applicable talents and other to activate one weapon quality, no matter how many a it
abilities. Certain conditions, such as the effect of a Critical would normally take to do so.
Injury, or an environmental effect, may also contribute to the
pool’s makeup. Still, there are other options for spending these bonus results
as well. A list is provided for some common occurrences
The difficulty of a combat check depends on whether the below. Keep in mind that these are not intended to be the only
attack is a ranged attack or a melee attack. Melee attack options available. As always, players and GMs may invent
difficulties are always Average ( ). Ranged attack other ways to spend a and t depending on the specific
difficulties depend on the distance the target is from the active circumstances of the encounter.
character, or in other words, the range band the target
occupies. Step 5: Resolve h and d.
Much in the same fashion that the controlling player
 Engaged – , plus any modifiers depending on determines how his character spends a and t, the GM then
weapon used. determines how to spend any h and d generated by the
 Short - check; however, in certain circumstances the GM may
 Medium - present the player with specific options.
 Long -
Unlike a and t, h and d are not represented with qualities
 Extreme -
for most weapons. Some particularly volatile or dangerous
Step 3: Pool results and deal damage. weapons may have these options. However, there are specific
options available and the following table includes some
Once the player rolls the dice pool for his character, he
common examples. Again, keep in mind that the players and
evaluates the results. As with any skill check, the check must
GM may come up with something more appropriate.
generate at least one net Success.
When making a combat check, if the check is successful, each Step 6: Reduce damage, apply to wound threshold, and apply
uncanceled Success result adds +1 damage to a successful Critical Injuries.
attack. If the attack affects multiple targets, the additional When a character suffers damage, he reduces the damage
damage is added to each target. received by his soak value. If any damage remains after this
reduction, he suffers that many wounds. If the net result is
Step 4: Resolve a and t. zero or negative, the character suffers no wounds. If the
As with every skill check, a and t can be spent to gain character suffers damage from multiple hits in an attack, he
incidental beneficial effects on a combat check. Just as applies his soak value to each hit individually.
encounters follow a more rigid set of rules, so too do the
options governing the spending of a and t follow more An attack may also generate a Critical Injury. This may occur
clearly defined rules. In encounters, the player controlling the because the weapon’s Critical rating triggered, or because the
active character determines how to spend a and t unless target suffered wounds greater than its wound threshold.
the GM has a specific reason to decide for him. When a Critical Injury is inflicted, the attack rolls percentile
dice. The result of the dice roll indicates which Critical Injury
The first way to spend these bonuses in an attack would be to is applied per the table later in this section.
activate a Critical Injury or certain weapon qualities. As
described in the previous chapter, each weapon has a Critical Some weapons and talents modify this critical hit roll,
Rating that consists of a numeric value. The user can spend potentially making a critical hit more effective or less effective.
that many a to inflict on Critical Injury to the target, in If an attack generates enough a to trigger more than one
additional to regular effects and damage. A Critical Injury can critical, the character makes a single critical roll, adding +10
only be triggered on a successful hit that deals damage that to the result for each additional time the critical rating is
exceeds the target’s soak value. triggered.

Table: Spending a and t in Combat
Cost Result Options
 Add Bonus to the next allied character’s check.
 Notice a single important point in the ongoing conflict, such as the location of a control panel or a weak
a or t
point in an attacker’s armor.
 Inflict a Critical Injury with a successful attack that deals damage past soak (a cost may vary).
 Activate a weapon quality (a cost may vary).
 Perform an immediate free maneuver that does not exceed the two maneuver per turn limit.
aa or
 Add to the targeted character’s next check.
t
 Add to any allied character’s next check, including the active character.
 Negate the targeted enemy’s defensive bonuses (such as the defense gained from cover, equipment, or
performing the any stances) until the end of the current round.
 Ignore penalizing environmental effects such as inclement weather, disadvantageous location, or similar
effects until the end of the active character’s next turn.
aaa
or t  When dealing damage to a target, have the attack disable the opponent or one piece of gear rather than
dealing wounds or strain. This could include hobbling him temporarily with a blow to the leg, or disarming
him. This should be agreed upon by the player and the GM, and the effects are up to the GM. The effects
should be temporary and not too excessive.
 Gain +1 melee or ranged defense until the end of the active character’s next turn.
 Upgrade the difficulty of the targeted character’s next check.
t  Upgrade any allied character’s next check, including the current active character.
 Do something vital, such as shooting the engine of a Satomobile.
 When dealing damage to a target, have the attack destroy a piece of equipment the target is using, such as
tt
disintegrating his bow, or destroying a personal shield.
Table: Spending h and d in Combat
Cost Result Options
 The active character suffers 1 strain (this option may be selected more than once).
h or d  The active character loses the benefits of a prior maneuver (such as from taking cover or assuming a stance)
until he performs the maneuver again.
 An opponent may immediately perform one free maneuver in response to the active character’s check.
h or d  Add to the targeted character’s next attack.
 The active character or an allied character suffers on his next action.
 The active character falls prone.
hhh
or d  The active character grants the enemy a significant advantage in the ongoing encounter, such as accidentally
blasting the nearby controls of a vehicle, or damaging an escape route.
 The character’s weapon or tool breaks, malfunctions, becomes damaged or otherwise unusable for the
d remainder of the encounter.
 Upgrade the difficulty of an allied character’s next check, including the current active character.
Defense
Defense, or more specifically, defense rating, is one of the An attacker must apply a number of equal to the defense
factors determining how difficult it is to land a successful rating of their target.
attack during combat. Defense rating represents the abilities
of shields, armor, and other defensive systems to deflect Sources that provide defense (such as most armor; anything
attacks entirely, absorb, or lessen incoming blows. that says “Gain” defense) list the defense provided as a
number. These sources do not stack with each other. If a
Defense rating is most commonly provided by shields and as character could benefit from more than one of these sources
such is usually limited armored vehicles or melee fighters of defense, you must choose the best one.
using shields. However, characters may gain a defense rating
either through talents that increase their ability to dodge and However, other sources increase defense. These sources say
absorb blows, armor designed to reflect and diffuse shots, or they “increase” or “add” defense, or will be listed with a
even expensive armors. number that has a “+” sign in front of it. These sources of
defense do stack, both with each other and with any sources
Defense is either granted or added. If an effect says ‘Gain that provide defense.
Defense 2’, your base Defense rating is 2 and it does not stack
with other ‘Gain Defense N’ effects. You always calculate No character may ever go above 4 defense, with the
Defense with your highest ‘Gain Defense N’ effect as your exception of nemesis-level NPCs and the Avatar.
base Defense. If a description states ‘Add N defense’, then it
stacks on top of the base defense with other ‘Add defense’
effects.

works against ranged combat checks directed against the
Melee and Ranged Defense character.
A character's defense rating can be characterized as one of
three types: general defense rating, melee defense rating, Multiple sources of defense do not stack. However, the
and ranged defense rating. General defense rating works character is permitted to use the best defense rating available
against all combat checks directed against the attacker. to him. If a character has a general defense rating of 1 and a
Melee defense rating only works against close combat checks melee defense rating of 2, he applies the defense 2 against
directed against the character. Ranged defense rating only all close combat attacks.
Soak
A character’s soak value helps protect him from incoming to zero or less than zero, then the character takes no damage.
wounds. Most creatures and characters have a default soak If the character suffers multiple hits from a single attack (such
value equal to their Body rating. Most types of armor or other as a rapid bending blast or multiple arrows) he may apply his
forms of protection provide additional soak. soak to each hit separately.
When taking damage from any attack, or other sources of Different sources of soak can stack. Multiple applications of
physical damage (such as being struck by a falling rock or the same source do not stack.
being hit by a stampeding komodo rhino), the character may
reduce the damage taken by his soak value. After calculating Soak does not reduce strain inflicted upon a target except
the total amount of damage inflicted, subtract the total soak in specific instances (such as attacks with the Stun Damage
value from that damage total. The result is the number of quality).
wounds the character suffers. If the soak reduces the damage
Range Bands
Genesys relies on broad terms used to describe ranges and to hit him with his sword. Two or more characters engaged
distances. But Avatar: The Second Age provides flexibility with each other is called an engagement.
for players who prefer gridded movement; still, The Second
Age relies on these abstract means to represent position, Engaged is also used to indicate that a person is close enough
distances and ranges, thus allowing the players to focus on to an item to use it. A thief needs to be engaged with a chest
the action and the adventure. However, certain GMs may opt to unlock it. A captain needs to be engaged with his boat to
to include graph-based maps if their players are interested in board it. A bounty hunter needs to be engaged with a tree if
that style of play. he wants to hide behind it for cover while stalking his prey.
The distance between two points—people, objects, or The best way to consider engaged is as a subcategory of
adversaries—is defined by the general range categories. short range. Obviously, someone can be slightly further away
These categories are used to determine how far a ranged if they’re at short range, rather than if they’re engaged with
attack can reach, how far apart two people are from each someone. However, the distance is relatively minor. Thus,
other, how much effort is needed to move between two spending a maneuver to move to engage someone or
places, and so on. something is as much a matter of moving into or out of combat
cautiously enough to avoid a return blow—or flipping open
and focusing one’s attention on a map—as much as it is
The Five Range Bands moving a physical distance.
For ease of play, distance is divided up into five different
bands, from engaged to extreme. As always, the GM has the In a grid, engaged characters are in adjacent cells.
final say in determining the range between the attacker and
the target. Short Range
Short range indicates up to several meters between targets.
With the engaged status and the range bands, the GM is free
Many thrown weapons and some two-handed weapons (such
to describe things dynamically and set scenes without having
as a bardiche) are most accurate at short range. Two people
to worry about exact distances. Exact distances in meters do
in short range can talk comfortably without raising their voices.
not matter. Ultimately, the details and adventure come first,
Moving to another spot within short range is usually easy to
creating a vivid picture for the players while allowing the GM
do and generally only requires on maneuver.
to quickly provide the mechanical information players need to
use their actions and build strategies. Targets who are two to three cells from you are considered to
be within short range (10 – 15 feet).
For gridded purposes, a game mat is comprised of units, or
cells. Each can be said to equal roughly 5 feet of distance.
Medium Range
Engaged Medium range can be up to several dozen meters away. More
reliable bows and some bending techniques can reach to
To reflect two or more targets which are close enough to
medium range. Few thrown weapons can reach this far. Two
interact directly with each other, there is a special range status
people in medium range of each other need to talk loudly to
called engaged. Two characters engaged with each other are
hear each other. Moving from short range to medium range
in close proximity. A soldier needs to be engaged with a target
takes little exertion and generally requires one maneuver.

Anything with 20 – 25 feet of distance, or four to five cells, is means that in most cases, a character can move the entire
considered within medium range. distance between long and extreme range in a single round,
but will suffer strain or give up his action to do so.
Long Range Targets which are 9 cells and beyond are considered to be at
Long range is further than a few dozen meters. Relatively few least 45 feet away, and counting, putting them in extreme
ranged weapons and bending techniques can reliably reach range.
this far without too much trouble. Two people in long range of
each other need to shout to hear one another. Moving from
medium range to long range requires two maneuvers, as it is Relative Positioning
more time consuming than moving between medium range Because of the narrative, abstract way in which distance is
and short range. This means that in most cases, a character measured, both the players and the GM must be aware of how
cannot close the distance between short and long range in a positioning relative to two or more targets is measured. Once
single round, as it would take three maneuvers. combat begins, the GM will tell each player where he relative
to the opponents—it is up to the player to track his range
Long range targets are 30 – 40 feet of the targeting character, relative to those opponents as the battle progresses.
which is considered anything 6 to 8 cells away.
For example, during a battle within a huge warehouse, the
Extreme Range characters are ambushed by four Equalist Chi Blockers—two
approach from one side and two on the other—considered at
Extreme range is the farthest range at which two targets can
the medium range band to the characters. During their turns,
interact. Only an incredibly skilled marksman or bender could
the characters split up to attack. Two of the players move
land a blow at this distance. Some vehicle-mounted
towards one group of Chi Blockers, getting within short range,
armaments may reach out to this range. Two people at
and the other two move to the opposite set of opponents. Both
extreme range may not hear one another, even if they shout.
groups of characters are now within short range to their
Moving between long range and extreme range can be time-
specific targets, but medium range to the other group of
consuming and exerting, and requires two maneuvers. This
targets, and now further away from their allies.
Additional Combat Modifiers

The prior sections cover the fundamentals of making a basic Any opponent engaged with the character when he makes a
combat check. However, combat rarely occurs in a vacuum. ranged attack (no matter the target) may add to his next
Any number of things can modify a combat check, from melee attack against that character. He automatically loses
environmental factors to actions the character chooses. this bonus if either he or the character are no longer engaged
with the other.
This section discusses those modifiers. The first part of this
section covers conditional and situational modifiers. The In addition, the difficulty of some ranged attacks increases
second part of this section covers outside factors such as while engaged, and other ranged attacks become impossible
environmental effects. depending upon the range. Any engaged character
attempting make a ranged attack at short or medium range
Conditional and Situational Modifiers must add to their pool. Attempts at long and extreme
ranged attacks are impossible while engaged.
Character choices can modify combat checks in many ways,
some good and some bad. These choices can often provide
additional benefits as well. Attacking and Being Attacked While Prone
A character who is knocked down, unconscious, or willingly
Making Ranged Attacks at Engaged Targets drops prone is considered prone.
Sometimes, characters may want to attack a target that’s Prone characters are easier to hit with certain combat checks
engaged with another character. If the two characters are both and find it harder to use certain skills. A character gains
enemies, the attack may not care about which target he might when attacking a prone character with a melee combat check.
hit. However, if one of the characters is an ally, it may be a A prone character suffers when making a close combat
different story. attack from a prone position.
When attacking a target engaged with an ally, the attacker Prone characters are harder to hit with ranged attacks but
upgrades the difficulty of the check by one. In addition, if the suffer no penalties when making ranged attacks. When a
attacker’s check succeeds but he generates at least one d, character attacks a prone target with a ranged attack, he
that d is automatically spent to make the attacker hit one of suffers .
the individuals engaged with the target (of the GM’s choice)
instead of the target. Some attacks or weapons may cause a character to become
prone—this is indicated in the weapon or skill’s description.
Making Ranged Attacks While Engaged Getting knocked or falling prone may also be the result of a
Sometimes, a character may want to spend a ranged attack failed Coordination check or the activation of an item’s special
while they’re engaged with an opponent. Such an action can quality.
be risky: a character may find it hard to take the time to line
up a shot while an opponent is swinging a hammer at him!
appendages. Of course, some classes, like Fighters, Chi
Fighting with Two Weapons Blockers, Monks, and Benders, excel at hand-to-hand
A character may opt to carry a (light) ranged weapon or a one- combat.
handed melee weapon in each hand, increasing his volume
of attacks at the expense of accuracy and dexterity. Characters fighting unarmed generally use the Martial Arts
combat skill. Unlike other combat skills, Martial Arts is
When attacking with two weapons, the character must be designed to be used independently of any weapons (although
wielding two weapons that can each be reasonably held and there are some weapons that can be used in conjunction with
wielded in one hand. If it is unclear whether a weapon can be the Martial Arts skill). In addition, Benders who use melee
wielded one-handed, the GM makes the final determination bending techniques may choose to use their Bending or their
as to if it can be used. Martial Arts skill, whichever would be more beneficial in any
To make the attack, he performs a combined check. First the given circumstance.
character denotes one weapons as the primary weapon. When making an unarmed combat check using Martial Arts,
When making the combined check, he will be attacking with the character’s attack has a base damage of his Body rating,
this weapon. He then determines what skills and a range of engaged, a Critical Rating of 5, and the Disorient 1
characteristics he would use when making attacks with his quality.
primary weapon and his secondary weapon. Finally, he
determines his target. Martial Arts weapons augment this basic attack. These
weapons add their damage stat in addition to a user’s Body
To assemble the dice pool for this check, the player compares rating and may have an improved Critical Rating and
the skills that would be used to make an attack with each additional weapon qualities. When using a Martial Arts
weapon, and compares the Characteristics that would be weapon, the user can choose to use any improved qualities
used to make an attack for each weapon. He then takes the rather than his own as well as any qualities in addition to his
skill and Characteristic in which he has the lowest ranks and own.
builds his dice pool. If the ranks are equal, or if both attacks
would use the same skill or Characteristic, he simply uses Unarmed combat checks and attacks with Martial Arts
those. weapons count as engaged melee checks. Because they are
melee attacks, unarmed attacks with or without Martial Arts
He then compares the difficulty of the two combat checks he weapons also follow rules for dual wielding. Unique to Martial
would make with each of his two attacks to hit his target, and Artists, aaa or a t can be activated to trigger a second hit
selects the check with the higher basic difficulty. He then adds (for the same damage as the first hit); this is in lieu of
one more to make the dual combat check. increasing the difficulty outlined in Fighting with Two
If he succeeds, he hits with his primary weapon as normal. He Weapons.
may also spend aa or a t to hit with his secondary weapon Note: combat is meant to be abstract and although there are
as well. If both weapons hit, additional a or t can be spent exceptions when the narrative requires it, in general the attack
to active other qualities. Each hit deals its base damage, +1 roll represents multiple blows, swings, and shots. Whether the
damage per uncanceled success. result of that roll can be described as a single shot or the
effects of many, it's irrelevant to the mechanic of success. The
Unarmed Combat two-weapon combat rule, however, is used when a PC wants
Although many characters probably feel more comfortable to gain the benefit of doing more damage with a second
going into a fight with a good blade by their side, there are weapon (in this case another limb) with that single attack roll
times a character must rely on their fists, feet, and other at the cost of increased difficulty.
EXAMPLE : T wo-Weapon Fighting
A Player Character must first announce that he will be attacking with two weapons and designates one (if they are different)
as a primary. In this example, the character is using only his fists. He then builds his dice pool: he has 3 Body and 2 Martial
Arts, so 2 Yellow (Mastery) Dice and .
He then builds the difficulty pool: Martial Arts combat checks are inherently Average ( ) in difficulty, while making a two-
weapon attack increases the difficulty by 1, for a total of dice.
Next, the player rolls the dice: after cancelling s with f and a with h, tally what remains. In this example the remaining
dice pool is: 1 Success and 1 t. t counts as a success, meaning this character generated ss; the t can also be used
to activate the secondary weapon (without the t the player would need aa to activate the secondary weapon).
Finally, apply the damage: because the player has a Body of 3 and got ss (and has no Martial weapons to add damage)
the total damage for each attack is 5. It is important to note, however that both attacks from a Two-weapon attack are reduced
by Soak. Say that he is swinging at an average fighter (2 Body) with leather armor (+1 soak, for a total of 3): he would deal
2 damage on the first hit and 2 damage on the second hit for a total of 4 damage.
Note that if he misses the target but still gets aa he cannot hit with his secondary weapon, as the initial hit must have at
least 1 success for the ability to be activated.

Martial Weapons Medium +2 5 Cumbersome 1
Pipe, pole,
Martial weapons follow the body's natural movement when shovel
punching, chopping, kicking, or stomping. Martial weapons Beam, chair,
Large +3 5 Cumbersome 2
table
increase the unarmed strike’s damage with an additive bonus.
Martial weapons benefit from unarmed attack modifiers. Size Difference
Generally, it’s a character’s skill that governs his chances of
Knocking Prone hitting a target. However, some targets are easier to hit than
An attacker may attempt to knock an opponent down. To do others, usually due to their size. Size, or silhouette, is usually
so, the attacker must be engaged with the target and makes used to determine the difficulty of attacks made from vehicles
an opposed Martial Arts check against the target’s own Martial or ships, as vehicles are powerful and long-ranged enough
Arts skill. If he succeeds, the target suffers Disorient 1 if they that relative sizes matter more than distance. However,
are knocked down. A t allows the attacker to perform an silhouettes can affect attack difficulties in standard combat as
additional (melee) skill check. well.
Improvised Weapons When a character makes an attack against a target with a

Sometimes a character doesn’t have a real weapon available silhouette 2 or more points larger than he is, he decreases the
and must make do with anything that is on hand. This includes difficulty of the check by one. When a character makes an
broken bottles, rocks, sticks, pipes, chairs, and so on. attack against a target with a silhouette 2 or more points
Improvised weapons use the One-Handed or Two-Handed smaller than he is, he increases the difficulty of the check by
weapons skills, depending on the size of the object. Small one. Some examples follow:
objects are one-handed while large always require two hands.
 Children, particularly small characters, and small
Medium-size objects may require two hands depending on the creatures have a silhouette of 0;
Body rating and size of the character.
 Most characters, humans especially, have a
Improvised weapons add an additional to the pool and deal silhouette of 1;
damage based on their size and general weight. Any attack  Mountable animals generally have a silhouette of 2;
roll that results in a d or hh indicates that the improvised  Flying bison, komodo rhinos, Satomobiles, Mecha
weapon breaks and is no longer usable. suits, and other large creatures are silhouette 3;
however
Table: Improvised Weapons  Some creatures may be even larger but it is
Size DMG Crit Special Example important to remember that most characters are
generally 1.
Bottle, stick,
Small +1 5 —
small rock
Environmental Effects
The world of Avatar is made up of countless diverse bonuses for checks on other skills, such as Stealth. A
environments, from the frozen tundra of the North and South waterbender might conjure up a shroud of mist while
poles to the vast swamps in the Earth Kingdom to the volcanic attempting to elude her pursuers.
wastes of the Fire Nation archipelago.
The exact bonuses and penalties can ultimately be modified
Characters often find themselves fighting in hazardous or by the GM if the narrative calls for it. However, generally,
exotic circumstances, ranging from the cold of snow storms to concealment can be divided into levels based on how
the dry heat of the desert. Cunning combatants know that obscuring the concealment is. In each case, the type of
taking advantage of their environment can make all the concealment adds a number of equal to the ‘Dice Added’
difference between triumph and defeat in an engagement. portion of the table above to any ranged attack rolls and
The following sections cover rules imposed by those Perception checks against targets who are concealed.
environments. Conversely, it adds a number of equal to the ‘Dice Added’
entry to any Stealth checks made by a character who is
TABLE: Concealment Examples concealed. These bonuses or setbacks may also be added to
Dice Added Examples other skill checks if the GM feels it is appropriate.
+1 Mist, shadow, waist-high grass
Fog, early morning or late evening twilight, Terrain
+2 Difficult terrain is a catchall description of terrain that is hard
dust clouds
Heavy fog, thick and choking smoke, to move through or over. It can include tight passageways,
+3
nighttime, thick grass slippery ice, thick undergrowth, loose rubble, shifting sand, or
waist-deep water (among a litany of other circumstances).
Concealment Essentially, it’s terrain that characters move through with
Concealment is a situation that occurs when a character is difficulty. Characters entertaining or moving through difficult
hard to spot because of environmental effects such as terrain must perform twice as many maneuvers to move the
darkness, smoke or dust, tall grass, or thick fog. Concealment same distance they would in normal terrain.
imposes penalties on ranged attacks and sight-based checks
such as many Perception checks. Conversely, it can provide

Impassable terrain is a description of terrain that is simply hazard. With some corrosive environments, the GM may
impossible to move through via conventional maneuvers. This decide they do not cause damage unless inhaled (such as a
includes sheer cliffs, walls higher than a character can jump, toxic waste). In this case, the character can hold his breath
and deep pits or ravines. Impassable terrain is not always following the same rules for water and swimming.
insurmountable, but it is an obstacle that requires special skills
or talents to circumvent. Depending on the impassable terrain It’s primarily up to the GM to decide how long the hazard lasts.
in question, the GM may allow the character to overcome the Acids usually neutralize themselves after a few rounds, fires
impassable terrain by using any number of skills ranging from will burn for as long as there is fuel available (or for as long as
Athletics, Acrobatics, Coordination, or even Bending. During maintained by a firebender), while lava and lightning usually
an encounter, this means the character must spend at least deal damage for as long as he character is exposed.
one action (and possibly give up one or more maneuvers) to
A victim might be able to stop the hazards by rolling around
accomplish this.
on the ground, or making any number of skill checks usually
easy to average in terms of difficulty. A waterbender may
Cover easily put out fires, for example, while an airbender or
When arrows start flying, most characters dive for cover. To earthbender can attempt to mitigate the flames or toxicity of
keep things simple, being behind some sort of cover — a rock, the environment by blowing them out or covering them with
crate, wall, or vehicle, for example — allows the character to dirt. Ultimately, this is up to the discretion of the GM.
gain +1 to their ranged defense in addition to adding a to
certain skill checks, such as Perception or for ranged attacks. TABLE: Hazardous Conditions
A single is sufficient for most situations, although the GM Rating Examples
may award additional setback or ranged defense if the target Campfires, industrial cleaner, air filled with
is particularly well-covered, such as if he is within a trench, 1–2
ash or fumes
bunker, high-wall, or any other prepared position. Flammable liquids and persistent flames,
3–5
toxic waste, industrial chemicals
Water and Swimming 6–9 Welding torches, acid, toxic swamp gas
Bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and swamps 10 + Lava, blast furnaces, lightning
are types of terrain encountered in most locations as water
makes up more than half of the planet. Sometimes characters Vacuum, Suction, and Gravity
must cross them. Most characters have some ability to swim For airbenders, creating vacuum-like conditions is possible,
through liquid water, although some characters, such as although challenging. Massive twisters, whirlwinds, and
Mariners or waterbenders, are more adapted to these vortices can pose extremely severe threats to characters
conditions than others. Unless otherwise noted, characters caught in the gusts. Characters who are unprepared to deal
treat any body of water as difficult terrain. The GM may also with these conditions may even find themselves flying
decide that some bodies of water, such as a river with a swift uncontrollably through the air. Maneuvers in these conditions
current, or an ocean during a storm, are so difficult to move take twice as much effort and any skill checks made under
through that they require a successful Athletics (or Bending, these conditions suffer .
for waterbenders) check to swim in. in this case, it requires at
least one action as well as any number of maneuvers to swim Furthermore, any character exposed to these conditions
through the water from one location to another. suffers 2 strain per turn. If the character exceeds his strain
threshold, he is incapacitated and may suffer one Critical
If completely submerged in water, a character can hold his Injury, plus an additional Critical Injury for each additional
breath for a number of rounds equal to his Body round in which he exposed to these conditions.
Characteristic. Once this number is reached, the character
starts to drown is treated as suffocating (explained below) on
each successive round until he surfaces or finds some other
Suffocation
source of air. The exception to this rule is the airbender, who A suffocating character suffers 3 strain each round at the
can hold their breath underwater for a number of rounds equal beginning of his turn until he is no longer suffocating; how to
to twice his Chi Characteristic. Other talents and stop suffocating depends on the circumstances, but it usually
characteristics may also impact a character’s ability to swim. involves reaching a breathable location (such as getting out
of the water) or situation (getting away from a particularly
powerful tornado). Once the character exceeds his strain
Fire, Acid, Lava and Lightning threshold, he is incapacitated. In addition, at the beginning of
Mechanically, fire, acid, and lava are treated with the same each subsequent turn, if the character is still suffocating, he
rules. When characters are exposed to these elements, the suffers a Critical Injury. This happens until the character stops
GM determines how dangerous the situation is by applying a suffocating or dies.
rating, generally between 1 and 10 (although higher ratings
may apply in special circumstances). A lower rating indicates
a minor fire or irritating acid. The higher the rating, the hotter
Falling
the fire or more corrosive the acid. Lava and Lightning are Gravity kills. If a character falls from a height, the GM should
generally considered at least a 10 on this scale. determine the distance between the location from which the
character fell and his point of impact below and then apply the
Each round at the beginning of his turn, a character subjected closest comparable range band. Next the GM consults the
to one of these hazards suffers wounds equal to its rating. table below to determine the damage suffered. Damage is
This damage persists until he is no longer exposed to the reduced by soak; however, the strain suffered is not.

A character can reduce the damage taken from falling by WATERBENDING
making an Average Athletics, Acrobatics, or Bending check.
Bonus Conditions
Each Success reduces the damage suffered by 1, while each
a reduces the strain suffered by 1. A t could, at the GM’s  Under the full moon
discretion, reduce the overall distance fallen by one range  Near a large body of water
such as an ocean or sea
band as the character grabs onto a handhold or does
something else to slow his fall. Certain talents may also  Under the moon (any other
time)
mitigate fall damage.
-1 Strain  Near a small to medium
sized body of water
TABLE: Falling Damage
 During the rain
Range Damage Strain  During the day
None
Short 5 5  When indoors (at all times)
Medium 15 10 +1 Strain  During a new moon
Long 25 15  In an arid or hot environment
No Bending
Extreme Incapacitated, Critical Injury 20  Lunar eclipse
Possible
Bending and Location FIREBENDING
In addition to their martial combat bonuses, Benders will Bonus Conditions
experience a distinct advantage (or disadvantage) to their
No strain  During a comet passing
bending abilities depending upon where they are, the
weather, even the universe around them. Each of the -1 Strain  In an arid or hot environment
elements experiences great bonuses when they perform their  During the day
techniques in synergy with their environment. Conversely, a  During the night
bender suffers immense setback when they attempt No change
 Indoors (at all times)
techniques in unfavorable locations. A waterbender can  During the rain
control the tides when they’re near a large body of water, but +2 Strain
 Cold environment
unless they bring it with them, there is no water to bend in the No Bending  During Solar Eclipse
desert. Earthbenders can be dangerous just about Possible  Holding breath
everywhere they go—but take the earth from beneath their
feet and their skills mean nothing. EARTHBENDING
Bonus Conditions
The following tables detail many circumstances during which
-1 Strain  When outdoors
benders will experience bonuses—or setbacks—depending
upon the environment around them. Although this list is based No change  When indoors
off events and circumstances from the Avatar series, players  In sand
should feel free to consult with the GM if they believe certain  In wet environments
circumstances may warrant a or , or incurring or more or No Bending  No earth within Extreme
less strain when using a Form. Possible range
Bonuses can be cumulative, and the below tables are merely

AIRBENDING
a guideline. Players should feel free to modify the kinds of Bonus Conditions
bonuses (and under what conditions they apply). No change Outdoors
No change Indoors
Confined
Wounds, Strain, and Overall Condition

In the fast-paced, high-action setting of Avatar: The Second before becoming incapacitated. This is represented by the
Age, characters are sure to find themselves in the thick of character’s wound threshold.
things, and will likely pick up a few cuts and bruises along the
way. A character’s health is tracked using two separate, yet Exceeding Wound Threshold
similar, systems: strain and wounds. When a PC suffers wounds greater than his wound threshold,
she is knocked out and incapacitated until her wounds are
Wounds and Wound Threshold reduced such that they no longer exceed her threshold. She
A wide variety of items and actions can inflict physical also immediately suffers one Critical Injury. In some rare and
damage: arrows, an angry platypus bear’s claws, grenades, dire circumstances, this could result in the PC’s death.
falling, etc. Damage to a character’s physical body is tracked
When NPCs and creatures suffer wounds greater than their
using wounds. Each point of damage inflicts 1 wound on a
wound threshold, they are defeated (unless they are a high-
character. A character can only withstand so many wounds
level opponent such as a nemesis). Being defeated by
exceeding their threshold usually entails death, but the overall
interpretation is up to the GM. The GM can decide that they compares the results with the Critical Injury Table (at the end
pass out due to shock, are so crippled they can no longer fight, of this chapter) to determine the injury severity rating and
are knocked unconscious, or any other option that fits the effects. If a character does not yet have a Critical Injury, they
GM’s plan for the ongoing narrative. Since non-nemesis subtract 10 from their initial Critical Injury check.
characters do not track strain separately, but apply strain
damage as wounds to their wound threshold, what happens The short-term of some injuries are temporary, and may only
once they are defeated may also depend on whether they disorient or afflict the character for a brief amount of time.
were defeated due to strain damage or wound damage. Other injuries are more serious and represent some sort of
long-term debilitation or impairment. These injuries continue
When wounds exceed a character’s wound threshold, the to affect the character until she receives the proper medical
player should track the number of wounds by which her treatment to recover from the injury.
character has exceeded the threshold, to a maximum of twice
the wound threshold. The character must heal wounds until Regardless, a Critical Injury remains with the character until it
her wounds are below her threshold before she is no longer is properly healed, even if the short-term effect of the injury
incapacitated. has passed, the status of having a Critical Injury remains.
Each Critical Injury a character suffers from adds +10 to any
subsequent Critical Injury check. Essentially, a Critical Injury
Strain and Strain Threshold is cumulative and, left untreated, even a number of relatively
While wounds and injury represent potentially life-threatening minor Critical Injuries can lead to devastating results.
damage, a number of other stressors and effects can impair a
character. Collectively, this is referred to as strain. Any effect Strain Damage and Critical Injuries
that impairs the character, but does not inflict physical harm
Although not always likely, some attacks that deal strain
or wounds, is considered strain. Spending hours wandering
damage (notably attacks that can stun) can also trigger
through the blistering heat of the Si Wong Desert, suffering a
Critical Injuries. Although this may seem odd, it makes sense.
minor shock from an electrical panel, being battered around
When a Player Character inflicts a Critical injury on an
in the back of a cart—all of these could represent types of
adversary that can incapacitated by a single Critical Injury
strain weapons with a Stun trait or other effects that impair or
(such as a minion), then the adversary is simply incapacitated
hinder a character also inflict strain.
by being rendered unconscious.
Additionally, effects that cause stress, fear, anxiety, or
If a PC or nemesis NPC suffers a Critical Injury from a stun
emotional turmoil also generate strain. Losing one’s cool in
attack, such as a powerful blow from an earthbender, the
combat during heavy assault, being berated by another
outcome can be anything from adverse long-term effects from
character, waking up to realize one has been imprisoned, or
the attack to tangential injuries from being stunned (for
being boarded by a Republic vessel while smuggling goods
example, the character could be knocked off balance and take
could all represent incidents that result in strain on a
a nasty crack on the skull when she hits the ground). Of
character.
course, since these Critical Injuries would have to be triggered
Strain can accumulate slowly as environmental effects or be by the players or the GM, both parties can always decide that
gained in chunks when a PC is rattled by an effect that doesn’t a Critical Injury would not make sense in that narrative and
cause damage but still impairs her. choose not to trigger them
Characters can also voluntarily suffer strain to trigger certain

effects. The most common use is to voluntarily suffer 2 points
States of Health
of strain to gain an additional maneuver during a character’s PCs may pass through several states of health over the
turn. Some special talents may require the character to suffer course of their adventures. The state of health is a general
1 or more points of strain to activate. representation of overall fitness or wellbeing.
A character is unwounded and operating at peak performance

Exceeding Strain Threshold is she is currently suffering from no wounds and has no
When a character has suffered strain greater than her strain injuries.
threshold, she becomes incapacitated until her strain is
reduced so that it no longer exceeds her threshold. She is A character is wounded if she has any number of wounds
likely unconscious, or she may just be so dazed and below her threshold. At this point, she’s suffered a few cuts,
staggered that she is completely unaware of her surroundings bruises, and/or scrapes. However, she has not taken any
and unable to interact with them. permanent or incapacitating damage. She is a bit battered,
but she’s still cognizant and combat ready.
When an NPC or a creature suffers strain, they generally
apply the strain directly to their wound threshold (unless they A character is critically injured if she is currently suffering from
are nemeses and track strain separately). any number of Critical Injuries, regardless of how many
wounds she may have. Critical Injuries are actual injuries that
have some sort of detrimental effect. A character may be
Critical Injuries critically injured and wounded.
A particularly dangerous type of wound is a Critical Injury. A
Critical Injury is often the result of an attack during combat, A character is incapacitated once she has suffered more
but characters can also suffer one from exceeding their wounds than her wound threshold or more strain than her
wound threshold or through other means. Each time a strain threshold. Incapacitation means that a character is
character suffers a Critical Injury, the player rolls d100 and unconscious and no longer able to act until the number of

wounds she is suffering is decreased below her respective
threshold. Since exceeding a character’s wound threshold
Disoriented
triggers a Critical Injury, it is possible for an incapacitated A disoriented character adds to all checks she makes.
character to also be critically injured. Most effects that disorient a character last for a set duration.
If a set duration is not specified, disorientation lasts until the
end of the character’s next turn. If a character is disoriented
Other Status Effects multiple times, each instance increases the total duration of
Characters can suffer status effects beyond being wounded the effect by the instance’s specified duration, but may not
or incapacitated. These status effects can change what a increase beyond the scope of the encounter.
character can do during an encounter, and can be very
dangerous. Alternatively, the power to inflict them on others Stressed
can be a very potent ability indeed.
Characters who overexert themselves, or suffer too much
strain, might push their body or mind too far and become
Staggered stressed. If a stressed character voluntarily suffers strain for
A staggered character cannot perform actions (including any reason, they suffer 1 additional strain. If a duration is not
downgrading actions to maneuvers). Most effects that stagger provided, the character is considered stressed through the
a character last for a set duration. If a set duration is not end of the encounter. A character is considered stressed until
specified, then the staggered effect lasts until the end of the they have taken a long rest, or other means to remove
character’s next turn. If a character is staggered multiple statuses and their effects.
times, each instance increases the total duration of the effect
by the instance’s specified duration, but may not increase the
total duration beyond the scope of the present encounter.
Death
The dangerous world of Avatar puts the PCs in treacherous
situations, and even the most steadfast character cannot
Immobilized survive everything. A time may come when a PC faces her
An immobilized character cannot perform maneuvers ultimate fate and perishes.
(including maneuvers purchased via strain or by spending a).
Most effects that immobilize a character last for a set duration. If a character ever rolls (or through multiple or untreated
If a set duration is not specified, immobilization lasts until the Critical Injuries, otherwise suffers) a result of 151 or higher on
end of the character's next turn. If a character is immobilized the Critical Injury Table, she dies. A dead character cannot be
multiple times, each instance increases the total duration of brought back to life. At this point, the player should move on
the effect by the instance’s specified duration, but may not and create a new character to continue the adventure.
increase beyond the scope of the encounter.
Healing and Recovery

While characters can be afflicted with various ailments and rolls, she recovers from 1 wound for every rank in Medicine.
types of damage, there are fortunately several options for A character removes 1 strain per rank for each a they roll. A
recovery. Recovery can vary in time and effectiveness, based t fully heals a character.
on the resources and expertise available to the characters.
With the proper resources, and sufficient time, characters can Medical Care
recover from virtually any encounter. A character may attempt a Medicine check to help a character
heal wounds. Each character may only receive one Medicine
Healing Wounds check per encounter, as there is only so much good that first
There are several ways that characters can heal wounds. aid can do to help a character.
Some allow for natural, if slow, healing; others require access
The difficulty is based on the target’s current state of health.
to medical facilities or spiritual knowledge, or even special
On a successful check, the target heals a number of wounds
bending abilities.
equal to the number of Success generated by the Medicine
roll and heals an amount of strain equal to the number of a
Natural Rest generated.
For each full night’s rest, the character heals 1 wound,
regardless of the character’s current state of health. At the end TABLE: Medicine Check Difficulty
of each full week of rest, the character may attempt a Bonus Current Wounds
Resilience check to recover from one Critical Injury. The
difficulty is equal to the Critical Injury’s severity rating. On a Equal to half of threshold or less
successful check, the character recovers from the critical Equal to more than half of threshold
Injury and is no longer affected. On a failed the check, the Exceed wound threshold
character retains the injury but still heals 1 wound. A t result
means the character can heal one additional Critical Injury.
A character may also attempt to help someone recover from
Medicine a Critical Injury by making a Medicine check with a difficulty
A character may perform a Medicine check to heal their own equal to the severity rating of the Critical Injury. A character
wounds after an encounter. For each Success a character may attempt on Medicine check per week per Critical Injury.

A character may attempt to heal his own wounds or Critical
Injuries with Medicine, but doing this himself increases the Recovering Critical Injuries
difficulty of the Medicine check by two. In addition, attempting Since lingering Critical Injuries make subsequent injuries
a Medicine check without the proper equipment or skill adds increasingly dangerous, they should be treated as quickly and
to the pool. efficiently as possible. Critical Injuries vary in severity, which
represents the difficulty of any corresponding Medicine check
Potions to treat and remove the injury.
Potions are portable items, potable tonics and small salves It’s important to note that even if the effect of a Critical Injury
with medicinal properties. They can be painkillers or lotion for has expired, the Critical Injury persists until treated. For
burn treatment. They are field-ready items, often used in case example, with a Critical Injury of 23, which corresponds to the
of emergencies. They typically heal a fixed number of wounds Off-Balance Critical Injury, the character adds to her next
or relieve certain conditions and no skill check is necessary. skill check. Even after this effect has been applied, the Off-
However, the drawback is that potions offer diminishing Balance Critical Injury still exists and will linger until treated,
returns over the course of a day. Characters must spend a full making subsequent Critical Injury Rolls against the character
night’s rest or wait at least twenty-four hours before potions that much more dangerous to her.
can be used at their full effectiveness again.
The first potion used on a character may automatically heal 5 Hot Springs, Steam Baths, and Spirit
wounds, while the second only heals 4 and the third heals 3,
and so on. Pools
Characters can also heal using a variety of different, yet
It requires one maneuver to use a potion. The character similar, options. The rate and type of recovery depends on the
administering the potion must be engaged with the target to character’s state of health as well as the type of spa treatment.
treat them. A character with a free appendage may apply a
potion to herself with one maneuver as well. Potions and A wounded character in a hot spring heals at a rate of 1 wound
similar items cannot be applied to Critical Injuries. and strain every two hours. An incapacitated character heals
at a rate of 1 wound and strain every six hours.
Recovering Strain A character in a steam bath alleviates their stress at a rate of
Fortunately, recovering from strain is easy. Taking a moment 2 strain every hour, but cannot heal wounds in this way.
to catch one’s breath, eating a good meal, or spending time
relaxing with friends are all ways a PC might recover from Characters may also find special spirit pools which not only
strain. heal at a rate of 2 wound and strain every hour, but can heal
a Critical Injury as well. Once per day, after a single session
At the end of an encounter, each player can make a Simple in a spirit pool, the character may attempt one Meditation
Discipline, Meditation, or Resilience check. Each success check to remove one Critical Injury. The difficulty is equal to
recovers 1 strain. Furthermore, a good night’s rest generally the injury’s severity rating. On a successful check, the
removes all strain a character has suffered. It’s also rumored character recovers from the Critical Injury and is no longer
that some bender’s have mastered a technique that allows affected.
them to ignore the effects of strain altogether, or to ease the
minds of others to help them recover more quickly.
Social Encounters
Not every conflict must be resolved by force or aggression. some sort of goal, while the NPCs are directly or indirectly
Just as combat is a common part of roleplaying games, social opposing them.
encounters are also common. In fact, it can often be in a
character’s best interest to resolve a situation amicably. For example, a social encounter could take the form of your
characters trying to buy a Satomobile for the lowest possible
What is a Social Encounter? price, while the dealer (an NPC) tries to make them pay as
Whereas combat encounters are fairly well defined, social much as possible. In a different social encounter, your
encounters are slightly less so. The primary reason for this is characters might try to convince a gang of battle-hardened
mercenaries to turn on their employer. Te mercenaries (all
that social encounters use narrative gameplay, while combat
encounters use the structured gameplay rules. Since NPCs) may not initially be willing to do so and might need to
structured gameplay is essentially a defined subset of rules— be persuaded. In yet another social encounter, your
your characters roll for Initiative to enter it, and stop using characters might try to charm the mayor of a local town.
those rules when your opponents are all dead or defeated— Whatever the PCs’ goal, perhaps the mayor is in opposition
it’s easy to determine when a combat encounter takes place. to it, and his neutral opinion of them needs to be changed to
a favorable one if he is to change his mind about the issue at
Social encounters don’t have those clearly delineated
boundaries. hand.
For our purposes, a social encounter is an encounter that Narrative Gameplay

primarily focuses on your party of player characters engaging
Narrative gameplay is not broken into rounds and turns, with
with non-player characters in discourse or dialogue. The
each of your characters limited to a set number of actions and
encounter likely focuses on the PCs trying to accomplish
maneuvers. Instead, gameplay flows narratively, by which we
mean that you and the other players have your characters act
Set a Start and End
when it makes sense as part of the ongoing story, and your Once you have the goal figured out, you need to determine a
GM does the same with their NPCs. start and end point for the encounter. The easiest way to do
this (and thus, the one we recommend) is to start the
In short, narrative gameplay is a lot more flexible, making it encounter when your party first meets the character or
the obvious mode of play for the majority of a roleplaying characters whom they’re going to be interacting with. Ten, end
game. The one element of structure that narrative and the encounter when the party has either accomplished their
structured gameplay shares, however, is that gameplay is still goal or failed so thoroughly that accomplishing the goal is no
broken up into encounters. longer possible.
Just like scenes in a movie, encounters serve as useful Manage Timing and Ability Use
organizational blocks, with the breaks between them offering
A lot of player characters in your party (and a lot of non-player
a helpful pause in the action. Many character abilities can only
characters) have abilities such as talents or archetype abilities
be used “once per encounter,” meaning that encounters need
that your players are going to want to use during a social
to end and new encounters need to begin so that your
encounter.
characters get a chance to refresh those abilities. Characters
also get the chance to recover strain at the end of any Some of these abilities are limited to being used once per
encounter, not just combat encounters. So, those encounter encounter, or sometimes once per session. You don’t have to
endings are important to ensure your characters aren’t worry about managing the timing of these abilities, since they
passing out from the strain they’ve accumulated. work within your existing timing structure (you’ve already
defined when the current encounter begins and ends, and
Here are a few brief suggestions as to when an encounter can
once-per-session abilities are designed to be used at any
end and another encounter can begin.
point during a session).
 When the party leaves a location. Traveling always
However, a lot of abilities simply require the character to
provides a good pause to the narrative.
spend an action or a maneuver to use them. These can prove
 When the narrative skips ahead (or back) in time.
tricky in a narrative gameplay encounter like a social
Most games don’t follow a strict chronological
encounter. Narrative gameplay doesn’t track a character’s
progression, and we’ve found that it’s pretty common
turn or the number of actions and maneuvers they can
for a GM to say “Ok, does anyone else have
perform the same way structured gameplay does. This means
something they want their characters to do? If not,
that you, as the GM, may need to establish some limits.
let’s move the game ahead to this evening, when the
next event is going to happen.”
Using Rounds in Social Encounters
 When the group finishes interacting with an
One way to establish those limits—and also ensure that each
individual or group of individuals.
of your players has a chance to participate in a given
encounter—is to use rounds.
Structuring Social Encounters
In this section, we talk about how to organize a social In narrative encounters, rounds work similarly to the way they
encounter, and then cover some rules you should use when work in structured encounters. Essentially, they serve as a
running one. limiter. Every character gets to act once during a round, and
does not get to act again until the next round. Tis ensures
Because social encounters use narrative gameplay, not everyone gets a chance to participate, and no one character
structured gameplay, they’re a lot more free-form than combat dominates the encounter.
encounters. This is good for you if you’re the GM, because it
means you are able to run these encounters as you like, If you use rounds in a social encounter, you don’t need to track
without having to worry about incorporating a lot of rules. Initiative or turn order. Each character should simply take their
However, this also means you have to do more planning in turn when it makes the most narrative sense to do so. If a
advance, because you don’t have the rules to fall back on! character has nothing to contribute to the encounter at that
time, the character’s player can just have them pass (but at
least they had the opportunity to contribute, even if they didn’t
Determine the Goal take it). The amount of game-world time each round takes is
If you are the GM, the first thing you should do when building much more open to GM interpretation than it is in structured
a social encounter is figure out what your party’s goal is going encounters; it may cover only a few minutes or an entire hour
to be. Remember, we talked earlier in this chapter about social of activity.
encounters focusing on characters trying to accomplish some
sort of goal. That goal can be something simple (get the best When a character acts, their player doesn’t have to worry
price possible) or complex (negotiate peace between two about being too precise regarding what that character does. If
feuding crime families). the group is attending a fancy dress ball, for example, a player
may say their character starts wandering through the
If the goal is really complex (say, negotiating peace between ballroom, dancing with random people. In this case, you
two warring empires), then you may want to break that goal shouldn’t track the exact distance a character moves, or how
down into several sub-goals, and make each one a separate many maneuvers they spend dancing.
encounter.
However, when a character acts, they are limited to using only
one ability that requires spending an action, and using only
one ability that requires spending a maneuver. If the character oppositions. Refer to the individual skill descriptions for
makes a skill check, this replaces their chance to use an ability additional details on the various social skills involved.
that requires spending an action.
When to use these rules is up to you, the GM. Keep in mind Making Social Encounters Interesting
that they do impose some additional structure on a social Social encounters may occur in virtually every The Second
encounter, and some limits on what your players can do. Age game session; they are the basis for discovering new
Therefore, we recommend you only use these rules in information as the player characters search for clues and
complex or lengthy social encounters or in ones involving a lot ideas about their current mission or other pursuits. Diplomats
of PCs and NPCs. may need to leverage certain assets or influence characters
to behave or act in a particular way. In any case, social
In short, if your players are buying that used Satomobile, don’t encounters are fantastic roleplaying opportunities that can
bother using these rules. But if your players are negotiating add plenty of fun to a game session while providing
peace between two rival crime families, consider using them. memorable moments from an adventure or campaign.
Skill Checks in Social Encounters However, without careful planning, poor GM responses can
turn any conversational scene into a dull information dump.
Just like in every other aspect of the game, your characters Most social encounters are handled on the fly, but major
and your players’ characters make skill checks to resolve the scenes benefit from a little planning ahead of time. This
success or failure of their actions. In social encounters, those minimizes pauses in the scene and breaks in the action,
character’s actions are likely to be some sort of discourse or usually caused by the GM trying to work out the many facts
dialog, so the skills they’ll use are most likely social skills. the NPC characters might know while negotiating or
discussing information with the PCs. This section explores
Often, your character is going to try to charm, intimidate,
ways to make social encounters more interesting for
empathize, deceive, lead, or negotiate with a single individual.
everyone.
This means your character is going to be making opposed skill
checks. Sometimes, your character may try to influence a
TABLE: Social Skills
group of people, which requires skill checks with a set
difficulty. However, expect most social skill checks to be Using Talents in Social Encounters
opposed. Most PC talents are designed and worded to be used in
combat or structured play scenarios. However, talents can
TABLE: Difficulty Based on Group Size also be used outside of combat, in social and other situations.
Targets Difficulty This section provides additional guidance for using talents in
2–5 non-combat situations, and how to adapt and translate the
terms when the restrictions of the combat round are not in
6 – 15
play.
16 – 50
51+ Using Talents outside Combat
Acting Skill Opposing Skill
If your character tries to influence a group, use this table Intimidation Meditation, Discipline
suggesting some difficulties for the check. You’ll generally Deception Instinct
note the difficulties start at Average. It shouldn’t be easier to
Empathy Deception, Discipline
influence a group than an individual. Thus, the GM should
consider who is in the audience and use Story Points or add Perform Perform
Setback to make the check more difficult if the group is Persuasion Meditation, Instinct
unlikely to be receptive.
Leadership Discipline
If the characters have a previous relationship, this may add Negotiation Negotiation
or given the nature of the past. If the target has prior When a player wants to use a talent in a non-combat context,
evidence that the acting character is trustworthy, then he is the GM should first assess if it should work outside of combat.
much more likely to cooperate. However, if the character has Combat-specific talents usually have no role outside of
betrayed the target in the past, the situation may become far combat, just as talents that specify “after an encounter” are
more challenging. not meant to be used in the middle of an encounter. Other
talents may fall into a gray area in which the talent could be
Ultimately, the different social skills are indicative of the way
used outside of combat, but doing so wouldn’t provide any
that a character might attempt to manipulate his target.
clear advantage. Talents that convert one type of action into
Persuasion governs trying to charm a target by being nice to
another (such as a maneuver to an incidental) are an example
him. Intimidation represents efforts to scare an opponent into
of these.
submission. Deception entails lying to the target so that he
might cooperate. Leadership reflects the use of authority, real The GM should remember that an encounter is any specific
or imagined. Empathy represents a character cozying up to a set of events within a short time frame, not just combat.
target, appealing to his emotions. Negotiation covers Talents that define actions or effects by encounter operate the
persuading someone to cooperate by offering him something same in a non-combat encounter as a combat encounter.
he wants. The following table illustrates the social skill When using a talent that is activated by a specific action—

such as using a maneuver to perform a talent—the GM may
limit the number of uses if the player is abusing the spirit of
Succeeding on an Opposed Social Skill
the talent. Talents that use maneuvers may be used once Check
before each check, whereas talents that use actions might be This is recommended for resolving simple social encounters.
used once per non-combat encounter. Your character makes the appropriate social skill check,
opposed by the target’s skill. If the check is successful, your
For example, suffering one strain in exchange for upgrading
character accomplishes their goal. If they fail, they do not. This
the ability of a skill check might be used once every check a
resolution works best for simple goals, such as negotiating
PC makes, because he finds the loss of a few points of strain
over the price of an item, attempting to charm one’s way past
to be a minimal hindrance. In combat, giving up maneuvers or
a guard, or lying about the whereabouts of one’s friends. For
strain is riskier and more limiting to the character’s actions
more complex social situations, we recommend the following
than when outside of combat. Outside of combat, the GM
option instead.
might allow a reasonable number of uses, perhaps equal to
the character’s governing Characteristic rating. Such
limitations should only be required if a player is abusing the Targeting the Opponent’s Strain Threshold
talent. In more complex social encounters, we expect that one
successful check isn’t enough to accomplish your character’s
Talent Timing in Social Encounters goals. In such cases, your character needs to inflict strain on
Some talents impose time limits or award effects based on a their target. This represents them wearing the target down
certain amount of time during a combat round. Outside of over time with constant arguments, negotiations, threats, or
combat, these talents function in a similar fashion, though even relentless flattery. Your goal could be to inflict enough
they might not occur as rapidly as within the combat round. strain on the target to convince them to reach a compromise
For example, the Distraction talent specifies that a number of with your character, or you could push them to exceed their
enemies suffer h until the beginning of the next turn on strain threshold and completely capitulate.
combat checks. If used outside of the combat round, the talent
If your target is a rival or minion group, your strain targets their
functions for as long as the character wishes to keep it active,
wound threshold (since they don’t have a strain threshold).
or until the character starts using skills or activities that take
However, if you incapacitate them, your GM should still have
more concentration or time to use effectively. Alternatively,
the target capitulate, not mysteriously drop dead!
the GM might rule that the talent affects the next check of a
limited number of NPCs. The key is to find the balance
between keeping the game fun, and not abusing a rule or a
Compromise: Strain Exceeds Half of the Target’s
GM’s ruling. Threshold
Often in complex social encounters, you don’t need someone
Winning Social Encounters to completely capitulate to your character’s demands. A
compromise where your character gets the most important
While “winning” in a combat encounter is pretty
elements of what they want while giving up as little as possible
straightforward (just defeat the opponents), how to “win” a
in return can be just as rewarding, and far easier to obtain.
social encounter can seem less clear. Obviously, characters
want to accomplish their goal, but how you, the GM, can do To force a target to reach a compromise with your character,
that without making it seem like an arbitrary decision can be a your character must inflict strain on the target greater than half
bit trickier. of their strain threshold. At this point, the target becomes
willing to compromise with regard to your character’s goals.
Given that, we have three suggestions as to how you can
determine if a character accomplishes their goal successfully. The exact nature of the compromise is up to you and your GM.
Your GM should know what your character is trying to
Proposing a Mutually Agreeable Solution achieve, and have the target offer to agree to some portion of
Since this is a roleplaying game, we think it should always be those goals. In return, your character has to offer something
possible for a character to accomplish goals in a social to the target as well. For example, if your character is
encounter without rolling any dice at all. negotiating the surrender of prisoners, the rebel negotiator
may agree to a cease-fire and favorable trade concessions
Therefore, one option for successfully “winning” a social but require that the prisoners forfeit their land claims. If your
encounter is for your character to offer a solution that is character is trying to get on good terms with a target, the
completely satisfactory to the other characters involved in the target may ask them to perform a minor favor to prove their
encounter. good intentions.
A simple example of this would be your character agreeing to Generally, what the target is willing to agree to shouldn’t be at
pay full price for an item in a store. No check is needed, odds with their core principles or completely against their own
because of course a shopkeeper will accept full price. This interests. For that reason, your GM has final say as to what
option can apply to more complicated situations as well. the target is willing to offer. No matter what, though, it should
However, the more complex the solution, the more it relies on be more than what the target would be willing to offer
you, the player, to argue or explain your character’s normally.
reasoning. Your GM can always decide that the situation is
complex enough that it needs to be resolved with a skill check
(though they might give you for good roleplaying!)

Capitulation: Strain Exceeds the Target’s Exceeding Strain Thresholds in Social
Threshold
If your character wants to push for complete capitulation Encounters
instead of compromise, they can try to inflict enough strain to Some talents cause the target or user to suffer strain,
exceed the target’s strain threshold. potentially sending him beyond his strain threshold. When
amid a social encounter, it may not make narrative sense for
Once a target exceeds their strain threshold, they agree to a character to pass out from exceeding his strain threshold.
your character’s goal or goals. In a series of delicate Instead, if a target exceeds his strain threshold, he is
negotiations, they may agree to your character’s terms overwhelmed by the situation or is badgered into submission.
instead of theirs. If your character was threatening to He gives into his opponent’s demands and is otherwise
exterminate their home world, they may completely surrender ineffective for the rest of the encounter.
to avoid destruction. If your character was trying to ingratiate
themselves into the target’s good graces, your character When that happens, the affected character:
convinces the target that they’re a true and loyal friend and
ally.  Cannot perform actions, and can only perform basic
maneuvers or incidentals such as moving or pulling
Generally, capitulation means that the target gives in out a cigar and puffing on it angrily.
completely. However, capitulation doesn’t mean you get to  Becomes Stressed.
completely dictate the target’s actions, nor is it mind control.  Cannot aid others.
Your GM can determine that some goals are just too extreme  Can talk and make his feelings known, but they are
for anyone to agree to (although you probably should have ineffective or ignored. This is primarily true when the
realized that before your character chose that goal in the first character is a PC interacting with NPCs; although if
place). the groups want to roleplay their PCs being petulant,
angry, or frustrated and the other PCs are ignoring
Failure: Your Character Exceeds their Strain him, that is perfectly acceptable.
Threshold  Can move around without affecting his opponent.
If your character exceeds their strain threshold, then they fail  Can use certain talents such as Headstrong, with the
to accomplish their goals. They may just give up trying to GM’s approval.
interact with their opponent and leave. However, your GM
GMs should not be afraid of inflicting strain on the PCs in a
could decide that, depending on the circumstances, your
social encounter. Living up to a certain standard, acting a
character is forced to concede to one of your target’s goals,
certain role, or negotiating for one’s life or livelihood are
instead.
stressful activities. As the pressure mounts, so should the
Since your character is a PC, and not a non-player character, stress, which equates to strain in The Second Age.
you can choose whether your character would be open to
Even if the PCs can remove the strain quickly, they don’t
compromise if their strain exceeds half of their strain
always know that the encounter will end at the end of a
threshold. This can be a good roleplaying cue to follow, but
discussion or negotiation. Plenty of such interactions jump
since PCs are the protagonists of an adventure, they get more
from talking to fighting in one bad turn of phrase. In addition,
freedom in their choices than NPCs.
some PCs have talents that restore strain to themselves or
others, and it is always good to reward their talent choices
Using Skills to Inflict Strain with opportunities to use them.
Many characters have special talents or abilities that allow
them to inflict strain on a target. However, everyone can
default to making a social skill check as an action in order to Controlling the Flow of Information
inflict strain. If they succeed, they inflict 1 strain, plus 1 One key to encouraging interesting conversations in social
additional strain per uncanceled Success. If they fail, they encounters is the flow of information. Revealing key points,
suffer 2 strain. surprises, and offers at just the right time can make
negotiation much more interesting. While the GM controls the
Remember, the social skill check your character uses needs way information is conveyed to the PCs, the PCs control the
to be appropriate to the situation and their goals. Your revelation of their own information and terms. In some ways,
character can’t use Intimidation when they’re trying to charm the GM can encourage the exchange of critical information for
and flatter someone, for example. Also, it’s never enough to a scene by controlling what information is given and when.
just roll some dice: you always need to explain what your This section discusses how to fine-tune this approach for
character is doing and why the check makes sense. It can be specific scenes and encounters. Of course, no amount of
enough to say “my character is complimenting the target’s staging and encouragement can predict how the PCs will
appearance, so I’m going to make an Empathy check,” but carry out a discussion, and the characters will surprise the GM
you do have to explain your character’s actions. regularly. Adapting and adjusting on the fly is key, and part of
the fun for the GM.
Further, and this should go without saying, you can’t use
weapons or combat checks to inflict strain in a social
encounter. Once your character starts throwing punches, the Feeding the PCs
time for talk is over. During any negotiation or social encounter in which the PCs
are attempting to advance the story and learn something new,
they must have information to work with. The PCs may

generate their side of the story completely on their own. The
GM may also feed them information along the way. Usually, Using Motivations in Social
social encounters are a combination of the two.
Encounters
In free-form games where the storyline is pushed along by the Motivations are a big part of anybody’s character, so we
PCs more than a set plot generated by the GM, it is up to the expect them to come into play throughout a game session.
PCs to create and relay any tidbits of information that they That’s certainly true in social encounters.
might find useful. The GM can guide the way a bit, with leading
questions from the NPCs involved. The GM can also shake These rules apply to all characters, both PC and NPC, so they
up the conversation with unexpected questions, accusatory matter for players and GMs.
statements, and genuine threats from the NPCs. Dropping
unexpected bits of information or critical secrets into the Increase or Decrease Your Chances
discussion can ramp up the drama in a hurry. Engaging with a target’s Motivation is one of the most
common ways for your character to increase their odds of
In published adventures, the GM has a set amount of
success in a social encounter. Likewise, working against a
information to dole out. Naturally, not every piece of
target’s Motivation makes failure more likely for your
information is always conveyed, particularly if the characters
character.
pursue a different line of questioning or discussion. The GM
can sometimes bring the conversation back around to the A simple and effective way to represent those increased odds
points he might wish to make, but it can be a challenge to do of success or failure is through adding or to a skill check.
this in a casual, free-flowing fashion.
When your character is able to work with a target’s Strength
However, the information exchange may occur in ways or Flaw, your character adds to their next social skill check
beyond simple conversation. During the encounter, the GM targeting that character. By “working with,” we mean working
may have characters make various Knowledge or other skill some reference to that Strength or Flaw into what your
checks upon learning new details during the conversation. character says or does, or simply choosing words or an action
The GM might verbally tell the characters the results, which is that plays on those Motivation facets.
fine if all the characters logically could know or see the
information for themselves. However, it is more likely that only If your character is able to work with the target’s Fear or
one or a few characters might stumble onto an important Desire, the effect is the same, but amplified: add . Fears
realization during the encounter, and that they can’t quickly and Desires are powerful Motivation facets that govern many
tell the others what they’ve learned. In these cases, the GM of a character’s choices, so playing to them can have a
should write the information down as a note that can be greater effect.
passed around as needed.
However, sometimes your character’s approach are going to
As writing separate notes takes time away from the encounter work against an opponent’s Motivation. This most likely
and forces a pause in the game, the GM should consider happens because your character isn’t aware of their target’s
writing a few notes ahead of time that can easily be picked up Motivations. By “working against,” we mean making some
and passed out as needed. The GM can scribble a few minor reference to the Motivation during an interaction that rubs the
changes if needed before handing notes out at the table. target the wrong way, or simply conflicts with the Motivation.
Notes should be short and to the point; typically, a few
sentences can convey the information. If the PC needs more When your character works against a target’s Strength or
details, he can either ask verbally or via a return note. Flaw, your character adds to their next social skill check
against that target. Likewise, working against the target’s
One advantage to using notes is that it enables the GM to Desire or Fear will add .
tailor a specific response to the PC involved. It might include
information of which the other PCs are unaware, making it Discerning a Characters’ Motivations
more interesting for the PC with the note to decide whether he
Discerning another character’s Motivations can give your
wants to reveal it. In The Second Age, diverse PC
character a major advantage in a social encounter. Generally,
backgrounds may cause characters to hold secrets and
your character accomplishes this through spending a or t
inconvenient topics that the PCs may not want to discuss with
on skill checks. This is the way we recommend learning
the party.
Motivations, since it’s a logical way to spend these resources
Tailoring notes and information has other advantages. If the in a social encounter, and it encourages characters to interact
GM releases the notes in a specific order, he can help guide with each other.
the conversation. This essentially gives the player a heads-up
However, if you want to have your character study their target
as to the direction the encounter could go, with each
and try to discern one of the target’s Motivations that way,
revelation pushing the negotiation or discussion in a direction.
your GM could allow you to make an opposed Perception
This can increase a scene’s drama considerably.
versus Meditation check (representing the target’s ability to
maintain an even tone and neutral affectation, and not let their
internal thoughts tinge their words or demeanor). If you are
successful, your GM can let your character learn one of the
target’s Motivation facets.

Keep in mind, however, that if your character does this, they’ll Alternatively, a character might try to make a Hard Empathy
be spending time in the social encounter quietly but intently check to the same end. The difference is that this check is not
studying the target character, something that probably isn’t opposed, but is set at a level of difficulty which should suffice
going to escape notice. Basically, it’s not a good approach if under most circumstances. It should not be easy to get your
your character is trying to be subtle. Also, the GM should only target to open up any aspect of their Motivations to you
let your character attempt this once or twice per encounter, (unless of course they have a Desire to connect with others).
and only once per target.
TABLE: Spending a and t in Social Encounters

Cost Result Options
 Add Bonus to the next allied character’s check.
a or t
 Notice a single important point in the ongoing encounter, such as an overly curious waiter or some drapes
your character can stand behind to avoid being recognized
 Learn something about the motivations of the targeted character.
aa or
 Add to the targeted character’s next check
t
 Add to any allied character’s next check, including that of the active character
 Learn about the target character’s Honor or Origin
aaa
or t  Successfully conceal your true goal in the encounter
 Learn your target’s true goal or ambition
t  Upgrade the difficulty of the targeted character’s next check
 Upgrade the ability of any allied character’s next check, including that of the active character
tt  Do something vital, such as getting everyone’s attention, or distracting all the guards so your character’s
allies have a chance to do something important
TABLE: Spending h and d in Social Encounters

Cost Result Options
 The active character suffers 1 strain
 The active character gets distracted or sidetracked momentarily. This can result in their being unable to
h or d
activate an ability that requires spending a maneuver on their next turn, or it may just result into being
dragged into a lengthy and boring conversation
 The active character accidentally reveals an aspect of their own Motivations
hh or
 Add to the targeted character’s next check
d
 The active character suffers on their next action
 The active character accidentally reveals their true intentions
hhh  The active character becomes Stressed
or d
 The active character reveals information about their Honor or Motivations
 The active character accidentally reveals a Motivation of one of their allies
d
 Learn one false fact or aspect about the target character (the active character believes it to be true)
 Upgrade the difficulty of an allied character’s next check or the next check of the current active character
dd  The active character becomes so embroiled in irrelevant events in the encounter that they cannot do anything
important during the next round

TABLE: CRITICAL INJURY RESULT
d100 Severity Result
01 – 05 Minor Nick: The target suffers 1 strain.
06 – 10 Slowed Down: The target can only act during the last allied Initiative slot on his next turn.
11 – 15 Sudden Jolt: The target drops whatever is in hand.
16 – 20 Distracted: The target cannot perform a free maneuver during his next turn.
21 – 25 Off-Balance: Add a Setback to the target’s next skill check.
26 – 30 Discouraging Wound: Upgrade the difficulty of the next check by one.
31 – 35 Stunned: The target is staggered until the end of his next turn.
36 – 40 Stinger: Increase difficulty of next check by one.
41 – 45 Bowled Over: The target is knocked prone and suffers 1 strain.
Head Ringer: The target increases the difficulty of all Intellect and Chi checks by one until
46 – 50
the end of the encounter.
Fearsome Wound: The target increases the difficulty of all Charisma and Guile checks by
51 – 55
one until the end of the encounter.
Agonizing Wound: The target increases the difficulty of all Body and Agility checks by one
56 – 60
until the end of the encounter.
61 – 65 Slightly Dazed: The target is disoriented until the end of the encounter.
Scattered Senses: The target removes all from skill checks until the end of the
66 – 70
encounter.
71 – 75 Hamstrung: The target loses his free maneuver until the end of the encounter.
Overpowered: The target leaves himself open, and the attacker may immediately attempt
76 – 80
another free attack against him, using the same dice pool as the original attack.
Winded: Until the end of the encounter, the target cannot voluntarily suffer strain to activate
81 – 85
any abilities or gain additional maneuvers.
Compromised: Increase the difficulty of all skill checks by one until the end of the
86 – 90
encounter.
91 – 95 At the Brink: The target suffers 1 strain each time he performs an action.
Crippled: One of the target’s limbs (GM selection) is crippled until healed or replaced.
96 – 100
Increase difficulty of all checks that require use of that limb by one.
Maimed: One of the target’s limbs (GM selected) is permanently lost. The target cannot
101 – 105
perform actions that would require use of that limb. All other actions gain .
Horrific Injury: Roll 1d10 to determine which of the target’s Characteristics is affected: 1 –
106 – 110 3 for Body, 4 – 6 for Agility, 7 for Intellect, 8 for Charisma, 9 for Guile, 10 for Chi. Until this
Critical Injury is healed, treat that Characteristic as one point lower, to a minimum of 1.
Temporarily Lame: Until this Critical Injury is healed, the target cannot perform more than
111 – 115
one maneuver during his turn.
Blinded: The target can no longer see. Upgrade the difficulty of all checks twice. Upgrade
116 – 120
the difficulty of Perception checks three times.
121 – 125 Knocked Senseless: The target is staggered for the remainder of the encounter.
Gruesome Injury: Roll 1d10 to determine which of the target’s Characteristics is affected: 1
126 – 130 – 3 for Body, 4 – 6 for Agility, 7 for Intellect, 8 for Charisma, 9 for Guile, 10 for Chi. That
Characteristic is permanently reduced by 1, to a minimum of 1.
Bleeding Out: Every round, the target suffers 1 wound and 1 strain at the beginning of his
131 – 140 turn. For every 5 wounds he suffers beyond his wound threshold, he suffers 1 additional
Critical Injury. Roll on the chart, suffering the injury (this injury cannot be suffered twice).
141 – 150 The End Is Nigh: The target will die after the last Initiative slot during the next round.
150 + — Dead: Complete, obliterated death. Non-existence.

VIII – Vehicles
In Avatar, there are a variety of means of transportation
besides walking. Depending on where in the world you are,
Handling
those modes may vary significantly. Agile Satomobiles choke Handling reflects the inherent agility and the ways in which a
the streets of Republic City. Monorails provide a means of vehicle responds to its pilots and crew. While a huge
traversing the inner and outer rings of Ba Sing Se. A wide battleship may lumber slowly through its maneuvers, a
variety of commercial and military ships cross the seas and smaller craft (like a motorcycle) is much more likely to be
oceans between landmasses on a regular basis. Even draft agile. Handling is dictated by a number of factors such as
animals and other spectacular creatures can help characters shape, control systems, mass, or just general awkwardness
move from point A to point B much quicker than their own two in design.
feet. Mechanically, a ship or vehicle’s handling characteristic
In fact, the world in The Second Age is reliant on such dictates the number of or it adds to a player’s dice pool
transportation and is inseparable from them. Most vehicles when making Piloting or Sailing checks. Baseline handling is
and mounts in the world are privately owned and operated and 0, with extremely agile ships adding Bonus and slow or
are treated with the utmost respect. For nomadic caravans or prodding ships adding Setback to all checks. Characters add
even pirates, their vessel may be the only home they know. Setback equal to a ship’s negative handling value or Bonus
equal to a vehicle’s positive handling value.
Presented in this chapter are a variety of common types of
ships and vessels found in the world, together with the game Speed
mechanics governing them. Mechanics governing Mounts are An abstraction of both speed and acceleration, a ship or
covered in Chapter IX: Game Master under Game Master vehicle’s speed characteristic dictates how fast an object
Rules and Options. moves relative to its environment and what maneuvers are
available to the driver. The listed speed is a “maximum” value
Vehicle Characteristics the ship or vehicle can travel. A pilot can always choose to go
Whether it's a tiny moped or motorcycle or a massive Earth slower than his maximum speed. Speed 0 indicates a
Kingdom airship, all ships and vehicles share a number of stationary ship or vehicle with higher values indicated an
characteristics. These characteristics delineate such increase speed. Speed 1, for example, might be a slow-
attributes as the strength of a ship’s hull or how quickly a moving carriage or a lumbering transport ship, while Speed 5
motorcycle accelerates from a stop. The characteristics might be a nimble moped or Satomobile.
described here cover the bulk of important mechanical
information about ships and vehicles. Silhouette
Much like the speed characteristic, silhouette is an abstract
Handling: The measure of a ship or vehicles agility and how
number used to describe a ship or vehicle’s size and mass
well it responds to the driver.
relative to other ships and vehicles. Silhouette factors heavily
Speed: A ship or vehicle’s raw speed and how quickly it into scale and is used to calculate the difficulty of attacking
accelerates. targets of different sizes. Generally, large ships are easy to
hit, and small ships are hard to hit. Some ships, such as the
Silhouette: An abstract representation of the general size of Fire Navy battleships, are exceptions to this rule, as they are
a vehicle. large ships fitted with smaller cannons to fill specific roles
within a fleet.
Defense: A ship’s first line of defense against attack and
accident. Representative of a vehicle’s extra plating or Silhouettes range from 0 to 10 (or even higher). Silhouette 0
deflective attributes, defense also represents any factors, is smaller than a human (such as a ship or vehicle component)
technological or otherwise, that prevent damage from and silhouette 1 is about the size of an adult human. Most
reaching a vehicle’s armor. Satomobiles and small freighters range from silhouette 3 to 4.
Silhouette 10 and up is reserved for the very largest
Armor: The measure of a ship or vehicle’s armor, similar to battleships and airships.
soak on the personal scale.
Hull Trauma Threshold: A reflection of the sturdiness of a Hull Trauma Threshold

ship or vehicle’s construction and its ability to sustain damage Hull trauma threshold is the only things that stands between a
and continue operating. driver and untimely demise. It reflects a ship or vehicle’s
sturdiness and resistance to damage. The strength of a ship’s
System Strain Threshold: The limit to which a ship or vehicle keel, the sturdiness of a moped’s chassis, and the general
can be pushed or knocked about before important systems seaworthiness of a freighter are all measured by hull trauma
overload or shut down. threshold. Like the wound threshold of a Player Character,
hull trauma threshold represents the amount of physical
Customization Hard Points: The number of spots available
damage that a ship or vehicle can suffer before it's either
on a ship or vehicle for customization and upgrade.
crippled or destroyed. Hull trauma threshold is measured at a
much larger scale, meaning that one point of hull trauma
equals roughly ten wounds on an individual.
144 | Vehicles | The Second Age v1.5
the strength and thickness of its armor. Whatever form these
System Strain Threshold protections take, The Second Age divides them into two
System strain threshold represents how well a ship or discrete statistics: defense and armor.
vehicle’s internal systems handle the workaday abuse heaped
on them by their owners and the world at large. It is an
aggregate of the efficiency and status of navigation systems,
Defense
engines, and power generating equipment, as well as a host Defense reflects a ship or vehicle’s ability to completely
of other delicate systems needed to ensure peak deflect or reduce the damage of incoming attacks or collisions
performance. Once a ship or vehicle suffers strain exceeding using point defense, raw speed, or other unique abilities
its system strain threshold, its systems begin overloading and inherent to the design of the ship or vehicle. This is a crucial
shutting down until they can be repaired or otherwise protective system, the first line of defense for most seafaring
maintained. This negatively affects a vehicle’s performance vessels and even some ground vehicles. Defense works the
and can even temporarily cripple it on occasion, causing same as described earlier; each point adds to any incoming
larger complications for its operator and/or passengers and attack roll made against a ship or vehicle. The amount of
crew. Failure generated by the Setback added to the attacker’s dice
pool has the potential to greatly reduce or even negate any
The factors that can inflict strain are numerous and varied. damage from the attack or collision, and the h generated also
Commonly, a vehicle suffers strain due to the actions of its lessens the chance of Critical Hits.
crew or operator as they push the vehicle or ship to (or
beyond) its limits. Vehicles also suffer strain due to freak Silhouette and Defense Zones
accidents caused by excess h, environmental hazards like Ships (and those vehicles with defense) have several defense
icebergs or rocky coasts, large storms, or even the effect of zones dictated by their silhouette. Anything with a silhouette 4
certain types of weapons and attacks. or lower has two defense zones: forward and aft. Ships with
silhouette 5 or above have four defense zones: forward, aft,
One key difference between system strain and regular
port, and starboard. Every ship comes with a pre-set defense
strain is that system strain cannot be recovered by
rating for each of its defense zones, dictated by its design.
spending a. It can only be restored through actions taken by
The maximum amount of defense a ship or vehicle can
the crew.
have in any of its defense zones is four points, regardless
of its size.
Customization Hard Points
Most types of defense can be assigned or ‘angled’ to different
Every ship and vehicle is customizable to some degree. While
zones to shore up defense where it’s needed the most. Each
many, like most military vessels and factory line products, are
ship and vehicle has a chart displaying its default defense for
built for specific purposes and have little room for modification,
each of its zones.
civilian and commercial ships and vehicles are designed to be
modular for ease of personalization and customization. Most
freighters and transports fall squarely into this latter group,
Armor
with highly modular hulls that can be configured in myriad Armor is a ship’s second line of defense, and the only
ways to carry any kind of cargo. To this end, all vehicles have protection available to many ground vehicles. It soaks up
several customization hard points that can be used to tweak damage from attacks and impacts that can penetrate a ship’s
a vehicle’s performance, characteristics, or armament to suit defense. The more passive of the two types of protection, ship
the owner’s needs. The number of customization hard points and vehicle armor is made of several materials ranging from
is determined more by its make and model than by its size. common steel to rare platinum composites and advanced
Future Industries technology. Much like personal body armor
worn by PCs, a ship or vehicle’s armor soaks a number of
Protection damage points equal to its rating. As it is based on a larger
To protect their passengers, crews, and precious cargos, scale, one point of a ship’s armor is equivalent to ten points of
ships and vehicles use a few methods to avoid or deflect soak on a personal scale.
damage. In general terms, a ship’s protection is an amalgam
of its maneuverability, the durability of its hull or chassis, and
Vehicle Weapons
Vehicle weapons range from the light ballistae found on small success generated during the attack, the attacker
frigates to the massive mines dumped by Fire Nation adds +1 damage to the base damage.
battleships. In The Second Age, every vehicle-class weapon
shares a number of common characteristics. These weapons  Critical Hit Rating: This number is the amount of a
are very similar to the weapons found in Chapter VI: Gear required to trigger Critical hits with the weapon. If
and Equipment, with some noted differences. enough a is generated and a Crit is triggered, the
character firing the weapon rolls 1d100 and
 Range: This is the maximum range of the weapon. determines his results against the Critical Hit Result
Ships and vehicles use a larger scale to measure Table for vehicles to determine the Crit’s effect on
ranges than personal scale. the target.
 Damage: This number is the base damage the

weapon inflicts with a successful attack. For every
The Second Age v1.6 | Vehicles | 145

 Fire Arc: The direction or directions a weapon can  Special Qualities: Many weapons have special
be fired, based upon its mounting. Fire arcs are qualities that affect their performance. These are the
discussed in further detail later. same types of weapon qualities enumerated in
Chapter VI: Gear and Equipment.
Vehicle Combat
Combat engagements between starships and vehicles—from Note: characters whose Initiative results were tied are not
dogfights above Republic City to high-speed chases through required to act in the same turn order as the last round. PCs
its crowded streets—function using the same basic combat tied with NPCs always take their turns first.
rules found in Chapter VII: Conflict & Combat. Ship and
vehicle combat is not intended to be a separate rules system. Step 5: Repeat Until Encounter Ends
Instead, it is designed to be an added layer of detail on the Once the action has been resolved, the Gm ends the
standard combat rules that allows players to run structured encounter. At this point, any character abilities that may only
gameplay encounters using airships, vehicles, characters, be used “once per encounter” reset and any abilities that last
boats, or any combination thereof. “until the end of the encounter” expire. Each PC also has a
chance to catch their breath and recover strain, and may take
When running encounters using ships and vehicles, it is
steps to help heal any incapacitated characters.
important to note that ships with silhouette 5 or higher have
some different rules governing their actions. This is because
these ships are quite a bit larger than biplanes and small Small Craft Combat
freighters, with crews of dozens or even hundreds of Combat between small, one-person vehicles and ships like
individuals. biplanes and Satomobiles is relatively straightforward. The
pilot, or driver, is the sole crew of the vehicle and has one
Combat Overview maneuver and one action (or two maneuvers) during his turn.
This means he can maneuver around the battlefield and fight,
Ship and vehicle combat in The Second Age follows the
or just focus on moving around and not getting hit. Small craft
same basic order and rules as those detailed in Chapter VII:
combat is quite abstracted as vehicles are constantly moving
Conflict & Combat. It is listed again here for ease of
and striving with one another for the upper hand (thanks to
reference.
high speed and agility). It would be nearly impossible to map
out every move made by smaller vehicles. Instead, the GM
Step 1: Determine Initiative and players describe the actions the characters and NPCs
At the beginning of the first round of combat, all players and take, embellish them with narrative flair, then make their skill
NPCs need to determine in what order the characters will take checks to resolve the actions.
their turns. This is referred to as the Initiative order. To
determine the Initiative order, each PC and NPC generally
makes a Simple Perception or Instinct check, although the Large Ship Combat
difficulty of the roll may depend upon the situation at the Combat in larger craft of silhouette 5 or higher is, by necessity,
discretion of the GM. more abstract due to the complexity of the vessels and the
number of crew members involved. Like combat in small craft,
Step 2: Determine Turn Order large ships can only perform one maneuver and one action
Once all Initiative checks have been made, the GM notes during their turn. This is not an inherent quality of the ship,
down the results of each check and ranks characters in order, however; it’s based on the pilot or captain’s actions and
from highest number of s to lowest number of s. If two maneuvers. Along with the pilot (or sailor), each additional
checks are tied, the check with more a is ranked higher. A t crew member aboard can use his actions and maneuvers to
will double the results. If a PC and an NPC are tied, the PC is man weapons, operate equipment, move about the ship, and
ranked higher. This is the Initiative order. If two or more Player generally engage in combat along with the pilot. This all
Characters tie, they can decide amongst themselves when happens in the same round, and is subject to Initiative order
they will act in turn during that round. just like personal combat.
Something to remember concerning ship combat with

Step 3: Complete a Round of Turns vehicles of this size is that each ship is likely to have a
Beginning at the top of the Initiative order, the players and GM substantial number of crew. GMs and players should not track
each take turns for the respective characters in that slot. all their Initiative slots and actions during the encounter.
Players and the GM follow in order of Initiative from highest Instead, only focus on those individuals who are doing things
results to lowest. pertinent to the ongoing encounter, feel free to ignore the rest.
Step 4: Round Ends

Once all NPCs and PCs have taken a turn, the round ends. At
Combat Turns
this point, certain effects that last until the “end of the round” Much like personal combat, combat between ships and
may end. The GM also determines if the ongoing encounter vehicles in The Second Age is largely an abstract, narrative-
warrants additional rounds or if it has been resolved. If it must driven activity designed for quickness and ease of use. This
continue, repeat step three using the same Initiative order is meant to better reflect the frenetic, cinematic, action-
generated in step 1. If the action has been resolved and the adventure style of Avatar and to avoid bogging down a game
encounters is over, proceed to step 5. session with the minutiae of charts and grid maps. This means
that the maneuvers a ship performs are open to narration and
the interpretation of both the GM and the players. Vehicle Scale Range Bands
Like personal combat, ship and vehicle combat utilizes broad
Maneuvers and abstract range measurements referred to as vehicle scale
range bands. Vehicle scale range bands follow the same rules
Less involved than actions, maneuvers are simple activities as regular range bands found in Chapter VII. The only
that do not typically require a skill check. Beyond all the difference is that these bands operate on a much larger scale.
maneuvers in personal combat, there are several maneuvers
that apply specifically to ships and vehicles. These additional As stated in that chapter, close range on vehicle scale picks
maneuvers follow the usual rules governing maneuvers. In up where personal scale leaves off. However, the scale is so
addition, characters are assumed to be able to perform any much bigger that a single person could never use maneuvers
personal maneuvers such as dropping prone, managing gear, to move next to a target that’s “close” to him on a vehicle
or interacting with the environment (although the GM and scale—the distance may be a kilometer and could take an
players should use common sense as to what a character can hour of walking to cover. Further range bands would be even
and cannot do given the situation). This also includes more extreme.
maneuvers such as aiming.
This isn’t to say that ships and vehicles (especially smaller
When ships or vehicles are in encounters, they should always craft below silhouette 4) can’t operate in standard range
track their current speed. A ship may be operating at any bands. Any ship or vehicle able to move could cover the
speed from zero to its maximum; however, accelerating and distance measured by standard range bands quickly, and
decelerating takes maneuvers to accomplish. individuals would measure their range to a vehicle or ship
using standard range bands. However, because ships and
Actions vehicles can cover those distances so quickly, it makes little
sense for them to measure distances in such (relatively) small
In combat involving ships or vehicles, there are some increments.
additional actions characters may perform that specifically
apply to the ship or vehicle they are operating. Some of these Therefore, vehicles and ships use a second set of range
actions are labeled as Pilot (or Sailor) Only actions. A ship or bands, referred to as vehicle scale range bands. As
vehicle may benefit from only one Pilot Only action per round, mentioned previously, the shortest range band in this scale
no matter how many crewmembers are aboard. (‘close range’) encapsulates all range bands in personal
scale. This means a ship or vehicle able to move to a point
Remember, any of the actions listed in Chapter VII can also
within close range is also covering the equivalent of all five
be performed in combats involving ships or vehicles within the range bands’ worth of distance in personal scale.
bounds of common sense.
Taking Damage
As is the case with Player Characters in personal combat, is just a hulk of metal, effectively out of combat, and likely
there are two types of damage ships and vehicles suffer in being evacuated.
The Second Age: system strain and hull damage. System
strain is similar to the strain suffered by PCs, and reflects light, If the pilot or crew of a crippled ship is particularly desperate
temporary damage caused by glancing blows or pushing a or foolish, they may attempt some temporary repairs to either
vehicle to the limits of its capabilities. Hull damage is more escape or rejoin the fray. By scavenging parts from ruined
serious and, consequently, more life-threatening. This is systems, raiding the hold for any spares, and bypassing
actual, physical damage that makes its way past the ship’s damaged components, along with a Engineering
defenses and becomes hull trauma. Hull trauma is permanent check, the crew can bring the ship back to some semblance
until repaired. of operation. The ship reduces its hull trauma to one below its
threshold but suffers the following penalties: speed is reduced
to 1, handling is reduced to -3, and all weapon systems are
Hull Trauma inoperable until fully repaired. Any attack that inflicts hull
A ship’s hull trauma threshold is a measure of a ship or trauma against this ship immediately generates a Critical Hit,
vehicle’s sturdiness and build quality. When a ship suffers with +30 added to the roll. These effects persist until the ship
damage in excess of its armor, the excess converts into haul is fully repaired.
trauma. When hull trauma exceeds the threshold, one of two
things happens. For vehicles silhouette 3 or smaller and of no
importance (a common Cabbage Car or a motorcycle driven
System Strain
by nameless Equalist grunts, for example), it simply explodes, System strain works the same way as strain suffered by
killing the driver and any passengers. Alternatively, at the characters. A vehicle that suffers strain in excess of its system
Game Master’s discretion, the vehicle could simply be strain threshold quickly finds itself in an untenable situation.
disabled. For larger vehicles, such as light freighters or Engines overload, transmission shuts down, electrical fires
airships with silhouette 4 or larger, the vehicle immediately start, and all manner of machine mayhem occurs as one by
suffers a Critical Hit from the Vehicle Critical Hit Table found one, essential systems go down and the ship becomes
later in this section. Additionally, the ship’s systems shut unresponsive. Until the crew can make repairs, the ship
down, it reverts to emergency power (if it has any) and the becomes helpless.
ship may even stop moving altogether. At this point, the ship

In game terms, when a ship or vehicle exceeds is strain
threshold, the ship’s speed drops to 0 during the following Component Criticals
round. Most its systems (such as engines and weapons) Of all the Critical Hit results, these have the potential to be the
cease operating as well. This means it cannot move, its most devastating. Component Hit Criticals functionally
weapons cannot shoot, and its defense drops to 0. This might disable, either temporarily or permanently, critical systems on
be a relatively minor situation if this is a ship sailing across the a target vessel and can lead to a number of complications.
open ocean—or a more dangerous situation if the ship was There are two charts for Component Hit Criticals on page 259,
pulling into dock. one for small ships of silhouette 4 or lower, and one for large
ships of silhouette 5 or higher. The effects of most of these
Any crew member can aid the ship in recovering strain by Crits stack, and a ship can suffer more than one Component
performing repairs and damage control such as restarting Hit Critical.
systems, bypassing fried circuits, and putting out fires. This is
accomplished through the Damage Control action.
Repairing Hull Trauma
Ships and vehicles do recover from strain slowly over time. While system strain and the results of many Critical Hits are
For every full day a ship or vehicle spends without taking temporary, hull trauma is more permanent. Repairing hull
strain, it reduces its strain by one. trauma requires three things—proper facilities, money, and
time—the latter two usually in abundance. Proper facilities
Critical Hits have enough tools, light, parts, and workspace to make the
repairs necessary. This could be anything from a warehouse
Occasionally a lucky, well-placed shot or collision with a
to a port, or simply a well-stocked garage.
particularly large or dangerous object does more to a ship
than bounce harmlessly off the armor. Lightning can short out Once a ship is in a proper facility for repairs, each point of hull
systems; searing fire blasts can pierce armor and hull alike to trauma restored costs roughly 500 copper pieces. This cost is
incinerate crew alive; and rogue icebergs can tear into the highly variable, however, and can fluctuate dramatically
side of any ship, leaving her powerless and adrift in the cold, based on the PCs’ reputation, the overall damage to the ship,
murky depths. the scarcity of parts, and countless other factors. The final
cost for repairs, like many other aspects of The Second Age,
A number of factors can lead to a ship suffering a Critical Hit.
is left to the GM’s discretion. A good rule of thumb is that light
for example, it might suffer enough hull trauma to exceed its
damage (up to a quarter of a ship’s total hull threshold) should
hull trauma threshold, or a successful combat check could
take up to a few days, while any damage over that could take
generate enough a or t to trigger a weapon’s critical rating.
weeks or even months to repair, depending on the severity of
When an attacker generates a Critical Hit, he rolls on the Crit
the damage.
Table and his target suffers the listed effects. Just like
personal combat, Critical Hits are divided into four levels. If it proves imprudent or impossible to get to a proper
maintenance facility, the GM might choose to allow the PCs
Once a ship or vehicle suffers a Crit, it counts as suffering that
to repair their vehicle using scavenged parts and their own
Critical Hit until it is repaired. This status counts even if the
ingenuity. However, these repairs should be somewhat
effects of the Crit only last a single round. While a vehicle is
inferior to the real thing, hard to perform (requiring several
suffering the effects of a Crit, any additional Critical Hits
Hard [3] or Daunting [4] Engineering checks) and time-
generated against it add +10 to the roll per existing Crit.
consuming. In short, they should be an arduous plot point for
the PCs to overcome, not a cheapskate way to avoid getting
work done at proper facilities.
Travel
Even though the advent of world-shrinking technology has
made travel between nations much more commonplace, the
Sea Travel
world is still largely unindustrialized and therefore travel Travel by sea, while common, is not a typical mode of
across the vast continents can still take weeks depending on transportation for most people. Most sea travel is the domain
where a character needs to go. Depending on your mode of of commercial freighters and military vessels, but that does
transportation, a weeklong journey might cover the distance not mean privately-owned ships or transport ferries cannot be
on foot between Omashu and Ba Sing Se whereas a week at used to cover vast distances
sea might take you from Republic City to the Fire Nation. Air
travel, still new in the world of Avatar, can often be even Air Travel
quicker and is unrestricted by difficult terrain. With the advent of the airship during the end of the Hundred
Year War, the technology itself has come a long way in the 70
Ground Travel years since its inception by Sokka and the mechanic at the Air
While there are a variety of means to traverse the continents, Temple. Despite the many advances in airship technology,
many people in the world must still rely upon their own two few airships are in production and few individuals have ever
feet. Ground travel is the most common form of travel and flown in them. This form of travel, although rare, is one of the
includes not just a character’s feet, but their carriages, trains, quickest means of transportation and some creatures, like the
monorails, mounts, and even Satomobiles. sky bison, are comparable in speed.

conditions, this requires an Easy ( ) Navigation check. As
Navigation conditions are rarely ideal for those racing against the clock
Although the world is growing smaller each day, even the or charting unknown territories, the Game Master should
mapped terrain can be rugged and unforgiving. Although make heavy use of difficulty modifiers to increase the difficulty
many routes exist between central hubs such as Ba Sing Se of the Navigation check to reflect the circumstances under
and Republic City, there are always other ways to get where which it is being made.
one needs to be.
For example, if the players were provided with false, incorrect,
Navigating even the most well-documented routes entails or incomplete information, that may increase the difficulty of
knowing where one is and where one’s going, especially at the check by one. If their vehicle is damaged or badly
sea or in the air. Although compasses, maps, and stars can damaged, that could be another one or two difficulty added to
certainly help, a navigator still needs to enter a bearing and the check. Bad maps, harsh weather, or rough terrain might
double-check a vehicle’s final trajectory. Under ideal also increase the check.
Vehicle Profiles
In this increasingly mechanized age, where whole nations are 2 4 2 1 2 4
urbanizing and massive battleships patrol the seas from the
SIL SPEED HNDLNG ARMOR HULL STRAIN
Fire Nation to the Water Tribes, even ground-based vehicles
are becoming ubiquitous and as essential to daily life as food 0 - - 0
and water. From the simplest, utilitarian trucks of Cabbage FORE PORT STARBRD AFT
Corp to the high-performance luxury Satomobiles from Future
Industries, vehicles are becoming ever common.
 Manufacturer: Various manufacturers
Land Vehicles  Crew: One pilot.
Vehicle transportation over land is not a new concept;  Encumbrance Capacity: 35
civilizations have been using carts for millennia. However, the  Passenger Capacity: 1
mechanical revolution in Avatar has propelled development  Price/Rarity: 25 silver pieces/4
toward self-powered transport. Although some land vehicles  Customization Hard Points: 1
were used as far back as 100 AG, these were not  Weapons: None.
commercially available and were generally reserved for
wartime purposes. Satomobile
The Satomobile is an automobile developed and
Now, especially in places like Republic City or Ba Sing Se,
manufactured by Future Industries. As Republic City's leading
motorized transportation has become commonplace.
auto-manufacturer, Future Industries features state-of-the-art
technology and assembly lines capable of producing over one
Motorcycle hundred luxury Satomobiles every day.
Commonplace in Republic City, they are a similar shape to
the moped, though larger in size. Motorcycles used by the 3 3 1 3 2 4
Equalists are capable of releasing a smokescreen behind
them. After the Anti-bending Revolution, the Republic City
Police Force integrated the motorcycle into their patrol units. 0 - - 0
FORE PORT STARBRD AFT
2 3 2 2 2 4
 Manufacturer: Future Industries
0 - - 0
 Crew: One pilot.
FORE PORT STARBRD AFT  Encumbrance Capacity: 50
 Passenger Capacity: 1 – 3
 Price/Rarity: 50 silver pieces/3
 Manufacturer: Future Industries
 Customization Hard Points: 2
 Crew: One pilot.
 Weapons: None.
 Encumbrance Capacity: 25.
 Passenger Capacity: None.
Cabbage Car
 Customization Hard Points: 2 Cabbage Corp is a rival automaking company of Future
Industries, founded by the cabbage merchant and later owned
 Weapons: None.
by his son, Lau Gan-Lan. Its only current automobile model is
the Cabbage Car, a cheaper, more compact alternative to
Snowmobile [Water Tribe] Future Industries' various Satomobile models.
Used by members of the Southern Water Tribe after the
Hundred Year War to cross the snowy landscape in the south. 3 2 2 2 2 3

0 - - 0 SIL SPEED HNDLNG ARMOR HULL STRAIN
FORE PORT STARBRD AFT 0 2 2 0
 Manufacturer: Cabbage Corp
 Crew: One pilot.  Manufacturer: Various manufacturers and nations.
 Encumbrance Capacity: 45  Crew: One captain, 20 sailors and crew.
 Passenger Capacity: 1 – 3  Encumbrance Capacity: 250.
 Price/Rarity: 40 silver pieces/4  Passenger Capacity: 10 passengers.
 Customization Hard Points: 1  Price/Rarity: 50 gold pieces/10
 Weapons: None.  Customization Hard Points: 4
 Weapons: To Be Determined
Sand Sailer [Earth Kingdom]
Used by the sandbenders to traverse across the Si Wong Cutter
Desert. Can also be used by airbending. They are used by Southern Water Tribe warriors as transport
ships for their small force of warriors.
5 5 2 3 3 4
SIL SPEED HNDLNG ARMOR HULL STRAIN 5 5 3 3 3 5
0 1 1 1 SIL SPEED HNDLNG ARMOR HULL STRAIN
FORE PORT STARBRD AFT 1 1 1 1
 Manufacturer: Sand Tribes.

 Crew: One pilot, one co-pilot.  Manufacturer: Water Tribes.
 Encumbrance Capacity: 80.  Crew: One captain, 5 sailors and crew.
 Passenger Capacity: 5 passengers.  Encumbrance Capacity: 300.
 Price/Rarity: 12 silver pieces/7  Passenger Capacity: 15 passengers.
 Customization Hard Points: 2  Price/Rarity: 75 silver pieces/6
 Weapons: None.  Customization Hard Points: 3
 Weapons: To Be Determined
Marine Vessels
Travel by ocean and sea is ubiquitous among the peoples of Ferry
the world, and is still the most-used form of transportation on Ferries are employed en masse to cross bodies of water
the planet. This list is by no means exhaustive, but more of an throughout the Earth Kingdom and can be founding traversing
idea of what one can expect to find in the Avatar world. For inland seas, lakes, and large rivers.
nearly every conceivable purpose, a water craft has been
designed. 6 3 2 4 6 4
Barge [Water Tribe] 1 2 2 1
7 3 1 6 5 4
2 1 1 0
 Manufacturer: Various manufacturers and nations.
 Crew: One captain, 5 sailors and crew.
 Encumbrance Capacity: 400.
 Manufacturer: Water Tribes.  Passenger Capacity: 30 passengers.
 Crew: One captain, 10 sailors and crew.  Price/Rarity: 65 silver pieces/5
 Encumbrance Capacity: 500.  Customization Hard Points: 2
 Passenger Capacity: 10 passengers.  Weapons: None.
 Price/Rarity: 10 gold pieces/5
 Customization Hard Points: 3 Frigate
 Weapons: None. A frigate is a universal style of ship employed by nations and
mercenaries alike. They can be used for transportation, to
Battleship spearhead raiding parties, and even as light warships. Their
attributes of frigates may vary wildly depending upon its
The battleships are very large ships used by the United
design and manufacture.
Forces, the Northern Water Tribe, as well as the Fire Nation
and Earth Kingdom navies. 6 5 3 3 5 5
8 3 2 5 5 4 SIL SPEED HNDLNG ARMOR HULL STRAIN

1 2 2 1  Manufacturer: Various manufacturers and nations.
 Crew: One captain, 5 – 10 sailors and crew.
 Encumbrance Capacity: 450
 Passenger Capacity: 10 – 20 passengers.
 Manufacturer: Various manufacturers and nations.  Price/Rarity: 30 gold pieces/7
 Crew: One captain, 5 – 20 sailors and crew.  Customization Hard Points: 3
 Encumbrance Capacity: 350.  Weapons: None
 Passenger Capacity: 5 passengers.
 Price/Rarity: 9 gold pieces/7 Catamaran
 Customization Hard Points: 4 Catamarans are used as a means of seaborne transportation.
 Weapons: To Be Determined They can vary in size, ranging from being a one-person
transport to being large enough to comfortably house a flying
Jet-ski [Fire Nation] bison and six people.
A mode of aquatic transportation used for high-speed travel
5 4 3 2 3 3
over rivers and lakes.
3 4 3 2 2 5 0 2 2 0
SIL SPEED HNDLNG ARMOR HULL STRAIN FORE PORT STARBRD AFT
0 1 1 1
 Manufacturer: Varrick Global Industries, Water
Tribes.
 Manufacturer: Various manufacturers and nations.  Crew: One captain, 5 – 15 sailors and crew.
 Crew: One pilot  Encumbrance Capacity: 375
 Encumbrance Capacity: 15  Passenger Capacity: 10 – 20 passengers.
 Passenger Capacity: None.  Price/Rarity: 60 – 130 silver pieces/5
 Price/Rarity: 20 silver pieces/5  Customization Hard Points: 3
 Customization Hard Points: 1  Weapons: None
 Weapons: None
Airships
Speedboat Travel by air is not a new concept by any means. Airbenders
A mode of aquatic transportation powered by gasoline. It can had been gliding for centuries before the genocide. The
travel at very high speeds across water. means to achieve mechanical flight were first devised by the
Mechanist in 100 AG. With Sokka’s help, they designed a
4 6 3 2 3 3 small balloon lifted through the energy of hot air.
Unfortunately, the prototype was lost to the Fire Nation, who
successfully reverse-engineered the hot air balloon for war.
0 1 1 0 Over the next 70 years, the nations and private ventures all
FORE PORT STARBRD AFT have sought to improve upon the designs.
Biplane
 Manufacturer: Future Industries, Varrick Global A compact airplane that was manufactured by Hiroshi Sato to
Industries be used by the Equalists. It was later repurposed by Asami,
 Crew: One pilot, one co-pilot. who used Future Industries' resources to build them en
 Encumbrance Capacity: 40 masse.
 Passenger Capacity: 1 – 3
 Price/Rarity: 65 silver pieces/5 4 6 3 2 3 4
 Customization Hard Points: 2 SIL SPEED HNDLNG ARMOR HULL STRAIN
 Weapons: None
0 1 1 1
Steambarge FORE PORT STARBRD AFT
A large ship used for transporting goods between various
locations around the world.
 Manufacturer: Future Industries.
5 3 3 4 4 4  Crew: One pilot.
SIL SPEED HNDLNG ARMOR HULL STRAIN  Passenger Capacity: None
2 2 2 2  Price/Rarity: 15 gold pieces/7
FORE PORT STARBRD AFT  Customization Hard Points: 2
 Weapons: TBD

 Crew: One captain, up to 20 crew.
Airship [Cabbage Corp]
Used by the Earth Kingdom Air Force and constructed by
 Passenger Capacity: Up to 20.
Cabbage Corp. Cheaper and of inferior quality compared to
other contemporary airships.
10 4 3 3 7 5  Weapons: TBD
Glider [Airbending Staff]
1 1 1 1
Air Nomads acquire their staves as a rite of passage to aid
FORE PORT STARBRD AFT their bending. The staff can be opened mechanically and
unleash tight canvas-like material through which an
experienced airbender can bend currents, allowing her to
 Manufacturer: Cabbage Corp. glide or even fly short distances.
 Crew: One captain, 10 crew.
 Encumbrance Capacity: 250 1 4 3 0 1 3
 Passenger Capacity: Up to 20. SIL SPEED HNDLNG ARMOR HULL STRAIN
0 - - 0
 Weapons: TBD FORE PORT STARBRD AFT
Airship [Fire Nation]  Manufacturer: Various craftsmen

Used by the Fire Nation Air Force to transport troops and  Crew: One airbender
attack enemy targets from the air.
 Passenger Capacity: 1.
8 4 3 4 6 5
SIL SPEED HNDLNG ARMOR HULL STRAIN  Customization Hard Points: 1
2 2 2 1  Weapons: None
Wingsuit [Future Industries]
The wingsuit is being developed by Future Industries to be
 Manufacturer: Fire Nation worn by the airbenders of the Air Nation; its purpose is to
 Crew: One captain, up to 20 crew. replace the need to carry around a staff for gliding. As the suit
 Encumbrance Capacity: 350 is in its experimental phase, there are few prototypes.
 Passenger Capacity: Up to 20.
 Price/Rarity: 120 gold pieces/7 1 4 2 0 1 3
 Customization Hard Points: 4 SIL SPEED HNDLNG ARMOR HULL STRAIN
 Weapons: TBD
0 - - 0
Airship [United Republic]
Most airships in Republic City are used by the police. These
airships are large, metal, zeppelin-like vehicles employed by  Manufacturer: Future Industries.
Republic City's police force to patrol the city skyline from  Crew: One airbender.
above. They are manufactured by Future Industries.
 Passenger Capacity: None
9 5 4 5 8 6
SIL SPEED HNDLNG ARMOR HULL STRAIN  Customization Hard Points: 2
2 3 3 2  Weapons: None.
 Manufacturer: Future Industries.
Ship and Vehicle Modifications

For those special individuals who make their living at sea or new parts and modification packages, a skilled and dedicated
on the road, a ship is as much their home as it is a simple crew can improve a ship’s general comfort and performance
means of transport or a company asset. As they live aboard it beyond what her designers initially imagined. More powerful
and get to know a ship’s various attributes, both positive and engines, more swiveling turrets, better sensors, and other,
negative, it is not uncommon for the crew to make various more esoteric modifications are commonplace.
modifications to the ship to better tailor it to their needs. By
tinkering with existing systems, or through the purchase of
Like personal equipment, ships and vehicles can benefit
greatly by being modified. They follow the rules for Attachments
attachments and mods as discussed in Chapter VI: Gear and Coming Soon…
Equipment. The only difference is that installing ship or
vehicle modifications can cost up to ten times as much as they
do at the personal level.

TABLE: CRITICAL HIT RESULT FOR VEHICLES
d100 Severity Result
01 – 09 Mechanical Stress: The ship or vehicle suffers 1 point of system strain.
Jostled: A small blast or impact rocks the vehicle. All crew members suffer 1 strain and are
10 – 18
disoriented for one round.
Broken Defenses: Decrease defense in affected defense zone by 1 until the Critical Hit is
19 – 27
repaired. If the ship or vehicle has no defense, suffer 1 point of system strain.
Knocked Off Course: A particularly strong explosion or impact sends the vessel careening
off in a new direction. On his next turn, the pilot or captain cannot execute any maneuvers
28 – 36
and must make a Piloting or Sailing check to regain control, with increasing difficulty at
higher speed.
Tailspin: All firing from the ship or vehicle suffers until the end of the pilot’s next turn.
37 – 45
All crew are immobilized until the end of the pilot’s next turn.
Component Hit: One component of the attacker’s choice is rendered inoperable until the
46 – 54
end of the next round.
Defenses Failing: Reduce defense in all defense zones by 1 point until the Critical Hit is
55 – 63
repaired. If the ship or vehicle has no defense, suffer 2 points of system strain.
Overwhelming Strain: Increase difficulty of next check by one and suffer 2 points of system
64 – 72
strain.
Wear & Tear: The ship or vehicle’s systems are being pushed to the limit. The pilot or
73 – 81
captain cannot voluntarily inflict system strain on the ship until this Critical Hit is repaired.
Hull Breach: Decrease defense in affected defense zone to 0 until this Critical Hit is
82 – 90
repaired. Of the ship or vehicle has no defense, suffer 4 points of system strain.
Engine Damaged: The ship or vehicle’s maximum speed is reduced by 1 point, to a
91 – 99
minimum of 1, until this Critical Hit is repaired.
Armor Overload: The ship or vehicle’s armor buckles completely. Decrease the defense of
all defense zones to 0. This Critical Hit cannot be repaired until the end of the encounter,
100 – 108
and the ship suffers 2 points of system strain. If the ship or vehicle has no defense, reduce
armor by 1 until the Critical Hit is repaired.
Power Down: The ship or vehicle’s maximum speed is reduced to 0 until the Critical Hit is
109 – 117 repaired, although it continues on its present course thanks to momentum. In addition, the
vessel cannot execute any maneuvers until the Critical Hit is repaired.
Major Malfunction: One component of the attacker’s choice is heavily damaged and is
118 – 126
inoperable until the Critical hit is repaired.
Major Hull breach: A huge, gaping tear is torn in the ship’s hull, and the ship begins to sink
(into the water or from the sky). Vehicles stop moving. For ships of silhouette 4 and smaller,
127 – 133
the entire vessel sinks om a number of rounds equal to the ship’s silhouette. Larger ships
tend to be highly compartmentalized and have safeguards against major breaches.
Destabilized: The ship or vehicle’s structural integrity is seriously damaged. Reduce the
134 – 138 ship or vehicle’s hull trauma threshold and system strain threshold to half of their original
values until repaired.
Fire!: Fire rages through the ship. The ship or vehicle immediately takes 2 points of system
139 – 144 strain, and anyone caught in the fire takes damaged accordingly. A fire can be put out with
quick thinking or appropriate techniques. Larger ships take longer to put out.
Breaking Apart: The vessel has suffered so much damaged that it begins to come apart at
its seams, breaking up and disintegrating around the crew. At the end of the following round,
145 – 149 the ship is completely destroyed, and the surrounding environment is littered with debris.
Anyone aboard the ship or vehicle has one round to board a life raft, bail out, or dive for the
nearest hatch before they are lost.
Vaporized: The vessel is completely destroyed, consumed in a particularly large and
150+ —
dramatic fireball. Nothing survives.

IX – Game Master
Welcome to the first step in becoming an Avatar: The an unexpected situation, or needs a ruling on a game
Second Age Game Master. While running a roleplaying game mechanic, making a quick judgement call and assessing the
can be challenging, it can also be rewarding in ways different results later is perfectly acceptable.
from those associated with playing individual characters. This
chapter walks new GMs through the information needed to The GM’s primary goal is to create an entertaining and
become an accomplished an entertaining Avatar GM. Novice memorable game during which everyone has fun. There are
and experienced GMs alike should still find useful information numerous ways to achieve this end, and there can be many
and advice for running this game from both a storytelling and challenges along the way. GM and player cooperation creates
mechanical point of view. the best environment for an entertaining game. Great ideas
from any of the participants should not be overlooked.
The GM has many responsibilities when running a successful
game session. The GM creates the overall storyline for the This chapter delves into specific methods for GMs to run and
adventure. He interacts constantly with the players, describing plan their games. It provides guidance in preparing and
the details their characters need to understand to enjoy the running the first game session, using published adventures,
game. The GM plays the part of everyone the characters creating new stories, and developing a full-fledged campaign.
meet, and describes everywhere they go. He must think on It includes adventure creation guidelines and mechanical
his feet, and be ready to improvise with characters and advice for good encounter design. It provides advice for
changing situations on the fly. The GM must interpret the dealing with players and group dynamics in and out of the
game rules and be ready to apply them in a fair and consistent game. It gives specific GM guidance for using Honor and
manner. Motivations in character and story creation. It also advises on
dice pool interpretation, and how to maximize its use during
This sounds like a lot, but fortunately, a GM need not be the game.
perfect in every respect, especially when first starting out.
Running a roleplaying game for friends doesn’t have to be like Finally, this chapter includes advice on what makes an
refereeing a sports event. The GM should want to adjudicate adventure or campaign fitting for the Avatar setting. It
the rules and run the best game possible, but it is more discusses the story elements and types that fit into navigating
important that everyone has a good time. When the GM hits the planet’s geography and turmoil.
How to Run a Game

Running a game in Avatar: The Second Age requires The GM should learn basic combat rules—attacks,
players, planning, rules knowledge, and an interest in creating movement, and damage. Combat is likely in each game
a great deal of fun. This section guides new and experienced session. One of the GM’s primary responsibilities is to play the
GMs through a typical game, from the first game session part of all the adversaries, enemies, allies, and bystanders
onward. The first several sections are intended for beginner during the fight. Though the GM battles the Player Characters
GMs. The advice in the remaining sections is intended for tactically, he is not their enemy. He must roleplay the
GMs with a session or two of experience and can be safely combatants, making their tactical decisions based on what
skipped by GMs preparing for their first game. each one knows about the situation, and what their goals are.
While there are plenty of scenes where the enemies will stop
Preparing and Running the First at nothing to eliminate the player party, this isn’t always the
case. There are plenty of other entertaining ways to end a
Session scene, without necessarily killing everyone on one side.
Game preparation is one of the GM’s key duties. Detailed Next, read the adventure. For the first game, using a
advice is provided later in this chapter. For now, read the published adventure is highly recommended, such as the
rules. The GM doesn’t need to memorize all of them or adventure included in this rulebook. Using a published
understand all their intricacies for the first game session. His adventure allows the novice GM to focus on learning how to
familiarity with the rules will grow with every game he runs. run the game, without the pressure of creating a good plot line
Focus on character creation rules, as this is the first contact from scratch. The GM should highlight or jot down reminders
most players have with the game mechanics. They will usually about important plot points. Adventure and campaign creation
look to the GM for guidance. will be covered later in this chapter.
The GM should review any specific or unusual rules used in The GM also prepares anything needed at the table such as
the adventure. He should write notes regarding their use, maps or player handouts. The table should be big enough for
along with page numbers of quick reference. This helps to everyone to have space to write and roll dice, with space in
speed play. Everyone learns the game more quickly by the center if the GM plans to use a map during combat. It is
playing, so playing in a session run by another GM can always a good idea to have extra dice and blank character
improve practical application of the rules. It might also help sheets around. The GM should consider creating a couple of
the GM find ideas for how he may or may not want to run his PCs prior to play. These can be used by players who don’t
own sessions. have one, don’t want to create one, or arrive late. Extra
characters can always be used as NPCs, if needed.
The Second Age v1.4 | Game Master | 155

eventually address. For the first game session, the GM should
Dice Etiquette and Protocol simply note the total and types of Honor for later use.
Dice rolling is central to playing The Second Age. The dice
used in this game go beyond a simple indication of success
or failure. The GM and players use the results to inform the
Learning the Game
story. Over the first few sessions, focus naturally falls on learning
the mechanics of the game system. As the GM and players
Players should always roll the dice where everyone can see become more proficient, less time is needed for rules
the results. While this prevents players from cheating, it allows discussion and learning, and more can be spent on
the GM to see the exact die symbol results. The GM should roleplaying and story advancement. Players will look to the
normally roll his dice in the open. Like the players’ rolls, the GM for rules explanations and interpretations, but he
GM’s results are open to interpretation. More importantly, the shouldn’t feel he must make a ruling in a vacuum. The GM
players have ways to influence the dice pool, and therefore may ask for the player’s point of view, especially if everyone
need to see it most of the time. There are times when the GM is learning the game at the same time. The GM should be fair
may want to conceal the results. Occasionally, an adversary and impartial, and take the players’ points into account. In the
will try something that may affect the PCs, but they would only end, however, the GM’s word is final.
become aware of it if the roll doesn’t go the adversary’s way.
In this case, the GM probably doesn’t want to tip the
adversary’s hand by revealing the results.
Running the First Session
The first session normally begins with character creation.
Rolling dice in private affects the game in several ways. If the Some GMs use the entire first session to create characters.
GM always conceals the roll, the players cannot influence rolls This gives the players ample opportunity to familiarize
as the system expects. Often, GMs interpret rolls in the name themselves with the character creation process and their
of providing a better game experience for everyone at the options. It also allows them to discuss their character ideas in
table. detail, and devise preliminary background histories, keeping
their starting Honor and Motivation in mind. The GM should
Character Creation quickly review finished characters, mainly looking for obvious
mistakes.
The GM should work with the players as they create their
characters. Before beginning, the GM needs to convey the Starting the first adventure during the session is highly
type of story anticipated in the session. This includes the recommended, even if it is only to introduce the characters to
starting location, time frame, backstory, and other details that each other and experience a quick encounter. As play
would influence the selection of character class, background, progresses, the GM should try to move the story along, and
and origin. not get too hung up looking up rules for every action. Rules
proficiency comes with time, and the intricacies become
The players will have their own ideas about the characters clearer with practice.
they want to play. If the GM finds that their character concept
significantly conflicts with the intended plot line, or doesn’t If the GM uses a published adventure, it will guide the story. If
mesh well with the rest of the group, it is his call whether to the GM creates his own story, he should keep it simple.
permit the character in the adventure or campaign. However, Introduce new actions and concepts a little bit at a time. Plan
most players are willing to adjust their character concepts at least one personal scale combat encounter, a roleplaying
enough to satisfy the needs of the story, and still work with the focused encounter, and some time for the PCs to interact with
party. It is often useful to create characters around a group or and get to know each other. Later, the GM can add naval or
concept. vehicle combat, more intense encounters, and other
specialized rules. Note that it is natural for character creation
The GM should encourage the players to develop at least a and combat to run slower for the first few sessions.
basic background for their character, including their Honor
and Motivation. The amount of information needed depends
largely on the GM’s playstyle. Backgrounds can be as detailed
Roll the Dice
or as basic as the GM and players want them to be. The GM The custom dice and symbols, a system borrowed from
can and should use suggestions and plot points from the Fantasy Flights, will likely be unfamiliar and intimidating to
character backgrounds to tie them into the storyline. new players. The GM can get comfortable with this part of the
system by running them through a few example die rolls.
Players throw unusual twists at every GM. One might want to Before the adventure, and perhaps before character creation,
play a secret Bender character, while another might be an the GM should roll the following sample checks, using stats
underhanded pirate out to make money by selling private from pre-generated characters or beasts:
information to anyone with the coin. Backgrounds that conflict
with each other can make for interesting storylines and drama,  Melee Attack
but the GM needs to be careful that it doesn’t divide the party  Ranged Attack
and the players so much that it ruins all enjoyment of the  Skill Checks
game.  Initiative
One aspect of character creation requires direct GM Continuing the Story

involvement: Honor. Any vow of Honor the characters take on
Once the first adventure is completed, what happens next?
contributes directly to the story aspects the GM must
First, the GM should find out if the players had fun and discuss
how the next session might be improved. If the campaign is to
156 | Game Master | The Second Age v1.6
continue, the GM should also award XP and other rewards
such as coins or equipment.
When the Party Splits Up
Sometimes the best course of action is for the party to split up
Next, the GM should give the players the opportunity to alter, in the game. This normally happens when the action is spread
adjust, or scrap their characters if they so desire. Players out and the party needs to be in more than one place at the
should not be burdened with characters they do not like, same time. This can also be used to diffuse situations in which
especially when they are first learning the game. As players the party greatly disagrees on the correct course of action.
try out their characters, they may decide their original choices
do not match their play style or see other options they like No matter the cause, splitting the party also splits the attention
better or simply find more fun to play. Players changing or of the GM. This naturally focuses the GM’s attention on one
creating new characters should not be penalized for doing so. part of the group at a time, leaving the rest to wait until the
spotlight returns to them. The GM must be careful not to let
The GM is free to follow up on the storyline from the first too much downtime pass between groups. In some cases, the
adventure, or encourage the characters to move to a different players might leave the table and go to different rooms or
storyline. This might be another adventure or one of the GM’s areas to avoid overhearing or disrupting a scene that their
own creations. characters are not a part of and cannot influence.
Managing the Party When the Party Goes Off the Rails
Managing and maintaining a gaming group takes work, even One of the great attractions of roleplaying games for players
when the players are friends. Sometimes schedules conflict is the freedom to play their characters as they see fit. The
with game times. Sometimes there are distractions during the players almost always push the story in unexpected but
game. Personality differences may come to the forefront due perfectly logical directions. One of the joys and responsibilities
to differing play styles, or in reaction to issues brought up in of the GM is to keep the story moving when the unexpected
an adventure’s storyline. Players may become angry when happens.
things go badly for their characters, particularly if they feel
Sometimes, the party’s actions completely depart from the
victimized by another player’s actions.
prepared storyline. How strictly the GM tries to keep to the
Most of the time, none of these issues are enough to derail a envisioned storyline depends on the GM’s philosophy. Most
campaign or split up a group. However, it can happen. Conflict allow the characters to pursue their own course for a while,
can still make for some uncomfortable sessions, even when inserting clues, new NPCs, or events that eventually bring
properly addressed. them back to the planned plot. More freewheeling GMs might
forgo their storyline entirely and react to the characters’ new
actions and goals. Flexibility within the story is one key to
Group Dynamics great gaming sessions. Neither approach is wrong, unless the
There are two major group dynamics in play at the gaming players become unhappy with the outcome.
table. One is between the players, while the second is
between their characters. Both are important to having fun
during the game. Ideally, the players enjoy playing with each
Absent and New Players
other, and their characters have enough in common to Absent and no-show players are a common problem. Such
associate with each other without large amounts of tension. absences can disrupt or derail a storyline, so it is best if the
Disruptions to either of these cases can diminish the fun of GM plans to deal with absences ahead of time. If the player
playing. isn’t there, find a reason for the character to be off-screen
during the session. Many plausible reasons exist: perhaps he
is sick, wounded, training, or taking care of other business,
When the Party Disagrees repairing the ship, or even detained by authorities.
Roleplaying is highly situational. As a story unfolds, the party
often debates the desired course of action. This normally If the absent player’s character is central to the session,
works itself out as the party discusses its options. someone else may run the character. If the character holds
Disagreements due to roleplaying individual characters can secret knowledge unknown to the rest of the group, the GM
be great moments in the game and the Honor system will may run the character. It is considered bad form to allow
sometimes facilitate conflicting interests. If a disagreement serious injury or death to occur to the character while being
grows to the point that it disrupts the fun of the game, it’s controlled by someone else.
usually a good time to take a break. Breaks may last just a
few minutes or may suspend the game until the next session. If the character is critical to the storyline, sometimes it is best
to cancel the session and play when everyone can attend,
Sometimes, the GM can alter the in-game situation enough to especially if the storyline is something that every player wants
provide a more obvious or agreeable path forward. to experience.
Compromise from the GM or other players to move the story
along is normally acceptable and desirable, especially if the Sometimes players leave a group permanently, while others
situation is making one or more players uncomfortable at the join mid-session. Bringing a new player into the fold can be
table. The party should be careful to avoid lingering exciting. It is often necessary to replace players who leave
disagreements, as they can lead to bad feelings and possibly during a long campaign. The addition of a new character
break up the group. shakes up the group dynamics and brings out new or
unexpected opportunities within the game. However, not all
additions go smoothly, and considerations should be made
regarding the storyline and the enjoyment of the group.

Before adding a new player, the group should discuss interest, and more increase the complexity and potential
whether that person meshes well with the current game and enjoyment of the plot.
group. The GM could discreetly discuss the situation with
each player to minimize hurt feelings if some players object. That Avatar Feeling
When the new player arrives at the table, the group and GM A crucial aspect of running an Avatar game is making it feel
should bring him up to speed on the current story, table rules, like something that could have been seen on the television
and any house rules in use. screen. The game and plot should be fast-paced, entertaining,
Naturally, a new character’s arrival should be accompanied with intermittent humor, and feature moments of high drama
by a story reason for him to join the group. The GM or the or tension.
player may create it, but it works best when it includes ideas The GM should limit or avoid plots that run counter to
from the new player and the existing group. expectations. It is also worth noting that if the GM wants to
explore new ideas, a brief chronology is provided at the end
Planning Game Sessions of the book detailing the history of the Avatar universe.
Planning each game session takes time and effort. While
some GMs create highly detailed outlines and plans, others Running the Game
run their games free-form, with minimal notes. Each GM Running the game means more than managing the story. The
eventually settles on a method that works for him with the time GM must also attend to the mechanical means of keeping the
that he has. Different aspects of game planning rise and fall game going. This section provides guidance on how to handle
in importance as the GM’s style, proficiency, and storytelling specific rules and other elements during the game session,
develop. The novice GM should start with the guidance given and on how the rules and elements interact.
above about the first session and then integrate the following
advice when the game or story requires it.
Rules Adjudication
The GM is the final arbiter of all rules discussions. It is
Styles of Play important that he listens to points the players might argue for
Different groups and GMs enjoy different ways of playing the their side of an interpretation. However, rules discussions
game. The GM should learn his group’s preferences and should not dominate playing time. After a short discussion, the
prepare sessions that enhance, if not cater to, their GM should make a ruling to keep the game moving and
expectations. The GM should still feel free to use other play should review the rule in detail later. If the ruling was incorrect,
styles if a specific scene or encounter warrants it. Major play the GM may try to make it up to the player or group in question
styles can be exploration and storytelling-focused or combat- in a future session, or he may simply acknowledge the
focused. Typical Avatar: The Second Age adventures will be mistake and chalk it up as a lesson learned.
a mix of all three with an emphasis on combat.
Sometimes the GM feels the rules are unclear or that he has
Exploration and storytelling focus more on the overall plot and an unusual situation. The GM may create a house rule to
the characters’ interactions with the fantastic locations, events address the issue. He might also gain further insight from
and adversaries of the larger Avatar universe. Entire sessions discussing the issue with other GMs or rules-proficient
or more could pass without punching a single NPC. Conflict players, in person or in online gaming forums. However, rules
comes usually because of environmental factors or NPC lawyering—using the minutia of the rules to gain an unfair,
plans and reactions. Plot lines may be more intricate or may unexpected, or unintended advantage in a game—should be
tie into character backstories to a much greater degree. avoided by both players and GMs.
Combat-focused play concentrates more on the tactical
moments of the game, with combat in nearly every session. Interpreting the Dice Pool
Fighting uses a significant portion of play time, limiting the One of the GM’s primary responsibilities is to interpret the
depth and complexity of other scenes. The players generally results of the dice rolls. Given that the exact makeup of each
like battling their foes directly by tactically outsmarting or dice pool varies wildly, the GM and the players have many
overwhelming them. Large-scale combat with military ground opportunities to translate the results into narrative effects.
forces and armadas is not too common. During the heat of the game, the players may rapidly assess
a roll of the dice only for success or failure then quickly pick
Storytelling up the dice for the next check. The GM should discourage this,
The core of every roleplaying game is the storyline. The especially if the story is at a critical juncture. While not every
Player Characters are the main actors in a plot of the GM’s dice roll needs extensive interpretation, important moments
devising. The complexity of depth of the story depends greatly should always be influenced by the dice results.
on the desires of the gaming group. A good story is an The die symbols generated by each check go well beyond the
entertaining one, not necessarily the most complex. simple task of indicating success or failure. Success indicated
The GM needs to create at least a basic plot for the adventure by a can mean something different than if it occurs on
he wants to run. He should take ideas from the player or . In the case of , a success might indicate the
character’s backgrounds to tie them closely into the storyline. character’s skill overcame all other challenges. If the same
For example, a character’s response to an attacking pirate result occurred using , fortune may have stepped in at the
might be quite different if the pirate turns out to be a former right moment. The GM should inform the story via the dice
colleague or a nemesis. Unexpected revelations, conflicts of whenever possible.

The Dice In combat, the GM should not (often) overwhelm the PCs with
Boost and Setback dice indicate the influence of fortune and stain, so that they have the opportunity to voluntarily take on
strain to make additional maneuvers or to use talents. This is
misfortune in the results. Failure indicates that the inherent
especially significant for bender characters whose elemental
difficulties of the situation, terrain, or task at hand were too
abilities often require them to suffer a great deal of strain.
much to overcome. Success indicates that luck, the Spirit
Extreme environments or circumstances may occasionally
World, or a beneficial circumstance affected the outcome.
increase the amount of strain the GM inserts into the
Ability and Difficulty dice represent the battle between a encounter. Environmental strain should be less of a concern
character’s natural abilities and knowledge versus the during average combat.
inherent difficulty of the task at hand. Failure indicates that the
Suffering strain emulates reacting to harmful environmental
task was just too hard to accomplish this time around.
effects. Enduring long periods of exposure to heat, cold, or
Proficiency and Challenge dice represent the character’s unusual weather like sandstorms may cause strain.
trained skilled versus the most difficult challenges. Like the Psychological pressure may also induce strain. It may come
Ability and Difficulty dice, success indicates the character’s from a strong emotional reaction to loss, extreme anger,
training has prevailed, while failure indicates the frustration, or other issues that distract a character from the
circumstances were just too difficult to surpass. task at hand.
Characters using certain talents may voluntarily suffer strain

The Results
to mitigate damage and possibly other effects during combat.
Advantage and Threat results are often less clear-cut in their
The details are described in each relevant talent description.
influence on the dice pool. Sometimes they may trigger
Benders, specifically, are often required to suffer strain to use
certain talents, abilities, or effects. They give the GM or player
their bending forms. Airbenders notoriously cannot deal
the opportunity to describe how the results place the character
physical damage with their abilities and instead deal damage
in a better or worse position than before the action.
directly to an opponent’s strain threshold. Suffering strain to
Triumph and Despair indicators should generate excitement perform techniques represents the physical and mental
at the game table. t indicates a critical success that should fatigue of fighting. It is possible to win or lose a fight due to
also grant the character a great advantage in the encounter. incurring too much strain.
d indicates a critical failure which should disrupt the character
When assigning strain, the GM should consider how different
and make the situation much worse.
sources may interact in an encounter or scene. Creating a
Instead of (or alongside) a narrative effect, many dice results scene in which strain is a primary component is perfectly fine,
may be spent per the tables referenced in Chapter VII: but having a scene accidentally become overwhelmed with
Conflict & Combat. Usually, the makeup of the dice pool strain can alter the narrative in unexpected ways. Typically,
does not even align die types that are in direct opposition to the GM should assign one or two points of strain for a given
each other. Instead, s, f, and other indicators are spread effect. When environmental conditions inflict strain, the
across different dice in different amounts. It is often up to the amount of strain inflicted can serve as an indicator of how
GM to decide which of the s or f is most relevant to the story dangerous the environment is.
interpretation.
Character Death
Using Boost and Setback Dice Death is a significant part of any roleplaying game. While
Boost and Setback die are basic GM tools for manipulating Player Character death is unlikely to happen in most game
fortune and misfortune in the game. Beyond the normal sessions, the threat of death builds tension. How a player
guidelines for setting difficulty within the dice pool, and reacts to his character’s demise depends largely on the
enable the GM to allow characters to try unusual or outright player. Some take it in stride and are soon ready to create a
insane ideas during play. The players enjoy the chance to try new one. Other players may be disappointed, upset, or angry,
creative solutions within the game, and the GM can regulate especially those with a lot of time and effort invested into the
the difficulty through adding more Setback instead of saying character. The player may be particularly frustrated if the
no to the idea. Note that and are not normally upgraded character’s death is meaningless or cheap, or feels unfair.
to other types of dice. While the GM may try to prevent a character death through
subtle or obvious means, such aid should be backed up by
Alternatively, may be used to reward a PC for good solid reasoning. Perceived favoritism in the GM’s handling of
planning or creative thinking. may also be used in situations different deaths between different PCs can lead to hurt
not covered by the rules. If the PC comes up with a good idea feelings and angry players.
and the GM wants to allow it, he may add . This is especially
encouraged if the idea is in keeping with the spirit of the Avatar Player Knowledge vs. Character Knowledge
stories. Players generally know a lot more about a given situation than
the characters they are playing. It is important that they
Using Strain differentiate between information learned outside of the game
Strain is a non-lethal way for characters to suffer physical and and information that their characters are aware of. To aid in
psychological effects. For the GM, strain represents an the suspension of disbelief, players should not use
opportunity to add mechanical emphasis and consequences information their characters cannot logically know within the
to narrative aspects of the scene or combat. game.

This is particularly true when the party is split, with characters advancement would place the target reward at 25 XP. It is
in different locations. For ease of play, the GM may allow all better suited for shorter campaigns and becomes hard to
players to remain at the table while they play their individual sustain in the long run.
scenes. However, the uninvolved players should not have
their characters act upon any information gained by listening The amount awarded each session is typically 10 to 20 XP
to the interaction between the GM and the rest of the group. per character (adjusted for rate of play) for a game of two or
On the other hand, in certain circumstances, the GM may three major encounters and a handful of minor ones. An
allow PCs from one group to communicate the information additional bonus of 5 XP may be granted for reaching key
with PCs of another group. milestones or completing story arcs. Playing to a character’s
Motivation should also be rewarded with 5 XP per session.
Additionally, players may know a great deal about the Avatar The GM may also consider awarding extra XP for exceptional
universe. While the use of such knowledge can add great roleplaying or highly clever thinking.
details to the game, players must be careful not to use
information their characters do not know about the universe The GM should give the players an idea of the source of their
or political situation. It is highly unlikely, for instance, for the XP. Any bonus XP that is awarded should be explained to the
characters to know about Kuvira’s plot to rule the Earth players so they may aspire to those standards in future
Kingdom while fans of the The Legend of Korra are certainly sessions.
familiar with the show’s plot.
Managing Records and Downtime
Playing the Role Between sessions, the GM and the players should maintain
GMs should always remember that they are playing the role certain records. The GM and players should track XP (and it
of NPCs motivated by their own desires, fears, relationships, should be awarded as needed). The GM should alter the
and orders. How far the GM goes in portraying and performing group’s Honor if necessary. The players should update their
the character depends on the GM’s comfort level in acting out character sheets, particularly if they increase their abilities or
the role. It is acceptable to speak in third person, such as “the need to adjust their listed equipment. It is also helpful if the
chi blocker attempts to threaten to push your temporarily GM or a player keeps a journal or notes about each session.
paralyzed companion into the bay unless you surrender.” This makes it easier to remember the events of the story so
However, it is more engaging and immersive to perform using far and track the movements or names of NPCs.
an in-character voice or accent, speaking directly to the
characters as the NPC. The same scenario could then be said Not every new adventure picks up immediately where the
as, “Drop your weapons now or your friend is going to rest at previous one leaves off. Most should include downtime for the
the bottom of the bay.” Most GMs use a mixture of these two characters. This allows them to gain needed training and carry
methods. out tasks that don’t need to be played out at the table. There
is no need to play out mundane events. The GM and players
should be ready to summarize what has occurred during the
Improvising downtime between adventures.
Becoming a good GM requires many improvisational skills
that are used throughout the game session. For the GM,
improvisational acting occurs when he plays the roles of NPCs
Feedback and Improvement
reacting to character questions and actions. Improvisational Constructive feedback is critical for GMs, particularly new
story changes occur regularly, as the GM makes constant GMs, to learn what they can do to improve the gameplay for
behind-the-scenes adjustments to keep the plot moving everybody. The GM should ask for feedback after every few
forward. If the characters move in an unexpected yet logical sessions, or after a particularly difficult or dull game.
direction, the GM must be able to create new scenes or Feedback may be taken as a group at the table, but many
characters on the fly. Fortunately, these skills improve with players find it easier to discuss difficult situations one on one
time and practice. with the GM. Feedback may reveal issues mishandled by the
GM or players. However, feedback more commonly helps the
GM alter his game to better fit player expectations, or vice
Awarding and Spending Experience versa.
Points Players should feel free to bring up rules that they don’t quite
The GM should award experience points after every session. understand so the GM can both clarify and plan for the future,
The target amount to award per session varies depending on and they should provide feedback about how they think the
how fast the GM wants the characters to advance. A slower game is going. Feedback goes both ways. If the GM believes
rate of advancement is typically 10 to 15 XP per PC per that a player isn’t having fun or is disrupting the group in some
session. This enables players to spend their XP about every way, then he should pull that player aside and address the
other session. Moderately paced advancement sets the target issue. The goal of this feedback is to improve the way that the
at about 20 XP, which enables the player to buy a new talent, game is played and increase everyone’s enjoyment.
raise a skill, and so on once per game session. Quickest
Game Master Rules and Options

This section presents Game Master specific rules, such as gray areas in certain rules, such as those involving Honor and
fear, and possible alternate versions of some rules. In Motivations.
addition, it discusses the adjudication of some of the common

Using Honor Player Motivations
Honor is a core narrative element and game mechanic in Motivations are built-in story and roleplaying hooks for both
Avatar: The Second Age. Honor influences both the the player and the GM. The player uses Motivations to inform
characters and the adventure, often in unexpected ways. It his character’s reactions to specific situations, offering a level
can introduce new and unplanned alterations to the current of thought or detail beyond simply responding to the situation
circumstances. It also mechanically reinforces the concept as presented. The GM uses Motivations to link the characters
that the universe responds to the characters’ actions and that more intimately with the ongoing storyline. Players adhering
their decisions mean something beyond both the GM and to their characters’ Motivations should be rewarded with
players’ immediate control, introducing unexpected additional XP, as well as more interesting plotlines.
opportunities and plot twists.
GMs are encouraged to use Honor creatively throughout the

Managing Motivations
course of the adventure and campaign. Since the Player The GM should track player Motivations and how they may
Characters gain additional benefits through earning Honor, it interact with a prepared adventure. Motivations, especially
is partly a player resource that should have a narrative or those determined randomly, may conflict with the PC goals of
mechanical cost during the game. PCs gain Honor at an adventure. After initial character creation, the GM should
character creation, but they can also earn it through their be able to better predict how their Motivations may interact
actions and GMs should make sure to reward players with with the intended plot.
high Honor scores for their renown and prestige. This can be Players may keep their Motivations secret, possibly going as
done through tangible rewards, or by integrating more plot far as establishing a decoy Motivation to cover their real one.
hooks for the PC based on his Honor triggering. The GM Secret Motivations add to the depth and tension of the game,
should take every opportunity to use these hooks during the but also harbor possible story (and party) disruption when the
adventure or campaign. secret is revealed. If the party has widely divergent
Motivations, the GM should be prepared to step in should
Guiding Starting Honor Selection player feelings be hurt if opposing Motivations are revealed.
During character creation, each player selects their
character’s Honor type in whichever manner they prefer. The GM may simplify the impact of Motivations on the story
Parties may end up with a wide variety of Honor or a limited by encouraging characters with similar or compatible
number of types shared between PCs. The GM generally Motivations to combine them. Some Motivations also work
should not limit the types of Honor in a game but may want to well with certain types of Honor. If the characters have
work with the players if they want to use it to craft a specific, divergent Motivations and types of Honor, the GM may
interesting backstory for their characters. minimize the story complexity by de-emphasizing Motivation
for those players who seem less interested in using the
The players should not be permitted to optimize or manipulate mechanic, or by incorporating it into fewer adventures.
Honor to gain a substantial benefit from it. Honor is meant to
grant periodic, large rewards that incentivize good roleplaying Characters should not change their Motivation often. When
and character progression. they do so, it should be for compelling story reasons, not
because the bonus XP is too difficult to gain. Some
Alternatively, the GM (or players) may select or come up with Motivations may naturally end because the characters
new types of Honor to fit a specific campaign or story arc. The conclude a story integral to the Motivation. Some Motivations
Honor may be a driving force behind an adventure or change slowly, as a new Motivation begins to dominate the
campaign, rather than a periodic responsibility. The GM character’s life or thinking. Change to Motivations should also
should make sure that any PC with an Honor less important be reflected in the adventure or campaign.
to the plot are not forgotten and are highlighted from time-to-
time. Incorporating Motivations into the Story
The GM should allow the player to dictate how important his
Using the Honor Check character’s Motivation is to his experience. Whereas Honor is
Before each game session, the GM makes an Honor check. intended to be an outside force that permeates character
The greater the group’s Honor is, the greater the chance that interaction and the ability to function within the adventure,
it will come directly into play during that session. When Motivation focuses on the character’s internal drive and how
triggered, the GM should note which Player Character’s that influences his interaction with the world. If the player
Honor is activated and how that Honor has come into play. wants to focus on his personal story, or consistently gain the
XP awards from adhering to his Motivation, the GM is
The mechanical bonuses of the Honor check on some PCs encouraged to incorporate his Motivation in the adventure
can be significant. A particularly exciting result (rolling more often.
doubles) should have a major story impact during the session.
If the Honor affects more than one PC, the GM should Not all Motivations need to provide deep story hooks. If a
consider altering the plot for the session to reflect the sudden player is more comfortable reacting to situations as they
change. However, if the GM decides it would derail the story unfold, rather than dealing with a super-secret background
at a critical juncture, he can delay the actual encounter. The history with surprise appearances by past enemies or events,
mechanical bonuses should remain in effect—perhaps the then the GM should allow them to play that style. Some
PCs become informed of the possible opportunity and are players are happy to simply use their Motivation to justify their
excited about it. current actions.

The potential interaction of character Motivations and Honor GM sets the difficulty and adds the appropriate dice to the
can inspire the GM to weave a complex storyline, complete character’s dice pool. Interpreting the dice pool results is key
with surprises from past or unknown connections between to determining the effects of fear, even on a successful roll.
characters. This approach works best if the details trickle out The Discipline or Instinct skill check represents the character's
during the adventure, foreshadowing larger revelations. ability to act in the face of fear, not necessarily the level of fear
However, an unexpected connection or reveal can add more a character may feel.
tension or shock to an already climactic scene.
When to Make a Fear Check
Rewarding Motivations Any time Discipline or Instinct is used to counter fear it is
Players should be rewarded for sticking to their Motivations, called a fear check. Not every frightening situation requires a
especially when circumstances in the game cause them to fear check; they should be restricted to unusual
stray from their ideals. Outside of the XP rewards given at the circumstances or the first time a character experiences a
end of a session, a player who adheres to his character’s particularly frightening situation. A character fighting a pirate
Motivation should receive some sort of in-game reward, such thug probably doesn’t need to make a check. But if the pirate’s
as a useful item, helpful information, or an advantageous infamous captain turns the corner, a check may be
situation. This reward works best when the character appropriate.
adamantly sticks to his Motivation, even if it runs counter to
the goals of the group or otherwise impacts play. The frequency of fear checks is determined by the GM.
Typically, once a fear check is rolled, the GM should not
Conversely, characters not sticking to their Motivations should require another check for the same source of fear during the
not be penalized. Motivations are there to guide a character’s same encounter, unless the circumstances significantly
choices, not dictate them. In fact, there are many times in change. The GM might require more fear checks in a story
which a character must set aside his own Motivation for the where fear is a key element. A character who is constantly
betterment of the group or to move the story along. afraid of losing his ship or a loved one might be required to
make more checks to reflect his ongoing concern and stress.
Mechanically, the reward for adhering to a Motivation is
simple: 5 XP per session, with a rare chance for a 10 XP Typically, the effects of fear are determined by the results of
reward for an exceptional session. Additional rewards are not a Discipline check. However, if the character has had time to
usually necessary, as they become regular awards normally prepare for the situation, and is not taken by surprised, the
integrated into the campaign. GM may allow the character to use an Instinct check instead.
Motivation XP bonuses should not be automatically

achievable in every game session. If possible, the GM should
Determining Fear Difficulty
use rewards or story issues to make sticking to a Motivation a The difficulty of a fear check is a combination of circumstance
real choice. The character gains the bonus XP, but loses out and the individual experiencing the fear. No two people
on some other reward and causes difficulty with the plot or respond the same way to a frightening situation. Where an
other characters. Sticking to a Motivation should be an untrained civilian might freeze in fear when a fight breaks out,
interesting, and sometimes difficult, choice. Otherwise, the a trained soldier may act with confidence and effectiveness.
bonus XP is too easily achievable. This is not to say that the soldier is unafraid; it means that he
is better trained to deal with the fear.
Using Fear Example circumstances and difficulties are shown in the table
The world is filled with frightful creatures, situations, and even below. The difficulty is initially set reflecting a frightening
people. Wild creatures like the moose lion hunt their prey situation for a person without prior experience in the events in
relentlessly. Equalists, still bitter at the loss and betrayal of question. The difficulty of the check can also be upgraded
their leader Amon, use the fear of benders as a motivation and depending on the circumstances at hand. Upgrades usually
wield it as a weapon against their enemies. War, combat, depend on the circumstances of the check or the details of the
intimidating adversaries, and environmental hazards may creature or character causing the fear. The GM may add
instill fear in anyone, anywhere. Fear interferes with character Setback to represent other aspects of the situation, such as
actions and goals. It may reduce a character’s effectiveness, surprise. The GM may also add Bonus and other beneficial
make him hesitate, or even cause him to flee. dice if the character’s resolve is supported by powerful allies
or other beneficial aid.
Within the game, fear is countered by the Discipline skill, and
occasionally the Instinct skill. Like any other skill check, the

TABLE: FEAR LEVELS
State of Fear Check Difficulty Example(s)
Something momentarily frightening, such as someone
Startled leaping out of a closet to surprise you, or unsettling
circumstances like being alone in a spiritual place.
Confronting something supernatural or spiritual, such as
furniture that moves when you’re not looking, or voices
Spooked
in an empty place, being stalked by a dangerous
animal.
Actual dark spirits and other obviously spiritual
occurrences, being hunted by a pack of wild animals or
Frightened
malevolent humans, danger that appears eminent or
could be mortal.
Being actively hunted by a malevolent being or
Mortally Afraid creature, or facing a situation likely to result in your
death.
A hopeless and utterly terrifying situation, combat
Utterly Terrified
against incomprehensible beings.
against opponents (or remove them from the character).

Effects of Fear Ultimately, a companion can be used for whatever the player
The GM should interpret the results of the dice pool. Some and the GM agree upon. The player should decide with the
creatures or talents may dictate aspects of the results of a fear GM what small bonus might be conferred when the
check they trigger. The GM may also create additional effects. companion is first gained.
h and a carry effects regardless of success and failure. If
multiple fear checks are needed, these results may cancel out
effects from earlier rolls.
Mounts
The mount companion is typically an ordinary creature trained
Some suggested effects are as follows: to work as draft animal. All mounts are treated as animal
companions, but not all animal companions can be mounts. If
 Failure: The character adds to each action he a character loses his mount in some way, he can spend some
takes during the encounter. time to befriend and train a new one, or buy an already trained
 Threat: The character suffers a number of strain mount. Any mount the character rides can function as a pet;
equal to the number of f. If the check generates the GM may assign to Animal Handling checks to control
hhh or more, the character can be staggered for a mount the character has just met and attempts to ride.
his first turn, instead.
 Despair: The character is incredible frightened and Using Creatures as Vehicles
increases the difficulty of all checks by one until the As animal companions they can perform maneuvers and
end of the encounter. actions of their own, but when used as mounts they need to
 Success: The character avoids any fear effects be treated more like vehicles. In cases where characters wish
except those triggered by h. to use beasts as their mount, those creatures are given
 Advantage: Gain on the character’s first check. If several stats normally reserved for vehicles which includes
multiple a, grant to an additional player’s first values for Silhouette, Speed, and Handling. However, riding
check. animals is not the same as driving a Satomobile or
 Triumph: Can be spent to cancel all previous motorcycle. These are living, breathing creatures with their
penalties from fear checks, or spent to ensure the own minds and instincts and a rider must constantly work to
character need not make any additional fear checks succeed. Their bond with the animal is important.
during the encounter, no matter the source.
Unless otherwise stated, a mountable creature’s silhouette is
generally 2. Any animal with a silhouette 1 or smaller cannot
Animal Companions be used as a mount unless stated.
Several classes have the Animal Companion talent which
allows them to acquire a permanent creature companion for Creatures, unlike vehicles, can maintain their speed over
as long as the creature survives. most terrain, including rough and hilly landscapes. Certain
mounts like caribou deer or the polar-bear dog are truly built
When a character acquires the Animal Companion talent, the for cold environments and will outperform any other animal in
character must first find an animal and befriend it before it can these circumstances.
be trained. The Game Master and player should agree on how
long it would take to first find and befriend an animal, as well A beast’s stat block is the same as any other adversary.
as how long it would take to train the animal before it can be Wound and strain thresholds remain the same, along with
used as a Companion. defense and soak value. Attacks against the beast are
resolved as normal in personal scale combat.
Animal Companions can be powerful allies in combat as well
as social encounters. When engaged with the character, the
companion might grant on certain checks or impose

If a Mount is taken out while carrying a rider, it and the rider Don’t forget the Setback Dice!
fall to the ground. The rider will suffer 2 damage and 2 strain,
plus 1 additional point per point of Silhouette. Many talents grant a benefit that removes one or more
from a skill check. However, since Setback are not normally
Training a New Mount automatically included in the dice pool for a given check or
Animal companions can be trained to acquire the Trained task, it is up to the GM to add them in. GMs should develop
Mount ability; each rank of this ability confers to any a habit of regularly applying (or at least considering) to
Animal Handling checks made while the creature is skill checks, so it does not become a game of applying a
mounted. These dice are in addition to the or indicated penalty simply to let the character take it away. While some
by the handling characteristic, if any. checks automatically add , this tends to happen less often
in social encounters than it does in combat or piloting and
Normally, training a beast for riding takes approximately four sailing.
weeks of working with the animal. In the context of the game,
this would usually happen during downtime and should not through solid objects or vehicles, knocking them out of the
occur more than once per session. The PC acting as the way. The base difficulty for a Push action is a Hard Animal
trainer makes a Hard Animal Handling check against the Handling check for the rider if it is against an object or
beast. The check difficulty is upgraded a number of times creature of the same silhouette. Difficulty is reduced by one
equal to the creature’s Guile. for every silhouette smaller the target is when compared to
the beast. The animal may attempt to move an object only one
A successful check adds Trained Mount 1 to the mount’s silhouette larger by upgrading the check to Daunting
abilities. a may reduce the time it takes to train the mount, difficulty.
while h extends the time. t can indicate a particularly
successful training conferring Trained Mount 2. d may inflict
a Critical Injury on the creature, the trainer, or both. A mount
Wounds and Strain
can never be trained higher than Trained Mount 4. Animal Companions retain their wound and strain thresholds
as described in Chapter XII: Adversaries & Creatures.
Mount or Dismount When a companion is reduced to 0 wound or strain, it runs
Mounting and dismounting a domesticated animal such as a away and hides until the encounter has ended; if either of the
trained shirshu, komodo rhino, or ostrich horses requires a pet’s thresholds are reduced to 0 by a Critical Injury, the
maneuver. Successfully mounting an untrained or wild animal, animal companion is killed.
however, requires a Hard ( ) Animal Handling check
which may be harder depending on how ornery the GM feels A pet can recover wounds and strain the same way a
the animal is. Similarly, mounting a vehicle, sliding into the character does. After an encounter, the character may make
driver’s seat, or otherwise engaging a vehicle for steering or an Easy ( ) Medicine skill check. Each success recovers 1
piloting requires a maneuver as well. wound. After a good night’s rest, a pet will recover all strain
unless critically injured.
Mounted Maneuvers and Actions
Riding a beast and piloting or sailing a vehicle are functionally When a pet suffers from a Critical Injury, it will need medical
the same, but with several key differences. The first is that attention before it can heal the injury.
Animal Handling is used instead of Piloting or Sailing for all If a mount suffers a critical injury, the difficulty of all skill
relevant skill checks. If a mount does not have the right saddle checks to ride or control the mount is upgraded once per
or riding gear, the check difficulty is upgraded. Like vehicles, Critical Injury. A mount that suffers a Critical Injury of Hard
mounts do not have their own initiative slot, unless during the severity or higher cannot function as a mount until the injury
course of action they are rendered riderless, in which case has been healed.
they revert back to their personal profile and function as an
NPC.
Controlling the Companion
When it comes to maneuvers and actions, a rider may perform Pets do not have skills like characters do. Whenever a
any maneuver or action listed in Chapter VIII: Vehicles companion would perform a skill check, the character must
provided the action or maneuver makes sense. Players and make an Animal Handling skill check. During skill checks, aa
the GM should employ common sense as to what can and may be used to recover 1 strain while hh may, at the GM’s
cannot be done by a particular creature. discretion, cause the pet to suffer 1 strain.
In addition to the above maneuvers and actions, rider and

mount may also perform the following actions:
Companions in Combat
In structured play, a pet may perform one action and one
Climb or Jump maneuver. The controlling character can also spend one of
Riding beasts of silhouette 3 or less that have the Climb his own maneuvers to grant the pet a second maneuver; the
special ability can be used to climb or leap over obstacles on pet may also gain a second maneuver on an Animal Handling
a successful Hard Athletics check. check that generates aa or more. Regardless of the source,
a pet may not perform more than two maneuvers during its
Push turn.
Large, bulky animals of silhouette 2 or larger are capable of
In combat, a pet will remain engaged with the controlling
using their weight as a weapon. A rider mounted on a creature
character unless instructed otherwise. To direct the pet to take
that has the Trample attack may convince the animal to push

actions or maneuvers, the controlling character must roll an or otherwise distract the target. All checks the target makes
Easy ( ) Animal Handling check as a maneuver. A mount while distracted receive an additional .
requires an Average ( ) Animal Handling skill check to
control. The difficulty is increased by one if the character Guard: The pet will perform the Guard action. The pet moves
commands the pet to attack. around the target and makes a threatening display to
opponents, trying to prevent them from running away. The
controlling character must make an Opposed Animal
Pet Commands Handling v. Discipline check. If the check is successful, the
Whenever a character uses Animal Handling, he can direct target is immobilized. On the target’s next turn, he can try to
the pet with the following commands: get away by making the opposed check again. If the pet
Assist: The pet can take the Assist maneuver and aid the performs any other action while guarding a target, the
Immobilized effect ends.
character she is engaged with. It is up to the GM and player
to agree upon what the creature can and cannot do. Protect: While engaged with the character or an ally, the pet
will take the Protect maneuver. Any opponent attacking the
Attack: The companion will attack the targeted opponent. In
the case of a mount, its attack replaces the character’s attack character receives on their attack dice pool.
while the character is mounted. If the character is not Retrieve: The pet can bring an item to either the character or
mounted, the companion can make a separate attack. an ally. A companion cannot carry an item with an
Come: As an incidental, the character can instruct the pet to encumbrance rating larger than its silhouette plus 2. A pet can
spend its maneuver to return to the character. also be instructed pick up a specific item or drop it in a
location.
Distract: The companion will perform a Distract maneuver.
The pet may fly around the target’s head or nip at his ankles
Adventures with the Avatar

You have undoubtedly notice a lack of presence for any rules, The reincarnation cycle can only be broken, and this has been
mechanics, or guidance for the signature character of the a point of contention and source of drama throughout the
Avatar series. In large part this is due to the setting of The series, if the Avatar is killed in the Avatar State, which we’ll go
Second Age in which the Avatar has gone missing. into detail later in this section.
But what if, along the course of their adventures, the players
find the Avatar? What if your table decides to explore another The Four Elements
era in the Avatar saga, among Kyoshi or Roku? Perhaps the Unique among the benders across the world, only the Avatar
setting is made up altogether, taking place in one of the many can wield and master the use of all four elements, beginning
forgotten periods of time. Who is the Avatar and what is their with the bending art of their own birth nation.
role in this world?
In general, this should not impose much of a burden on the
Whether as an NPC or as a player character, the GM should Game Master, or an Avatar Player Character. In fact, this may
not be without the tools necessary to facilitate a game where be a relief for the player who has access to the forms of all
the Avatar is core to the experience. four elements. Maybe the most difficult decision will be which
form to master next.
The Avatar’s Role For an NPC Avatar, whether friend or foe, the forms they know
A central and recurring theme of Avatar: The Last Airbender will be whatever the GM decides is necessary or convenient
and Avatar: The Legend of Korra is the notion that the for the ongoing adventure. For a player whose character is the
Avatar—the person—is the human embodiment of the Avatar Avatar, there should be some consideration as to what forms
Spirit Raava. As the only physical being capable of wielding the Avatar knows at the start of the game, and how they will
all four elements, it has been the Avatar’s duty to master the acquire new ones.
four bending arts and use that power to maintain balance in
the world, and to act as a mediator between spirits and Mastering the Elements
mankind. The traditional order in which an Avatar masters the four
elements is Fire, Air, Water, and Earth beginning with the
The Avatar Cycle element of the nation or culture into which they are born.
When the human Avatar invariably dies, the Avatar Spirit Hence Avatar Aang was born an Air Nomad and mastered
reincarnates the Avatar into a new human child, born into the airbending before learning and mastering waterbending, then
next nation of the cycle. The Avatar Cycle is based on the earthbending, and finally firebending.
passage of the four seasons, which coincides with the order
in which the first Avatar, Wan, first learned the elements; fire While ultimately the GM (and perhaps the player if the Avatar
related to summer, air to autumn, water to winter, and earth is a PC) can decide on how the Avatar learns and develops
to spring. This is also the traditional order in which any these abilities, it may also depend on the game setting.
incarnation masters the elements, usually beginning with the
Does the Avatar know they’re the Avatar? This can present a
bending art of their own culture.
number of dramatic themes around which a GM could direct
a whole campaign. Consider the journey of Aang and his

friends. It took Aang many adventures over the course of a
year to travel the world in search of bending masters to teach
Simultaneous Bending
him the element. This same theme could be a central feature The Avatar is capable of bending more than one element
of your own campaign: seeking a teacher, mastering the four simultaneously. Avatar Aang first demonstrated this ability
elements, and becoming a “fully realized” Avatar—one who while stranded in the desert, when he bent water from a cloud
has mastered the four elements and the Avatar State. into Katara's water pouch while flying with airbending at the
same time, and again in Ba Sing Se when he used his
For players, even non-Avatar or nonbending characters, earthbending to recreate a zoo while traveling on the air
traveling the world and even retracing a past Avatar’s scooter made by his airbending.
footsteps could be a lot of fun. It gives an Avatar PC some
something to strive for and, when accomplished, a Mechanically, a character can only perform a single action
satisfactory gaming experience. The tension and drama which during their turn with few rare exceptions. In the case of the
inevitably arise from the conflict of crossing political borders, Avatar, who can perform two or more techniques
interfering in local affairs, and being the Avatar could make for simultaneously, we recommend that the GM follow rules
a memorable campaign. similar to those defined for Two Weapon Fighting. The
character should choose a primary form, and designate all
Since an Avatar PC will likely gain experience points at the others as secondary forms.
same rate of other players, one recommendation is to permit
the Avatar PC to learn and master forms of their element at a Because forms may be keyed to a different Characteristic, the
discount of 5 XP (to a minimum of 5 XP). This could represent Avatar must use whichever Characteristic is lowest to build
the Avatar’s inherent knack for bending in general (being part- the dice pool. He then compares the difficulty of the two to four
Spirit), and a native predisposition for their birth element. In forms and selects the check with the highest base difficulty.
this way, once an Avatar begins branching out into the other Finally, that difficult is upgraded a number of times equal to
elements, they will not be forced to sink all of their XP into a the number of different elements being used at once. For
single element to feel effective. The GM should not forget the example, if the Avatar is using both a Fire and a Water form,
suggestions in the section on Masters earlier in this chapter the difficulty will be upgraded once. Recall that upgrading a
which talk about the XP discounts toward learning and means changing it to a .
upgrading forms with the assistance of a bending instructor.
If the Avatar succeeds on his skill check, he hits with his
This discount will greatly aide an Avatar character whose duty
primary form as normal. He may then spend aa or a t to
it is to seek out and learn the four elements from a master
hit with his secondary forms as well; if there is more than one
anyway.
secondary form, each must be activated separately with aa.
A t can be used to activate any number of secondary forms
Inner Conflict at once.
Each Avatar has a particular element with which a low affinity
is established, dictated by the personality of that Avatar. This
element can be difficult to learn, sometimes proving The Avatar State
impossible to control until faced with a situation in which the The strongest and most powerful ability that the Avatar can
Avatar is forced to reach within and manifest the power. This invoke is the Avatar State. It allows the Avatar to channel vast
is a core concept from the series and its one we recommend cosmic energies and the knowledge of previous Avatars,
the GM and players adopt into their own stories featuring the granting them increased strength and the ability to perform
Avatar. especially powerful and extraordinary feats of bending. While
in this state, the Avatar has access to bending techniques that
Although it is often the opposing element to the one of the may have not yet been learned in their current lifetime but has
Avatar's birth nation, this is not always the case. Avatar Roku no conscious control over the resulting actions, which can
found mastering waterbending particularly difficult, and cause great collateral damage.
earthbending was difficult for Avatar Aang due his
predisposition to indirectly engage in combat and evade It is possible for an Avatar to control the Avatar State, but this
problems as often as possible. Despite being a native requires great spiritual discipline and concentration. An Avatar
waterbender, Korra actually favored her opposite element and with full mastery of the Avatar State has conscious control
instead found mastering airbending the most challenging due over the State and can enter and exit it at will. Indeed, gaining
to her brash and direct nature, contrary to airbending's control over the Avatar State should be a central theme to any
philosophy of contemplation, measured action, and avoidance campaign featuring the Avatar as a Player Character, as it
of conflict. serves as yet another plothook for the player to explore the
Avatar as a character concept.
This tension drives the drama of the plot. Which element does
the Avatar struggle with, and what sort of self-actualizing Activating the Avatar State
journey will the character need to take in order to overcome
A fully realized Avatar is one who has mastery not only over
this mental and spiritual obstacle? The resolution to such an
all four elements, but over the Avatar State as well. This
inner conflict could be its own adventure.
means that they can enter and exit into this state at-will.
As the GM, you get to decide how this turmoil impacts the Additionally, the Avatar may unconsciously enter the State in
Avatar NPC or PC. Perhaps they suffer a number of on all response to perception of mortal danger, utilizing the State as
checks with that element, or maybe it takes more XP to learn a defense mechanism, or when under emotional distress.
and master its forms. Or, you could simply make the forms
inherently more difficult to execute for the Avatar.

Reflexively Avatar State at-will, the benefit may be a decreased level of
difficulty, or a waiver of any strain costs. Maybe as the GM,
When the State activates without the Avatar calling on it, the
you require the PC to declare which specific bending form
Avatar's eyes glow white constantly, and Raava's spirit allows
they intend to augment before they activate the Avatar State.
for active channeling of the energy, skills, and knowledge of
past Avatars through the body of the current Avatar, heavily
augmenting the current incarnation's bending abilities.
Limitations
In terms of use, the GM should impose some restrictions on
The State works this way almost exclusively when it is the activation of this unique and godlike ability. A general
triggered as an instinctive, unconscious reaction, a 'defense recommendation is to limit the activation of the Avatar State
mechanism' for when an Avatar's physical capabilities would to once-per-session, like a Signature Technique. Perhaps the
be insufficient to confront the current threat, or in situations of Avatar suffers no strain to perform bending techniques while
extreme emotion, specifically rage and sorrow. When the in the Avatar State, but when they exit the state they suffer
State is triggered this way, the current Avatar has little to no strain equal to their threshold, representing the sheer
control over the performed actions and may retain little to no exhaustion we see the Avatar suffer throughout the series
memory of what happened, though this is not always the case. when this state is invoked. The reason we recommend this
limitation is because no one wants to see the Avatar character
If the Avatar suffers enough wounds to reach his threshold, absolutely dominate each and every encounter; he may be
the Avatar State is reflexively triggered and lasts until the central to the plot of the series, but the supporting cast of
Avatar is hit once more, at which point the character is characters should always feel like they serve a role in the
knocked out. A Game Master or Player Character might use group as well.
a Story Point to invoke the Avatar State if it has not been
mastered, or the GM may simply ask the player to make an
appropriately difficult Resilience or Meditation check (or any
Mastering the Avatar State
check as the occasion dictates), causing the Avatar to pass In the series, we see Guru Pathik attempted to teach Aang to
into the Avatar State if they fail. While in a reflexive Avatar control the Avatar State by helping him clear his chakras, but
State, the Player has no control over their Avatar character’s Aang could not let go of Katara in exchange for cosmic power.
actions until the PC can be calmed down or otherwise Fire Sage Kaja informed Roku to clear his mind, but Roku
subdued. found emptying his mind of thoughts to be quite challenging
and was initially unable to do so. More often than not, the
Masterful Avatar State is activated by danger or emotional turmoil.
When the State is used intentionally, the Avatar's eyes glow Learning to control the Avatar State should absolutely be a
momentarily, and during that time the current Avatar stores source of conflict for any Avatar character whether controlled
the knowledge and energy needed so that it can be released by a player of the GM. The journey to becoming a fully realized
once exiting the State, taking only the power needed for a Avatar should not be an easy one; the GM should challenge
specific task. the players, and the Avatar PC in particular, on the road to
spiritual enlightenment.
This reduces the danger of being killed in the Avatar State and
enables a more willful, controlled use of the Avatar State's The adventures and encounters experienced by the party
power. This can only be done by an Avatar who has mastered should include many trials targeting the Avatar character, an
the State as it is a conscious use rather than an instinctual encouraging the use of bending to arrive at creative solutions
response. Mastery of this technique is part of what to puzzles, combat, and other challenges.
distinguishes an Avatar as "fully realized".
Using the Avatar State in Play The Spirit World

As part spirit, the Avatar possesses an innate connection to
The Avatar State presents further challenges to the Game
the Spirit World and is at their strongest in that realm, due to
Master when it comes to ruling how the state will affect the
being surrounded by spiritual energy. The Avatar must use
character mechanically. Ultimately the decision is up to each
their connection to the Spirit World to be the bridge between
GM as they determine what is necessary for the story.
the two worlds in order to keep peace between them and
Of course the easiest approach would be to simply lower the ensure harmony.
difficulty or strain requirements of any form the character uses
When in the Spirit World, the Avatar should act as though they
while in this state. But what if you want to differentiate
are in the Avatar State.
between the reflexive use and masterful use of this state?
After all, the PC should be rewarded with greater benefits if Using the Meditation skill, it is possible for the Avatar
they set out to master the Avatar State; otherwise, what stops character to attempt to cross into the Spirit World at-will; visits
them from relying on its reflexive form? to the Spirit World in this way are not physical journeys, and
as a result the Avatar cannot use his bending abilities while in
Unconscious activation of the state could grant the character
the Spirit World.
access to unlearned forms, or temporary access to all of a
form’s upgrades. Perhaps all of the character’s are
upgraded to when making a Bending or Bending Arts Energybending
skill check; some should also be upgraded to reflect the The Avatar also possesses the ability to bend energy itself,
possibility for disastrous consequences of unleashing this raw although few Avatars have learned this technique, and even
and unchecked power. However, if the player activates the fewer have used it.

Avatar Aang learned to bend the energy of life itself from the force behind a plot. In The Last Airbender, the central tension
last living lion turtle and used it to remove Phoenix King Ozai's is the inevitable confrontation with the Fire Lord. In The
firebending, ending the Hundred Year War. He later used it to Legend of Korra, it could be argued that the central tension
end Yakone's reign of terror in Republic City by stripping him across all four seasons is Korra’s internal struggle to fulfill her
of his waterbending. Korra was also taught this ability after duty as the Avatar in a world that felt like it no longer needed
connecting with Aang when she lost her bending. Aang used the Avatar.
this ability to restore her bending and she likewise did the
same for Lin Beifong and many other victims of Amon's Unsurprisingly, a core tenet of the Avatar series is that the plot
unique technique. centers on its titular character. Thus the stories you tell may
also revolve around this character and their impact on the
While the series only ever really shows energybending in its world.
capacity to give or take away bending ability it is reasonable
to imagine that the technique may be used to create a broad Gravitas
range of spiritual effects. It is possible that spiritbending is When you include the Avatar in your narrative, you should
subtype of energybending, for example. expect the party’s actions to have potentially considerable
Much like the Avatar State, the use of this ability should be outcomes; the mere presence of the Avatar may escalate your
limited to once-per-session and should be relevant to the narrative to extremes—or it may serve as a counterbalance to
narrative circumstances leading up to its use. the party, keeping them in check. The Avatar may even be the
antagonist (perhaps the players threw the world out of
balance by starting a border dispute).
The Avatar Narrative
With a character as powerful and near-omnipotent as the Whether the Avatar is an NPC or a Player Character, consider
Avatar, it can be challenging to facilitate a game where the the following questions, as the answer to each can have a
players felt like their characters actions carried weight; that considerable impact on the narrative of your adventures.
their choices mattered. If you have an Avatar NPC, consider
 About how old is the Avatar? Do they know they are
the central conflict of your adventure, or your campaign
the Avatar?
overall. Ask yourself, “Why isn’t the Avatar stopping this?” If
 What is the public opinion toward the Avatar? Are
you can’t think of a reason, maybe it’s time the players met
they revered or feared? Loved or hated? Admired or
the Avatar, or try to think of a plausible scenario for the
admonished?
Avatar’s absence.
 What are the major factions in your world and who
In The Second Age, that scenario is the disappearance of are their leaders? How might their ambitions come
Avatar Korra after she defeats Zaheer. In the series, Korra’s into conflict with the Avatar?
retreat lasts for three years and the world continues turning in  Does the Avatar have a specific antagonist or
her absence. Notably, the Earth Kingdom is being nemesis? Are they being hunted down or otherwise
reorganized after the collapse of the monarchy. Warlords, persecuted?
governors, petty kings, raiders, and would-be emperors all are
vying for control in this power vacuum. Enter: the players, Your answers to these questions, and countless others which
stage right. will arise over the course of play, will shape the world in which
the PCs are dropped. Many of these questions can be used
Of course you can choose to allow one of your players to to determine what the driving force of your adventure even is.
assume the Avatar character, someone familiar or unknown. It would be relatively simple to start your players (one of whom
You can play during any time or era in the history of Avatar— is the Avatar) in the middle of a chase and tell them, “The
known or unknown. With named Avatars, we have some Avatar is being hunted down!” As the GM, figuring out ‘Who’
context for their actions and their lives; we see the struggles and ‘Why’ can be informed by the actions taken by the
faced by Avatars Kuruk, Kyoshi, and Roku. But if you decide players.
to invent your own Avatar, in a past yet to remembered (or a
future yet to be born), you’ll have to consider how they fit in to Perhaps less important than who the antagonists are, you as
your world. Are they a driving force, or a passive observer? the GM must know who the PCs are: what do they need?
What would they do next? When you consider the motivations
of not just the players, but their characters, you add a level of
Central Tension emotional authenticity to the story.
Just one of the many ways a story can be told, the central
tension is the main problem of the story and is often the driving

Masters
In The Second Age, many characters are emergent in their section allows quick master generation, it is wise to carefully
bending abilities, only just beginning to discover their consider how a mentor figure fits into a campaign. GMs could
connection to the natural world and the spirits. Many in this further enrich masters with Backgrounds and Motivations.
era are unaware of their true potential, because for modernity
bending has become a mundane spectacle and utilitarian While most masters are powerful benders, some might not be
resource. Benders are forced to learn what they can on their able to bend the elements at all. Perhaps the mentor is a
own, or search for guidance in ancient, hard-to-find master swordsman, or an eccentric inventor, or a renowned
documents. However, a lucky (and sometimes wealthy) few martial artist. Masters might have worked closely with
enjoy the guidance of a master who teaches students how to benders, as Master Piandao did in his work with the White
control and shape the elements. Lotus. A scholar who has studied the history of the Four
Nations can also be a suitable mentor. Masters who are
Below you will find guidance for using masters in The Second nonbenders can still benefit substantially from the creation
Age campaigns, exploring how the master archetype is used process.
in Avatar to enhance a story. A suggested process is provided
for creating master NPCs with rich histories and personalities, Master History
as well as guidance for creating a master’s stat block. Masters aren’t born as such; they’re former students with a
history of their own filled with adventures, mistakes, and
Guiding Voice lessons learned. GMs should consider three important
The master is a classic literary archetype common to heroic questions to summarize a master’s pertinent history: First,
fiction throughout the ages. The primary role of masters is to how did the master acquire their skills? Second, what did the
share their knowledge and wisdom with less experienced master do during (or after) the Hundred Year War? Finally,
heroes. Avatar has many such characters throughout its how has the master integrated to the general peacetime which
canon, the most iconic of whom may perhaps be the Dragon followed?
of the West, Uncle Iroh. However, masters can have a darker
Even the most broad and basic answers to these open-ended
counterpart who tempts and lures the hero toward a less noble
questions should provide GMs with a framework of the
path. In mythology, this is the Trickster, another timeless
master’s prior experiences. After each question, potential
archetype. This character also possesses secret knowledge
answers are explored to guide and inspire GMs to create
and experience. Avatar’s trickster would be Princess Azula,
unique histories. Even if the mentor has little interest in
who tempts and taunts Prince Zuko throughout his
reminiscing with the PCs, considering these questions
development.
provides something to latch onto when playing the character.
Researching classic literary mentors can be helpful in
designing mast figures for The Second Age, and GMs with Master Personality
well-designed and well-played masters can elevate a good To get a sense of a master’s personality, there are some
game to a great one. Masters can have their own story arcs general mentoring styles and complications to consider as a
that allow their relationships with their students to grow and starting place. Creating a teaching style to define how the
evolve over the course of a campaign. They can also have master interacts with their students can guide the GM into
storied histories, which the GM can reveal in bits and pieces acting as the character.
over the course of play. These elements can combine to form
a satisfying subplot that helps provide continuity between Teaching Style
adventures while also providing tangible benefits to the party. All teachers seek to share knowledge and wisdom, but there
are as many approaches to teaching as there are grains of
Iconic Masters sand in the Si Wong Desert. When creating a master, the GM
The Avatar universe is brimming with classic mentor figures should carefully consider what their teaching style is meant to
from which GMs can take inspiration to craft their own, unique reflect. The Gm might decide that the master behaves
masters and instructors. Noble rulers like King Bumi, and differently toward specific members of the party. Some
humble heroes like General Iroh, or Toph Beifong, or even masters might have a different style for each student, tailoring
nonbenders like Guru Pathik. Apprentices, especially the methods to get the best from each.
Avatar, owed their masters a debt of gratitude and likely would
not have triumphed without the wisdom and knowledge of Teaching Complications
their teachers. Many would later go on to become mentors to Few mentors are perfect. Most have already seen war,
other young benders, as well. experienced great loss, and endured traumatic events. Some
wear the scars of the past physically, but most carry wounds
Masters generally follow three narrative archetypes… much deeper. When bending students seek instruction, they
may find their mentor needs rescuing from inner demons
Creating a Master before they can receive any instruction.
Masters can be pivotal figures in any bender’s story (even
GMs should use complications as an opportunity to explore a
nonbenders can benefit from masters), making the creation of
master’s character flaws. Complications can later the means
masters an important step for any game that intends to include
by which PCs interact with their master, or create new
them. This section helps GMs create masters with colorful
histories, rich personalities, and unique statistics. While this
problems for the PCs that can serve as adventure hooks or Master Bending Forms
complicate existing quests.
To determine what Forms and upgrades a master possess,
Complications are also an excellent way to help the GM create the master first gets all of the Basic Forms of the appropriate
a character arc for a master. Overcoming one complication element. Then, add the PCs’ collective ranks in Bending
while adding more creates a sense of narrative thrust as the Arts. The GM can select a number of upgrades for the master
mentor grows and changes. A master might overcome a fear equal to the party’s combined ranks in Bending Arts.
of the Fire Nation only to replace it with anger. The master’s
actions might lead to suffering a terrible wound in combat. Using a Master
GMs can use complications like this to serve as milestones for Once per game session, a Player Character may attempt to
mentor development, creating memorable scenes along the learn their next skill rank, Bending Form, Form upgrade, or
way. talent from their master at a reduced XP cost. The attempt to
learn is based on a skill check with a difficulty equal to the cost
NPC Masters of the Skill, Form, Talent, or upgrade divided by 5. Doing this
Master stat blocks should be as unique as master signifies that you are buying that ability during the session,
personalities, and below is some basic guidance for creating regardless of success, and requires you to have enough XP
masters. To start, all Masters should be nemesis-level NPCs. to buy the ability at normal XP cost.
GMs should feel free to create their own nemesis-level NPCs
or even modify the stat blocks included in Chapter XII: This applies for any PC who knows an NPC who can teach
Adversaries & Creatures to create their own masters. them, such as a bending Master, a war veteran, a scholar, or
anyone who has the ability and is willing to teach the PC.
Master Skills The check takes 24 in-game hours and represents the
When building a master for the party, the GM should look at character investing the time and effort toward learning from
the master’s skill suite, choose half of the skills listed, and give their instructor. This amount of time can be broken up over the
the master two ranks in each of those skills. The GM should course of several in-game days. The PC will benefit from this
take the other half of the skills listed and give the master four once the in-game time requirement has been satisfied, or the
ranks each in those skills. end of the game session occurs, whichever comes first.
Depending on how well the PC trains, they could master the
Finally, the GM should select two skills not listed in the skill
new ability quickly. Additional results can be applied
suite. The master should gain one rank each in those skills, to
narratively and mechanically to show how well or how poorly
represent how diverse and well-rounded their experiences
the training goes, whether any strain is recovered or suffered
are.
during the process, etc.
Master Talents Success on these checks represent the training going well
In addition to the talents listed for any particular nemesis and allows the character to purchase the new ability for 5
template, GMs can select an additional five talents, ignoring fewer XP, to a minimum of 5 XP. Failure means the PC must
tree prerequisites. However, if a talent requires having still purchase the ability, but at normal XP rates.
another talent to activate (such as an Expert or Master talent),
the improved talent cannot function without the base talent.
Signature Techniques
Player characters have the potential to become ballad-worthy only be activated once per session. Unless otherwise stated
protagonists, developing unique capabilities that set them or designed, activating a Signature Technique is an incidental.
apart from the ordinary inhabitants of the world. As the
characters gain knowledge and learn from their experiences,
they may have the opportunity to sit down and develop a
Creating a Signature Technique
technique or two of their own. The overall structure of a Signature Technique is described
here. Players can consult this information to design their own
Signature Technique. Once finished, players will have a
Using a Signature Technique Signature Technique custom-tailored to their character.
Signature Techniques are powerful by design, so there are
some limitations on how they are acquired and when they can 1. Choose Primary Effect: The primary effect is the
be used. However, as you will see later in this section, core of your Signature Technique. It defines what the
Signature Techniques can be customized with ability points ability does when you activate it. Even at the base
to reduce these restrictions. level, these effects should be potent—their initial
limitations notwithstanding.
After character creation and the game has begun, when a 2. Choose Improved Effects: The Expert and Master
character acquires their first fifth-tier talent, or earns their first Effects create two additional tiers to your character’s
100 XP (whichever comes first), they may choose to develop Signature Technique, supplementing the base ability
a Signature Technique. with more utility. These represent the characters’
honing their Signature Technique over time.
By default, activating a Signature Techniques requires you to Development of one’s technique through a lifetime of
spend 2 Story Points. The effects of the Technique last until experience.
the end of your character’s next turn, and the Technique may
3. Determine Your Technique’s Origin: How does player fill in the narrative details of an otherwise purely
your character come by or develop their mechanical effect:
extraordinary talents? Did they learn from a master,
or did they shape the ability through blood, sweat,  Does your character remember facing a problem like
and tears? this before?
4. Name Your Technique: Every Signature Technique  Does your character have a tool that might be helpful
should have a unique name—that’s what makes here?
them signature.  What might your character have overlooked at first?
Step 1 – Choose a Primary Effect Creating the Base Ability

A primary effect is the core of a Signature Technique. The Signature Techniques with mechanical effects are, for the
effect tells you what your ability does—the benefit your most part, essentially skill checks (“spend 2 Story Points to
character gains from activating it. A Signature Technique gets make a Persuasion check for this once-per-session
only one primary effect, so choose carefully! Your character outcome”). If successful, these potent abilities should allow
receives the benefits for the base ability only, unless you the Player Character to achieve some specific, otherwise
spend ability points to upgrade to the expert or master version. unachievable effect and should have two general
Unless stated otherwise, the benefits of each level of the requirements:
effect are cumulative, so if you spend ability points for the  The skill check should be at least Hard ( )
Expert effect, your character still receives the benefits of the difficulty and;
Base effect.
 The skill can only be one that is marked as a class
When deciding on and describing a primary ability effect, look skill for the character;
to your character’s concept and what you know and have
This ensures that the Signature Technique is specific to the
learned about them over the course of your adventures. Their
character’s archetype and role within the party, as well as
Signature Technique is central to who they are, and the
feeding into the narrative. The inclusion of a baseline difficult
journey they’ve taken. It defines your character.
brings with it the element of suspense—what if I miss this? is
the risk worth it? a player might think. This train of thought
Types of Signature Techniques adds to the drama of the encounter if the player thinks even
Although all Signature Techniques will have some sort of their Signature Technique could have unforeseen
impact on the ongoing narrative, some can have primarily consequences. It also creates room for improvement, as the
narrative effects, allowing the character to instantly gain Player Character can upgrade the ability down the road to
access to something the group would not normally have. This lower the difficulty of the skill check, reflecting their character
could be knowledge or information crucial to the plot, or a growth and development. As a general rule, if the Signature
previously-undisclosed item that turns the tide of an Technique is more difficult than Hard, the effect should be
encounter. These abilities are powerful tools that allow the proportionally more potent. After all, these abilities are meant
players and GM to work together to tell a more collaborative, to be a reward for players.
cinematic story. However, they can also pose a challenge to
the GM as the character circumvents sections of an ongoing Crafting a Signature Technique with a purely narrative effect
narrative. can be challenging for players who are new to roleplaying.
Narrative abilities essentially just happen with no input from
As a general rule, a player should consult with the GM before the player beyond them stating that they use their action, a
using a Signature Technique with a narrative effect. Together, maneuver or an incidental to invoke the effects of their
the player and the GM can decide on the effect the ability Signature Technique.
should have, fitting it into the narrative of the game.
In the case of a narrative effect, the ability may require more
While Signature Techniques can be focused around a clearly- definition and refinement than a mechanical ability tied to a
defined narrative effect, they can also be mechanically- skill check. Below are some example effects for a Signature
oriented (i.e., a skill check). With narrative abilities, the fact Technique which can be considered predominantly narrative
that a Signature Technique has a concrete outcome should in its effect:
not mean that the GM and players cannot derive storytelling
opportunities from its use. In fact, the open-ended nature of  The character’s Signature Technique can be a sort-
an ability’s effects can provide chances for creative players of Deus Ex Machina, whereby the player causes
and GMs to add to the story. something to happen that may not have happened;
 Techniques can confer instant benefits on the user,
One technique that GMs can use to encourage players to add
or across the party, or a specific target, or the entire
to the story with these game-changing abilities is to ask how
enemy squad. This might be to temporarily increase
the character achieves the effect described by the Signature
your soak or decrease your opponent’s; or to halve
Technique. Some players take to this readily, filling in the gap
the damage you take or double the damage you
between the mechanics and the story. On the other hand,
deal;
some players might find this open-ended question
 Techniques can be completely passive, simply
intimidating, and so the GM might want to narrow things down
granting the user instant access to knowledge, or an
to give the player a starting point.
item crucial to the narrative;
Specific questions from the GM can be useful for players who  Techniques can be used by players to literally pick
get stuck. The following are a few queries that might help a and choose a dice (or two) to reroll after a check has

been made under specific conditions such as a roll For mechanical Signature Techniques, some improvements
they make, or a roll made by an ally, or by an enemy. are already obvious throughout the game. Downgrade the
Alternatively, it could be a specific type of check or difficulty of the skill check, or upgrade it to achieve a more
only if a certain result is rolled, such as a d. potent effect. Techniques based on a certain theme may, as
an improvement, grant an ‘additional bonus’ when working
As you can see, Signature Techniques are meant to be tools with a series of skills governed by that Characteristic.
through which the Player Characters have a direct impact on
the narrative, quite literally shaping the story as it unfolds.
Signature Techniques should open up the possibility for PCs
Step 3 – Determine Your Technique’s
to tinker with the party’s available resources (both in-game Origin
and above-the-table) without tipping the balance entirely. The very nature of a Signature Technique implies that it is
Thus, PCs should experiment with narrative abilities which unique to the character who developed it. Where did the
modify strain, or skill check difficulty, stat bonuses, derived inspiration for this technique come from, and how does your
attributes, item attributes and qualities, or other mechanical character come by or develop their extraordinary talents?
limitations such as maneuver restrictions and environmental
conditions. Rather than grinding away at the proverbial whetstone, it is
possible that the Player Character learned their technique
Defining the Primary Effect from a reclusive master, who sought to impart lasting wisdom
Once a player has determined what their Signature Technique on the character before they left the world.
will do, they should put some thought into few other aspects
of its use: who is affected by the ability? For how long is the In fact, developing a Signature Technique may even be used
ability active? Do the effects wear off or do they persistent by the Game Master as a plot point in and of itself. A GM could
throughout the encounter? Does using the Technique count design an entire adventure around a character’s self-
as an action, a maneuver, or an incidental? (If it’s a skill check, discovery, or even introduce an NPC who is willing to share
then it must be an action). this knowledge with the player.
Generally speaking, a Signature Technique should start out Step 4 – Name Your Technique
‘weak’ in order for its Expert and Master effects to provide the Every Signature Technique needs an evocative name,
PC with room for improving their technique. Often, the first something the players can get excited about when they invoke
step to creating the base ability will be to describe how its use it, “I call upon the Tradition of Heraldry! For the next two
relates to your character; in other words, what makes this a rounds, my character gains an intimidation factor on all
signature technique that sets your character apart from attacking foes; they suffer 2 Setback as a result of being in
everyone else in the world. How is this technique not just awe of the banners I carry.”
another skill check? The examples in the later section will
include abilities which demonstrate how a solid, but brief, Naming an ability adds to the flavor of the world, and entices
description can really shape the expected outcome of a the players at the table to really get into roleplaying as their
Signature Technique. character.
Step 2 – Choose Improved Effects Signature Techniques

What sets these abilities apart from abilities, talents, and skills This section includes a brief list of example Signature
is that Signature Techniques are meant to be expanded. To Techniques. Players should feel free to use these abilities as-
reflect the lessons a player character learned, and in direct is, or tweak them. They serve as examples of what can be
correlation to the experience earned by the character, they accomplished using these guidelines, and can serve as a
can choose to improve the base ability of their Signature template for players to create their own abilities.
Technique.
As the structure is largely based off the “Heroic Ability” from
The Expert and Master Effects create two additional tiers to Fantasy Flights Games’ Realms of Terrinoth, any entry from
your character’s Signature Technique, supplementing the that section would work as a Signature Technique.
base ability with more utility.
Expert and Master effects are no different than Primary effects All the Facts
apart from the fact that they are not immediately available. Your character has a knack for knowing vital information when
Each subsequent tier should not only improve upon the last, it is needed. They might pick up on significant clues others
but also expand the scope of the ability. This should not be missed at the scene of a crime, or recall an ancient Earth
taken to mean that a mechanical Signature Technique is just Kingdom song that sheds light on a situation. Whether your
three separate skill checks, or that a character receives three character remembers important information they already
unique benefits; improved effects should absolutely relate to know or discovers something in the moment, their ability to do
the base ability in some capacity. An ability which permits the so is extraordinary. It could be thanks to an eidetic memory,
player to know any specific fact once-per-session should not years of study, spiritual connection, alchemy, or anything else.
be upgraded into an ability that grants bonus damage when
Base: While this ability is active, during each of their turns
active—unless, of course, that bonus damage were being
your character learns (or remembers) an important fact about
applied to a type of enemy whose obscure weakness has just
a situation, person, creature, place, or object of their choice.
been uncovered by the base ability of this Signature
The subject of the information must be either observable by
Technique.
your character or directly relevant to the situation.

Expert: Additionally, while this ability is active your character they fight, they weave through the battlefield, ignored by all
upgrades the ability of all checks they make once if the check others as they are locked in a duel to the end.
relates to the new information.
Base: The character may activate Infamous Duelist to
Master: For each fact you learn using the ability, you gain a challenge another character currently in battle. For two
temporary Story Point that you or another player may spend rounds, the two characters are locked in a duel. For the
before the end of the session. A temporary Story Point is duration of the duel, the two can only make attacks targeting
removed from the pool when it is used, but it is not converted each other, and no other characters may target the two
to a GM Story Point. When you use these temporary Story duelists with attacks.
Points, describe how the information your character learned
provided benefits the group. Expert: While this technique is active, your character
upgrades one when attacking the target you are dueling
Diplomatic Solution against.
The ability to bring belligerent parties to the negotiating table Master: While this technique is active, upgrade the difficultly
is no task for the fainthearted, and it is absolutely of all incoming attacks once.
indispensable to those privy to the art of the deal. Whether
with a warm smile, a stern command, or a withering glare, a Insightful Revelation
character who has mastered this ability can make the most
Many adventurers may scoff at the highly educated individual,
callous soldier of fortune balk and put away their sword.
mocking him as an ivory tower academic with no experience
Base: Once per session, when a combat encounter against in the real world. What most people don’t realize is just how
one or more NPCs (not including beasts and non-sentient effective the academic can be when he applies his formidable
spirits), the character may spend 2 Story Points to make a intellect and lengthy education to the task at hand. When
Daunting ( ) Persuasion check. If he succeeds, the confronted with an impossible quandary, the character can
combat encounter instead becomes a social encounter, with use their vast store of knowledge to analyze the problem and
the PCs attempting to convince the opposition to back down, arrive at a solution nobody else could have even conceived.
come around to their point of view, or accept a compromise.
Base: Once per session, the character may spend 2 Story
The nature of these circumstances will vary for each situation
Points to perform the Insightful Revelation action. If he does
and the NPCs involved, at the GM’s discretion.
so, he makes a Hard ( ) Knowledge (Culture) check. If
Expert: When activating Diplomatic Solution, the character he succeeds, he learns some valuable information that he did
may use any of their Charisma skills, given the relevant not previously possess. What he learns is up to the GM, but it
circumstances. must be valuable to the player in overcoming his immediate
encounter or situation, and the information cannot be obtained
Master: The character may activate Diplomatic Solution by any other means.
during their turn in combat, instead of only before combat
begins. Expert: The character may spend t generated on a
successful Insightful Revelation check to gain one additional
piece of actionable information.
Hard to Kill
When your character steels their resolve and tightens their Master: When making the Insightful Revelation action, the
grip on a weapon or a staff, they can shrug off the worst the character may replace Knowledge (Culture) with any other
enemy throws at them. In moments of dire consequence, the Knowledge skill.
face down overwhelming opposition without taking a scratch.
This might represent raw toughness and the will to power Innovating Genius
through, or it might be an effect of spirits.
In this new frontier of technology, this character has learned
Base: While this ability is active, your character gains +4 to push the limits of what many see as impossible. Engineers,
soak. botanists, and others need to be on the cutting edge to stay
relevant. This character is able to whip up functional products,
Expert: While this ability is active, your character also devices, or consumables out of just the parts and resources
increases the difficulty of combat checks targeting them by laying around.
one.
Base: The character may make a Daunting ( )
Master: While active, this technique makes your character Engineering check. If he succeeds, the character
immune to all damage; reduce all damage the character immediately uses available inventory in their immediate
suffers to 0. vicinity to create an item that serves nearly any intended
function. The item functions until the end of the encounter, at
Infamous Duelist which point it falls apart or is used up. The exact nature of the
Even in the heat of battle at a massive scale, this character item, as well as the end results, must be approved by the GM
somehow manages to ignore the chaos around them to focus based on common sense and the ongoing story.
on an individual enemy target. The character has become a Expert: The character’s item lasts until the end of the session.
master at this. When they focus on a target, all else seems to
disappear around them as they stalk their prey. In turn, as the
character begins to attack, his target is forced to focus all of
its attention on staying alive through the coming onslaught. As

Master: The character may use another skill, such as Sleight- Master: When trigger Unmatched Insight, the character
of-Hand or Knowledge (Nature) to conjure up an item using learns every facet of the target’s motivations.
relevant materials found around them.
Signature Technique Upgrades
Mental Compass As your character grows in experience, they gain ability points
Journeying the endless terrain of the world leads explorers to to spend on upgrades for their Signature Techniques.
master many different talents, not the least of which is the Obviously, upgrades improve the ability, but more importantly,
uncanny ability to know where to go no matter where they are they help to differentiate it. Even if two player characters have
on the planet. This character is able to ascertain his position similar primary ability effects for their Signature Techniques,
in the world simply by staring at the night sky, or identifying a different choices of upgrades allow the players to diverge in
particular geographic feature. purpose and story.
Base: The character may make a Hard ( ) Knowledge Your character receives ability points automatically based on
(Geography) check. If he succeeds, the character can the XP they gain through play. Every time your character’s XP
pinpoint his exact location without a map or other guide, total increases by 50, they gain one ability point to spend.
discover a lost location, or identify a safe and quick path Your character does not gain ability points based on their
through any terrain. The exact nature of what the character is starting XP determined by their archetype, nor on their first
trying to accomplish, as well as the end results, must be 100 XP earned once the game has begun.
approved by the GM.
When your character gains ability points, you decide how to
Expert: Mental Compass may be activated with the spend them. Each upgrade includes a cost, and spending the
Navigation or Survival skills. required ability points on an upgrade permanently adds the
benefit of that upgrade to your Signature Technique. Some
Master: The character may recall any location he has formerly
upgrades have a cumulative effect if you purchase it multiple
visited with perfect clarity and know the most effective route.
times.
Piece of Cake! The upgrades listed here are not exhaustive, and are meant
A combination of education and hard-earned life experiences to be examples of what a player can achieve through the
have made the character a more capable individual than they structure of the Signature Technique. In truth, nearly all
appear. When the time is right, they can put their vast aspects of a technique can be gradually improved upon.
experience to good use, making challenging things look easy,
and the impossible merely breaking a sweat. Duration
Your character’s Signature Technique effect lasts for one
Base: Once per session as a maneuver, the character may additional turn for each purchase of Duration.
spend 2 Story Points to reduce the difficulty of all class skill
checks he makes by one, to a minimum of Easy, for the Cost: 1 Ability Point
remainder of the encounter.
Frequency
Expert: Once per session, once the character has activated
Your character can activate their Signature Technique one
Piece of Cake!, he may also use it to reduce the difficulty of
additional time per session for each purchase of Frequency.
one non-class skill check he makes. This follows the same
rules as using the Base ability to reduce the difficulty of class Cost: 2 Ability Points
skills.
Improvement
Master: Once per session, once the character has activated
The first time you purchase this upgrade, it costs one ability
Piece of Cake!, he may invoke it to reroll the skill check for
point and your character’s primary ability gains the Expert
any class skill check he makes.
effect. You may purchase this upgrade a second time for two
ability points to gain the Master effect.
Unmatched Insight
To this character, people are his business—and business is Story
booming. This character has developed the astounding ability Your character only needs to spend one Story Point to
to read others with only a moment’s glance, discerning activate their Signature Technique. This upgrade can only be
precisely what to say next in order to undermine their plans or purchased once.
convince them to see things from the player’s perspective.
Cost: 2 Ability Points
Base: The character may activate this ability to instantly gain
information about two of the target character’s four
motivations. The information gained in this way should
Secondary Effects
include, at the very least, something relevant to the Add a secondary effect to your character’s Signature
character’s current predicament. Technique. When you purchase this upgrade, select a
secondary effect from the following list (or make one of your
Expert: Once Unmatched Insight has been activated, the own). You may purchase this upgrade a second time to
character may upgrade once any social skill check made if it choose a different effect, for a maximum total of two
is relevant to the information learned. secondary effects. As with the primary ability effect, you

should work with the GM to come up with an exciting narrative ability and how they first discovered or developed it, in which
explanation for each effect. case you should discuss your ideas with the GM and make
sure you both agree on what it means for your adventure and
Even if the primary effect is instantaneous, the duration of the campaign.
Signature Technique still matters for many secondary effects.
Remember, a technique lasts until the end of your character’s
turn, or longer if you have upgraded it. Example Players Creating a Signature
Cost: 1 Ability Point for first, 2 Ability Points for second Technique
The following are a few examples to illustrate the process of
Devastating creating Signature Techniques for PCs, including ways to use
While the ability is active, your character adds +2 damage to existing abilities and illuminating how origins may develop.
one hit of each of their attacks.
Tonya is ready to choose a Signature Technique for her
Diminish character, a dashing swordsman of noble birth named
Kentaro. Kentaro desires to be world renown, even though
While the ability is active, enemies within short range add
he’s already nobility. Tonya has been playing with Kentaro for
to their skill checks.
several sessions now and has really grown into the idea of a
master swordsman wandering the countryside looking for
Drain fights to show off his skills, so she decides to go with the
When your character actives their Signature Technique and Infamous Duelist template outlined above to reflect Kentaro’s
at the beginning of each of their turns it remains active, lust for combat.
enemies within short range suffer 2 strain.
Seeing everything already perfectly in-line with her character
Empowered concept, Tonya decides to call the ability “Wander and Lust”.
While the ability is active, your character adds to their skill
Brandon has been playing his character, a wandering
checks.
merchant named Garboji, for a while now and has just
accrued his first 100 XP since the campaign began. After
Empower Allies
reviewing the examples in the book, he decides that none of
Allies within short range add to their skill checks while the the Signature Techniques really mesh with his character
technique is active. concept, and so he creates his own.
Rejuvenation Garboji knows lots of people is has become well-liked by both

When your character activates their Signature Technique, and the party and NPCs, so Brandon reasons that there are
at the beginning of each turn it remains active, your character probably a few people—maybe even from his past—who are
heals 2 strain. bound to owe him favors (possibly for less-than-legal
reasons). In fact, Garboji’s origins betray his incorrigible
Rejuvenate Allies greed, so Brandon decides that this is a technique Garboji has
When your character activates their Signature Technique, and spent his whole life perfecting. He creates his Signature
at the beginning of each turn it remains active, all allies within Technique, “Spider-Snake Oil Salesman”, and determines
short range heal 2 strain. that its primary effect is to sell any item at an incredible
markup to any character who could reasonably afford it, or
have a need for it. Although he’s not sure about its
Signature Technique Origins improvements, he’s considered Garboji’s class skills and
Your character’s Signature Technique is an important part of settles on something to do with Negotiation.
who they are, so you’ll want to decide how they came by such
an impressive ability. It’s likely that during this process you’ve
already thought about the explanation of your character’s
Skill Challenges
Every player and Game Master can see it in their head: the worries for their ally, the thief has disappeared from sight. The
perfect chase scene. Three Player Characters are in hot slowest among them spots a shortcut to the right leading to
pursuit of a cat burglar NPC---she’s just escaped to the an open and busy, and they risk it; the thief will want to get
rooftops; in her dark outfit she’s hard to spot, even under the lost. But the waterbender’s grasp of the bending arts allows
moonlight. If the PCs cannot catch up to her, she will make off him to swiftly glide across rooftops using a bounty of water
with the jewels with their heads on a spike. from a nearby rooftop tank.
The thief is several structures away, but one of the PCs, the With only meters to spare, the bender manages to cut the thief
party ranger, makes a successful leap across the gap in the off from the crowd, allowing his allies to catch up to help
rooftops. Another uses his waterbending to form a small ice subdue the thief.
bridge for he and his ally to cross.
With just the party ranger only one rooftop behind, she What is a Skill Challenge?
narrowly misses the next rooftop and quickly grabs a ledge as A skill challenge is an attempt to capture a dramatic action
she tumbles between the buildings; as the rest of the party sequence and boil it down into a number of skill checks. As

you can see from the encounter above, the tension came not of the keep. It should be entirely dependent upon the
from combat or social skill checks, but from whether the circumstances of the challenge and narrative.
players were going to succeed on each successive general
skill check. There should always be a maximum number of failures to fail
the challenge, and not pass the test. Three is usually a good
Skill challenges are good for dramatic sequences like a number.
moonlight rooftop chase: a bad guy is getting away, trying to
escape, maybe he knows something or is trying to do Consider what happens narratively if they fail only one or two
something. Or maybe the players must make a daring escape skill checks during the challenge, but succeed overall. One or
from a collapsing structure. You can call for an acrobatics two failures should not necessarily impede the players or
check; a character who succeeds can leap across the gaps making the skill checks more challenging (although h and d
and close the distance. An athletics check might have similar certainly might). Players should have a chance to recover
results. Perception could mean the difference between taking from their failures, and carry on to gain enough Successes to
a shortcut or previously unnoticed path, and certain demise. pass the challenge.
Of course, not all challenges should revolve around the

physical skills. Challenges can be puzzles or social
Using the Skill Challenge
Skill challenges are a great opportunity to take something like
encounters, as well.
a montage scene, or a chase sequence, or escape a
collapsing structure...they can be used to hold a powerful
The Skill Challenge Nemesis at bay, perhaps someone the party could not likely
As a non-combat experience, the skill challenge has a few defeat, until an ally NPC shows up to help them fight.
differences from other types of encounters.
It's not important that every character be able to participate in
The Player Characters’ goal in a skill challenge is to every skill challenge. It is sufficient to simply have just enough
accumulate a target number of s on skill checks before they skill challenges that every character gets a chance to shine.
accumulate three failures. The more s you have to Otherwise if every challenge is always a physical challenge,
accumulate, the more difficult a challenge becomes. only those characters will feel useful.
The Game Master’s role should be to inform the players what Not every skill check needs to be turned into a skill challenge.
skills will be most useful during the challenge. Players should GMs should carefully consider when to use the challenge in
be encourage to come up with other skills, and provide place of a typical encounter; challenges may be best
explanations on how they would use these skills during the implemented when the stakes are high, rather than for
skill challenge. handling mundane tasks. As important to consider as what the
PCs have to gain if they succeed is what consequences they
However, during a skill challenge a PC may only use skills face when they fail?
designated as Class skills. Additionally, a player cannot use
the same skill twice in a row. Another PC may use that skill Although not everything may end in death, these may be rare
instead, and the initial player can use a different skill. opportunities the players feel that their character’s lives (or
goals) are truly on-the-line.
Skill challenges track the party’s overall Successes v. overall
Failures. Regardless of how difficult a challenge is, i.e. how
many total Successes the part attains, if they accumulate 3 Example Skill Challenges
overall Failure results, the party fails the challenge. This section briefly describes generic Skill Challenges which
you can use in your adventures, or as a jumping-off point to
Of course, it does not have to be so black and white. As the create your own unique challenges.
GM, you can easily say that that if the group fails, they have
to make another Skill check to escape the consequences. A skill challenge may be a single, large hurdle designed for
the players to overcome, or it may be broken up into multiple
Challenge the Players smaller challenges which the players must face in succession.
Many of these sub-challenges can be plucked one challenge
A typical skill challenge requires the party to accumulate three
or adapted for another to help you craft unique and compelling
Successes in order to beat the challenge. Thus, the difficulty
dramatic sequences.
comes is related to how many successes the party requires to
move beyond the challenge; more required Success means Each skill challenge is named for convenience and given a
more risk of Failure. brief description of narrative circumstances precipitating the
Skill Challenge. Skill Challenges are then broken up into
When designing skill challenges, keep in mind that a simple
Special Rules, Primary Skills, and sections for overall
challenge may only need the party to accumulate 3
Success or Failure of challenge. Additionally, some
successes. A more difficult one might be 6, and a truly
challenges may be divided into sub-challenges (also named)
impossible challenge may require 9 Success results (but the
with their own unique Special Rules, Primary Skills, or
increment need not be in threes).
Success and Failure criteria.
As failures accumulate, the consequences could be anything
from taking damage to making a final encounter more difficult; The Harrowing Escape
say the players couldn’t navigate quietly throughout the The Player Characters have just defeated a large spirit or
corridors and so the watchmen are now reinforcing the center bandit encampment. Through whatever circumstances, the

PCs have only a limited amount of time to grab as much of Bending: A successful Hard ( ) Bending Arts check
their horde as they can; the origin of this horde of wealth can can allow bender characters to explain how their bending
be anything as it applies to your story. There are number of assisted the pulley system’s repair; this could be plantbending
parcels (12 works well) that they can transport, but they are vines as rope, or using metalbending to repair crucial parts, or
deep beneath the earth and can only barely see the exit that whatever else the player can imagine and the GM agrees.
lies high above—or maybe they can’t see it at all.
Success
Special Rules Upon completion of the rope and pulley system, the players
Time Limit: 10 rounds until the structure collapses. can begin to transport the treasure up and out of the cavern.
Hazards: If at any point during the challenge a player Failure

character generates hh, ask the other players to make a Failure indicates that the players have damaged the rope and
Hard ( ) Perception check; if they succeed, they are pulley system in their attempt to reassemble it.
able to warn the character who generated the threat of a
failing rock, causing them to avoid it; if they fail, the character Secret Tunnel
receives 2 wounds and on their next check. Success and If the party notices the tunnel on the far wall (it may be too
Failure results do not count toward the skill challenge criteria. dark to see), they may instead choose to haul the loot out
either by hand or through other means. They would notice that
 Likewise, a d could inflict a critical injury.
the parcels can only be carried one at a time, unless they have
Primary Skills some kind of draft animal, a cart, or can explain some other
Perception: A successful Hard ( ) Perception check means. 1 Success for each package before 3 Failures, or until
the round limit is reached.
will cause the player to notice something odd beneath the loot
and to see that the parcels are large enough that only one can Navigation: A Hard ( ) Navigation check allows the
be carried by hand at a time. player to carry a container out of the complex labyrinthine
staircase, and to navigate their way back to the room.
 A second Perception check, or aa or a t on the
first will let the player notice the “something” beneath  Failure here means that the PC got lost while looking
the cache is a map carved onto the floor; the PCs for the exit, and must add to his next check.
gain when making Navigation checks.
Perception or Survival: A Daunting ( ) Perception
Engineering: A successful Average ( ) Engineering or Survival check enables the players to notice seemingly-
Check will tell inform the players that there is an old rope and imperceptible shifts in the air patterns, or a faint whiff of air,
pulley system which could be used to haul the treasure to the allow him to navigate himself and a package to the exit, as
surface. well as navigate back to the room.
 A second Engineering check, or aa or a t on the  Success here should also confer to the PCs
first enables the player to deduce that the party has Perception and Navigation checks for the remainder
10 rounds to transport as many parcels as they can, of the encounter.
and get themselves out, before the structure
collapses. Success: The players can still overcome this challenge
regardless of the number of parcels they manage to take back
Navigation: A successful Hard ( ) Navigation check to the surface. If they were required for a particular reason,
allows the players to locate the tunnel leading to a network of perhaps the consequences for a partial delivery are
crude stairs, possibly leading to the surface. proportional to the number of packages left behind.
Rope and Pulley Failure: If the party accumulates too many Failure results
If they notice this system, the PCs will deduce from its size before the round limit is reached, their spirits are broken, and
that it will take more than one circuit it lift all the parcels out of the underground system begins to collapse faster.
the collapsing structure; perhaps it can only hoist 3 packages
or one PC at a time. Additionally, they will notice the system Run for It
needs to be repaired before it can be used. Repairing the Whether they’re ditching the loot, or they’re running out of
system requires 3 Successes before 3 Failures. time, the players might choose to just run on out of the
collapsing system. Each failure causes the number of rounds
Athletics: A Hard ( ) Athletics check can be used to remaining to reduce by one.
help reassemble the pulley and later to pull the parcels out of
the structure. Each Success result counts as one success Athletics: An Average ( ) Athletics check lets the player
toward this aspect of the skill challenge. escape within one round. Additionally, Athletics could be used
to push a small obstacle out of the way.
Engineering: A successful Hard ( ) Engineering check
may also be used to repair the pulley system, with each Acrobatics: A Hard ( ) Acrobatics check can be used
successful result counting as one success toward the Rope by the player to hurdle across broken or uneven terrain with
and Pulley challenge. no additional setback, escaping within one round.
 A t result should confer to players who use the

pulley system to lift parcels out.

Navigation: A Hard ( ) Navigation check allows the A Hard ( ) Nature check enables the PC to try to predict
player to remember the details of the map and escape within the weather.
one round.
 A success allows them to accurately predict and
Success avoid a storm system, buying them time and
The party makes it out of the collapsing structure, with or increasing the failure threshold of this skill challenge
without all of the loot. by one.
 Failure results in an inaccurate prediction, costing
Failure the party valuable time, increasing the success
Those who did not make by the last round perish under the threshold by one and imposing on all checks for
weight of the structure, unless they make a last-minute skill the remainder of the day.
check using any of the skills above, or another if they can
make a compelling case to the GM. Athletics: Your experience traveling long distances and your
endurance allow you to guide some of your less-experienced
On the Road Again… companions. You must pass an Average ( ) check. This
skill may be used more than once.
For one reason or another, the Player Characters need to
travel across the country as quickly as possible; travel by sea Resilience: You take on extra responsibility during your
and air is not possible. Time is of the essence. They could be travels setting up camp, cooking, guard duty, breaking
escaped convicts who stole some ostrich horses and are firewood, etc. You must succeed on a Hard ( ) check.
heading toward the border. Or maybe they were hired to This skill may be used more than once.
recapture these criminals before they escape jurisdiction.
Certain members, or all of, the party are framed for a crime  t here might allow the party to bypass the nightly
they did not commit and are to be arrested. Or maybe the PCs rest requirement and travel through the night,
receive word that they are needed urgently elsewhere, and effectively gaining more time. Add one to the failure
immediately begin their travels. threshold of this challenge.
 Failure means that the character suffers on their
Special Rules next check.
This challenge requires 6 successes before acquiring 3
failures. Unless otherwise noted, each skill may only be used History: Passing a Daunting ( ) check allows the
to acquire 1 success toward the challenge requirements per PC to recall the location of nearby ruins used during the
day. Hundred Year War.
Time limit: The party has only 3 days to acquire these  Success means the party finds the ruins which can
successes, and must stop to rest each night. provide safe shelter. They receive on all checks
the next day.
Primary Skills  Failure means you are unable to find the ruins, and
Animal Handling: If the characters are using animals for have to spend the night camping in the open
travel, and they succeed a Hard ( ) Animal Handling exposed to the elements. PCs suffer on all checks
check, it means they are able to keep their animals well-fed the next day.
and in good health. They also gain on subsequent checks
which would involve travel through the use of the animal Perception: An Easy ( ) check lets you realize that some
companion. of the party is less experienced and you are able to grant
to their next check. This does not count toward success or
 Failure here imposes on those same checks. failure of the overall challenge. The party may only make this
skill check once.
Geography: If the PC succeeds on a Hard ( )
Knowledge (Geography) check the party spots a shortcut A Hard ( ) check represents your attempt to find a short
through difficult and hazardous terrain. cut. This skill check may only be made once.
 Success should allow the players to ‘buy time’ to get Survival: A Hard ( ) check represents the PCs innate
where they need to go, adding +1 to the failure ability to pursue a target or outrun a pursuer.
threshold of the challenge.
 A successful Survival check increases the failure
Nature: Similarly to Geography, the PCs may notice trails or threshold by one, buying the players more time to
other natural features which present favorable travel reach their destination.
conditions. The character must pass a Daunting ( )  A failure will increase the success threshold of the
Knowledge (Nature) check. This skill may be used more challenge by one, in addition to counting as a failure
than once. for the challenge overall.
 A failed Nature check could mean that the party got Success
lost, costing them time. The number of successes After three days the PCs arrive at their intended destination;
needed to complete this challenge increases by 1. or ahead of schedule, if the party accumulates the required
number of successful skill checks before that, allowing them
An Average ( ) Nature check does not count toward
to establish an ambush.
success or failure, and allows the party to forage for food.
Success grants the party on other checks made that day.
Failure Persuasion or Intimidate: If discovered by any locals, you
The PCs arrive too late to accomplish their primary goal or, if may attempt to persuade, bluff, or intimidate them into
they reach their failure threshold before the final day, are keeping silent about your presence with a Hard ( )
ambushed by their pursuers. check.
Nature: With a Hard ( ) check you can find a suitable

The Waiting Game place for the party to hide without disrupting the local animal
The Player Characters are to rendezvous with an escaped population, or telegraphing your presence.
prisoner and help him to safely cross the border, or reach a
designated safe house. This skill challenge can easily be  The party gains until the end of the challenge on
adapted for any scenario where the PCs need to wait in hostile all Stealth checks.
territory for the delivery or arrival of any item or person of
interest. Perception: You are able to spot potential danger or a really
great hiding place if you can make a Hard ( ) check.
Special Rules
Whatever the circumstances may be, the target of interest
Success
should become targetable at sundown. The PCs have been The prisoner, or other person or item of interest, reaches the
instructed to accomplish their task undetected by sunrise with PCs and they make for the border or other destination as
or without the package. This challenge requires 6 successes quickly and quietly as possible.
before 3 failures. Unless otherwise noted, each skill may only
Failure
be used to acquire 1 success toward the challenge
The PCs are detected before the rendezvous and they are
requirements for the entire night.
forced to improvise. They can travel deeper into foreign
Time limit: At sundown, the GM should roll a d10 to territory to try to intercept the target or they can retreat.
determine how many hours the PCs wait before the prisoner,
package, or other object of interest shows up. If the result is 1 Treasure Hunt
or 10, then the party was either too eager, or waited too long, The PCs acquire an old treasure map. They are determined
and the rendezvous is unsuccessful. Do not inform the PCs if to find the lost treasure. However, the map is really old and
this happens. Let them decide what course of action to take it’s quite difficult to read. How the characters came upon this
come sunrise. map is entirely up to the narrative of your adventure. Perhaps
a retired adventurer, unable to leave home, hires the PCs to
Group checks: The PCs must complete both group skill
recover a buried item depicted on his old map; or maybe the
checks as part of this skill challenge. Group checks are unique
map was picked up at an antique shop or inscribed on the
from other skill checks in that the outcomes affect the entire
walls of some ruins. Maybe the PCs were hired to find, or are
party. A PC may only make one Group check per round and
competing with another group of treasure hunters to locate, a
cannot make the same group check two rounds in a row.
lost artifact.
Stealth: At the end of every other round, beginning with the
first, the PCs must make a Hard ( ) check to remain Special Rules
undetected. This challenge requires 3 successes before 3 failures. Unless
otherwise noted, each skill may only be used to acquire 1
 Success means the party remains undetected and is success toward the challenge requirement.
one step closer to completing the challenge.
 Failure causes the party to be detected by a local Primary Skills
resident or some form of wildlife or spirits. The Decipher: Some of the writing and markings on the map are
success threshold for the skill challenge increases ancient or spiritual in nature. You are able to decipher some
by one. details identifying an important landmark with a Hard ( )
check.
Resilience: At the beginning of every other round, beginning
with the second, the PCs must make a Hard ( ) check Diplomacy: With an Average ( ) check you make friends
to stay alert. with some of the locals and they share stories of their
adventuring days, or about local myths and legends. Some of
 Success means all PCs remain alert and are one their details provide clues to deciphering the map.
step closer to completing the challenge.
 In addition to counting as a failure, the PCs add  Failure here could result in when negotiating and
to their checks for the remainder of the skill increase the success threshold by one, representing
challenge. the locals withholding information from you, or
collaborating with rivals.
Primary Skills
History: On a Hard ( ) check, you recall knowledge of
Athletics or Acrobatics: Climbing atop a rock or a large tree
this geographical area in the annals of some library, and its
gives you a better vantage point. You can spot approaching
history gives you insight into numerous landmarks and
danger and the package. A successful Average ( ) check
structures depicted on the map.
also grants to any Perception check. Can also be used to
cover ground quickly if the party is on the move. Nature: With an Easy ( ) check, you are able to identify
many of the landmarks coded into the map and you gain to
all checks for the remainder of the challenge.
Navigation: Your excellent navigational skills allow you to Success
pinpoint which natural landmarks represent your next step by The PCs decipher the map and know where the cache is
passing a Hard ( ) check. located. They arrive at the site before any other interested
parties.
Streetwise: You can find a local expert by passing an
Average ( ) check; the expert’s knowledge on ancient Failure
maps and cartography enable him to decipher many of the By the time the PCs decipher the map, someone else has
map’s symbols and details. The party gains to the next skill already beaten them to the treasure. Now they have to figure
check. out how to resolve this conflict and obtain the item.
Creating Encounters, Adventures, and Campaigns

Adventures are the core of each game session. Creating new Daring Enterprise – Bold Leader, Goal, Adversary
adventures can be one of the most exciting and enjoyable
aspects of becoming a Game Master. Creating an interesting Deliverance – Unfortunates, Threatener, Rescuer
story that is also fun and mechanically balanced is
Disaster – Vanquished, Victor, Messenger
challenging. This section will help the GM create his own
game using its three core elements: encounters, Discovery of Dishonor – Discoverer, Guilty
adventures, and campaigns.
An Enemy Loved – Beloved Enemy, Lover, Hater
The Second Age Adventures Enigma – Interrogator, Seeker, Problem
Avatar: The Second Age is focused on the period of
upheaval and uncertainty after Avatar Korra let the Spirit Familial Hatred – Two Conflicting Family Members
Portals remain open following the Harmonic Convergence.
This time frame fits into the narrative of Season 3 of Avatar: Familial Rivalry – Preferred Kinsman, Rejected Kinsman,
The Legend of Korra in which the Earth Queen is Object
assassinated by an airbender known as Zaheer. The world is Fatal Imprudence – Imprudent person, Victim or Lost object
out of balance, with Equalists still working from the shadows,
minor Earth kings vying for the throne against the ‘Great Faulty Judgment – Mistaken One, Victim of Mistake, Author of
Uniter’, pirates raiding the coasts, and general unrest among Mistake, Guilty Person
the nations of the world.
Involuntary Crimes of Love – Lover, Beloved, Revealer
Building Stories Loss of Loved Ones – Family or Friend slain, Witness,
Georges Polti wrote a book in which he claimed there were Executioner
only Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations and that all plots stem from
one of these 36, or are a combination of several. These are Madness – Madman, Victim
not a full list of the only possible plots to exist, but are merely Mistaken Identity – Victim, Clueless Killer, Revealer
guidelines for developing plothooks and understanding crucial
narrative components. Mistaken Jealousy – Jealous one, Object of Jealousy,
Supposed Accomplice, Author of Mistake
Along with each dramatic situation are the key elements
required for each plot. For instance, in order to run an Murderous Adultery – Two adulterers, the Betrayed
abduction scenario, at the very least an abductor NPC, an
abducted NPC (alive or otherwise), and a guardian NPC (to Obstacles to Love – Two lovers, Obstacle
jumpstart the party’s search) are all required. Beyond that, any
Obtaining – Two or more Opposing Parties, Object, Arbitrator
additional NPCs are the result of the character’s interaction
with the world and the whims of the GM. Pursuit – Fugitive from Punishment, Pursuer
The 36 Writer Plots Recovery of Lost – Seeker, Object or Person found

Abduction – Abductor, Abducted, Guardian Remorse – Culprit, Victim, Interrogator
Adultery – Deceived partner, Two Adulterers Revenge – Avenger, Criminal
All Sacrificed for Passion – Lover, Object of Passion, person Revolt – Tyrant, Conspirator(s)
or Thing Sacrificed
Rivalry Between Master and Apprentice – Master, Apprentice,
Ambition – Ambitious Character, Coveted Thing, Adversary Object
Conflict with a Spirit – Mortal, Immortal Sacrifice of Loved Ones – Heroes, Beloved Victim, Need for
Sacrifice
Crimes of Love – Lover, Beloved, Separating Force

Self-Sacrifice for Ideal – Hero, Messenger, Person or Thing stories you normally couldn’t tell in other mediums, and
sacrificed prompting the PCs to take a more personal stake in the events
of their characters’ lives. The adventure who sits in a tavern
Usurpation – Persecutor, Usurper, a Power in Authority waiting for a character to hand him something to do is less
likely to be moved by the events of his life than the adventure
Vengeance by Family upon Family – Avenging Kinsman,
who strikes out to right the wrongs going on in his own
Guilty Kinsman, Relative
backyard.
Victim of Cruelty or Misfortune – Unfortunates, Master or
Unlucky Person Setting the Stage
You are probably already familiar with some, if not most of the The Second Age is built around three types of settings:
thirty-six plots outlined above; at the very least you may have encounters, adventures, and campaigns. Encounters are
heard of them before. But what do you do with this information individual scenarios during a gaming session that together
now? There are nearly unlimited ways to interpret each of make up an adventure. Adventures are grouped together to
these plots, and a myriad of options for the structure of the comprise campaigns.
plots themselves. It would take a lifetime to explore them all.
Regardless of the scenario, every game of The Second Age
Instead, let’s look at one of the plots and devise some possible
has fundamental building blocks that help define the mode of
options based off that template.
a game, along with the types of NPCs the Player Characters
Take the Revolt plot, for instance. This is not a typical will encounter and ways for the GM to start, progress the
adventure plot, but it would allow us to build an adventure story, and finish. This section describes the basic points found
around the entire party, not just a single character. This plot in any game and how to make encounters, adventures, and
requires two major players – a tyranny, and any number of campaigns fun and exciting.
conspirators. Giving the tyrant some Rival-level henchmen
won’t hurt either, but may not always be necessary for the Modes of Play
drama. Spending just a few minutes brainstorming, we have Before the GM begins any adventure or campaign, he and the
the following plot possibilities: players should decide what mode or style of play they want
from the game. Are they looking for non-stop action, full of
 In a coastal village, disparate laborers of the former
combat and suspense? Are they more interested in role
Fire Nation colony have determined that the
playing, dialogue, and intrigue? Do they want to span the
provincial Earth king has become corrupt and needs
world or stick to a few key locations? Determine the mode of
to be put down, and they enlist the aid of the PCs in
play goes a long way in shaping everything about any
their gambit.
encounter, adventure, or campaign. There are two main
 One of the PCs has gone too far in his dealings with
modes of play: one that focuses on roleplaying and the other
others and once-loyal servants now seek to
concerned with combat and action. Neither is better or worse,
overthrow them.
and most games should use a blend of the two, either within
 The PCs own reputation is not well-respected,
individual encounters, or alternating intense action sequences
looking very dishonorable to the nobility surrounding
with deep plot interaction among the characters.
the king. If the PCs don’t step up, it might be too late
for them as well.
 An NPC leading the revolt takes matters into his own
Roleplaying
hands, leading a rebellion against the king. These types of games put the players deep in a tapestry of
 One of the PCs instigates a revolt as a power grab – characters, intrigue, and interwoven narratives. The story is
does anyone know he’s behind it? the priority, as players are focused on finding out the how and
 An entire region of the Earth continent is engulfed in why of a situation than on merely fighting their way through.
civil war. How is this possible? Who started this? Will This mode of play encourages dialogue between players and
other towns, cities, and villages follow suit? What the GM. Improvisation and quick thinking are critical, as
role do the PCs play and which side do they take? players tend to ask questions that are unexpected or can
As you can see, many of these plots play with the traditional potentially derail the plot. Lots of talking takes up time as well,
notion of PCs as protagonists and switch up their roles and, and particularly chatty players could keep the story moving at
by extension, the structure of the story. The fifth plot point a very slow rate unless the GM makes a conscious effort to
could open with the PCs in the middle of a riot, not aware that move things along.
one of their own has started this. This works especially well in Players who want to play a game emphasizing roleplaying
a group where private note-passing is common, or one in tend to invest a great deal of time and effort into their
which players can meet early (even on a different day) to work character’s personality and backstory, so the GM should be
out covert details. prepared to craft adventures and campaigns around the
The first plothook, by contrast, is a stereotypical, mission- players more than on providing set pieces for the PCs to
based adventure, and the fourth and sixth are most likely explore. The GM should also make it clear that all types of
combat-intensive. Thus, a good GM can come up with many characters are necessary for the game. Combat-oriented
different types of campaigns just from one basic plot thread. characters should still be given chances to use their
impressive martial skills whenever possible and not get left
Using the thirty-six plots means more than just handing the behind when dealing with NPCs.
PCs a mission and telling them to “fetch.” It’s about cultivating

Combat-Focused Villains
This style of play focuses on everything combat-related. The Most adventures and campaigns include one or more major
Player Characters solve most of their situations with violent villain opposing the Player Characters. While the villain could
encounters. These encounters are built around moving from be something generic, like the Earth Army, it is much more
one combat to the next, with enough variety to allow effective to make him or her an individual person or small
characters with different fighting styles, such as hand-to-hand group roughly equal in power. This puts a face on the action
or vehicle combat, to shine. Overall, this mode of play focuses of which the villain is a part. This is especially helpful when
around the mechanics of the game, letting roleplaying move the faction is unlikely to be defeated by the Player Characters.
slightly further into the background. The villain can be defeated, even if the overall organization
cannot. The villain may be known from the beginning or
This is not to say that roleplaying is not an important part of revealed as the plot develops.
the game. It just means that the players spend their time
describing their actions in detail, painting a vibrant, action- Major villains must be memorable. They are most effective if
packed scene for everyone to add to. Missions are their handiwork is seen in operation, even when they are not
straightforward: go assault this compound, take out the fleet’s around. Villains must antagonize the party at every
flagship, defend a merchant caravan from attack. As with opportunity to motivate the PCs and set up a rivalry for good
roleplay-focused games, combat-oriented games still need a role playing. That’s not to say every villain must be
variety of character types to move the story along. No outlandishly evil, but major villains should be worse than the
character should be penalized for creating a character that average bad guy.
isn’t solely geared toward fighting everyone and everything.
Villains in any adventure for The Second Age usually come
Following the rules and mechanics of The Second Age is about as a means to an end (bringing ‘order’ to a chaotic
critical to keeping this mode of game moving forward. The GM world, uniting a divided people, ravishing a countryside, etc.).
should become very familiar with both the combat rules and Contenders include very powerful benders, accomplished
how talents and skills work to keep the action from losing pirates, mercenaries, or even a politician.
momentum. Stopping to read about the basics of combat is
guaranteed to frustrate most players who enjoy this kind of Recurring Characters
game. Recurring characters are those whom the PCs encounter on
a regular basis. They usually have names and often the GM
Assembling the Cast
Every story needs a cast of memorable characters.
Sometimes, the major characters are outlined first, with the
story developing around their goals and actions. Sometimes
the plot comes first, generating characters to fulfill certain
roles or cover aspects of the story. Usually, the characters and
plot are developed together and complement each other.
Creating Non-Player Characters

The Game Master is responsible for portraying all the other
characters in the game. Populating the world with a variety of
unique characters may seem daunting, but it is simpler than it
appears. There are three major types of Non-Player
Characters in The Second Age, described below.
To keep things interesting, the GM should strive to inject most

NPCs with a modicum of personality to make them
memorable and less bland than NPCs before them.
Something as simple as an accent or a quirk will make even
the plainest of NPCs something that the PCs will remember.
Stock NPCs
Stock NPCs are the unnamed masses the Player Characters
encounter, negotiate with, and battle in most game sessions.
They are often minions or rivals. Stock NPCs in The Second
Age include the average cabbage merchant, chi blocking
henchman, foot soldier, and highway bandit. Many stock
NPCs don’t even need statistics, or can rely on standard stats
provided in this book. Stock NPCs usually don’t have much of
a backstory, or at least not one that directly influences the
adventure. They tend to be short-term contacts or
adversaries.

TABLE: PERSONALITY TRAITS
If you’re having trouble coming up with something unique about a Non-Player Character, roll on the table below once or twice
to find a jumping-off point for a character personality. Ignore opposing or nonsensical results—or don’t.
d100 Personality Trait d100 Personality Trait
01 – 02 Angry 51 – 52 Easily startled

03 – 04 Morose 53 – 54 Jovial
05 – 06 Perky 55 – 56 Nervous tic
07 – 08 Allergic 57 – 58 Grossly overweight
09 – 10 Suspicious 59 – 60 Aggressive
11 – 12 Fidgets 61 – 62 Bad breath
13 – 14 Bad odor 63 – 64 Flirtatious
15 – 16 Helpful 65 – 66 Condescending
17 – 18 Easily distracted 67 – 68 Missing limb
19 – 20 Vain 60 – 70 Trails off
21 – 22 Raspy voice 71 – 72 Very old
23 – 24 Silent 73 – 74 Unusual voice
25 – 26 Brown noser 75 – 76 Germophobic
27 – 28 Out of style 77 – 78 Laughs inappropriately
29 – 30 Childish 79 – 80 Clueless
31 – 32 Chatty 81 – 82 Hates benders
33 – 34 Dry-humored 83 – 84 Dim-witted
35 – 36 Absent-minded 85 – 86 Snobby
37 – 38 Gluttonous 87 – 88 Brash
39 – 40 Flamboyant 89 – 90 Gearhead
41 – 42 Bored 91 – 92 Partially deaf
43 – 44 Severe cough 93 – 94 Gruff
45 – 46 Xenophobic 95 – 96 Conniving
47 – 48 Rude 97 – 98 Missing eye
49 – 50 Walks with limp 99 – 00 Hiding something
will create specific stats for each. Recurring characters might and stories are equally helpful when researching better
be enemies or allies of the party. They can be anything from character creation. However, there are character elements
a stock NPC to a major villain. Rivals and nemeses are with which every GM can start.
typically recurring characters.
Select the character’s background, including their place of
Recurring Characters help make the world a more familiar origin. Most locations have distinct cultural elements that
place. They also save the GM a lot of planning time. It is much enhance or limit their role in the game. The chances of the
easier to rely on an old favorite character than to come up with PCs encountering an airbending warrior, for example, are
a new one for every session. The GM should find ways to nigh impossible. Select the character’s most influential
integrate them into the storyline. Turning background experience from home and what they learned from it. Even
characters into leading characters is a way to build a more characters who move around the world are influenced by the
layered and interesting story. It may also encourage players attitude or environment of their place of origin.
to take a greater interest in the characters overall.
What is the character’s current and former profession?
Specifically focus on how the character’s current profession
Creating Memorable NPCs influences his actions. Even NPCs have a past to be exploited
Creating an entertaining and memorable ally or enemy is by the GM or other players. Flesh out the character’s
challenging. An NPC must engage the interest of the players; personality. This is a wide-open category. Personality traits
it is usually worth the extra effort. Ideally, players should enjoy run the gamut from arrogant and overbearing to kind and wise.
interacting with these characters and recall them fondly well Pick a few basic traits and highlight them when interacting with
after the game is over. the Player Characters.
There is no single formula for creating a successful character. Give the character a distinct physical appearance: tattoos,
Books and other resources that discuss characters in novels scars, distinctive armor or clothing, unusual hair, and other

memorable physical attributes. Major characters should be alter the adventure based on the way the game plays out in
immediately recognizable. This is especially true of villains. order to keep the plot moving forward. If the players come up
Develop the character’s voice. Selecting an accent, pitch, or with something for which the GM is unprepared, he must be
tone of a voice is a crucial element in differentiating them from able to improvise entirely new scenes or NPCs on the fly.
other characters. If the GM is not good at or comfortable with
accents or other voices, he should at least describe the
character’s voice from time-to-time.
Creating and Running Encounters
Encounters are the building blocks of adventures, which in
Outline how the character treats others. Plan not only how the turn are used to assemble campaigns. Encounters represent
NPC will interact with the Player Characters, but how his a single, notable event in the game, such as combat or a
friends and enemies will as well. The NPC may not treat roleplaying scene that involves making several skill checks to
everyone the same or fairly, and the differences can reveal move the story along. Depending on the group’s play style and
more layers of the character to the players. the amount of time available, a session typically includes
anywhere from two to four encounters. This section describes
Playing a Character as the GM ways to craft fun, exciting, and interesting encounters for your
adventure.
Like all roleplaying games, in The Second Age, each player
takes on the role of a character in the Avatar universe. It is the
Game Master’s role to play the part for every other character
Keeping Encounters Exciting
in the game. Breathing life into a character is one of the most One of the key tasks for the GM is to keep encounters exciting
rewarding parts of the game; each player should strive to and the players engaged. Even the most intense fight scene
make his character unique and memorable. can sometimes devolve into both sides rooting themselves
and throwing ranged attacks in the hopes of doing some
Giving Your Character a Voice damage, forcing the encounter to slow to a crawl. The best
way to keep combat exciting is to inject unexpected events:
One of the most entertaining parts of playing any roleplaying
the rock the players are hidden behind suddenly disintegrates
game is making characters come to life through unique traits
as an earthbending adversary enters the scene. Anything that
or qualities. Players have the advantage of focusing on a
makes the players think on their feet in the heat of the moment
single character at a time and may invest a significant amount
is good for combat.
of time into creating a character’s backstory, personality, and
quirks. The character’s Honor and Motivation are driving During play, the GM should always watch for signs that
forces behind his personality. The GM should encourage players might be getting bored or are stuck in a rut. Are they
players to use these tools as a skeleton on which to add talking amongst themselves rather than focusing on the
interesting touches. Many players even enjoy changing their encounter? Are they distracted by something outside the
voice, adopting an accent when their character speaks. Not game table? Are they lost in thought when you call their name
everyone has such skill, of course. For players who want to to let them know it’s their turn? If the GM sees these signs, he
play straight, using the player’s own voice is perfectly should ramp up the action and throw something unexpected
acceptable. at the Player Characters.
Cast of Thousands Controlling Encounter Difficulty

For some GMs, the idea of portraying every other person on
Building a balanced and fair encounter is an exercise in
the planet may seem impossible. However, the job of the GM
controlling combat and environmental difficulties. While not
is to move the story along and let the players have fun, not
every encounter needs to be a fair fight, most of the time, the
create an entirely unique personality and backstory for every
player characters should have a decent chance of winning or
NPC they meet.
escaping. Adversaries in combat encounters consist of
The exceptions, of course, are the antagonists and important minions, rivals, and nemeses. When selecting adversaries,
NPCs, who should be created using the same character the GM must compare their attack skills and defense with
creation rules as those for the PCs. These NPCs should be those of the Player Characters. If they use comparable dice,
well-defined in both personality and purpose. they are appropriate individual opponents. If the PCs are
outnumbered, their opponents should include more minions
For “stock” NPCs, it is sufficient to give them one particular and rivals, which are less of a threat individually, but are more
personality trait to help PCs remember them. Archetypes work effective in numbers. Individually, their combat abilities should
well here: the exceedingly bored bureaucrat, aggressively be one or two dice lower than those of the PCs.
rude bounty hunter, or naïve celebrity. However, to make
even stock NPCs notable, it is fine to break from the norm. Balancing narrative scenes is less of a concern. Mechanically,
Not every character needs a unique voice, but small changes such scenes are usually focused on skill checks. The GM
in speech can help. simply needs to confirm that any adversaries he selects have
a roughly even chance of opposing the Player Characters’
Improvising skill checks. However, it is perfectly acceptable for opponents
One of the most important skills for any GM to master is to have greater skills and abilities in these scenes, especially
improvisation, both for dialogue and for thinking on one’s feet when dealing with new PCs.
due to changes in the story. Even when running another a pre-
scripted adventure with NPC dialogue and plotted-out stories, Using Other Dangers
there are still many times when the GM must react to Beyond the threat of adversaries, encounters might involve
unexpected questions or actions. The GM should prepare to other types of situations that prove just as dangerous.

Environmental hazards, such as lava, sandstorms, or harsh Building Encounters
weather, pose just as much of a threat as a ranger with a After outlining a plot and noting adversaries, the GM should
longbow. In these types of encounters, the skills and abilities divide the major plot points into encounters. Adventures
of the characters are more important than combat skills: usually handle encounters one of two ways. They can be
Athletics to swim across a raging river, Sailing to steer the highly linear in nature, with one encounter leading directly into
PCs’ frigate throw dangerous waters, or Acrobatics to cross a the next, or they can be more free-form, with the next
narrow ledge to get to safety. encounter dependent on the exact outcome of the one before
it. Of the two types, the free-form variety allows for the most
Environmental or situational hazards can also be added to a
flexibility during the session. Highly linear adventures run the
combat encounter to make it even more dangerous. As a
risk of making the players feel like they’ve been railroaded into
rough guide, the inclusion of some hazards, such as a blazing
specific situations, with no control over their own actions.
fire, should count as a single adversary in its own right when
Giving the players at least the illusion of free will is critical to
determining the number of enemies the PCs will face in an
maintaining the fun.
encounter. Of course, if the intention for the encounter,
especially a climactic scene, is to up the risk, then additional Adventure Pacing
dangers may simply be added to make the PCs’ task more Avatar adventures should be fast-paced, much like the
daunting. television show. While there is a place for investigation,
political intrigue, or slower events, they should be
Pacing in Encounters interspersed among skirmishes, chase scenes, dramatic
While most encounters will be very straightforward on the confrontations, and outright battles. The GM should keep the
surface, many have their own internal pacing to allow multiple action moving along at all times. Action does not always mean
events to occur. Even a ‘simple’ combat could have certain combat, however. The GM should dispense with any
stages when things happen, such as the arrival of encounter or scene that feels overly mundane, especially if it
reinforcements, a countdown of turns until a bomb goes off, can be explained in a narrative.
or until some enemy escapes during a chase. When planning
encounters, the GM should note when events occur or what Adventures are often at their best if the GM keeps the action
conditions trigger them, in addition to creating conditions that fast-paced and quick-moving. If the players are at a loss as to
end the encounter beyond the death of one side or the other. how to proceed, the GM should feel free to give them just
enough additional information to move them along to the next
The narrative structure of the dice pool should always serve scene. If the players spend too long mulling over a certain
as a guide for coming up with ideas to make encounters situation or become stalled over a specific plot point, the GM
exciting. A particularly good or bad roll should signal an abrupt can introduce something new to which the PCs must react.
change in the dynamic. When things get slow in a scene, a The other benefit of doing this is that it makes the players feel
classic trick from old noir novels and adventure serials is like they are part of a larger world that moves forward even
having someone ‘kick in the door’. An unexpected event when they do not.
breaks the slow pace or even boredom of a scene by forcing
the PCs to act. Dramatic Action
Not every scene or encounter must involve high drama.
This trick should be used sparingly and only when it makes
However, major events should have a dramatic focus. The
sense. Doing it too often means the PCs may never get a GM should create major moments that significantly impact the
chance to rest, regroup, or come up with their own solutions overall storyline. The outcomes of these encounters should
to move the story forward. Make sure it also makes sense in
have real consequences for the plot. The characters will lose
the context of the situation; it would be ludicrous if the
their means to escape from a villain if they don’t capture the
characters’ ship was boarded when there are no nearby
frigate. If every chi blocker isn’t detained, the Equalists will be
vessels floating around.
alerted to the presence of the characters’ group, putting the
whole party in jeopardy. Most dramatically, some characters
Producing the Plot may not make it through an encounter alive. If the players are
Creating a good adventure means concocting an entertaining truly concerned about the outcome of the encounter and its
and plausible plot. Adventure ideas may come from a variety effects on their characters, it quickly raises the level of drama
of sources, but it takes the GM to weave them into a playable in the scene. Failure to succeed in one part of an adventure
game session. Complicating matters is the fact that player sets up a chain of events, making it more difficult or almost
actions alter the plot almost immediately. Since players have impossible to succeed as the storyline progresses.
a habit of moving the story in unexpected directions, it falls to
the GM to create an adventure that can adapt to change and Encounter Variety
to take multiple possible outcomes into account. Each adventure includes a variety of encounter types, but The
Second Age games should feature exploration just as often
The Story Arc as combat. This gives a greater opportunity for characters of
Much like a novel or other story, an adventure story arc should every type to contribute significantly to the story. Most
contain a beginning, middle, and a climactic end. The adventures should be a mixture of combat, role playing,
beginning introduces the situation and the antagonists. The exploration, and confrontation encounters. Some may mix in
middle develops the events and the character actions. The investigation, training, and other forms of play less common
end ties up the major plot points in a dramatic finish. in typical role playing games. Encounters should also vary in
location and adversaries.

Developing Individual Adventures specific characters, to significantly contribute to the story. In
When creating the campaign, it is not necessary to fully flesh short, give players a chance to shine both in-game and out.
out all adventures at the beginning. The GM may elect to
develop each adventure in order of play. By waiting until the Prior to the Start of Play
adventure is needed, the GM may adapt the specifics to the Character creation or adjustment should be completed before
exact situation as it has developed in the game. At this point, the start of play. Honor adjustments should also be discussed
the adventure concept should be outlined and developed. and completed at this time. The GM makes the honor check,
New locations should be mapped out and the appropriate and determines whether the group’s Honor triggers and, if so,
NPCs created or noted. which player’s Honor triggers specifically. The GM then
decides whether she wants to bring up that character’s Honor
Boring Battles in the adventure or leave it alone, with any possible negative
Battle scenes and skirmishes may happen in most any locale. consequences. Honor can often be a good tool to inject drama
However, some locations are naturally more available during into an adventure, as it leaves the players wondering whether
the campaign. Setting too many encounters in these locations their actions have had an impact on the characters around
quickly becomes monotonous and restrictive. They should be them.
ignored or abandoned, but limited and controlled by the GM,
spontaneous battles notwithstanding. Likewise, if PC tactics The Opener
become too predictable from skirmish to skirmish, the GM In Fantasy Flight Games’ Edge of the Empire, the GM is
should introduce surprise elements to break the PCs out of expected to reflect the immediate situation and setting of the
their routing. adventure with an ‘Opening Scroll’ akin to every Star Wars
movie. In Avatar, each episode is specifically titled as the
Corridor, doorway, and hallway fights should be
chapter of a book and each season represents a complete
minimized or eliminated whenever possible. These battles
book in the series. The GM should strive to create this
typically discourage movement, as characters take cover or
narrative backdrop for the party so that they can become
clog the doorway. A better solution is to get the characters into
immediately familiar with the setting and so they know what
the larger (and hopefully more interesting) room or space
they might expect.
beyond the threshold before the battle begins.
For example, the campaign included with this rulebook is a
End boring chases quickly. Chases should be fast, exciting,
‘book’ titled The Great Uniter and its constituent adventures
dangerous, and finish quickly. If it becomes apparent one side
are the episodes within that book.
will never catch the other, the GM should find a way to end it
and move on to the next scene. Unexpected obstacles, a
sudden burst of speed, or a mysterious disappearance behind
Ending the Session
a momentary impediment can halt a chase immediately. Ending a session is different than ending the adventure.
Ending a session occurs midstream, when the players do not
PCs who consistently use the same Initiative order or choices have enough time to complete the adventure in one sitting.
may be making good tactical moves, but might also be The players should note the status of their characters, and jot
irritating to those who never go first. The GM can mitigate this down the exact situation they left to easily remind everyone
issue by initiating battles with those who normally act later, where the game should pick up next time. Sessions are often
while the rest are otherwise occupied. ended on cliffhangers, to keep the suspense and excitement
alive until the next session. The GM may decide to award XP
Directing the Session for longer adventures. Otherwise, he may elect to award it all
at once, when the adventure is complete.
A session of The Second Age should focus on the uncertainty
of this familiar, but strange world where the Avatar is
struggling to cope with her identity and humanity must live
Concluding the Adventure
alongside the Spirit World once again. While the Player An adventure is typically finished once the major plotline is
Characters are free to go about their business as they wish, complete. If the adventure is part of a larger campaign, some
they should be driven to achieve a better understanding of the subplots or story elements may carry over to the next
spirits and a sense of personal growth. While the PCs may be adventure. As stated before, campaign story arcs typically
tempted and even encouraged to act heroic in these uncertain span multiple adventures. The GM should award XP and
times, their noteworthy and Honorable (or dishonorable) grant other rewards at this time. Players are free to advance
deeds should generate a reaction from the world around their characters between adventures.
them. GMs should keep this in mind when playing NPCs and
improvising new characters and situations on the fly. Running a Full Campaign
Campaigns are to adventures what the Avatar books are to
GMs must remember that the Player Characters are the stars
individual episodes. A campaign is a long-term story arc in
of the show. No matter how complex or exciting the plot, the
which the action that occurs within the story of each adventure
PCs should always feel they are the center of attention.
is just a piece of the puzzle of the overall story. Campaigns
Following this notion, each individual player should get a
give the players time to play, develop, and advance their
moment to shine within an adventure. It is common for players
characters. Running a highly detailed campaign is not
to create characters focused on roles they enjoy playing, often
necessary; a GM might opt to run largely unconnected
with an effort to diversify the party and make sure all potential
adventures with the Player Characters as the only constant.
bases are covered. When crafting an adventure, the GM
However, developing a larger story arc gives the players the
should build in moments for each of those character types, or

chance to attain a greater goal than what can be story arc to proceed easily, even if the circumstances or
accomplished in a single adventure. specifics change.
Defining the Campaign Including a Major Villain

Campaigns in The Second Age are an opportunity to explore Like adventures, campaigns usually include at least on major
a new world, where every character and every nation teeters villain opposing the Player Characters. Creating such a villain
on the edge of uncertainty due to the actions of Avatar Korra. and including them in individual adventures was described
The Spirit Portals are left to remain permanently open after earlier in this chapter.
the Harmonic Convergence. Airbending has been
reintroduced to the world. Spirits and mankind alike must once The Game Master needs to keep a few factors in mind when
again find a way to live together in peace. How the Player creating and using a major villain for a campaign. Like Player
Characters decide to live and react to this world is the driving Characters, major villains (or any important NPCs) gain XP
factor of the story and their actions (or inaction) reflect and increase their skills and abilities over time. As the PCs
mechanically in the game as they fulfill or neglect their Honor. grow in power, so too should the villain on a one-to-one basis
to keep them strong enough to be a threat to the PCs. Even
Characters may come from all walks of life. Some characters in sessions where the PCs didn’t directly confront the villain,
may have a shady past, or perhaps they are downright corrupt the GM should grant XP to the villain to take into account
and dangerous. Other characters may simply want to acquire training and other adventures they were engaged in off-
wealth through legitimate means, or explore the world in screen.
search of ancient relics and cultural artefacts. Still others may
want to hone their abilities and become a bending master, Of course, a major villain could merely serve as an ‘invisible’
perhaps even attempt to discover yet unknown techniques. threat, making the PCs’ lives miserable, but rarely appearing
Depending on the type of campaign the GM wants to run, the in person. In this scenario, the villain makes their presence
PCs could find themselves on the frontlines of a war between known through proxy agents, distinctive messages, or even
two peoples, or amid a skirmish at sea. Alternatively, the GM communication directly with the PCs. This saves the villain for
could send the PCs on a hunt to recover lost knowledge. direct confrontation in later scenes. In this scenario, the villain
Exploration of the self and of the world are key to successful may be intentionally built up with far more power than the PCs
campaigns in The Second Age. in early sessions, being roughly equal in abilities by the time
the PCs meet up face-to-face.
Outlining the Campaign
Campaigns are made of multiple adventures, usually three or
Including a Master
more, that require multiple game sessions to complete. Some In The Second Age, many characters are emergent in their
campaigns may last weeks, months, or even years in real bending abilities, only just beginning to discover their
time. When creating a new campaign, the GM should outline connection to the natural world and the spirits. Many in this
the major events, locations, and characters of the story arc. It era are unaware of their true potential, because for modernity
isn't necessary to understand every connection to every story bending has become a mundane spectacle and utilitarian
idea from the beginning. A loose, logical progression of major resource. Benders are forced to learn what they can on their
events will form a skeletal plot that can be detailed as play own, or search for guidance in ancient, hard-to-find
proceeds, especially when creating individual adventures. documents. However, a lucky (and sometimes wealthy) few
Much like adventures, campaigns usually have a beginning, enjoy the guidance of a master who teaches students how to
middle, and end, though it may use multiple adventures within control and shape the elements.
each act.
Selecting Locations
Linear and Non-Linear Campaigns The world of Avatar is filled with fantastic locations as well as
Like adventures, campaigns may use a linear or non-linear exotic, and sometimes familiar, environments. GMs should
progression of stories. Linear progressions allow one story to select spectacular locations when creating their adventures
build directly on the events of the previous adventure. and campaigns. For example, the harsh conditions of the Si
However, they tend to restrict Player Character freedom to Wong desert, the frozen tundra of the South Pole, or even the
take the story in unexpected directions. The GM must spend dense forests of the Foggy Swamp all offer drastically different
time and resources to keep the PCs on track and the players environments with their own flavor and hazards. While some
might feel railroaded if it disrupts their illusion of choice too adventure types may be run at any of these locations, they will
much. otherwise be enhanced by selecting one that complements
the NPCs and envisioned plot. Even if a location itself isn’t
A non-linear campaign takes more planning, but allows for a particularly dangerous or exotic, the inhabitants might be,
lot more flexibility in play. In a non-linear campaign, the results providing even more ideas for the GM to use in creating
of an adventure dictate which adventure comes next. When encounters and adventures.
outlining the campaign, the GM can create a flowchart or tree
of adventures where a positive, negative or other outcome Selecting individual encounter locations is also important.
links up with an adventure that is based on that result. Some They should be interesting in some fashion, whether through
adventures may be skipped by the Player Characters, location, layout, environmental effects or hazards, or even the
depending on the exact layout of the flowchart. GMs that like characters or creatures encountered. Avoid setting final
to give the players a lot of leeway in the direction of the battles or encounters in mundane locales and hallways.
campaign may find that the non-linear approach allows the These should be epic locations that add greatly to the
atmosphere and actual gameplay.
extended storylines provide multiple situations for a character
Adventures & Encounters Inspired by to leave and a new character to be introduced. GMs should
Honor and Motivation look for natural opportunities to do so, such as between
The flexible nature of the campaign format allows GMs to adventures or when the players are in a port city or other
insert adventures or encounters prompted by sudden location where they might meet a new addition to the crew or
character actions, which are informed by their Motivation or party.
Honor. When planning a campaign, the GM should outline
Usually, a player leaves due to scheduling conflicts, as other
several encounters and a couple of adventures appropriate to
life events influence playing time. However, if one or more
the PCs’ Honor and Motivation incentives. Prepared
players leave because they are not enjoying the game, the
encounters make these spontaneous actions easier for the
GM should get feedback from them and the remaining players
GM to deal with on the fly.
and consider altering the game. If the remaining players are
If the GM prefers a style of campaign that relies much more okay with the current direction and there is little the GM can
on player decisions than on GM plotting, he should regularly do to keep the departing players, there may not be much to
mine the PCs’ Honor and Motivation for encounter ideas. change.
Entire adventures and campaigns may be constructed around
these two mechanics and the situations they produce. Keeping the Campaign on Task
Keeping the campaign moving forward can be challenging
Planning Rewards when the players take the story in unexpected directions.
Every adventure in the campaign should have built-in Remember, most campaign outlines can withstand a lot of
rewards. Rewards may be money, equipment, vessels, flexing and adjustment. Feel free to insert additional
influence, or even new skills or talents. Receiving a favor, adventures, perhaps special adventures to deal with an
being introduced to an influential figure are both examples of unexpected twist, into the outline at any time. If the players
intangible, but valuable, rewards. Having a debt forgiven or want their characters to follow a path that is completely
access to a safe area are other examples. inappropriate for the campaign or create subplots along the
way, it is usually time to run an individual adventure or series
Story rewards are also a must for adventures. Completing an of encounters to play out the situation.
adventure should alter the characters’ Honor, immediate
situation, or both. Rewarded players for adhering to their Concluding the Campaign
characters’ Motivations also keeps the party happy. The conclusion of a campaign should be the highlight of the
Rewards that occur at the end of a campaign should be entire story arc. Being Avatar, it should include an impressive
impressive and grander in scale. They should significantly skirmish or battle, along with a dose of drama for the
improve the party’s situation, tie directly to the overall plot, and characters. All major plot points should be resolved logically
be impressive enough to satisfy or impress the players. If the and satisfactorily for the players.
PCs continue in a follow-up campaign, be careful when doling Many campaigns end early due to unforeseen circumstances
out the rewards and be ready for them to come into play in the or player or GM fatigue. If interest is waning, the GM should
next campaign. end the game in a satisfying way, rather than letting it fall
apart. Concluding a long-running campaign should be a major
Dealing with Party Changes celebratory achievement.
Long-running campaigns increase the likelihood that players
must leave before the campaign is finished. Fortunately,

X – The Avatar Universe
Avatar: The Second Age takes place in a world that is home Nomads. Each has a unique society, wherein people known
to humans and chimerical animals, intersecting with a Spirit as benders can manipulate and control the element of their
World. nation using the physical motions of martial arts to channel
their body’s inner chi, or spiritual energies. Each location has
Power is balanced among four great Nations: Water, Earth, diverse geographical layouts, civilizations, climates, and
Fire, and Air. An order made up of men and women lead each demography, and culture.
Nation. They call themselves Waterbenders, Earthbenders,
Firebenders, and Airbenders. The most powerful Bender in For clarity, events are dated in the Avatar universe in relation
the world is the Avatar, the spirit of the planet incarnate. He to whether they occur before Fire Lord Sozin’s genocide of the
alone masters all four of the elements and maintains world Airbenders (BG) or after the genocide (AG).
order. Human civilization is divided into distinct regions: The
Water Tribes, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation, and the Air
The Spirit World

The Spirit World is a parallel plane of that coexists alongside Harmonic Convergence of 171 AG, when Vaatu used the
the mortal world, and is home to the spirits, immortal increased spiritual energy to break free from his prison inside
supernatural entities which often embody different aspects of the Tree of Time. After the Dark Spirit was defeated, Avatar
life and nature. Korra decided to leave the spirit portals open permanently,
once again uniting the Spirit and the mortal world.
Prior to 171 AG and the opening of the spirit portals, it was
extremely difficult—indeed quite rare—for any human, other
than the Avatar, to enter the Spirit World; conversely, only a Spirits
handful of spirits were capable of existing physically in the The Spirit World is home to many entities, several of which
mortal world, and doing so required them to give up their have existed long before the Avatar, or humanity for that
immortality. The Spirit World and the physical world are matter, existed. Below are a few beings who have had a
closest together during the solstices, which made it possible tremendous impact on the world leading up to the Harmonic
for spirits to manifest in the mortal world and for humans to Convergence of 171 AG.
pass into the Spirit World more easily. There are also certain
locations in the physical world which act as bridges to the Raava
Spirit World; these locations are often revered by the cultures Raava is the spirit of peace and light and, after fusing with
living near them, such as the Spirit Oasis in the North Pole. Wan, the Avatar Spirit. She is one of the oldest known spirits,
having existed over ten thousand lifetimes before the
The Avatar acts as a spiritual bridge between both worlds and
appearance of the first humans. She and Vaatu, the spirit of
a fully-realized Avatar can travel between them freely.
darkness and chaos, spent much of their existence combating
Individuals who cross over to the Spirit World cannot use their
each other, at least since the Harmonic Convergence in
bending, unless they have entered physically through the
19,829 BG, with neither able to fully vanquish the other. Even
spirit portals. Despite this, the Avatar can use energybending
if Raava were to destroy Vaatu and usher in a new era of
when in the Spirit World, even when they did not enter
peace, what little darkness existed in Raava would magnify
physically, as they are connected to all the spiritual energy
until Vaatu was reborn and burst forth, beginning the cycle
when in that realm.
again. The reverse would happen to Vaatu if he were
After Avatar Wan closed the spirit portals following the victorious over Raava.
Harmonic Convergence of 9829 BG, the Spirit World and the
During the Harmonic Convergence in 9,829 BG, Raava
mortal world became two separate worlds, only connected
permanently merged her essence with Wan’s, creating the
through a few mediums scattered across the planet. As the
Avatar. However, during the next convergence in 171 AG,
bridge between the two worlds, the Avatar crossed over
Raava lost her connection to Wan and all the Avatars after
several times in a spiritual form to converse with the spirits
him, but merged again with Korra, recreating the Avatar and
and ask them for guidance.
starting the Avatar Cycle anew.
There are few known ways for a mortal to enter the Spirit
World, though humans are sometimes carried into the realm Vaatu
by a spirit as the entity shifts between planes. Enlightened Vaatu is the spirit of chaos and darkness, who briefly became
individuals can cross over to the Spirit World by meditation the Dark Avatar Spirit during the Harmonic Convergence of
and others can enter physically through one of the two spirit 171 AG. He is one of the oldest known spirits, having existed
portals situated in the north and south poles. over ten thousand lifetimes before the appearance of the first
humans. He was the first spirit to cross over into the mortal
However, after the opening of the Southern spirit portal,
world, breaking down the barrier that separated it from the
unenlightened humans, such as Unalaq, could physically
plane of spirits and creating the Northern and Southern spirit
enter once again, and with them, they brought their inner
portals in the process, enabling other spirits to do the same.
darkness and anger that threatened to overtake the Spirit
World. These negative feelings were amplified during the
The Second Age v1.6 | The Avatar Universe | 189
His essence swayed the spirits to the dark side, transforming energy. Not all Avatars have met the Lion Turtle. In fact, Aang
them into dark spirits. was the first in many ages.
During the Harmonic Convergence in 9,829 BG, Vaatu was Because he is so old, a large, overgrown forest has sprouted
defeated by a merger of Wan with Raava, and subsequently on the Lion Turtle's back. The Lion Turtle stays hidden from
locked inside the Tree of Time for ten thousand years. During the world because, when submerged, he looks like an
the next Harmonic Convergence in 171 AG, Vaatu ordinary island
permanently merged his essence with Unalaq's, becoming the
Dark Avatar Spirit. Their form, however, was purified through The Avatar
spiritbending by Avatar Korra during their battle. Thus, Vaatu The Avatar formed initially when Wan permanently fused with
receded into Raava and the Avatar, where he will continue to Raava during the Harmonic Convergence of 9829 BG; it is the
grow stronger and eventually break free. human embodiment of light and peace through the connection
with the Avatar Spirit. As the only physical being with the
Tui & La ability to bend all four elements, it is considered the Avatar's
These ancient and powerful spirits keep balance in the Water duty to master the four bending arts and use that power to
Tribe. Known as Tui and La in the spirit world, they are two of keep balance among the four nations of the world, as well as
the oldest spirits on Earth. Legend says that the Ocean and between mankind and spirits.
Moon spirits permanently crossed over from the spirit world
into the mortal world near the beginning of time. They created When the Avatar dies, she is reincarnated through Raava into
the oasis in the North Pole and took the form of two koi fish. the next nation, dictated by the cyclic order: fire, air, water,
Over the ages, few have known the Ocean and Moon spirits' and earth. Mirroring the order in which the first Avatar, Wan,
true identities. But when a young lieutenant named Zhao learned the elements, this is also the traditional order in which
looted an underground Earth Kingdom library, he discovered any one incarnation is to master the elements, beginning with
that the Ocean and Moon were actually the two koi fish. He the bending art of the Avatar's birth nation. The reincarnation
kept this knowledge a secret for years, knowing it would cycle can only be broken if the Avatar is killed while in the
provide him a strategic advantage if he ever invaded the North Avatar State, Raava is removed from the Avatar and
Pole. destroyed, or the Avatar Spirit is compromised by a spiritual
infection.
Legend says that the moon was the first waterbender -- it
pushed and pulled the tides and from this, waterbenders Upon the death of an Avatar, Bending masters from the
learned to waterbend. Waterbenders are strongest at night, successive nation conduct a search to find the child
when there is a full moon. reincarnate. The successor is expected to show signs of
continuity with the one who died, such as being born within a
week of the death. These Benders carefully train the new
The Painted Lady Avatar to prepare him for his high position. First, he becomes
Known for her gentleness and healing abilities, the Painted proficient with his native element. Then, when the Avatar
Lady is a powerful and benevolent spirit who watched over the reaches maturity, he travels the world and studies with
river town of Jang Hui, until a Fire Nation factory moved in and Masters from the other three Bending disciplines. Upon
began polluting the river. It was this event that drove the completion of his training, the Avatar possesses sole control
Painted Lady away, leaving the villagers to fend for of all four elements.
themselves. As is the case with many other spirits, only
spiritually enlightened people can see the Painted Lady. Once As part spirit, the Avatar possesses an innate connection to
Katara helped the villagers of Jang Hui to drive away the Fire the Spirit World and is at their strongest in that realm, due to
Nation and clean the river, the Painted Lady revealed herself being surrounded by spiritual energy. The Avatar used that
to Katara and thanked her. connection to the Spirit World to be the bridge between the
two worlds to keep peace between them and ensure harmony.
Ran & Shaw After the Harmonic Convergence in 171 AG, however, Avatar
Revered by the Sun Warriors, Ran and Shaw are two Korra left the spirit portals open and renounced her role as the
Firebending masters who are also ancient dragons. In order bridge between the two worlds to let humans and spirits live
to learn Firebending from them, any potential student must together in harmony.
present themselves to the dragons. Ran and Shaw examine
The Avatar is also capable of recalling memories from past
you and read your heart and soul. If they deem you worthy,
lives. This ability, however, can be injured or even completely
they will teach you, if they don't, they will destroy you on the
severed. Avatar Aang unintentionally weakened his
spot. Many people have presented themselves to Ran and
connection to all his past lives who came before Avatar Roku
Shaw over the years, but the dragons have deemed worthy
when he broke off his relationship with the Fire Nation Avatar,
only a few people, including Aang, Zuko, and General Iroh.
though he managed to restore the connection. When Raava
was ripped out of Avatar Korra by Vaatu and subsequently
The Lion Turtle destroyed, Korra's link to her past lives via Raava was
This is the oldest, most ancient creature in the Avatar world. completely severed despite the light spirit's revival.
Lion Turtles existed since the world began, and pre-date the
era of the Avatar. This Lion Turtle is the last of his kind. The The Avatar also possesses the ability to bend energy itself,
rest were hunted and killed thousands of years ago. The Lion although few Avatars have learned this technique, and even
Turtle possesses timeless wisdom and powerful, spiritual fewer have used it. Avatar Aang learned it from the last living
lion turtle and used it to remove Phoenix King Ozai's
190 | The Avatar Universe | The Second Age v1.6

firebending, ending the Hundred Year War. He later used it to same for Lin Beifong and many other victims of Amon's
end Yakone's reign of terror in Republic City by stripping him unique bloodbending technique. Upon mastering control of
of his waterbending. Korra was also taught this ability after the Avatar State, after having learned to bend the four
connecting with Aang when she lost her bending. Aang used elements, an Avatar is referred to as "fully realized".
this ability to restore her bending and she likewise did the
Earth
Earth, also known as the world of Avatar, the Mortal World, or resurface through Aang's youngest son, Tenzin, and Tenzin’s
the Physical World, is the world divide into the four nations three eldest children.
and home to a multitude of species. The world is a common
name for the sum of human civilization, specifically human Having restored the buildings to their former glory, they
experience, history, or the human condition in general. The occupy the air temples, along with the newfound flying bison
World of Avatar plays home to benders and hundreds of and ring-tailed winged lemurs. Forming the new Air Nation,
chimerical creatures. Earth is surrounded by a vast void they also had a representative on the United Republic
known as outer space. Council, a spot held by an Air Acolyte and later Tenzin, the
youngest son of Avatar Aang, until 171 AG.
The world of Avatar is host to four distinct megacultures, each
representative of one of four elements, as well as a young, After the Harmonic Convergence, nonbending individuals
sovereign state created by Avatar Aang after the conclusion across the world began manifesting airbending abilities.
of the Hundred Year War. The United Republic of Nations is Tenzin has undertaken the task to train a group of airbender
unique in that it is a melting pot of cultures from all over the volunteers into a new generation of Air Nomads, to fortify a
world and is representative of all elements. still-recovering Air Nation and to perpetuate the bending
traditions of his culture. After the insurrection of the Red Lotus,
What follows is a brief description of the peoples and locations Tenzin decided that the Air Nation would roam the world,
which sets the tone for the adventure at the back of this book helping people of all nations to stop corruption and disorder.
“The Great Uniter”. Although the Air Nation continues to prosper, citizens from all
over the world discover their newfound airbending abilities
Locations every day, challenging Tenzin and the Air Nation to rebuild the
culture of the Air Nomads. After the Harmonic Convergence
Prior to the Hundred Year War, the world was divided into four of 171 AG, however, airbending resurfaced across the world
ethnographic independent nations: The Air Nomads, the in several nonbenders, and the Air Nation was formed to carry
Water Tribe, the Earth Kingdom, and the Fire Nation; on the Air Nomad tradition.
however, following the Harmony Restoration Movement, the
founding of the United Republic of Nations introduced a fifth
Air Temple Island
nation. Each location has unique physical geography,
Air Temple Island is a small isle located off the coast of
landmarks, climates, and demography which conform to the
Republic City in Yue Bay. Comprised of several structures,
quality or attributes of the nation's corresponding element.
the temple was built by Avatar Aang himself and is home to
The Air Nomads have four temples located in the north, south, Tenzin, his wife Pema, and their four children Jinora, Ikki,
east, and west of the Earth. There are two main Water Tribes, Meelo, and Rohan, as well as the Air Acolytes. Also residing
situated north and south of the Earth Kingdom, the most on the island are colonies of flying bison and ring-tailed
expansive and populated state in the world. The Fire Nation winged lemurs.
is an archipelago of volcanic islands west of the Earth
continent. Each nation has a predominant season, and Eastern Air Temple
geography has a great influence on the customs and culture The Eastern Air Temple was one of the two temples
of each country. exclusively housing female airbenders. Like the other
temples, its population was completely exterminated during
Air Nomads the Air Nomad Genocide.
The Air Nomads were a civilization composed of people who The Eastern Air Temple is one of the four original temples of
practiced the art of airbending. Although they were nomadic, the Air Nomads and, sometime after the end of the Hundred
many did inhabit four major air temples, each built on remote Year War, became inhabited by a group of Air Acolytes.
locations, only easily reachable with flying bison. Air nomads Before the war, it was one of the two air temples, the other
were a highly spiritual group of people. With an economy was being the Western Air Temple, which exclusively housed
based solely on agriculture, they were the smallest of the four female airbenders. Guru Pathik resided here for a
nations, but all their members were benders. considerable amount of time, as he waited years for Aang to
come so he could teach the Avatar how to properly control the
Before their genocide, the Air Nomads were an ecclesiastic
Avatar State. This is the temple where many avatars,
and monastic society that lacked social strata. The highest Air
including Avatar Aang, Avatar Korra, and Avatar Kuruk, came
Nomad political body was the Council of Elders until the
to train and develop a deeper connection to the Spirit World.
genocide carried out by the Fire Nation.
To preserve Air Nomad culture, Avatar Aang founded the Air

Acolytes, a group of nonbenders who volunteered to learn the
ways of the Air Nomads. Airbending also began to slowly

Northern Air Temple isolated from their sister tribes for generations and others
were largely unaware of their existence until they were
The Northern Air Temple is a temple that hosted only male
stumbled upon by Avatar Aang and his friends.
monks. It is in the upper reaches of the northern Earth
Kingdom, built upon a snow-capped mountain. This temple The people of the Water Tribe are generally peaceful, and
was also a victim of the Air Nomad Genocide, along with all strive to live in harmony with nature and the other nations of
the other air temples. By 100 AG, it had become renowned for the world. There are two primary divisions of the Water Tribe,
its arbitrary colonization by Earth Kingdom refugees, who the Northern Tribe and the Southern Tribe, though both were
were led by the mechanist. Up to that point, the area had at least de jure governed by the Northern chief until 171 AG.
undergone rapid industrialization.
Northern Water Tribe
Western Air Temple The Northern Water Tribe is the largest division of its nation
The Western Air Temple was a counterpart of the Eastern Air and is located on an island situated near the North Pole. The
Temple, maintaining only female airbenders. It is situated in capital city prospers in its isolation. No attack from the Fire
an island mountain range due north of the Fire Nation. Unlike Nation on the city during the Hundred Year War ever ended
the other air temples, this one consists of multiple small in a loss for the tribe, including the tumultuous Siege of the
structures and portions versus merely a single large one. It, North. After the fall of Ba Sing Se, the Northern Water Tribe
too, fell victim to the Air Nomad Genocide, which decimated boasted the only major city in the world to not be under Fire
all its population. The temple is also notable in that, contrary Nation jurisdiction.
to the other three temples, it is situated underneath the edge
of a cliff, as opposed to a mountaintop. The spires seem as The Northern Tribe is an independent state ruled by a
though they were constructed upside-down, and because of hereditary chiefdom. As the oldest division of the three main
that, the temple is generally difficult to locate for passers-by. Water Tribes, the Northern Tribe culture dominated both the
North Pole as well as the South Pole for centuries.
The temple features some interesting recreational spots, such
as a giant Pai Sho table, an all-day echo chamber, and an air The people of the Northern Water Tribe are traditionally
bison obstacle course and racetrack. Its design allows wind to conservative and very spiritual, but still open to change and
flow into even the deepest chambers, which made the Air reform. The Northern waterbending style is the most
Nomads feel quite at home. widespread form, practiced by waterbenders at both poles
and in the United Republic of Nations, as raids on the
Southern Air Temple Southern Water Tribe led to the southern style becoming
The Southern Air Temple sits atop a peak in the remote Patola nearly extinct during the Hundred Year War.
Mountain Range, and is one of the four original Air Nomad
temples; when Avatar Aang was born here, it was also a
dormitory for male-only airbenders. Though it remained
uninhabited for the duration of the Hundred Year War, the Southern Water Tribe
Southern Air Temple was restored to its former glory shortly The Southern Water Tribe is an independent state at the
after the conflict's end by the Air Acolytes, who remained to South Pole and the southern division of the Water Tribe. A
settle in the temple grounds to preserve Air Nomad culture federation of several smaller tribes, the South is ruled by an
through many of their observances. Elder Council, who also elects the tribe's chief. The Southern
Water Tribe achieved its independence only after the Water
The Southern Air Temple was another of the four sanctuaries Tribe Civil War in 171 AG; before, the tribe had been an
owned by the Air Nomads. It is the one located closest to the autonomous tribal confederation under the Northern Water
Southern Water Tribe and exclusively housed male Tribe's jurisdiction.
airbenders. This region is notable for being the childhood
home of Avatar Aang, and it was also the place where Avatar Before the Hundred Year War, the South was thriving and had
Roku learned airbending. a unique culture and waterbending style. After a series of
brutal Fire Nation raids, however, the South Pole was left
Located inside the Air Temple, this great hall is filled with devastated and almost without any waterbenders. Its people
statues of all the previous Avatars. It is a spiritual place that are hardy and resilient, but intelligent enough to outlast (and
the Avatar uses to connect with his or her previous lives. The outsmart) genocide.
only way to open the sanctuary door is by using Airbending.
And only the elder monks and the Avatar were allowed inside Its people are scattered across various villages and
the sanctuary. settlements. Unlike its thriving sister tribe, the people of the
Southern Water Tribe were teetering on the edge of extinction
during the Hundred Year War due to Fire Nation raids.
However, following the Siege of the North, several volunteers

Water Tribe traveled from the Northern Water Tribe to help rebuild their
The Water Tribe is a collective term for the nation of people sister tribe under the auspices of bringing “civilization” and
who practice the art of waterbending. It is one of the original technological development. Their true purpose was to extract
four nations and its citizens primarily inhabit the northern and the wealth of oil beneath the southern tribe. Through their
southernmost regions of the globe, near both poles. Many efforts, the South underwent a major expansion, and by 171
people of Water Tribe ethnicity also live in the United Republic AG, it had a large harbor city as its capital, along with
and there is a small community of waterbenders that populate numerous other smaller cities and villages scattered around
the Foggy Swamp in the Earth Kingdom, although they were the South Pole.
After a brief civil war, the Southern Water Tribe declared itself Ba Sing Se
independent from its northern counterpart.
Ba Sing Se is the monolithic capital of the Earth Kingdom,
encompassing nearly the entire northeast corner of the
Foggy Swamp Tribe country. It was the last great Earth Kingdom stronghold after
The Foggy Swamp Tribe is the third and most elusive of the the fall of Omashu. Ba Sing Se means "impenetrable city", an
three Water Tribes. The tribesmen are descendants of honorary reference to its two insurmountable walls, the gates
individuals who migrated from the South Pole to the Foggy of which have no hinges and can therefore not be opened in
Swamp in the Earth Kingdom, where they established a any way aside from the use of earthbending.
separate faction that eventually developed a distinct culture
and bending style separate from those of the two polar tribes. Within the Outer Wall lies a large expanse of farmland, Lake
Laogai, and several mountains. Between the Outer and Inner
Though an outlying expanse of the tribe, this vast and walls of the city is the agrarian zone: a large undeveloped
mysterious wetland occupies a considerable portion of the stretch of land, used primarily for farming and nature walks.
southwestern Earth Kingdom. It provides an ideal residence Although it is also a valuable wildlife refuge, the agrarian
for the Foggy Swamp Tribe, who are descended from zone's most important function is to be a massive land buffer
immigrants of the Southern Water Tribe. The Swamp has an between the Outer Wall and the Inner Wall, where all of the
extensive array of fauna and flora, the latter of which are just Ba Sing Se residents live.
a series of roots connected to one central tree, the towering
banyan grove. The city is by far the largest in the world, essentially being
more of a small country than a mere city. As a testament to its
Although technologically unsophisticated, the tribe consists of grandeur, the Earth Kingdom's roadway network is centered
clever and agile waterbenders who have developed a on the city. During the Hundred Year War, Ba Sing Se was
specialized bending style adapted for swamp use. the safest place for refugees displaced by the Fire Nation.
Specifically, the form employed by swampbenders differs Thus, a large diaspora of benders from all over the world call
significantly from conventional waterbending, as it primarily the Earth Kingdom capital home.
involves rigid bending motions and the manipulation of plant
life. Its residents are a hardy people, coming from a lineage
spanning over 5,000 years. In addition to their resilience,
many residents of Ba Sing Se are themselves charismatic to
the effect that it can uplift their social status. Those living in
Earth Kingdom the Lower Ring are always looking to move inward.
The Earth Kingdom is a massive continent led by an earth
monarch and is home to people who practice the art of Full Moon Bay
earthbending. Being the largest of the four nations, it is Full Moon Bay is a secluded cove in East Lake, located just
ethnically diverse with a variance of customs and cultural south of Ba Sing Se. It is the location of a hidden ferry station
traditions. The people of the Earth Kingdom are strong and that refugees from all over the southern portion of the Earth
persistent. The geography of the Earth Kingdom varies Kingdom come to on their way to Ba Sing Se.
tremendously, ranging from wooded forests to blazing
deserts, mountainous terrain, swamps, and grassy plains. Great Divide
This is the biggest canyon in the entire Avatar world. The
This vast realm spans an entire continent as well as several
Divide was either the result of millions of years of erosion or
subsidiary islands; it is the largest and most populated
the actions of angry earth spirits, depending on whose history
sovereignty in the world and encompasses much of the
you believe. But there's no disputing the peril involved in
eastern hemisphere. Like the Fire Nation, the Earth Kingdom
crossing the Divide. There are many ways to die on the floor
is ruled by a central monarchy. The people of the Earth
of the canyon, including by the jaws of a canyon crawler.
Kingdom are proud and strong and adhere to a philosophy of
peaceful coexistence and cooperation with the other nations Be sure to stop at the nearest Canyon Guide Station. They’re
of the world. Earthbenders use their abilities for defense and the last stop for visitors before descending into the Great
industry and fiercely defended their cities against Fire Nation Divide. And it's also the last place to ditch your food to avoid
attacks during the Hundred Year War. It also has a large attracting canyon crawlers.
economy based on agriculture and limited industry, though it
is not as economically powerful as the Fire Nation, which Si Wong Desert
benefits from advanced technology. The Si Wong Desert is the largest desert in the world. It is
The Earth Kingdom is characterized by significant ethnic and almost impossible to successfully navigate. It is sparsely
inhabited by sandbender tribes—earthbenders who have
cultural diversity, a consequence of the country's vast
adapted to the harsh conditions of the arid environment.
territorial expanse. Thus, it suffers from high levels of local
autonomy and ethnic conflict, both of which began
accelerating as the central government grew weak. Despite
Serpent’s Pass
this division, the people's recognition of the Earth Kingdom as The Serpent's Pass is a narrow strip of land between the East
a single political entity is largely strengthened through the and West Lakes that links the southern and northern halves
communal belief in a shared history and identity. However, the of the Earth Kingdom. It is one of the very few direct paths to
recent assassination at the hands of the airbender and Red the capital, Ba Sing Se. The pathway is named after the
Lotus member Zaheer has left the kingdom in chaos. serpent which guards the point at which the East and West
Lakes meet. Here, the Serpent's Pass dips below the lakes

for a limited distance. These adversities make the Serpent's Despite their ultimate loss after the Hundred Year War, Fire
Pass a typically avoided entryway into Ba Sing Se, and most Nation culture has changed very little in 70 years. Still proud,
refugees prefer to go by ferry instead. Fire Nation citizens hold the honor of others in the highest
regard. The nation’s capital, known simply as “The Capital” is
Omashu a monument to the storied legacy of the Fire Nation and the
The second largest city in the Earth Kingdom, Omashu is a nobility of its monarchy. The people of the Fire Nation have
bustling metropolis whose gates are guarded by an army of desire and will, and the energy and drive to achieve what they
Earthbenders. It is the capital of its province. Only Ba Sing Se, want. Fire Nation society places a great emphasis on respect
the titanic capital of the Earth Kingdom, is larger. It was one and honor, especially toward the nobility and elders; the
of the last great strongholds of the Earth Kingdom before its concept of the famed Agni Kai stems from these beliefs.
fall in the months before the end of the Hundred Year War.
The Fire Nation possesses an industrialized economy, fueled
Previously ruled by King Bumi, Omashu was taken over by
by raw resources it had extracted from its former overseas
the Fire Nation and renamed New Ozai. During the Day of
colonies. They possess a robust middle class, with a large
Black Sun, King Bumi single-handedly liberated Omashu, and
degree of disposable income and liberal social protocols,
all the powerless firebenders abandoned the city.
especially among its youth. Education is widespread, though
Inside the walled city, the unique Omashu delivery system is during the Hundred Year War, its primary purpose was
used to transport goods throughout the city. Earthbenders indoctrination. During the Hundred Year War, the Fire Lord
transport goods throughout Omashu using lifts and chutes. expanded the territory of the Fire Nation to access the
Omashu residents are crafty and ingenious, like their former resources of the Earth Kingdom, populating oversea colonies
mad king Bumi. Navigating their city requires a level of with forcibly relocated peasants. Over time, these grievances
intelligence only residents could possess and the history of were forgotten, and the colonies themselves became
their city is shrouded in mystery and spiritual reverence. prosperous, so much so that the citizens resisted efforts to
return them to the Fire Nation. Still, mainland citizens looked
Earthbenders built the city several centuries ago by carving it down upon those from the colonies, regarding them to be
out of a mountain. The mountain on which it's built rises out of uncultured.
a deep chasm and the only way to get to the gates of Omashu
is by walking a long, narrow path over the chasm. Capital City
This city is one of the larger cities of the four nations. It has a
Zaofu distinct layout consisting of the Royal Plaza, a forum located
Zaofu is an autonomous city state, home of the Metal Clan, directly past the harbor; an industrial district surrounded by
and regarded by some as the safest city in the world. The numerous establishments and homes; and Royal Caldera
clan's matriarch, Suyin Beifong, constructed the settlement City, a residential district situated within the crater of a
entirely out of metal in the Earth Kingdom. dormant volcano hosting the Fire Nation Royal Palace and
various homes of Fire Nation elite.
Countryside
Much like the outskirts of Republic City, the Earth Kingdom Owing to its extensive defenses, the Fire Nation Capital is
countryside is dotted with innumerable smaller cities, villages, regarded as one of the most heavily fortified cities in the world,
and settlements. Millions upon millions of citizens live alongside Ba Sing Se. This level of protection along with the
throughout the largest continent on the planet, which spans prowess of the Fire Nation Navy prevented capital from
nearly half the circumference of the entire globe. Individuals becoming a major battleground during the Hundred Year War.
who carve out a living wherever they can must be both Despite this, it came under attack on at least one occasion,
resilient yet adaptable. during the failed Invasion of the Fire Nation on the Day of
Black Sun.
Fire Nation Mainland
The Fire Nation is home to people who practice the art of
Although the Fire Nation is truly an archipelago, its largest
firebending and is an absolute monarchy led by the Fire Lord.
island is often referred to as the ‘mainland’. This island is
Being composed of several major islands and located on the
home to the Fire Nation capital as well as several minor,
equator, the nation is an archipelago. Its economy is the
outlying villages, cities, and settlements. Mainlanders are
largest and most powerful in the world with a strong industrial
well-versed in Fire Nation history and culture and are often
sector and advanced technological developments. The
connected to nobility by some degree. Mainlanders pride
climate is normally humid and warm which allows for a
themselves on their physique and bending technique. Most
diversity of flora and fauna to thrive.
citizens have an adept understanding of Martial Arts, if not a
The Fire Nation is the second-largest nation in terms of area, master’s grasp of the skill.
following the Earth Kingdom, while its economy is the most
In addition, the Fire Nation culture is enrapt with spiritual
powerful in the world; its strong industrial sector and extensive
performance. Although their overall connection to the Spirit
technological developments not only enabled the Fire Nation
World has dwindled, their ritualism has remained intact,
to create an extremely powerful military, but also initiated the
leaving Mainlanders with a base connection to their inner chi.
worldwide modernization and globalization. Before the
foundation of the United Republic and the following global
technological revolution, it was also the strongest and most
Ember Island
advanced country in the world. Ember Island is a renowned resort area located in the outer
islands of the northern Fire Nation. Set among palm trees and

luscious vegetation, it is home to many luxurious resorts and is where the most dangerous prisoners in the Fire Nation are
vacation homes for the wealthy and powerful. Many high- held, domestic and foreign alike.
ranking Fire Nation officials have vacation homes here and
the island is viewed as the top vacation destination in the Fire United Republic of Nations
Nation. The youngest of all realms in the world of the Avatar, the
The private beaches are surrounded by mountains and dunes Republic has been around for less than 100 years. After the
which create a private atmosphere for visitors. The island is Hundred Year War was over, the Fire Nation colonies in the
less known as being the home of Ta Min in the years following Earth Kingdom were granted independence as a fifth nation.
Avatar Roku's death, as well as Lord Zuko's home after he Avatar Aang envisioned it as a place where people from all
abdicated his throne in 167 AG. cultures, benders and nonbenders, could live together in
Ember Island houses an open-air arcade, which features peace. As such, its culture is an amalgamation of the other
many games and is popular with younger crowds. The four nations' cultural identities. It is run from its capital,
beaches are among the most popular in the country and host Republic City, by a president. Prior to 171 AG, the nation was
many popular kuai ball games. One of the most well-known led by five members of an assembly, called the United
small theaters in the Fire Nation, the Ember Island Theater is Republic Council, comprised of a single representative from
a popular destination for anyone visiting the island. each nation, except for the Water Tribe which had a separate
representative for its northern and southern divisions.
For those who call Ember Island home, living in a vacation
hotspot has forced residents to adapt to reflect their divergent Although it is young, many people have come to call this new
social circumstances. Many individuals are outspoken and nation home, and some are young enough to not remember a
cunning which is reflected in the commercial ventures offered time before the foundation of the Republic. It is a bustling and
by Ember Island including the Ember Island playhouse, the vibrant culture, a melting pot of the other nations where
open-air Arcade, and the many beaches and boardwalks. benders and nonbenders were meant to live in harmony.
Good intentions, however, do not always translate to a
Bhanti Tribe peaceful outcome. Thus, Republic City and its outlying
territories are awash with growing dissatisfaction of the status
The Bhanti Tribe is an oft-forgotten sect of Fire Nation
quo.
citizens, due in part to the fact that their settlement lays at the
southern tip of the archipelago. The tribe and its members With no royalty as in other cultures, the nobility are not a class
have strong spiritual connections to the world around them, in the United Republic because of the nation's break from the
and the Bhanti Tribe is the direct predecessor to the Fire Sage traditional governing systems of the world. This makes wealth
lineage. Although this village is small and isolated, several its in the United Republic something that must be striven for, not
members still venture out into the world from time to time to something that one is simply born into. Sports like pro-
bring back news of the outside world as well as to replenish bending have given way to high-paying jobs for proprietors of
food stock and to reintroduce the sky bison into its natural such businesses. The automobile industry has also proven to
habitat. Individual tribe members tend to have a very be an undertaking of great profit.
pronounced spiritual connection and are often inclined to
intellectual studies. Republic City
Republic City is the capital city of the United Republic of
Shu Jing Nations as well as one of the largest and most modern cities
Shu Jing is a town located on one of the eastern islands of the in the world, with a population of millions. Located on the
Fire Nation. Situated on a cliff that houses a system of shores of Yue Bay, it is built upon a former Fire Nation colony
waterfalls, it is one of the many small, peaceful settlements and was founded after the conclusion of the Hundred Year
tucked away throughout the Fire Nation islands. The village of War as a haven for immigrants and refugees from across the
Shu Jing is famous for its most well-known resident, the four nations. Republic City boasts significant high-rise
renowned sword master, Piandao, who lived above the village development as well as the widespread use of automobiles,
in a large castle. A military deserter, he is believed to have motorcycles, and airships.
once fought a battle against one hundred Fire Nation soldiers
and won, defeating them all. Citizens of Republic City tend to be very outspoken. With a
free press and constant updates on the political goings-on of
Shu Jing and the region that surrounds it is a renowned haven day-to-day affairs, many citizens are well-informed and thus
of pristine natural beauty and wildlife. The town is located at inclined to voice their opinions. Living in the hustle and bustle
the heart of a vast expanse of grassy hills, most of which are of several million individuals also tends to leave benders and
rocky and steep in terrain. Due to the rough surface of the nonbenders alike agile enough to traverse the crowded and
land, trees are only sporadically found in the area. Shu Jing busy streets.
itself is situated at the edge of a canyon, through which flows
a small river. Though narrow, multiple waterfalls and cataracts Yu Dao
dot the canyon, where the rock is black in coloration. The first and oldest of all Fire Nation colonies. Many of the
Fire Nation families there emigrated from the mainland over
Boiling Rock 100 years before Avatar Aang ended the Hundred Year War,
The Boiling Rock is a massive Fire Nation prison. Its name is when Yu Dao was only a tiny village at the bottom of a valley.
derived from the fact that the prison is on an island in the Together with Earth Kingdom settlers already living there,
middle of a boiling lake on a volcanic island. The Boiling Rock they built the magnificent city of Yu Dao, famed for its

metalworking produced using firebending and earthbending town was used to move goods brought from ships to various
expertise. Yu Dao is one of the richest cities in the world. locations in the Earth Kingdom. The Fire Nation recognized
the city's strategic location and attacked it very early on in the
Immediately after the conclusion of the Hundred Year War, war. It was one of the first Earth Kingdom cities destroyed.
Fire Nation citizens comprised the upper classes of Yu Dao Taku now lies abandoned on the shores of the United
while the Earth Kingdom subjects filled the ranks of the Republic of Nations, formerly the northwestern Earth
merchant and lower classes. Still, everyone was better off Kingdom.
than they were. Despite these distinct classes, Fire and Earth
citizens commingled and cohabitated. Makapu Village
After the War, Yu Dao became the boiling point of tension and Makapu Village is a small farming village located on the
inception of the United Republic of Nations. A year after the slopes of Mt. Makapu in the northeastern United Republic of
creation of the Harmony Restoration Movement, as Fire Lord Nations.
Zuko attempted to evict Fire Nation citizens, he encountered
The village was originally settled because its fertile volcanic
stiff resistance from Fire and Earth citizens alike who felt their
soil was conducive to fruitful agriculture. Because of its hidden
lives would be uprooted after generations of living in Yu Dao.
location in the mountains, Makapu Village was untouched by
Together with Avatar Aang and Earth King Kuei, the Fire Lord
the Fire Nation for the duration of the Hundred Year War. The
met to discuss what could become of Yu Dao whose people
citizens of Makapu Village are a very cunning breed.
seemed to identify with neither and both the Fire Nation or
Additionally, the rich volcanic soils and spiritual energy of Mt.
Earth Kingdom.
Makapu have given Makapu villagers a keener sense of their
inner energies than most.
Senlin Village
Senlin Village is a small farming settlement located within a Mt. Makapu is a tall active volcano which is located near the
dense forest in the southern United Republic of Nations. The village. The volcanic activity in the region produces rich soil
surrounding woodland is protected by a typically peaceful, used by the villagers for farming, yet the village lives under
though occasionally enraged, spirit known as Hei Bai. the constant threat of volcanic eruption and certain
destruction.
The Black and White Spirit, Hei Bai, had guarded the village's
forest for thousands of years and remained there. Hei Bai, Outskirts
furious that his home had been burned down by the invading
The outskirts of Republic City are comprised of a variety of
Fire Nation military, transformed into a frightening and
former Earth Kingdom villages and Fire Nation colonies.
destructive creature.
These settlements dot the countryside and are home to
With the help of Avatar Aang and his friends, the village millions of citizens spanning thousands of miles.
managed to placate the ravaged spirits by offering Hei Bai a Perseverance and ingenuity are favored traits for eeking out
single acorn, a symbol of hope for the return of the forests. a living in these conditions. Although the city is usually within
a day or two journey, many individuals never leave home and
Taku Ruins often take on the businesses and farms of their parents
Located along the western shores of the Earth Kingdom, the
once great city of Taku was an important trading post. The

“I think I figured out why the nations have to be separate for harmony. Whenever two nations come together, the stronger
one can’t help but hurt the weaker one. They’ll conquer or burn or, at the very least, make a joke of the weaker nation.”
“You once told me that separation is an illusion. Guru Pathik taught you that. The four nations are really one and the same.”
“But I don’t want them to be the same, Katara! I love being an Air Nomad. I love our philosophy, our temples, our holidays,
our food—everything that makes us different from the rest of the world! And now that I’m the last one left, it’s up to me to
preserve our way of life!”
“How, Aang? Are you gonna live by yourself, like some kind of hermit? Devote your whole life to collecting and preserving a
bunch of relics?
“I don’t know… but I do know this: Air Nomad culture can’t survive in a world where the nations invade each other, corrupt
each other. I have to see the Harmony Restoration Movement through to the end.”
— Avatar Aang speaking with Katara
History
The Avatar world has an extensive history dating back more 9,850 BG — Year of the Dragon
than twenty thousand years. This section lists historical
Wan is born.
events in a timeline. The history of this world can be roughly
divided into two parts, the time before the Avatar and the time
9,848 BG — Year of the Horse
of the Avatar.
Jaya is born.
Prior to the Avatar's creation, lion turtles served as the
protectors of mankind, allowing the humans to erect cities 9,832 BG — Year of the Dog
atop their shells. Whenever the inhabitants of their cities Wan steals the element of fire from a lion turtle to incite
would venture into the Spirit Wilds, the creatures would rebellion and steal food from the Chou family. For his crimes,
bestow the people with the ability to bend the element the Wan is banished into the Spirit Wilds where he befriended the
turtle was affiliated with; the power was to be returned upon spirits and learned the Dancing Dragon firebending form.
their reentry to the city. However, after the creation of the
Avatar, the lion turtles denounced their roles as protectors of 9,830 BG — Year of the Rat
mankind, and the people were left to make their own homes Wan severs the link connecting Raava and Vaatu, in the
scattered across the world, which eventually led to the division process releasing chaos into the world. Wan and Raava begin
of the world into the four nations. their journey together to master the other elements.
The Beginning (before 19,829 BG) 9,829 BG — Year of the Ox

Tui and La manifest in the physical world, assuming mortal A large group of firebending settlers, led by Jaya, are killed by
forms as koi fish. dark spirits during a battle in the Spirit Wilds.
The Mother of Faces gives birth to Koh, the Face Stealer; The second known Harmonic Convergence occurs. Wan and
however, they soon become separated. Raava become permanently bonded, making Wan the first
Avatar.
Vaatu breaks through the barriers that separate humans and
spirits, allowing both to travel between the spirit and mortal Wan defeats and locks away Vaatu in an elemental barrier in
worlds. the hollow of the Tree of Time. Wan orders the spirits to return
to their world and separates the two realms by sealing the
spirit portals located at the North and South Poles.
Era of Raava (19,829 BG — 9,829 BG)
In the advent of the Avatar, the lion turtles collectively decided
c.19,829 BG — Era of Raava that their task as protectors of mankind was done and that
Raava, the spirit of light and peace, duels with her they would no longer grant any more bending powers.
counterpart, Vaatu, the spirit of darkness and chaos. The first
known Harmonic Convergence occurs.
First Age of the Avatar
Unknown date before 9,850 BG
Humans begin to build their cities on the shells of lion turtles
(c. 9,829 BG — 171 AG)
to protect themselves from the dangers of the Spirit Wilds. Pre-Hundred Year War (9,829 BG — 1 BG)
Whenever the people have to venture into the wilds to collect
food, the lion turtles bestowed upon the hunters the ability to Unknown date before 3,829 BG
control one of the elements. Eventually, most the cities lost As humanity left the cities established on the lion turtles, they
contact and knowledge of each other's existence, and begin to come in to contact with each other. The different
developed unique cultures. peoples begin to wage war against each other, forcing Wan
to intervene to maintain peace. His efforts, however, are of
little success. The violent conflicts continue until his death and keeping balance and serving the world. She dies around 345
beyond. The next Avatar is born into the cycle after Wan's BG, and Avatar Kuruk is born in the Northern Water Tribe.
death.
Avatar Kuruk tries to kill Koh, the Face Stealer, as revenge for
c. 3,829 BG stealing the face of his fiancée Ummi. This event is confusing
to place chronologically, as if Koh's description of the event is
The airbending Guru Laghima achieves weightlessness and
taken literally, it would have happened c. 800-700 BG, over
lives his final forty years without touching the ground.
three hundred years before Kuruk's death.
830 BG
312 BG — Year of the Dragon
A past Avatar defeats Hundun and mortally wounds his
Avatar Kuruk dies; Avatar Kyoshi of the Earth Kingdom is
brother, forcing the conjoined twin kings to retreat to the Spirit
born.
World.
Unknown date before 345 BG 270 BG — Year of the Dog

Avatar Kyoshi kills the warlord Chin and founds Kyoshi Island;
Wan Shi Tong brings his library from the Spirit World into the
the War of Chin the Conqueror ends with the victory of the
physical world.
Earth Kingdom government. The 46th Earth King restores his
Humanity splits into the four nations, each divided by the reign over the whole Earth Kingdom, though civil unrest
respective bending arts. The Air Nomads learn the art of begins to spread on the continent. The day of Chin's death is
airbending from the flying bison, the Earth Kingdom learn the remembered as Avatar Day in Chin Village and Kyoshi Day
art of earthbending from the badgermoles, the Sun Warriors on Kyoshi Island.
learn the art of firebending from the dragons, and the Water
Sometime after this event, a peasant uprising in Ba Sing Se
Tribes learn the art of waterbending by observing the pull of
spurs Kyoshi to create the Dai Li. In the process, the Earth
the moon on the ocean tides.
Kingdom is turned into a constitutional monarchy.
A group of waterbenders from the Northern Water Tribe
construct a large city out of ice to unite the various tribes 82 BG — Year of the Horse
inhabiting the North Pole region. Avatar Kyoshi dies at age 230; Avatar Roku of the Fire Nation
is born. Fire Lord Sozin is born the same day as Roku.
Following a civil unrest, the Water Tribe —which was originally
centered around the North Pole— splits into two groups: one 66 BG — Year of the Dog
stayed at the North Pole, while the other group went out to
Avatar Roku is confirmed as Avatar at his sixteenth birthday,
settle the South Pole. Relations with their sister tribe were
and leaves the Fire Nation to master the elements.
later healed, and the two tribes would gather together at
annual New Moon celebrations.
58 BG — Year of the Horse
A large group of waterbenders from the Southern Water Tribe, Fire Lord Sozin ascends the throne, following the death of his
who are wandering through the Earth Kingdom, discover the father.
Foggy Swamp and, comfortable with the large amount of
water there, decide to stay, forming the Foggy Swamp Tribe. 55 BG — Year of the Rooster
The Southern Water Tribe never learns of this offshoot and Avatar Roku destroys the Fire Temple on the winter solstice
the Foggy Swamp Tribe itself later forgets its own origins. while stuck in the Avatar State during his training.
The Sun Warriors gradually fade into obscurity as their 54 BG — Year of the Dog
civilization declines, leaving many ruins across their island Avatar Roku returns to the Fire Nation after twelve years of
archipelago. The Sun Warriors are believed to have gone travel and marries Ta Min, a noblewoman from the Capital.
extinct, though in reality a handful hiding in the ruins would
continue their culture for centuries. The art of firebending, 50 BG — Year of the Tiger
however, was passed on to the other inhabitants of the
Guru Pathik is born.
islands. These would gradually coalesce into the "Fire
Nation". Originally the Fire Nation was a spiritual people ruled
by Fire Sages, much as the Air Nomads were led by their
37 BG — Year of the Rabbit
monks. Over time, however, one sage rose to prominence Avatar Roku discovers the first Fire Nation colonies in the
above the others, ruling the Fire Nation as a sovereign, and Earth Kingdom and confronts Fire Lord Sozin. Roku and
the office became hereditary, beginning the line of Fire Lords. Sozin engage in battle, resulting in Roku destroying part of the
Fire Nation Royal Palace.
The vast Earth Kingdom is gradually united under the political
authority of the city-state of Ba Sing Se. The King of Ba Sing 12 BG — Year of the Dragon
Se becomes Earth King, overlord of all the smaller kingdoms Avatar Roku is killed while fighting a volcanic eruption at age
within the Earth Kingdom, some of which retain their own seventy; Avatar Aang of the Air Nomads is born.
hereditary lordship.
Bumi of Omashu is born.
Avatar Yangchen of the Air Nomads is born in the Western Air
Temple, after the death of her predecessor. Her reign as
Avatar is a peaceful one, due to her fierce dedication to

2 BG 75 AG — Year of the Goat
Aang receives his tattoos after inventing the air scooter Kuei is born to the 51st Earth King, becoming heir to the
technique, making him the youngest airbending master in throne of the Earth Kingdom.
recorded history.
79 AG — Year of the Pig
1 BG The 51st Earth King dies. Kuei becomes the 52nd Earth King.
Aang and his eccentric childhood friend Bumi would slide Because of the new Earth King's youth, Long Feng is
down the Omashu delivery system for fun. Aang played with appointed Regent of Ba Sing Se, and becomes the Earth
his friend Kuzon in the Fire Nation. King's most trusted advisor. Taking advantage of his position,
Long Feng suppresses knowledge of the war from the young
The Hundred Year War (0 — 100 AG) prince and takes complete control of the city.
0 AG — Year of the Dragon 82 AG — Year of the Tiger

Avatar Aang is confirmed as Avatar at the age of twelve, four Hahn of the Northern Water Tribe is born.
years earlier than normal, because the monks were fearful of
a possible war. The monks decided to send Aang to the 83 AG — Year of the Rabbit
Eastern Air Temple to continue his training. Distraught and Jet of the Earth Kingdom is born.
confused by his destiny, he flees from the Southern Air
Temple with his flying bison, Appa. Upon getting caught in a Prince Zuko is born to Prince Ozai and Princess Ursa.
storm and being pulled underwater, Aang enters the Avatar
State and encases himself in ice near the South Pole. Yin is born.
Fire Lord Sozin begins what would be the Hundred Year War 84 AG — Year of the Dragon
by attacking the other nations. He uses the power of a comet, Princess Yue is born to Chief Arnook of the Northern Water
later renamed Sozin's Comet in his honor, to launch a Tribe and his wife. A sickly infant, Yue is healed by the Moon
genocidal attack on the Air Nomads to kill the Avatar. This Spirit, Tui, by having some of its life spirit infused within her.
resulted in almost complete extinction of the Air Nomads with
the sole survivor being Avatar Aang. Sokka is born to Chief Hakoda and Kya of the Southern Water
Tribe.
The Fire Nation launches a massive coordinated invasion of
the Earth Kingdom, slowly but surely advancing across the Suki is born on Kyoshi Island.
continent over the course of the next hundred years. The city
of Taku is destroyed during the process. 85 AG — Year of the Snake
Mai of the Fire Nation is born to Ukano and Michi.
Azulon is born.
Princess Azula is born to Prince Ozai and Princess Ursa.
15 AG — Year of the Goat
Katara is born to Chief Hakoda and Kya of the Southern Water
In an attempted invasion of the North, the Fire Navy and the
Tribe.
Northern Water Tribe engage in battle, ending in Northern
Water Tribe victory and the capture of Fire Navy troops and Ty Lee and her six identical sisters are born into a noble Fire
uniforms. Nation family.
20 AG — Year of the Rat Ho Tun is born.

Fire Lord Sozin dies at age 102; Fire Lord Azulon ascends the
throne. 87 AG — Year of the Goat
Toph Beifong is born to Lao Beifong and Poppy Beifong of
39 AG — Year of the Goat Gaoling.
Jeong Jeong of the Fire Nation is born.
92 AG — Year of the Rat
40 AG — Year of the Monkey Penga is born.
The Fire Nation begins raids on the Southern Water Tribe,
destroying its city and systematically capturing its 94 AG — Year of the Tiger
waterbending population. Iroh begins his legendary Siege of Ba Sing Se.
Hama is taken prisoner by the Fire Nation. The Southern Raiders attack the Southern Water Tribe in an
attempt to kill the last Southern waterbender. Chief Hakoda's
55 AG — Year of the Pig wife Kya sacrifices herself to save the eight-year-old Katara,
Prince Ozai is born to Fire Lord Azulon and his wife, Ilah. the true last waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe.
64 AG — Year of the Monkey 95 AG — Year of the Rabbit

Ursa is born to Jinzuk and Rina. Iroh breaks through the Outer Wall of Ba Sing Se.
Iroh's son Lu Ten is killed in the siege of Ba Sing Se, causing

Iroh to end the operation after six hundred days.

Princess Ursa conspires with Prince Ozai to kill Fire Lord High-security prisoner General Iroh is imprisoned by Princess
Azulon to save Zuko and make Ozai Fire Lord. With Azulon's Azula and the Dai Li.
passing at age ninety-five, Ozai succeeds him as Fire Lord
and Ursa is banished from the Fire Nation Capital. Dai Li operative Joo Dee is appointed Supreme Bureaucratic
Administrator of Ba Sing Se by Princess Azula.
Prince Zuko becomes Heir to the throne of the Fire Nation.
The Fire Nation establishes administrative control of the
97 AG — Year of the Snake Serpent's Pass by establishing a fortified bridge.
Prince Zuko is banished to capture the Avatar after an Agni First day of the eighth month: An attack on the Fire Nation
Kai with his father, Fire Lord Ozai. He is accompanied by his Capital led by Avatar Aang during a solar eclipse in an attempt
uncle, Iroh. to defeat the Fire Lord fails, leaving many of the Fire Lord's
enemies imprisoned.
99 AG — Year of the Goat
Avatar Aang is awakened from one hundred years of During the eclipse, King Bumi liberates Omashu from the Fire
suspended animation by Katara and Sokka and begins his Nation.
waterbending training with Katara.
Prince Zuko betrays the Fire Nation and joins the Avatar's
Prince Zuko locates the Avatar and begins to hunt him down quest to oust Fire Lord Ozai.
after his first attempt to apprehend him fails and causes much
damage to the village of the Southern Water Tribe. Avatar Aang begins his firebending training with Prince Zuko.
There is a massive jail break at a Prison rig for earthbenders, General Iroh breaks free from the Fire Nation Capital City
Prison.
and all inmates escape.
Sometime after the first day of the eighth month: Sozin's
Avatar Roku informs Aang on the winter solstice that Sozin's
Comet will arrive by summer's end, telling him that Ozai must Comet returns, enhancing the firebenders' powers one
be defeated by the time of its arrival. hundred-fold.
The Fire Sages are accused of treason and imprisoned by Fire Lord Ozai crowns himself Phoenix King and appoints
Admiral Zhao. Azula as Fire Lord.
The village of Gaipan is destroyed and the villagers evacuate. The Order of the White Lotus, led by General Iroh, frees Ba
Sing Se from Fire Nation rule in the liberation of Ba Sing Se,
Avatar Aang begins his firebending training with Jeong Jeong, effectively liberating the entire Earth Kingdom.
however, his training ends prematurely when Admiral Zhao
attacks Jeong Jeong's camp. Aang meets an ancient lion turtle, the world's oldest living
being, and learns the lost art of energybending.
100 AG — Year of the Monkey Prince Zuko and Katara defeat Azula during her coronation as
The Fire Nation is repelled at the battle for the Northern Air Fire Lord in the Comet-Enhanced Agni Kai. This causes Azula
Temple, but they acquire an experimental war balloon in the to lose her remaining sanity.
aftermath.
Utilizing Sozin's Comet, Ozai launches a major attack on the
The Fire Nation invades the Northern Water Tribe but is Earth Kingdom with his armada of Fire Nation airships to
repelled by Aang after he temporarily fused with the Ocean decisively end the war with a sheer display of force and
Spirit, La, who was enraged with Admiral Zhao for killing the destruction.
Moon Spirit, Tui.
An attack launched by Toph, Sokka, and Suki succeeds in
La imprisons Admiral Zhao in the Fog of Lost Souls in destroying the armada while Aang battles Ozai.
retaliation for Tui's death.
Avatar Aang defeats Ozai using the Avatar State and uses
Princess Yue sacrifices her life to become the Moon Spirit. energybending to strip him of his firebending.
This is made possible by the small bit of spirit that Tui infused
within her to bring her to life as a baby. Phoenix King Ozai is imprisoned for various war crimes.
Omashu falls to the Fire Nation. Prince Zuko ascends to the throne as Fire Lord, vowing to the
Nations that he will dedicate his rule to rebuilding the world
Avatar Aang begins his earthbending training with Toph. with the help of the Avatar.
An attempt to break through Ba Sing Se's Outer Wall, using a
giant drill and led by Princess Azula, fails. Post-Hundred Year War (100 AG — 171
Ba Sing Se falls to the Fire Nation through an internal coup
AG)
d'état led by Princess Azula and the Dai Li. 100 AG — Year of the Monkey
Avatar Aang is slain by Azula, and subsequently brought back The Harmony Restoration Movement is launched to remove
to life by Katara with spirit water. the Fire Nation colonies from the Earth Kingdom.

101 AG — Year of the Rooster 134 AG — Year of the Horse
Toph founds the Beifong Metalbending Academy. Iroh, grandson of Zuko, is born.
In response to the Harmony Restoration Movement, Kori 135 AG — Year of the Goat
Morishita creates the Yu Dao Resistance and attempts to
Pema is born.
assassinate Fire Lord Zuko.
A crisis at Yu Dao causes Fire Lord Zuko to remove his 138 AG — Year of the Dog
support from the Harmony Restoration Movement, Hiroshi Sato founds Future Industries.
threatening to plunge the world into war once again.
142 AG — Year of the Tiger
Avatar Aang averts the war, with the notion that the nations Toph resigns as Chief of Police.
can live together in peace. He forms the Air Acolytes from the
Official Avatar Aang Fan Club. 144 AG — Year of the Dragon
Noatak at 14, runs away after defending Tarrlok from Yakone
102 AG — Year of the Dog and bloodbending them both.
Zuko, with the help of Team Avatar and his sister, Azula,
embark on a search for Ursa, which leads them to her new life 151 AG — Year of the Pig
in Hira'a. Tonraq, heir apparent for the Northern Water Tribe chiefdom,
Yu Dao and other Fire Nation colonies create a joint leads a battalion against an invasion of their home by
government of Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom barbarians. He destroys a spirit forest in the process, resulting
representatives, beginning the progression toward the in his banishment by the tribal chief, his father.
formation of the United Republic of Nations. Unalaq takes Tonraq's position as heir apparent.
Between 102 — 119 AG Tonraq settles in the South Pole.

Aang and Katara marry and have two children: Bumi, a
nonbender, and Kya, a waterbender. 152 AG — Year of the Rat
Mako and Asami Sato are born.
Aang and Zuko establish the United Republic of Nations, a
fifth nation with Republic City as its capital. 153 AG — Year of the Ox
The Fire Nation gifts a large statue of Aang to Republic City Avatar Aang dies; Avatar Korra of the Southern Water Tribe
as a symbol of peace and goodwill. is born to Tonraq and Senna.
Toph travels the world to teach metalbending. 154 AG — Year of the Tiger
Bolin is born.
119 AG — Year of the Rabbit
Tenzin, the youngest son of Aang and Katara and the only 155 AG — Year of the Rabbit
airbender among their children, is born. Desna and Eska are born.
Lightning Bolt Zolt is born.
157 AG — Year of the Snake
120 AG — Year of the Dragon The Order of the White Lotus visits Korra's family at the South
Pole and confirm Korra's claim to be the Avatar.
Lin Beifong is born.
Hiroshi Sato is born. 158 AG — Year of the Horse

Yasuko, Hiroshi Sato's wife, is murdered during a robbery of
Around the same time, the cabbage merchant founds the Sato estate by the Agni Kai Triad.
Cabbage Corp.
Zaheer, Ming-Hua, Ghazan, and P'Li attempt to kidnap Korra,
126 AG — Year of the Dog but are apprehended by Chief Sokka, Tenzin, Tonraq, and
Suyin Beifong is born. Fire Lord Zuko. The criminals are imprisoned in different,
specialized prisons across the world.
128 AG — Year of the Rat
Yakone is placed on trial for his crimes against Republic City. 160 AG — Year of the Monkey
After attempting an escape, he loses his bending to Avatar Mako and Bolin's parents are killed by a rogue firebender.
Aang.
Jinora, the eldest child of Tenzin and Pema, is born.
130 AG — Year of the Tiger 163 AG — Year of the Pig
Noatak, eldest son of Yakone and later known as the
Ikki, the youngest daughter of Tenzin and Pema, is born.
revolutionary Amon, is born.
133 AG — Year of the Snake 165 AG — Year of the Ox

Meelo, the first son of Tenzin and Pema, is born.
Tarrlok, youngest son of Yakone, is born.

167 AG — Year of the Rabbit Korra reopens the Northern spirit portal after Jinora's life is
threatened by Unalaq.
Fire Lord Zuko passes the title of Fire Lord to his daughter,
Izumi, and becomes an ambassador for peace. The third known Harmonic Convergence occurs.
Mako and Bolin leave the Triple Threat Triad and decide to Unalaq frees Vaatu and becomes the first Dark Avatar after
live with Toza in the Pro-bending Arena. fusing with the spirit of darkness. He purges Raava out of
Korra and destroys the light spirit.
170 AG — Year of the Horse
After passing her final firebending test, Korra goes to Republic Unalaq perishes after Vaatu's spirit is cleansed by Korra using
City in order to begin her airbending training with Tenzin. Unalaq's own spiritual cleansing technique.
The Anti-Bending Revolution publicly begins with the Korra starts the Avatar Cycle anew, though she no longer has
destruction of the Pro-bending Arena during an Equalist a connection to the past Avatars.
attack.
Amon removes Tarrlok's bending.

Second Age of the Avatar
The Equalists launch an attack on Republic City. During their (171 AG — Present)
attack, the insurgents occupy the capital as well as Air Temple
171 AG — Year of the Sheep
Island, and overthrow the United Republic Council. Amon
Korra leaves the spirit portals open and denounces the
removes the bending of several prisoners made during the
Avatar's role as the bridge between the two worlds, assuming
battle, including Lin Beifong's.
a more general peacekeeper role.
Rohan, Tenzin and Pema's second son, is born during the
The Water Tribe Civil War ends. The Southern Water Tribe
battle.
becomes independent with Tonraq as its new chief.
The United Forces' First Division is destroyed by the Equalists'
Desna and Eska become the new co-chiefs of the Northern
biplane armada upon attempting to take Republic City back.
Water Tribe.
Avatar Korra's bending is taken away by Amon during the
After a millennium of exile in the Spirit World, Hundun reenters
Equalist victory rally, though she manages to unlock her
the mortal world to take revenge on the Avatar and throw the
airbending and expose Amon as a waterbender from the
world into chaos. Korra defeats and kills Hundun, however,
Northern Water Tribe, dealing a strong blow to the support of
restoring balance in the Spirit World.
the Anti-Bending Revolution. Amon flees Republic City with
his brother Tarrlok, who kills himself and Amon while crossing Many nonbenders gain airbending abilities across the four
the Mo Ce Sea. nations, including Bumi, Kai, and Zaheer.
Avatar Aang's spirit restores Avatar Korra's bending with Korra is banished from Republic City by President Raiko.
energybending and passes on that knowledge to her. Korra
consequently restores Lin Beifong's bending, as well as the The Earth Queen Hou-Ting orders the Dai Li to kidnap
bending of every other innocent person that lost it. airbenders throughout Ba Sing Se.
171 AG — Year of the Sheep Zaheer escapes his prison and subsequently frees his
teammates Ghazan, Ming-Hua, and P'Li.
Asami Sato assumes control of Future Industries as CEO.
Korra becomes the first metalbending Avatar.
Bumi retires from the United Forces and moves to Air Temple
Island with Tenzin and his family. Zaofu is attacked by the Red Lotus in search of Korra.
The United Republic Council is dissolved in favor of a Earth Queen Hou-Ting is assassinated by Zaheer and the
democratically elected president, the nonbender Raiko. Inner Wall of the city is brought down by Ghazan, plunging the
Earth Kingdom in chaos.
Korra breaks ties with Tenzin and begins her spiritual training
with Unalaq. The Red Lotus attacks the Northern Air Temple and threatens
to destroy the revived Air Nation if Avatar Korra does not
Korra journeys to the heart of the South Pole and re-opens a
surrender herself.
dormant spirit portal on the winter solstice.
P'Li is killed by Suyin.
Korra finds out the truth about how Unalaq framed his brother
to become Chief of the Water Tribes. Bolin becomes the second known non-Avatar who can
lavabend.
The Water Tribe Civil War starts.
Ghazan destroys the Northern Air Temple.
Korra is swallowed by a dark spirit, which causes her to
temporarily lose her memory. She later reconnects with the Zaheer becomes the second person in history to be able to
first Avatar, Wan, and regains most of her memories. fly.
Jinora leads Korra into the Spirit World. Ming-Hua is killed by Mako.

Ghazan commits suicide to bury Mako and Bolin. Korra is officially welcomed back to Republic City.
Zaheer is imprisoned once again. The airbenders return to their nomadic roots, promoting
peace, balance, and harmony around the world while Korra
Jinora receives her airbending tattoos and is anointed as a recuperates.
master.

XI – Organizations &
Society
Society is well-developed in the Avatar universe. Each nation possesses a distinct social structure, ranging from the
ecclesiocracy of the Air Nomads to the absolutism of the Fire Nation.
Social classes are usually based upon titles, wealth, and power. Although people are mostly born into their social rank, there
are some exceptions in which people can gain a higher position through service, as seen with Long Feng.
Air Nomads
Air Nomads is a collective term for a nation of people who prompting Tenzin and Avatar Korra to recruit volunteers to be
practice the discipline of airbending. One of the four major trained in the ways of the Air Nomads. This was proven to be
nations, the Air Nomads were wanderers but have four air a daunting task, as most of their new prospects rejected the
temples, one at each corner of the globe, hidden away atop idea of leaving their loved ones and worldly possessions
mountain ranges in the northern Earth Kingdom and on three behind. However, they discovered a group of airbenders
remote islands. The theocratic Air Nomads were home to a captured by Earth Queen Hou-Ting, who was conscripting
monastic order of men and women who practiced airbending. airbenders into an army. The new airbenders were rescued
Unlike the other nations, the people of the Air Nomads were, and chose to hone their new powers under Tenzin's tutelage
without any known exception, all benders due to the high level at the Northern Air Temple. Tenzin and the volunteers found
of spirituality of their people. it difficult to meet halfway due to Tenzin's expectations of
them being a complete reflection of the old Air Nomads.
The Air Nomads made up the smallest of the four nations in Eventually, both parties made amends and resumed training.
the world. They had a small economy, based entirely on Following the insurrection of the Red Lotus, the new Air Nation
limited agriculture. The population of the Air Nomads was returned to its nomadic roots, but, unlike their predecessors'
small compared to even the Water Tribe and was far smaller reclusive nature, they instead dedicated themselves to
than either of the world's two major powers, the Fire Nation bringing peace and balance to the world.
and the Earth Kingdom.
In 0 AG, the Air Nomads were the victims of genocide at the Council of Elders
hands of the Fire Nation. Ironically, the sole known survivor of The Council of Elders was a group consisting of the theocratic
the massacre was the very person the Fire Nation sought to leaders of the Air Nomads. Each of the air temples had its own
kill in its quest for supremacy: the twelve-year-old airbender council of head monks or nuns, their members being both the
and Avatar, Aang, who had run away from the Southern Air political and the religious authorities.
Temple shortly before the Hundred Year War began and
became trapped in suspended animation in a globe of ice The Northern and Southern councils were composed of head
along with his lifetime friend, Appa. One hundred years later, monks, and the Eastern and Western councils were
he was awakened and released by Katara and Sokka, who composed of head sisters, in accordance with the primary
helped him succeed in his quest to restore balance and peace gender residing in each respective temple. The Southern Air
to the warring nations. Temple had five head monks. Members of the Council of
Elders were the only ones allowed to enter the air sanctuary
A year after the war, Avatar Aang discovered a group of Earth in each air temple, other than the Avatar. They were also the
Kingdom citizens who had built a fan club in his honor; he ones responsible for identifying the Avatar when he or she
eventually transformed them into the Air Acolytes, a was born into the Air Nomads.
community of nuns and monks dedicated to upholding Air
Nomad culture. Years later, Aang's marriage to Katara Air Acolytes
blessed him with an airbending son, Tenzin, who was The Air Acolytes were founded in 101 AG from the members
extensively taught by Aang in airbending and Air Nomad of the Official Avatar Aang Fan Club. Aang himself taught the
culture. The population of the Air Acolytes grew, prompting members of the group the ways of the Air Nomads and
Aang to spearhead the restoration of the air temples to serve christened them the "Air Acolytes", rather than a mere fan
as their new homes. Aang built a fifth air temple in the newly club.
established fifth nation, the United Republic of Nations, called
Air Temple Island. Tenzin who became the Air Nation's They are an order of monks and nuns who reside on Air
representative in the United Republic Council, came to reside Temple Island and in the four original air temples. Although
on the island with his wife, Pema, and their four children, three they are not airbenders themselves, they carry on the
of whom are known airbenders. teachings, culture, and traditions of the Air Nomads through
practice, as taught to them by Avatar Aang.
In 171 AG, the energy shift caused by Harmonic Convergence
bestowed countless non-benders with airbending abilities,
Water Tribe
The Water Tribe is a collective term for the nation of people For a long time, the military of the Water Tribes was much
who practice the art of waterbending. It is one of the original smaller and considerably less sophisticated than that of the
four nations and its citizens primarily inhabit the northern and heavily populated Earth Kingdom or the highly industrialized
southernmost regions of the globe, near both poles. Many Fire Nation. Each tribe had its own militia, oftentimes not well
people of Water Tribe ethnicity also live in the United Republic equipped and outnumbered, instead relying on knowledge of
and there is a small community of waterbenders that populate the country and the deep pride and willpower typical of a
the Foggy Swamp in the Earth Kingdom, although they were warrior race. Only after the Hundred Year War and the
isolated from their sister tribes for generations and others merging of the Northern and Southern Tribe's governments, a
were largely unaware of their existence until they were standing army and navy were formed under the North's
stumbled upon by Avatar Aang, Katara, and Sokka. leadership. However, after the Southern independence, the
Southern and Northern military were divided again, now led
The people of the Water Tribe are generally peaceful, and by their respective Chiefs.
strive to live in harmony with nature and the other nations of
the world. There are two primary divisions of the Water Tribe,
the Northern Tribe and the Southern Tribe, though both were
Varrick Global Industries
at least de jure governed by the Northern chief until 171 AG. Varrick Global Industries is a global shipping enterprise based
in the Southern Water Tribe. It was founded by Varrick from a
single canoe, and later expanded into an empire responsible
Military for several consumer and technological innovations in the
The military of the Water Tribe comprises the Northern Water Avatar World. In 171 AG, it became the official shipping
Tribe's regular military, the Southern Water Tribe's militia, and partner of Future Industries and co-supplier to the South
the Foggy Swamp Tribe's forces. Due to their independence during the Water Tribe Civil War.
and separate location, these forces have rarely been united,
and the northern and southern troops were at least once
involved in a civil war.
Earth Kingdom
The Earth Kingdom is one of the world's four nations.
Spanning an entire continent as well as several subsidiary
Kyoshi Warriors
islands, it is the largest and most populated sovereignty in the The Kyoshi Warriors are an order of female warriors named
world and encompasses much of the eastern hemisphere. after Avatar Kyoshi, who founded them to protect her
The kingdom is ruled by a monarchy which operates under homeland, Kyoshi Island. With their unique and individual
the rule of a king or queen. fighting style, these elite fighters ensured the safety and
isolationism of their homeland during the Hundred Year War.
Five-Seven-Five Society Though their fighting style and clothing mimic those of Avatar
The Five-Seven-Five Society is an organization of young Kyoshi, they seemingly did not implement any of the bending
women who specialized in the art of poetry, with a focus on arts in their physical movements. They are clad in ornate,
traditional haiku. armored, green kimonos, metal headdresses, and white-
faced makeup designed to intimidate opponents. The Kyoshi
Ba Sing Se University Warriors used metal fans as their main weapons like Avatar
Ba Sing Se University is a major institution of thought which Kyoshi, but also implemented katanas and retractable shields.
educates scholars throughout the Earth Kingdom. It is the The warriors' most prominent fighting style was not about
greatest university in the world, per its enrollment materials. strength, but rather about using their opponent's' force against
The university campus is a major landmark in the Middle Ring them. Primarily, the warriors dealt with the disorderly traders
of Ba Sing Se. and travelers who, after a night of carousing in the port of
Kyoshi, often stumbled into the village and caused trouble.
Council of Five
The Council of Five is a group consisting of the five highest-
Royal Earthbender Guards
ranking generals in the Earth Kingdom Army. As such, it is the The Royal Earthbender Guards of Ba Sing Se, commonly
highest authority in the Earth Kingdom military and oversaw known as the King's Guards, are earthbending warriors within
the country's entire war effort against the Fire Nation during the Earth Kingdom affiliated with neither the Dai Li nor the
the Hundred Year War. army. They instead serve as personal protectors of the earth
monarch.
Dai Li As elite troops of Ba Sing Se, they are tasked with guarding
The Dai Li is the secretive and elite police force of Ba Sing Se the Royal Palace, serving as gatekeepers of the Outer and
who work to capture, interrogate, and imprison political Inner Walls of Ba Sing Se, and acting as sub-commanders for
dissidents. The organization was founded by Avatar Kyoshi the Ba Sing Se army troops. They are also responsible for the
with the aim of "protecting the cultural heritage of Ba Sing Se", safety of any properties belonging to the earth monarch, such
effectively protecting the Earth King's interest against as the royal vault.
subversive individuals and groups.
The Second Age v1.6 | Organizations & Society | 205

back to ancient times when their ancestors lived underground
Sandbenders and survived the attacks of giant gilacorns (see animals) by
These are Earthbenders who have adapted to life in the Si mimicking the appearance of the nasty-tasting Sour Beetles -
Wong Desert. Their skills differ greatly from those of ordinary - the only creatures on the desert floor not palatable to
Earthbenders. As their name indicates, sandbenders bend gilacorns.
sand. They move quickly out in the desert, thanks to their
specialized "sand-sailers". Since economic opportunities are Their opportunistic streak and flexibility help make them
limited in the desert, Sandbenders get by however they can. skillful traders -- they have an uncanny ability to see saleable
They've been known to scavenge for dead animals, or even potential in almost anything presented to them. It's their rather
steal from passing travelers at the nearby cantina. easygoing nature that makes them every tribe's first choice
with whom to trade and swap.
Beetle-headed tribe
These desert-dwellers pre-date all other tribes in the Si Wong
Desert. Legend has it that their beetle-like headpieces date
Fire Nation
The Fire Nation is one of the world's four nations and five military equipment, giving it huge military capabilities and
sovereign states. It is an absolute monarchy led by the Fire power projection solidifying itself as the most powerful military
Lord and home to most firebenders. Geographically, the force in the world.
nation is located along the planet's equator in the western
hemisphere and is composed of several islands. Its capital is New Ozai Society
simply known as the Fire Nation Capital. The New Ozai Society was a reactionary rebel organization
The Fire Nation is the second-largest nation in terms of area, founded by Ukano, which sought to restore glory to the Fire
following the Earth Kingdom, while its economy is the most Nation through the reinstatement of Fire Lord Ozai.
powerful in the world; its strong industrial sector and extensive
technological developments not only enabled the Fire Nation Rough Riders
to create an extremely powerful military, but also initiated the The Rough Rhinos were an elite group of Fire Nation komodo
worldwide modernization and globalization. Before the rhino cavalry who worked on a freelance basis, claiming their
foundation of the United Republic and the following global loyalty to the Fire Lord during the Hundred Year War. After the
technological revolution, it was also the strongest and most war's end, they became mercenaries, and by 102 AG, they
advanced country in the world. were hired as the security detail of the Earthen Fire Refinery.
The original group consisted of five members, each of whom

Ember Island Players specialized in a different type of weapon or fighting style,
The Ember Island Players are a local acting troupe who though their preferred weapons were not well adapted for
perform at the Ember Island Theater, which is Ember Island's close-combat. After the Rough Rhinos became mercenaries,
only theater. They do not have a reputation for quality acting, they allowed former members of the army to join them.
but they take themselves seriously and almost always pack
the house.
Yuyan Archers
The Yuyan Archers were a group of elite, highly skilled Fire
Fire Sages Nation archers. Since at least 91 AG, they were under Colonel
The Fire Sages are an organization that serves as the Shinu's command, and used to guard the Pohuai Stronghold.
religious authority of the Fire Nation and is responsible for The Yuyan Archers were used for very stealthy missions
identifying the Avatar's incarnation when he or she is born in where precision and accuracy were vital for success, and they
the Fire Nation. Their additional duties include guarding the were one of the Fire Nation's secret weapons.
temple and conducting weddings and funerals for the Royal
Family and for those who seek their spiritual advice.
Fire Days Festival
The traveling Fire Days Festival is a Fire Nation sponsored
Military event that brings Fire Nation culture to its citizens forced to
The military of the Fire Nation is the unified armed forces of live away from their homeland. This event travels to former
the Fire Nation. It was the world's most powerful military Fire Nation colonies, now multicultural cities along the Earth
during the Hundred Year War, and saw many glorious Kingdom’s western shores, staying for a few weeks at a time
victories in battle throughout the span of the conflict. at each location. A variety of Fire Nation people attend the
A large number of personnel comprise the Fire Nation military, festival, from soldiers on leave, to civilians. They are always
of which the majority are volunteers, though in war times happy when the festival comes to their town (though they are
conscription also does occur. The Fire Nation's army is the usually miserable the rest of the year.) The entertainment
second largest in the world in terms of numbers, after the includes cultural exhibits, jugglers, puppets, fireworks,
Earth Kingdom, and it maintains the largest navy. The Fire magicians, dragon dancing and authentic Fire Nation music
Nation military also possesses advanced and powerful and food.
United Republic of Nations

206 | Organizations & Society | The Second Age v1.6
The United Republic of Nations, more commonly known as through its elimination using terrorist and tactical methods.
the United Republic, is a sovereign state created by Avatar Because of this, the Equalist movement was occasionally
Aang and Fire Lord Zuko after the end of the Hundred Year referred to as the "Anti-bending Revolution" before Amon's
War. It was formed from the oldest Fire Nation colonies death.
established in the western Earth Kingdom and was created to
serve as a society where benders and nonbenders from all Triple Threat Triads
four nations could live and thrive together in peace and The Triple Threat Triad, also known as the Triple Threats, is
harmony. The United Republic is known for having a unique the largest of the triads that operate in Republic City. Led by
culture, which was shaped by immigration and a technological Viper, they are the only gang that consists of waterbenders,
revolution. earthbenders, and firebenders, as opposed to the other
The middle and lower classes of the United Republic can be single-element focused gangs. The Triple Threats work out of
described by the unintentional bias that the nation holds the back of a restaurant near Central City Station. Downtown
toward its bending population in terms of power and status. Republic City is their turf; however, all the city's triads are
constantly involved in various territorial wars. Members of the
The United Republic Council was made up solely of benders Triple Threats, such as Shady Shin, are known to solicit
in 170 AG. While the inclusion of representatives from each recruits at Central City Station.
continent should in theory have created an equal balance in
power, this power was distributed among benders only. This United Republic Council
was not always the case in the council, but the truth of bias The United Republic Council was the governing body of the
among government officials was made an undeniable fact United Republic of Nations until early 171 AG. It was a
when four of the five councilmen incited a curfew for deliberative assembly composed of non-elected
nonbenders because the council suspected they were all representatives from the Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, Air
Equalists who would attempt to overthrow the council, a Nation, and both the Northern and Southern Water Tribes.
decision brought on by prejudice and mass hysteria. Most The Council discussed governing and political affairs inside
lower-class citizens appear to be nonbenders, as evidenced the City Hall, along with acting as the commanding body of
by the whole of the Dragon Flats borough, a place resembling the United Forces. The Council also served as judge and jury
a ghetto for nonbenders, being put under the curfew, in the case of important trials. However, after the Anti-bending
suggesting everyone there was a nonbender. Revolution proved that the Council was flawed in its
composition and unable to handle the challenges of new
Cabbage Corp political movements, it dissolved itself in favor of democratic
Cabbage Corp is a rival auto manufacturing company of elections of the first president of the United Republic.
Future Industries, founded by the cabbage merchant and later
owned by his son, Lau Gan-Lan. Cabbage Corp’s only Other
marketable automobile model is the Cabbage Car, a cheaper,
Some organizations transcend these national boundaries.
more compact alternative to Future Industries' various
Satomobile models. The company is also the airship supplier
for the Earth Kingdom Air Force. Order of the White Lotus
The Order of the White Lotus, also known as the White Lotus,
By far the largest competition to Future Industries, Cabbage is an ancient and formerly secret society that transcends the
Corp specializes in deploying more affordable options to the boundaries of the four nations, seeking philosophy, beauty,
Future Industries products. This often comes at the expense and truth. They are devoted to the sharing of ancient
of quality. knowledge across national and political divides, and on Avatar
Aang's request, they also concern themselves with the task of
Future Industries finding, training, and protecting each new Avatar.
Future Industries is a large business conglomerate founded
by Hiroshi Sato and owned by his daughter, Asami Sato. Order of the Red Lotus
Using state-of-the-art technology and innovative ideas such The Red Lotus is a global militant anarchist organization,
as the assembly line, the factory produces over one hundred founded by Xai Bau as a splinter faction of the Order of the
luxury Satomobiles daily. Despite high demand, Future White Lotus after the Hundred Year War. Until 171 AG, the
Industries' only known competitor is Cabbage Corp, which organization operated through sleeper cells, keeping their
produces the cheaper, more compact Cabbage Car. existence unknown to the world. The Red Lotus' agenda is to
have the humans and spirits coexist again and usher in a new
Equalists world order by dismantling the established nations and their
The Equalists are an organization of radical revolutionaries, leaders, which they originally planned to do by releasing
formerly led by Amon, that operate within Republic City. They Vaatu from his prison within the Tree of Time, and later by
oppose the use of bending, which they see as inherently assassinating world leaders and ending the Avatar Cycle.
oppressive and inequitable and seek to "equalize" society
The Second Age v1.6 | Organizations & Society | 207

XII – Adversaries &
Creatures
The world is a vast, incredibly diverse place. There are skills in which that minion type gains ranks when
thousands upon thousands of chimerical creatures and acting as a group.
unique environments dotted throughout the Avatar landscape.  Minions can fight as a group. As noted previously,
Whether spirit or corporeal, they are all a part of the same the GM does not have to deploy minions in groups.
world and all contribute to its balance (or imbalance). However, deploying them in a group has several
advantages. It simplifies combat and makes minions
Generally, there are three different levels of opponents and more dangerous while allowing GMs to include large
allies that characters will readily encounter in the world, with numbers of adversaries. Minions are only deployed
different levels of threat posed to the average party. Although in groups of the same type. The minion group has a
some variation is to be expected, the broad categories are single wound threshold, shared by all members of
minions, rivals, and nemeses. the same group. This wound threshold is equal to the
sum of the wound threshold of every member of a
Minions group. Each time any member of the group suffers
Minions are the most common NPCs encountered in the wounds, the wounds are applied to the group’s
Avatar universe. These are nameless individuals who provide threshold. Individual members of the group are
the muscle to flesh out encounters. Squads of Equalists, defeated one at a time, each time the total wounds
packs of Triple Threat gang members, and groups of highway suffered exceeds that group member’s share of the
bandits flexing their muscles are all examples of minions. wound threshold. Working as a group allows minions
Their only real threat is in numbers, and a minion is not to use skills. A minion group gains 1 skill rank for
expected to stand toe-to-toe with a Player Character. each member of the group beyond the first, if that
skill is on the minion’s list.
Minions are typically not real threats when encountered alone.  Minions are killed by Critical Injuries. If a minion
Unfortunately, they are seldom encountered alone, as they suffers a Critical Injury, it is immediately
tend to operate in small groups to increase their effectiveness. incapacitated. If a group suffers a Critical Injury, it
Minions will rarely be more than a minor obstacle to most suffers one minion’s worth of wounds.
parties of PCs, a delaying tactic that can stand in the way of
achieving a goal that a more powerful enemy wishes to see
prevented. Minions also tend to have lower wound thresholds
Rivals
than other NPCs, making it very likely that they’ll drop in one Rivals are more dangerous than minions but still inferior to
or two hits. most Player Characters. Fire Nation officers, gang
lieutenants, cunning bounty hunters, and capable engineers
GMs can use minions as adversaries, either as individuals or are all examples of rivals. Rivals are very like PCs in many
in groups. However, unless the minion has relevant attributes respects, being generally more innately gifted and better
of 3 or higher, individual minions are more likely to fail than trained than minions. They possess skills and operate
succeed on all but the simplest combat checks. GMs should individually rather than in groups. They are generally less
only use minions in this fashion if they wish to pit the PCs skilled than the PCs, and seldom possess more than 2 ranks
against an easy combat challenge. The more typical way to in any one skill.
use minions is to deploy them in groups, as described later in
this section. Rival Rules
Rivals follow most of the same rules as Player Characters do,
Minion Rules except as noted here.
Minions have several unique rules that reflect their status as
disposable adversaries.  Rivals suffer Critical Injuries normally. However,
when a rival exceeds his wound threshold, he can be
 Unless otherwise specified, minions do not killed outright (instead of incapacitated) at the GM’s
suffer strain. Anything that would inflict strain on a discretion.
minion inflicts wounds instead. Minions also cannot  Rivals cannot suffer strain. When a rival would
voluntarily suffer strain. This means that when a suffer strain, he suffers an equivalent number of
minion is taken out of combat due to exceeding his wounds instead. He can use abilities or invoke
wound threshold, it is up to the GM whether he was effects that would cause him to suffer strain; this
incapacitated or killed, depending on the simply causes him to suffer wounds instead.
circumstances. Remember, because he does not suffer strain, he
 Minions do not possess skills. One thing that cannot recover it, either. Like minions, if a rival is
makes minions significantly weaker than PCs is their incapacitated, the GM can decree whether he was
lack of skills. They can compensate for this my killed or rendered unconscious based on the
operating as a group. A minion’s profile lists several circumstances.
208 | Organizations & Society | The Second Age v1.6

GMs can decide to track strain on certain rivals, even though Skills: Skills (if any) possessed by the adversary. If the
this is not the norm. This does create extra work for the GM, adversary is a minion, these skills only apply in a group.
but it also allows some additional granularity for rivals who
might prove important to the plot. This allows the GM to create Talents: Talents (if any) possessed by the adversary.
nemesis-class characters with weaker-than-average Adversaries may have the following unique talents:
statistics.
Adversary
Upgrade the difficulty of all combat checks targeting this character
Nemeses once per rank of Adversary.
The nemesis is the opposite of a Player Character. An Earth
Kingdom general, the head of the Dai Li, a powerful bender,
 Ranked: No
or a deadly assassin are examples of potential nemeses.
They are identical to PCs in virtually every respect, and may, Dramatic Riposte
in fact, be more powerful; this is necessary to ensure that they Once per round, this character may use Dramatic Riposte to perform
pose a threat to an entire party. Nemeses frequently possess an additional action. Additional ranks in this talent increase the
several talents, have high attributes and skills, and wield number of times Dramatic Riposte may be used per round.
equipment that rivals the gear of even the best-supplied
 Trigger: Active (Incidental, Out-of-Turn)
parties. Nemeses suffer strain and wounds normally and do
 Ranked: Yes
not have any special rules governing their operations.
Abilities: These are special abilities that are not skills or
Adversary List talents.
The following is a list of adversaries the GM can use in her Forms: These list the bending form options available to the
adventures. These adversaries are divided into several adversary.
groups, depending on their affiliations and motives. Each
adversary’s profile is also broken down into several discrete Equipment: This is the adversary’s equipment. The entry only
sections, as follows: lists important gear such as weapons, armor, and other vital
pieces of equipment. Items such as clothing, spare change,
Name: The adversary’s name or type, plus whether it is a torches, and so forth are not listed but are still present if it
minion, rival, or nemesis. makes sense (and at the GM’s discretion). Any bonuses from
Description: A section describing the adversary and its size equipment are already added to the profile.
(where appropriate). It is important to note that adversaries do not always follow
Characteristics: The rating of the adversary’s six basic the same rules that Player Characters do. These profiles are
Characteristics. generated for simplicity and ease of use, so non-essential
information can be omitted. For example, some characters
Soak/Defense and Thresholds: These are the adversary’s may have equipment exceeding their encumbrance threshold.
soak, his defense (listed ranged value first, followed by melee However, they do not suffer from being over-encumbered.
value), and his wound and strain thresholds. Only nemeses
have listed strain thresholds. If a GM wishes to give a rival a Additionally, some adversaries, specifically creatures, may
strain threshold, it should have the same value as the listed have additional attributes listed based on their functionality
wound threshold. and abilities within the game. Certain draft animals, for
example, will be accompanied by statistics like those seen in
Chapter VIII: Vehicles.
United Republic of Nations

Though less than a century old, the United Republic of Equalist Grunt [Minion]
Nations has become a top player in the socio-economic and
The rank-and-file of the Equalist revolution are not much
political landscapes of the planet. For most of its existence,
different from the common street thugs seen traipsing around
the Republic was governed by a council comprised of five
Republic City. They receive their martial arts training from
members, one representative from each nation. Despite their
hidden Equalist compounds dotted throughout the city as well
best efforts, however, a bustling criminal underground swelled
as its surrounding countryside. Although most Equalist Grunts
up to fill the cracks left behind or forgotten by the Republic
fight using martial arts and have not yet learned the art of Chi
bureaucracy.
Blocking. Because of this, a Grunt may be wielding any
The animosity between benders and non-benders is greater number of weapons from a bola to a shock glove.
here than anywhere else in the world; here, it was benders
who sat on the council while violent criminals with incredible 2 2 2 2 2 2
bending abilities ruled over the streets. For the city’s BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
nonbending citizens, there seemed to be no representation or 2 5 0 0
solace until the Equalists came onto the scene promising a
new way of life. SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
The Second Age v1.6 | Adversaries & Creatures | 209

 Skills (group only): Martial Arts, Ranged Weapons,  Skills (group only): One-Handed Weapons,
Instinct. Intimidation.
 Talents: None  Talents: None
 Abilities: Flanking (may add to all attack checks  Abilities: Shakedown (may upgrade 1 dice on
when two or more are engaged with a character). Intimidation checks to frighten the party into giving
 Equipment: Bolas, Shock Glove them money if there are at least the same number of
minions as characters).
Equalist Chi Blocker [Rival]  Equipment: Dagger
Some members of the Equalist movement utilize chi blocking
to combat benders. Equalists must train tirelessly to perfect Triple Threat Triad [Rival]
this art and those that do are incredibly useful tools in the fight The Triple Threats consider themselves an ‘equal opportunity’
against bender oppression. organization – all benders have an equal chance to join their
crew. People looking for a fight, the down and out, and
3 3 2 1 2 3 orphans tend to seek out these jobs.
2 3 2 2 2 3
3 10 0 0
SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
3 12 0 0
 Skills: Martial Arts 2, Instinct 1, Perception 2, One-  Skills: Bending 2, Bending Arts 2, One-Handed
Handed Weapons 2 Weapons 2, Intimidation 1, Bending 2, Knowledge:
 Talents: Adversary 1, Expert Chi Disruption, Streetwise 2
Counterattack  Talents: Adversary 1, Confident
 Abilities: None.  Abilities: Triple Threat (may add to all attacks
 Equipment: Equalist Gear when engaged in a group of three Triple Threats).
 Forms: Respective elemental Blast, and one other
Equalist Lieutenant [Nemesis] Basic Form.
Rarely are Equalist operatives in the field alone. After Amon,  Equipment: Light Clothing
many Equalist cells went dark, each carrying on its passive
operations, led by their respective Lieutenants until the signal Triad Recruiter [Nemesis]
finally came. Who – or what – is compelling these new Some members of the triad are special recruiters, whose main
Equalist leaders to act is largely unknown. task is to find suitable conscripts within the Triple Threat turf,
particularly young and strong benders. Recruiters generally
3 5 4 4 2 4 operate alone, as they normally do not have to fear being
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI attacked.
4 18 20 0 1
4 4 2 4 4 4
SOAK WOUND STRAIN R/M DEFENSE
5 16 16 1 1
 Skills: Martial Arts 3, Instinct 1, Perception 2, One- SOAK WOUND STRAIN R/M DEFENSE
Handed Weapons 2, Discipline 1, Leadership 2
 Talents: Adversary 1, Chi Disruption, Counterattack,
Commanding Presence, Chi Disruption (Expert),  Skills: Bending 4, Bending Arts 3, Sleight of Hand 1,
Deadly Accuracy, Attack of Opportunity Perception 2, Intimidation 2, Negotiation 1,
 Abilities: Lead by Example (Add to the attacks of Deception 2
any minions attacking a character that has already  Talents: Adversary 1, Bribery, Convincing
been attacked by Equalist Lieutenant this round). Demeanor, Lethal Blows, Natural Enforcer
 Equipment: Electrified Kali Sticks, Padded Armor,  Abilities: Extortion (Add any Intimidation or
Goggles Deception checks to demoralize characters, or get
them to do a job).
Street Thug [Minion]  Forms: Access to one Advanced Form, all Basic
Skullduggery needs doing, and there are always thugs to get Forms of their element.
it done.  Equipment: Trident Dagger, Poison Vial, x amount
Silver pieces
3 2 1 2 2 2
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI Beat Cop [Minion]
For non-benders, a job in law enforcement can be dangerous;
3 5 0 0
especially when they have you running the beat in Triad
SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE territory.
3 2 2 1 2 2
210 | Adversaries & Creatures | The Second Age v1.6

BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI move at double speed when they have access to
their metal coils and are not subjected to Chi
3 5 0 0
Blocking).
SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE  Forms: Metalbending, two basic earth forms
 Equipment: Metalbending Police Force Armor,
Truncheon, Riot Shield, Metal Coils
 Skills (group only): Perception, One-Handed
Weapons, Instinct. Metalbender Detective [Nemesis]
 Talents: None The police force operates efficiently and attempts to produce
 Abilities: Patrol Route (All attempts to lose the tail of minimal damage to the city. Detectives are only deployed
the Beat Cop in their precinct of Republic City add when officers fail to apprehend a suspect the first time. Most
). detectives have a network of street thugs who can act as eyes
 Equipment: Police Uniform, Truncheon and ears, when needed.
Metalbender Officer [Rival] 3 3 4 2 3 4

The Metalbending Police Force is the elite division of the BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
Republic City Police Department, open only to earthbenders
who can manipulate the metal cables used to navigate the city 8 14 18 1 1
and take down criminals. The officers are deployed in small SOAK WOUND STRAIN R/M DEFENSE
groups by patrol airships that constantly circle the capital's
boundaries.
 Skills: Bending 3, Perception 2, Bending Arts 4,
3 4 2 1 2 3 Acrobatics 2, Martial Arts 3
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI  Talents: Adversary 1, Nimble, Nerves of Steel,
Quick Strike, Field Commander
5 13 1 0
 Abilities: Metal-Slinging (Add any grappling
SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE maneuvers, and allows Metalbender Detectives to
move at double speed when they have access to
their metal coils and are not subjected to Chi
 Skills: Martial Arts 2, Bending Arts 2, Perception 2, Blocking).
Bending 2  Forms: Metalbending, two Advanced Earth Forms,
 Talents: Nobody’s Fool all Basic Earth Forms
 Abilities: Metal-Slinging (Add any grappling  Equipment: Metalbending Police Force Armor,
maneuvers, and allows Metalbender Officers to Truncheon, Riot Shield, Metal Coils
Earth Kingdom
The military of the Earth Kingdom is the body primarily 3 1 2 2 2 3
responsible for the defense of the Earth Kingdom. It consists
of an army, navy, air force, and several specialized divisions.
It is considered to be one of the most powerful armed forces 5 17 0 1
in the world, as demonstrated by its ability to stave off assaults SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
from the more sophisticated Fire Nation forces for the majority
of the Hundred Year War.  Skills: One-Handed Weapons 2, Resilience 1,
The Inner Ring of Ba Sing Se houses a small army unto itself, Discipline 2, Bending 3, Bending Arts 2
comprised of a Royal Guard; a separate organization, known  Talents: Bodyguard
as the Dai Li was created by Avatar Kyoshi and exists to  Abilities: None.
gather intelligence and “protect Earth Kingdom culture.” Even  Forms: One Advanced form, all Basic forms.
earth citizens take care of themselves, demonstrating their  Equipment: Royal Guard Uniform, Sword,
hardy nature through their earthbending talents or rigid Warhammer
perseverance.
Dai Li Agent [Rival]
Royal Earthbender Guard [Rival] The Dai Li are highly skilled earthbending masters, whose
The Royal Earthbender Guards of Ba Sing Se, commonly talents even surpassed those of the Earthbender Guards of
known as the King's Guards, are earthbending warriors within the Royal Palace. They are adept at using their stone shoes
the Earth Kingdom affiliated with neither the Dai Li nor the to cling to sheer rock surfaces, such as walls or ceilings.
army. They instead serve as personal protectors of the earth Mastery of this wall technique has been a part of their training
monarch. The Royal Earthbender Guards sport a uniform very ever since their inception and was therefore one of their most
different from that of normal Earth Kingdom soldiers, wearing used skills. Agents will usually work in pairs.
heavier, dark green full-body armor with a green plume on top
of the helmet. 3 4 2 3 3 4

5 15 1 1  Abilities: Rural Native (may reduce the negative
effects of terrain by +1 provided they are not in an
unfamiliar environment).
 Equipment: Pitchfork (Trident w/ Inferior quality)
 Skills: Bending 3, One-Handed Weapons 2,
Bending Arts 2, Martial Arts 2, Persuasion 2,
Bandit [Minion]
Deception 2 Petty criminals and hired ruffians litter the countryside
 Talents: Adversary 1, Counterstrike, Parry throughout the Earth Kingdom, tending to congregate outside
 Abilities: Earthen Shoes (allows agent to move large cities and ports. Bandits comprise everyone from
silently, scale walls, even cling to the ceiling; can be pickpockets and muggers to gang members and killers.
used to gain on Stealth checks).
3 2 1 1 2 1
 Forms: Earth Gauntlet, Rock Gloves, all Basic
forms. BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
 Equipment: Dai Li Robes, Surveyor’s Chains, Sigil 2 7 0 0
of the Earth Kingdom
Dai Li Director [Nemesis]
A good director will operate in the open, with his target
unaware of their constant surveillance. They carry a binding  Skills (group only): One-Handed Weapons, Ranged
"weapon" called surveyors' chains within their robes, which Weapons, Perception.
they threw from their sleeves to ensnare and hold prisoners,  Talents: None
particularly other earthbenders, in order to inhibit their  Abilities: Ambush (may add to all Vigilance
bending. checks to determine Initiative by characters if they
were undetected before combat).
3 4 4 3 5 4  Equipment: Axe
Earth Army Soldier [Minion]
5 18 25 1 1 Earth Kingdom soldiers, both benders and nonbenders, carry
SOAK WOUND STRAIN R/M DEFENSE a wide variety of weapons from spears, swords, and other
various polearms to more unusual weapons such as
hammers, axes, and sickles. Soldiers are typically attired with
 Skills: Bending 4, One-Handed Weapons 3, specially-armored conical helmets, which have also been
Bending Arts 4, Martial Arts 3, Persuasion 2, shown to function in battle as an impromptu shield against fire
Deception 2 blasts.
 Talents: Adversary 1, Counterstrike, Deadly
Accuracy, Parry, Plausible Deniability 3 2 1 1 1 3
 Abilities: Network (upgrades one on any BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
Deception or Persuasion checks made against a
3 8 0 0
character so long as the Dai Li is aware of them).
Earthen Shoes (allows agent to move silently, scale SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
walls, even cling to the ceiling; can be used to gain
on Stealth checks).
 Forms: Earth Gauntlet, Rock Gloves, one Advanced  Skills (group only): Discipline, Ranged Weapons,
form, all Basic. Instinct, Bending, Bending Arts.
 Equipment: Dai Li Robes, Earthen Gloves, Earthen  Talents: None
Shoes, Surveyor’s Chains, Sigil of the Earth  Abilities: None.
Kingdom  Forms: Basic Earth Forms
 Equipment: Earth Kingdom Military Uniform, Pouch
Farmer [Minion] of Stones
Just your average, everyday Earth Kingdom citizen.
Earth Army Captain [Rival]
2 2 2 2 2 1 Officers and captains wear yellow armor instead of the
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI standard green variant and are often a part of a cavalry
2 3 0 0 complement consisting of ostrich horses and heavier armor.
SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE 4 2 2 1 2 3

 Skills (group only): Knowledge: Geography, One- 3 13 0 1

Handed Weapons, Instinct. SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
 Talents: None

 Skills: One-Handed Weapons 2, Martial Arts 1, 5 3 4 2 4 3
Leadership 2, Bending 3, Bending Arts 2
 Talents: Adversary 1
 Abilities: Military Precision (may add to checks 5 17 18 1 2
made to destroy structures or use co-operative SOAK WOUNDS STRAIN R/M DEFENSE
bending). Earth Coin (may spend an action to hurl a
silhouette 2 slab of earth at the opponent, causing
them to make an opposed Agility check to avoid the  Skills: Bending 4, Bending Arts 2, Instinct 2,
object; targets engaged with object either jump out Leadership 2, One-Handed Weapons 2, Discipline 2,
of the way or take a number of damage ignoring soak Resilience 1
equal to the Rival’s Body rating; earthbenders can  Talents: Adversary 1, Dual Wield, Field Commander
make a Bending (BOD) check to instead redirect  Abilities: High Command (any Leadership check
the disc in a different direction). made to bolster Earth Kingdom troops add to the
 Forms: One advanced form, two basic forms. troops above any already given by the roll). Earth
 Equipment: Earth Kingdom Captain Uniform, Pouch Coin (may spend an action to hurl a silhouette 2 slab
of Stones, Warhammer of earth at the opponent, causing them to make an
opposed Agility check to avoid the object; targets
Earth Army General [Nemesis] engaged with it either jump out of the way or take a
Generals rarely, if ever, accompany their own men into battle number of damage ignoring soak equal to the Rival’s
and thus their presence anywhere should indicate the Earth Body rating; earthbenders can make a Bending
Kingdom’s substantial vested interests. (BOD) check to instead redirect the disc in a
different direction).
As a meritocratic organization, generals in the Earth Army are  Forms: One expert form, two advanced forms, all
always vying for recognition, honor, and ultimately a position basic forms.
on the Council of Five. Each general is in charge of bases  Equipment: Earth Kingdom General Uniform, Pouch
located in the Earth Kingdom. of Stones, Warhammer (x2)
Fire Nation
Fire Sage [Rival] BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
The Fire Sages are an organization that serves as the 3 5 0 0
religious authority of the Fire Nation and is responsible for SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
identifying the Avatar's incarnation when he or she is born in
the Fire Nation. Their additional duties include guarding the
temple and conducting coronations, weddings, and funerals  Skills (group only): Martial Arts, Ranged Weapons,
for the Royal Family and for those who seek their spiritual Discipline, Sailing.
advice.  Talents: None
 Abilities: None
2 2 3 2 3 4
 Equipment: Sword, Naval Uniform
2 13 1 0 Fire Navy Commander [Rival]
SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE A commander is in charge of the captains and responsible for
carrying out an admiral's commands. They are also placed in
charge of blockades and a considerable number of ships, but
 Skills: Bending Arts 3, Bending 3, Decipher 2, still have nowhere near as much power as an admiral.
Perception 2, Medicine 2, Discipline 2, Knowledge
2 3 2 2 3 3
(History) 1, Knowledge (Culture) 1
 Talents: Adversary 1 BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
 Abilities: Naval Superiority (may add to all attack 2 11 0 1
checks when engaged with any character untrained
in Sailing, so long as they are on a boat).
 Forms: Energy Reading, one advanced form, all
basic forms.  Skills: One-Handed Weapons 2, Navigation 1,
 Equipment: Sage Robes Leadership 2, Sailing 2
 Talents: Adversary 1, Fencer, Rapid Reaction
Fire Navy Private [Minion]  Abilities: Naval Superiority (may add to all attack
Privates are not considered officers and are under the checks when engaged with any character untrained
command of a ship's lieutenant. They are the lowest rank in in Sailing, so long as they are on a boat).
the Fire Nation forces.  Forms: One advanced form, all basic forms.
 Equipment: Naval Captain Military Uniform, Sword
2 2 2 2 2 2

Fire Navy Admiral [Nemesis]
Admiral is the highest rank in the Fire Nation Navy, preceded  Skills: Bending 3, Bending Arts 4, Leadership 3,
by commander. The title has been used since the inception of One-Handed Weapons 2, Sailing 2, Navigation 1
the navy and gives whoever bears the title high authority and  Talents: Adversary 1, Fencer, Disarm, Sea Legs
command over an entire fleet. Admirals are appointed directly
 Abilities: Fleet Tactics (When engaged in ship
by the Fire Lord. Above all else, Fire Admirals value the honor
combat with at least one allied ship present, any time
and respectability of their supporters.
that both ships make the same action such as firing
weapons or ramming enemy ships, the each
3 5 3 2 4 4
subsequent ship after the first gains on that
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI action).
3 18 18 1 1  Forms: One expert form, two advanced forms, all
SOAK WOUND STRAIN R/M DEFENSE basic forms.
 Equipment: Naval Admiral Military Uniform, Sword
Water Tribes
The chain of command is not well defined in the Water Tribe. BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
There is no overall military commander of the Water Tribes
4 10 0 1
and as such, command is divided between the two polar
factions. Any formal operations are usually spearheaded by a SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
tribal chieftain. In reality, only the Northern Water Tribe has
anything resembling an organized military.  Skills: Two-Handed Weapons 2, Survival 1,
Perception 2, Athletics 2
Northern Soldier [Rival]  Talents: Uncanny Senses, Hunter
As a result of the industrialization of the tribe after the war, the  Abilities: Wolf Spirit (as a maneuver, may add
Northern Water Tribe's military changed greatly. A standing to next melee attack).
army was formed and its equipment was improved; by 151  Form: Two basic forms
AG, machetes and spears had become the most common  Equipment: Wolf Pelt Armor, Spear, Dagger
weapons.
Water Tribe Chieftain [Nemesis]
The standard weaponry of machetes and spears remained
Little more than the leader of a particular Water Tribe
largely the same for twenty years, though a new uniform was
settlement, the chieftain is responsible for mustering warriors
introduced. Less thick and bulky, this new dark blue uniform
and benders together and leading them into battle or scouting
allows greater freedom of movement. It consists of a padded
operations. In principle, all chiefs are equal and can convene
jacket, a leather helmet with fabric neck guard, lined trousers
together to make joint decisions. In practice, both the North
and high boots. Since at least 150 AG, the army also makes
and the South are ruled by Chiefs; Desna and Eska in the
use of pack animals and mounts, most notably the Arctic
north and Hakoda in the south.
camel and the buffalo yak. High-ranking officers wear a dark
blue coat with a Water Tribe insignia
5 3 2 3 2 4
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI 5 20 20 2 1
3 12 1 1 SOAK WOUND STRAIN R/M DEFENSE
 Skills: Bending 3, Discipline 2, Leadership 3, Martial
 Skills: One-Handed Weapons 3, Two-Handed Arts 2, Perception 1, Instinct 1
Weapons 2, Survival 1, Perception 2, Athletics 2  Talents: Adversary 1, Water Cloak, Water Boxing,
 Talents: Uncanny Senses, Parry Phase Shift, Heroic Fortitude, Inspiring Rhetoric,
 Abilities: Military Discipline (North Soldiers gain +1 Inspiring Rhetoric (Expert), Natural Leader
to their initiative check).  Abilities: Chieftain’s Vigilance (when the Water
 Form: One advanced form, two basic forms Tribe Chieftain is attacked, they add to determine
 Equipment: Northern Army armor, Leather Helmet, Initiative order to himself and any guards he has, and
Spear, Machete grants them on any attacks made in the first
round). Wolf Spirit (as a maneuver, may add to
Water Tribe Warrior [Rival] next melee attack).
Without any formal military, most warriors in the Northern or  Forms: One expert form, one advanced form, all
Southern tribes tend to be able-bodied individuals who are basic forms.
capable of holding a weapon, or wielding their waterbending  Equipment: Wolf Pelt Armor, Wolf Pelt Helmet,
offensively. Waterskin, Spear
4 2 3 1 2 3

Red Lotus
The Red Lotus is a global militant anarchist organization, BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
founded by Xai Bau as a splinter faction of the Order of the
3 10 0 1
White Lotus after the Hundred Year War. Until 171 AG, the
organization operated through sleeper cells, keeping their SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
existence unknown to the world.
 Skills: Martial Arts 2, Vigilance 1, Deception 2,
The Red Lotus' agenda is to have the humans and spirits Acrobatics 2, Bending 3, Bending Arts 3
coexist again and usher in a new world order by dismantling
 Talents: Chi Blocking, Indistinguishable
the established nations and their leaders. Their first attempt
 Abilities: Secret Society (Increases the challenge
involved freeing Vaatu from his prison in the Spirit World, but
rating of a character attempting to pass themselves
this was thwarted by Avatar Korra and her friends. A second
off as a member of the Red Lotus by +1).
attempt was made by Zaheer, who assassinated Earth Queen
 Forms: One advanced form, two basic forms.
Hou-Ting. Although he was successful in destabilizing the
 Equipment: Trident Dagger, Staff, Red Lotus
Earth Kingdom, it came at great cost to his organization.
Symbol
Red Lotus Initiate [Minion] Red Lotus Master [Nemesis]
Before they can become sentries, aspiring benders of the Red
They say when one Master falls, a Sentry rises to take his
Lotus begin as initiates and must show their dedication to the
place. With the disappearance of P’li, Ghazan, Zaheer, and
cause.
Ming-Hua, the opportunity is ripe for four new bending
masters to take the reins of this organization.
2 2 2 2 3 3
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI 4 3 2 2 3 4
2 5 0 0 BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE 4 15 18 1 1
 Skills (group only): Bending, Martial Arts, Deception,
Intimidation.
 Skills: Bending 4, Deception 2, Bending Arts 4,
 Talents: None
Martial Arts 2, Perception 2
 Forms: Only the respective elemental Blast form
 Talents: Adversary 1, Dodge 2, Mental Fortress,
 Abilities: None
Precision, Sixth Sense
 Equipment: Trident Dagger, Staff, Red Lotus  Abilities: Ancient Knowledge (Whenever conditions
Symbol would add to the bending of Red Lotus Master such
as being outside as an Airbender, that bonus is
Red Lotus Sentry [Rival] doubled. If no conditions affect the Red Lotus
The Red Lotus sentries are low-ranking members of the Red Master, they can remove for free).
Lotus. Although they are not operatives themselves, sentries  Forms: One master form, two expert forms, two
are the muscle of most Red Lotus operations, carrying out advanced forms, all basic forms.
many responsibilities too great to entrust to initiates, but too  Equipment: Trident Dagger, Glider Staff, Red Lotus
mundane to bother a Red Lotus Master. Symbol, Bending Scroll
3 2 2 1 3 3
White Lotus
The Order of the White Lotus, also known as the White Lotus, multiple leaders and many sentries and initiates tasked with
is an ancient and formerly secret society that transcends the duties such as training the Avatar or guarding dangerous
boundaries of the four nations, seeking philosophy, beauty, benders.
and truth. They are devoted to the sharing of ancient
knowledge across national and political divides, and on Avatar 2 2 2 2 1 3
Aang's request, they also concern themselves with the task of BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
finding, training, and protecting each new Avatar.
2 5 0 0
Shortly after the Hundred Year War's conclusion, the society SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
stopped concealing itself from the public eye and began to
serve the world and the Avatar more openly, though several
aspects of their operations remained secret.  Skills (group only): Bending Arts, Martial Arts,
Empathy, Knowledge: Spirit World.
White Lotus Initiate [Minion]  Talents: None
As the White Lotus is no longer a secret society, many more
members are present in the Order than in the past, including
 Abilities: Strength in Numbers (may add to all White Lotus Master [Nemesis]
Discipline or Vigilance checks made against fear Masters of the White Lotus are among the world’s wisest
effects or surprise attacks when there are more than scholars in both the bending arts and the spirit world. Only
two White Lotus Initiates together). truly enlightened individuals can ever attain the rank of
 Equipment: Staff, War Fan, White Lotus Symbol Master, fewer still ever go on to become a Grand Lotus. It is
said that an enlightened master has the ability to travel to the
Spirit World through meditation, and rumors abound that
those who achieve Grand Lotus status also have prolonged
White Lotus Sentry [Rival]
life.
Sentries of the White Lotus are stationed at various White
Lotus bases throughout the world tasked with guarding the 4 3 4 2 3 5
world’s most nefarious bending criminals and other tightly-
guarded secrets. BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
5 18 22 1 2
2 3 3 2 1 3
3 14 0 1
 Skills: Bending 5, Empathy 2, Bending Arts 5,
Martial Arts 2, Knowledge: Spirit World 4
 Talents: Adversary 1, Martial Artist, Unarmed
Specialist, Secret Technique, Chakras Aligned,
 Skills: Martial Arts 2, Empathy 1, Knowledge: Spirit
Spiritual Guru, Pressure Point, Master Healer
World 2, Discipline 2, Bending 3, Bending Arts 4
 Abilities: Ancient Techniques (Once per round,
 Talents: Martial Artist, Nimble
when in combat with a bender, White Lotus Master
 Abilities: Secret Society (Increases the challenge
may suffer two strain and treat the bending as if he
rating of a character attempting to pass themselves
was a bender of the same type with three ranks in
off as a member of the White Lotus by +1).
Resistance).
 Forms: One advanced form, two basic forms.
 Forms: One Master form, two expert forms, two
 Equipment: Staff, War Fan, White Lotus Symbol advanced forms, all basic forms.
 Equipment: Staff, War Fan, White Lotus Symbol,
Spirit Scroll

Creatures and Spirits
A vast range of fauna inhabit the world of Avatar; most of the  Abilities: Earth Senses (when making perception
animals presented are notably chimeras or crossbreeds of checks, the Badgermole is not hindered by darkness
two real world animals. Although not all creatures intend to and can sense things out of its line of sight within
harm the players, they will defend their territory and their lives range. Any earthbending attack made against the
if provoked. Badgermole suffers ), Digging Claws (before using
a maneuver to move, a Badgermole may spend a
Note: for roleplay purposes, the Martial Arts skill is listed
maneuver to dig, allowing the character to use that
simply as Melee for most creatures and spirits. This is purely
move maneuver to travel through loose soil or similar
an aesthetic distinction for the ease of narrating events. terrain. At the GM's discretion, this excavation can
result in a low, narrow tunnel that others can use).
Creatures  Equipment: Big claws (Melee; DMG 6; CRIT 3)
Armadillo Lion [Rival] Boar-q-pine [Rival]

This large animal has the body and head of a lion. The fur on This animal is enormous, almost as large as a fully-grown
its feet and lower part of its face is white. Its main trunk and flying bison. Native to large Earth Kingdom forests, it has the
the upper parts of its legs are covered by shaggy brown hair. body and general appearance of a boar, except that its body
Its back is topped by an armadillo-like segmented carapace, is covered in quills like a porcupine. It has a large head
which extends to cover the top of its head. It has an armadillo- compared to the rest of its body, and from it emerge a pair of
like hairless tail. When startled, the armadillo lion can curl up sharp, white tusks. However, in youth, these creatures
into an armored ball, much like the three-banded armadillo. resemble their porcupine half more, being small, not much
bigger than a hand, and also appearing more rodent-like
4 3 2 1 3 1
rather than like a large boar. They also appear to be much
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI more docile, which is to be expected with young creatures.
5 16 1 1
The boar-q-pine is known to be extremely bad tempered and
SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE vengeful, yet also very shy and prone to adorable waddling. It
is carnivorous and is a predator of koala sheep; both species
are some of the few that inhabit the Black Cliffs.
 Skills: Resilience 3, Intimidation 3, Melee 2
 Talents: Brace, Brute Strength, Enduring 1 3 4 3 1 1 1
 Abilities: Carapace Armor (when taking a defense BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
stance, the Armadillo Lion’s soak is increased by one
5 15 0 1
and its general defense Is increased by 1; it adds
to each attack for every consecutive turn it uses this SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
ability).
 Equipment: Big paws (Melee; DMG 6; CRIT 3)
 Skills: Intimidation 3, Survival 3, Ranged 1, Melee 2
Badgermole [Rival]  Talents: Disorient, Frenzied Attack, Enduring 2
An enormous mammal, the badger mole has the shovel-  Abilities: Charge! (Once per encounter, a boar-q-
shaped claws and long tail associated with the mole and a pine can use its free maneuver to move from medium
badger-like body. It has brown fur, a white face, and a white range to engaged to attack a target. Along with
stripe running down its back. The badger mole seems to be allowing the boar-q-pine to close quickly with its
the natural predator of the wolfbats and can earthbend by prey, a charge also adds 2 damage to the attack and
slamming its paws into the ground and motioning with its target is Disoriented on a successful hit.), Barbed
stance to move the dirt around. It also seems to enjoy music Hide (when a Boar-q-pine is hit by a melee attack,
and becomes tranquil when it hears music playing. Silhouette the GM can spend hh to inflict 1 wound [ignoring
2. soak] on the attacker).
 Equipment: Tusks (Melee; DMG 6; CRIT 3.
5 3 2 2 2 2
Scorpion bee [Minion]
Scorpion bees live in colonies and are not the friendliest of
5 21 0 1 insects; they will swarm and cover a person from head to toe,
SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE but will not sting unless provoked by sudden movements or
2 2 1 loud noises, as they demonstrated while resting on Avatar
Aang. Smoke proves to be helpful in getting rid of them as it
SILHOUETTE SPEED HANDLING makes the bees tired. Scorpion bees will never attack a
character unprovoked and will always attack in swarms.
 Skills: Bending Arts 3, Bending 2, Instinct 2, 1 3 1 1 1 1
Perception 2
 Talents: Calming Presence BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI

0 3 1 1 end of the Hundred Year War, and these creatures reside at
the different air temples. Like their cousin, the Winged Lemur,
Ring-Tailed Lemurs make great companions and can be
trained to perform a variety of tasks.
 Skills: Ranged 1, Melee 1, Stealth 2,
1 4 3 1 2 1
 Talents: Coordinated Assault
 Abilities: Venom (after being stung by a swarm of BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
Scorpion bees, a character must make a Hard 1 6 0 0
( ) Resilience check. If they fail, they are SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
disoriented for 1 round, +1 round for each additional
failure; they suffer 1 strain per h generated). Swarm
(Halve the damage dealt to the swarm before  Skills: Perception 2, Sleight-of-Hand 2, Acrobatics 1
applying soak unless the weapon has the Blast or  Talents: None.
Burn quality [Regardless of whether or not that  Abilities: Understanding (any Intelligence rolls
quality is activated]). made by a Ring-Tailed Lemur to understand speech
 Equipment: Stinger (Melee; DMG 1; CRIT 4). gain , and any Animal Handling rolls made to
communicate with a Lemur receive ). Companion
Flying Bison [Rival] Animal (once per encounter, may make an Easy ( )
The flying bison, also known as sky bison and air bison, lived Empathy check targeting an engaged character;
in the air temples along with the Air Nomads. Some bison also that character recovers 1 strain per success).
live in the Fire Nation, tended to on an island by the Bhanti
Tribe. Prior to the Hundred Year War, many flying bison lived Polar Bear Dog [Rival]
in the air temples. They were highly respected by the Air
The polar bear dog is a large, white-furred animal that was
Nomads, who regarded them as the first airbenders.
historically feared and hunted by members of the Water Tribe.
Their pelts make sky bison high-value targets for poachers. The vicious behavior of polar bear dogs is like that of real polar
Rumor has it that the upper-class citizens of Ba Sing Se even bears, though when properly tamed, their behavior is more
view bison veal as a delicacy. akin to that of domesticated dogs. Due to their size and
seemingly loyal nature, these animals can be trained as
All flying bison employ airbending to fly, using their wide tails mounts to cross the snowy plains of the polar regions.
to steer through air currents and to defend themselves from
attacks. They are also able to use their mouths to airbend. 3 5 3 1 1 2
Since young flying bison are incapable of flight for a week or BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
two after they are born, the herd will stay close to the ground
to protect them. Though docile, flying bison can be fierce and 3 14 0 0
powerful opponents if pressed or enraged, possessing great SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
physical strength and airbending skills. 2 3 2
5 3 3 1 2 4 SILHOUETTE SPEED HANDLING

5 22 1 1  Skills: Survival 3, Perception 2, Athletics 3, Instinct
SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE 2, Melee 2
 Talents: Expert Swimmer, Natural Hunter
3 3 1
 Abilities: Tireless (Polar Bear Dogs upgrade to
SILHOUETTE SPEED HANDLING on any checks involving swimming or running
long distances); Keen Smell (add a to a polar bear
dog’s Perception checks)
 Skills: Bending Arts 2, Bending 3, Instinct 2,  Equipment: Big paws (Melee; DMG 6; CRIT 3),
Empathy 2 sometimes equipped with a riding saddle.
 Talents: None
 Abilities: Wind Bellow (flying Bison may spend an Wolf [Rival]
action to release a bellow charged with airbending, The wolf is an animal that inhabits the polar regions of the
forcing all creatures within short or engaged range to world, as well as some areas of the Earth Kingdom,
make an Opposed Resilience check against the particularly in rural regions secluded from human settlement.
Flying Bison’s Bending skill or be pushed to medium These creatures are known to travel in packs, especially when
range); Flight (flying bison can fly, making them more searching for prey. Much like their real-world counterparts,
difficult to hit) these creatures can be aggressive and territorial toward
 Equipment: Sometimes equipped with a riding potential threats.
saddle and reins.
3 4 3 2 3 1
Ring-Tailed Lemur [Minion] BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
The ring-tailed winged lemur is a small animal closely related
to the winged lemur. The species was discovered after the 3 13 0 0

SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
 Skills: Survival 3, Athletics 1, Intimidation 2, Melee  Skills (group only): Acrobatics 2, Stealth 2, Sleight
2 of Hand 1
 Talents: Expert Tracker, Knockdown  Talents: Natural Rogue
 Abilities: Pack Tactics (allows for a wolf to activate  Abilities: Faux Innocence (Fire Ferrets may act as if
Knockdown using only on success if the target has they had 2 ranks in the Deception skill when
been attacked by two or more wolves in the same attempting to divert suspicion away from
round); Territorial (wolves are incredibly territorial, themselves)
and gain a Boost to all melee checks made when
attacking any intruders into what they consider their Iguana Parrot [Minion]
territory. The iguana parrot, also known as the reptile bird, is a
 Equipment: Big paws (Melee; DMG 6; CRIT 3) hybridized creature that inhabits the Earth Kingdom. It is a
favorite pet of sailors and pirates. This creature has feathers
Eel hound [Minion] and is capable of flight, but also possesses several reptilian
The eel hound is a large, amphibious lizard that exhibits the characteristics as well. It has a parrot-like beak, a feathered
ability to swim and run quickly. It is at least eight feet tall and tail, and wings ending in claws, and it moves on four limbs
roughly twenty-five to thirty feet long with dark green scales, when it chooses not to fly. Its feet also seem to lack the
except along its ventral side, from its jaw to its tail. The eel reversed toe characteristic of many modern birds, and it has
hound is green in color with a lighter shade on its underbelly, a small dorsal fin on its back.
and a darker shade of green on top of its body.
1 4 3 1 4 1
The eel hound has a very wild nature which can make it
challenging to train. For this reason, very few people attempt
to do so; therefore, eel hounds are not commonly used for 1 5 0 0
mounts. Once properly trained, however, the eel hound is SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
surprisingly tame and can be used to swim through water or
run on land at great speeds; it was credited by the great
Swordmaster Piandao as being the fastest known animal over  Skills: Deception 2, Stealth 1,
land and water.  Talents: Eagle-Hawk Awareness
 Abilities: Mimic (An Iguana Parrot may make a
2 4 1 1 1 2 Deception check to mimic the sound of a human
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI voice they have heard within the last week. The
2 6 0 0 difficulty is 2 when repeating words the parrot heard
said, and 3 to replicate the sound of the voice
SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE speaking words other than those the parrot heard
2 4 2 them say).
SILHOUETTE SPEED HANDLING
Ostrich Horse [Rival]
The ostrich horse is a docile creature used extensively by
 Skills: Athletics 3, Acrobatics 3, Resilience 1 people all over the world as a cavalry mount, beast of burden,
 Talents: Expert Swimmer or form of transportation. Particularly, highly trained ostrich
 Abilities: Rejuvenation (when in water, Eel Hounds horses equipped with armor serve as the primary mount of the
can forgo their action to heal 1 strain per turn. If this Earth Kingdom military and are often used in battles by
strain was incurred due to running or swimming long several divisions. Ostrich horses used by the military appear
distanced, the strain is recovered at a rate of 2 per in body armor that covers their heads, necks, and parts of their
round) sides. Reliance on ostrich horses as a primary means of
 Equipment: Sometimes equipped with a riding transportation is not restricted solely to the military, as they
saddle. are common among civilians as well.
Although they have a generally calm temperament, ostrich

Fire Ferret [Minion] horses have been known to buck and kick their riders as well
The fire ferret is an arboreal mammal indigenous to the as nearby bystanders when startled or agitated. Wild ostrich
bamboo forests of the central Earth Kingdom. The fire ferret horses are solitary and can be found near human settlements.
is a docile and friendly creature. Once tamed, it can easily be
kept as a pet and is obedient and loyal to its owner. The fire 4 3 2 1 1 1
ferret can also be trained to do certain stunts, and is frequently
seen in traveling circuses.
4 10 0 0
1 3 3 1 3 1 SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI 2 3 2
1 5 0 0 SILHOUETTE SPEED HANDLING

10 30 30 0 1
 Skills: Athletics 2, Melee 1, Resilience 2, Instinct 3 SOAK WOUND STRAIN R/M DEFENSE
 Talents: Enduring
 Abilities: Steadfast (Ostrich Horses and their
 Skills: Survival 3, Stealth 3, Melee 4
owners receive to skill checks when being ridden
 Talents: Dramatic Riposte 1, Natural Hunter, Quick
as a mount); Beast of Burden (Ostrich horses add 10
to their encumbrance threshold). Strike, Adversary 1
 Abilities: Unhinge Jaw (when the Sand Shark
 Equipment: Sometimes equipped with armor and a
riding saddle. Hind-legs (Melee; DMG 3; CRIT 3) makes an attack, it can unhinge its jaw as a
maneuver. If it then succeeds on its attack, or can
swallow the creature up to its silhouette by spending
Platypus Bear [Rival]
a t), Devour (can spend t to begin to devour a
The platypus bear is a large mammal endemic to the forests
target after a successful attack. The target is
and valleys of the Earth Kingdom, where it typically resides
ensnared and automatically takes damage at the
near rivers. Wild platypus bears have an aggressive nature
beginning of the Sand Shark’s turn. A creature that
and are prone to accidentally laying eggs when frightened.
is killed is completely devoured and digested)
The platypus bear is quite vicious and is known to attack  Equipment: Massive claws, teeth (Melee; DMG 14;
humans; when it does attack, it uses its clawed paws and its CRIT 3) Smashing tail (Range [Short]; Concussive,
rudder-like tail, which also helps it swim. Platypus bear Disorient 2, Pierce 3).
assaults are even more likely to occur when a baby platypus
bear is involved, as a mother platypus bear is protective of her Sea Serpent [Nemesis]
young. However, despite its wild nature, the platypus bear can The serpent is a large aquatic creature that inhabits the waters
also be trained and domesticated, having been used as both of the Earth Kingdom, specifically the lakes surrounding the
a circus animal and a brute enforcer and having been kept as Serpent's Pass, which was named after the creature; fear of
a pet. the serpent was instilled by nearby lore, as exhibited by graffiti
reading "abandon hope" carved into one of the posts at the
4 2 1 1 2 1 entrance of the pass.
This ferocious animal lives mostly on fish and other water
4 16 0 1 creatures, but it will attack and eat just about anything—it has
SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE even been known to attack ships when looking for a meal. The
serpent lets out a loud, blood-curdling scream just before it
attacks.
 Skills: Survival 3, Melee 3, Intimidation 2
 Talents: Fearsome, Brawler 5 6 1 1 1 3
 Abilities: Strong Jaw (when a Platypus Bear makes BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
a successful combat roll, they may spend aaa to 8 20 20 0 0
bite down on the opponent, preventing them from
moving out of engaged range until the beginning of SOAK WOUND STRAIN R/M DEFENSE
the creature’s next turn and imposing to their
next attack)
 Skills: Athletics 4, Stealth 3, Perception 2, Instinct 2
 Equipment: Big claws (Melee; DMG 6; CRIT 3).
 Talents: Adversary 1, Swift, Expert Swimmer,
Targeted Blow, Deadly Accuracy, Rapid Reaction,
Sand Shark [Nemesis] Enduring 3
The sand shark is a large carnivorous predator that lurks  Abilities: Destruction (when attacking a structure,
underneath the surface of the Si Wong Desert, searching
either natural or made by bending, the serpent adds
through the sand for mobile prey.
to its attempt)
The sand shark is a solitary ambush predator that constantly  Equipment: Massive claws, teeth (Melee; DMG 10;
moves underground in search of prey. It remains largely CRIT 3) Smashing tail (Range [Short]; Concussive,
inconspicuous apart from the distinct dorsal fin that appears Disorient 2, Pierce 3).
when it nears the surface and the movement of nearby dunes
when it navigates through the sand. It prefers to leap out of Unagi [Nemesis]
the sand and launch any terrestrial organisms on the surface The unagi is a carnivorous predator that will consume
into the air while it extends its mouth, largely preventing prey anything that it encounters in the water, with a preference for
from escaping its reach. The sand shark's body shape allows the elephant koi found in the waters surrounding Kyoshi
it to move through the sand with relative ease and reach Island. It can launch powerful streams of water from its mouth
speeds that surpass that of sand-sailers, even powered by as a means of subduing prey and deterring external threats.
airbending.
Because of its aggressive nature, the residents of Kyoshi
6 3 1 1 1 1 Island typically avoid the bay in which the unagi is found.
Despite its tendency to lash out, the unagi has an instinctive
fear of anything that exceeds it in size, and it can be
controlled, to some extent, by its barbels, as demonstrated by
Aang when he forced the unagi to spray water over the The komodo rhino has a thick, "tough as steel" hide, which
burning Kyoshi Village. serves as natural protection for its body. Three large, curved
horns dominate its face; two curving down from its forehead
5 6 2 1 2 1 and one curving upward from its snout.
6 1 1 2 1 2
10 25 20 1 1
9 20 0 1
SOAK WOUND DEFENSE
 Skills: Athletics 3, Stealth 2, Perception 1, Ranged 2 2 1
2
 Talents: Dramatic Riposte 1, Adversary 2, Swift, SILHOUETTE SPEED HANDLING
Expert Swimmer, Rapid Reaction, Uncanny Senses,
 Abilities: Water Pressure (when using a ranged
 Skills: Survival 2, Athletics 2, Discipline 1, Brawling
attack, the Unagi may spend two strain to upgrade
2
to a . If the attack succeeds, the target is
 Talents: Show of Might, Fearsome, Enduring 3
prevented from closing range bands next turn and
suffers one additional strain).  Abilities: Unstoppable (adds to any checks made
to resist halting effects or disorientation, and
 Equipment: Massive claws, teeth (Melee; DMG 12;
CRIT 3) Smashing tail (Range [Short]; Concussive, imposes on any attempts to stop or disorient a
Disorient 2, Pierce 3). Komodo Rhino); Beast of Burden (komodo rhinos
add 20 to their encumbrance threshold).
Dragon [Nemesis]  Equipment: Sometimes equipped with armor and a
riding saddle. Horns (Melee; DMG 8; CRIT 3; Range
The dragons are the original practitioner of firebending,
[Engaged]; Pierce 2)
capable of breathing fire. The species demonstrated the true
way of firebending to the Sun Warriors' civilization, a
precursor to the modern-day Fire Nation, as well as to Wan,
Shirshu [Rival]
the first Avatar. As such, dragons are highly respected by both The shirshu is a large, quadrupedal creature found in the
the Sun Warriors and the Fire Nation. southern Earth Kingdom. Its highly developed sense of smell
and ability to paralyze a target make it well suited for both
Dragons are intelligent creatures, capable of communicating tracking and hunting respectively.
with humans. Although generally living in solitude, a dragon
can form a tight bond with a human, even to the point where Tamed shirshus are mainly used for their superior tracking
it will protect its human partner to the death. ability; they can detect a particular scent anywhere in the
world, paralyze their prey from afar without doing permanent
6 6 5 4 3 6 damage, are extremely fast and agile, and can travel over
great distances without tiring significantly. Shirshu saliva
contains powerful toxins, making it highly valuable; it is used
7 30 40 2 3 in the production of paralyzing darts.
SOAK WOUND STRAIN DEFENSE
Despite its size and weight, the shirshu has outstanding agility
3 4 2 and can hold its own in close combat situations. Using its
SILHOUETTE SPEED HANDLING powerful claws, it can easily protect itself from most threats,
though in the majority of cases, close combat is unnecessary:
the shirshu's tongue can reach up to several meters and
 Skills: Bending Arts 3, Bending 4, Knowledge: incapacitate opponents before they have a chance to get
History and Spirit World 3, Instinct 2, Persuasion 2 near. Its critical weakness is its highly sensitive sense of
 Talents: Dramatic Riposte 1, Adversary 2, Chakras smell, which can be overwhelmed by strong scents, effectively
Aligned, Confident, Fearsome "blinding" it and, in some cases, inducing a frenzied panic.
 Abilities: Eternal Flame (any attempt to bend the fire
of a dragon by any non-dragon character or creature 3 6 3 1 4 1
has its difficulty upgraded with ; the difficulty of BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
any other attempt is upgraded with ) 3 14 0 0
 Equipment: Avatar Roku once equipped his dragon,
SOAK WOUNDS DEFENSE
Fang, with a riding saddle.
2 3 -1
Komodo Rhino [Rival] SILHOUETTE SPEED HANDLING
The komodo rhino is an animal from the Fire Nation, bred both
as a beast of burden and for its meat in komodo sausages.
During the Hundred Year War, the Fire Nation used these  Skills: Survival 4, Stealth 3, Acrobatics 3
creatures as cavalry mounts or as beasts of burden, often  Talents: Expert Tracker 2, Natural Hunter
decorating them in red.  Abilities: On the Scent (when tracking prey by
scent, Shirshu ignore all penalties due to time and

can remove one d or f from the result of a tracking  Abilities: Awe-Inspiring (Lion Turtles are such awe-
attempt); Enhanced Senses (add a to shirshu’s inspiring creatures that anyone attempting to attack
Perception checks) her suffers one Setback to their check), Energy
 Equipment: Sometimes equipped with a riding Bending (The Lion Turtle can use and teach the art
saddle. of energy bending. This allows them to make a
formidable Bending or Bending Arts check to remove
Lion Turtle [Nemesis] the ability of opponents to access the Bending or
Bending Arts skills)
 Equipment: Sometimes has remnants of human
civilization on its back island.
 Silhouette: 10
Wolfbat [Minion]
They are territorial animals so if you ever hear their distinct
howl it's best to turn back and not disturb them. Wolfbats are
a nocturnal animal, only leaving the caves at night. They tend
to congregate in large groups, making them even more
dangerous. Their only predator is the gigantic badgermole,
but they are also frightened by fire. The wolfbat does not build
nests.
2 3 1 1 1 1
The lion turtle, also called Ancient One by the spirits, is a 2 6 1 1

chimerical hybrid of a lion and a turtle and the largest known SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
animal in the world. In the era of Raava, lion turtles populated
the Spirit Wilds, where they served as protectors of mankind
by housing human cities on their backs.  Skills (in groups): Perception, Acrobatics, Melee
 Talents: None.
Lion turtles could survive for centuries if unharmed and reach  Abilities: Flight (wolfbats can fly, making them more
the size of a small island, developing hard shells that difficult to hit).
eventually grow plant life that can sustain several species of  Equipment: Claws (Melee; DMG 2; CRIT 5; Range
animals. This effectively creates small ecosystems on the [Engaged]).
backs of lion turtles, which neither benefit nor harm the hosts
 Silhouette: 0
in question. Lion turtles were so enormous that their hearts
can weigh over 120 tons, which is comparable to the
Viperbat [Minion]
combined weight of twelve flying bison.
Often living in large colonies, it is known to be easily
Although from the same species, lion turtles had distinct aggravated and ill-tempered. Despite their naturally
markings on their foreheads indicating the element to which aggressive temperament, domesticated viper bats are known
they were attributed. Lion turtles are intelligent creatures who to exist. The viper bat primarily resembles a rattlesnake in
demonstrate the ability to both speak and understand human body, the only exceptions being the facial details and wings.
language, unlike many other creatures in Avatar. They are Its wings give it great speed and agility, and its fangs supply
solitary creatures that disperse as much as possible and a penetrating bite. The viper bat bears a dull, red marking that
remain hidden through various means. Terrestrial lion turtles runs the length of its back and has a softer, sand-colored
buried themselves in the ground and did not surface unless underbelly.
summoned, while aquatic lion turtles partly submerged
themselves underwater to avoid detection. 1 4 1 1 1 1
6 6 6 6 6 6
1 7 1 1
12 60 60 3 3
SOAK WOUND STRAIN DEFENSE
 Skills (in groups): Acrobatics, Melee
 Talents: None.
 Skills: Bending Arts 5, Knowledge: History 4,  Abilities: Flight (viperbats can fly, making them
Knowledge: Geography 3, Knowledge: The Spirit more difficult to hit); Poison (A successful melee
World 5, Empathy 4, Discipline 4, Perception 3 attack from a viperbat injects a poison into the target.
 Talents: Spiritual Guru, Chakras Aligned, Calming The target makes a Hard ( ) Resilience check.
Aura, Researcher, Well Travelled, Empathy, Mental Failure deals 2 wound, ignoring soak, plus 1 strain
Fortress, Natural Mediator per h generated. d generated on this roll can be
spent to cause the poison to remain in the target’s
system, affecting him again next round)
 Equipment: Fangs (Melee; DMG 3; CRIT 5; Pierce Lion Vulture [Rival]
1, Finesse, Range [Engaged]). The lion vulture is a cabbage-loving oddity native to the Fire
 Silhouette: 0 Nation. It is a large bird that has the head and wings of a
vulture and the body of a lion. Its head and neck have no
Messenger Hawk [Minion] feathers, while its wings and upper body have black feathers
and its neck has white. Its feet and under-body are that of a
lion, with tawny colored fur. Its love of cabbages is particularly
odd, given the nature of the base animals forming this
chimera. They have been featured as circus animals, but their
rarity means little is known about how intelligent these
creatures really are.
2 2 3 2 3 1
2 8 1 1
 Skills: Acrobatics 2, Melee 2, Instinct 3,

 Talents: None.
 Abilities: Flight (Lion vultures can fly, making them
more difficult to hit)
 Equipment: Talons (Melee; DMG 3; CRIT 5; Pierce
1, Finesse, Range [Engaged]).
 Silhouette: 1
Canyon Crawler [Rival]

The messenger hawk is a moderately-sized raptor that can be The canyon crawler is a dangerous animal that primarily
used to transport message scrolls carried in canisters tied to inhabits the canyon of the Great Divide, but its habitat is
their backs, with different colored ribbons used to indicate the spread throughout the arid terrain of the western Earth
importance or intended receiver. These hawks are regularly Kingdom. Though the crawler prefers live meat and its various
used to deliver messages throughout the Fire Nation, its useful features make it the perfect hunter, the canyon crawler
colonies, and the Earth Kingdom, and can be bought at post is primarily an omnivorous scavenger that is willing to eat
offices, such as the one located in Fire Fountain City, which whatever it can find.
have large roosting towers for the birds.
Crawlers resemble a mix of a crocodile, an ant, and a spider.
Tamed messenger hawks have a calm temperament, and, if It has four eyes on either side of its face and a forked tongue
properly trained, are able to deliver messages to almost in a sharp-toothed jaw. Much like a traditional arachnid, the
anywhere. They are known to be loyal to their owners. They crawler retains a two-segmented body made up of a
also seem to know the importance of their jobs and are cephalothorax and an abdomen, to which its four skinny legs
regarded as more intelligent than other birds in the Fire attach. The canyon crawler's name is derived from its
Nation. They are used by both the Fire Nation government arachnid-like characteristics and from its ability to run up
and ordinary civilians for their message-carrying ability. sheer mountain walls. The canyon crawler also uses multiple
sensitive nostrils with which it easily detects the scent of food.
1 3 2 1 1 1
3 3 2 1 3 1
1 5 1 1
3 13 0 0
2 3 -1
 Skills (in groups): Acrobatics, Melee, Knowledge
(Geography)
 Talents: None.
 Abilities: Flight (Messenger hawks can fly, making  Skills: Acrobatics 2, Athletics 2, Melee 3, Survival 3
them more difficult to hit); Tamable (Downgrade  Talents: None.
difficulty of checks to train messenger hawks by one)
 Abilities: Overrun (A crawler may spend a to hit an
 Equipment: Talons (Melee; DMG 3; CRIT 5; Pierce additional target with a successful melee check,
1, Finesse, Range [Engaged]). provided the additional target is engaged with the
 Silhouette: 0 first target.

 Equipment: Talonfeet (Melee; DMG 4; CRIT 5; showing qualities of obedient pets. Flopsie, a goat gorilla
Range [Short]) Big maw (Melee; DMG 3; CRIT 3; belonging to the eccentric King Bumi, was a perfect example
Range [Engaged]). of this. Goat gorillas seem to be intelligent to a certain degree,
 Silhouette: 2 as Flopsie was able to recognize his owner as well as his
name. In addition to this, they seem to retain certain pieces of
Buzzard Wasp [Rival] information, such as the layout of particular locations and the
Native to the Si Wong Desert, these creatures are six-legged identity of previously observed figures. Flopsie exhibited
insects that have a vulture-like head and a bee or wasp-like these skills upon recognizing Aang, before taking him around
body, hence their name. They have brown, white, and gray Omashu in search of Bumi.
stripes on their abdomen, and their necks are dark gray with
a light gray ruff at the body. These creatures also have wings 6 3 2 3 3 1
attached to their thorax and are capable of flight. Their beaks BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
and talons are razor sharp. 6 21 0 0
The buzzard wasps live in caves they dug out of Si Wong SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
Rock. The gooey substance on their cave walls is produced
by the females and has the flavor of rotten penguin meat, as
Sokka remarked when he tasted it. It is the equivalent of  Skills: Acrobatics 2, Athletics 3, Melee 4, Survival 3,
honey and produced in a similar way, and fed to the young. Intimidation 2
They will attack if provoked by intruders in their nest and  Talents: None.
become aggravated by loud noises. In such cases, they can  Abilities: Wild Heart (upgrade difficulty of checks to
be considered dangerous. They primarily feed on carrion, but train a Goat Gorilla by one); Pounce (If the gorilla
will hunt live game if they are desperate for food. goat uses the aim maneuver, it also gains
Knockdown on its next attack).
2 4 1 1 3 3  Equipment: Massive arms (Melee; DMG 8; CRIT 3;
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI Range [Engaged], Concussive, Disorient 2).
 Silhouette: 2
2 11 1 1
SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE Hog Monkey [Minion]
 Skills: Acrobatics 3, Melee 2, Survival 3

 Talents: None.
 Abilities: Flight (Buzzard wasps can fly, making
them more difficult to hit); Swarm (Halve the damage
dealt to the swarm before applying soak unless the
weapon has the Blast or Burn quality [Regardless of
wether or not that quality is activated]); Territorial
(buzzard wasps are incredibly territorial, and gain a
Boost to all melee checks made when attacking any
intruders into what they consider their territory.
 Equipment: Talon and beak (Melee; DMG 3; CRIT
3; Range [Engaged]).
 Silhouette: 1
Goat Gorilla [Rival] The hog monkey is a primate that inhabits the Earth Kingdom.
It is considered difficult to tame and does not take well to being
The goat gorilla is a large creature found typically within
ridden, though it can usually be coerced into doing so with
mountainous and forested areas of the Earth Kingdom,
lychee nuts.
generally far from large settlements. Although a rather
rampant beast in the wild, the gorilla goat can be quite lovable The hog monkey has a vaguely canine face, a long tail, and
and docile in captivity, as well as useful in manual labor. the body of a primate. It appears to run on its knuckles and
has a long tail. In addition, the hog monkey has reddish eyes
Goat gorillas are hostile toward intruders who trespass into
and a dog-like snout that is full of sharp teeth, including two
their territory and do not hesitate in attacking those they
tusks protruding from the lower jaw. Its fur is brown on most
identify as threats. They often initiate a confrontation,
of its body, although the area around its face and head is of a
ramming opponents repeatedly until they fall. These creatures
much darker shade.
use their massive arms as weapons, raising them high to gain
momentum before smashing them to the ground. Despite their The hog monkey commonly roams in troops or small packs,
violent nature, however, it is possible to coexist with goat and can often be found in the outskirts of fishing settlements.
gorillas, given that passersby and co-inhabitants of the area Although it does not really resemble a hog in any way, its
maintain a respectable distance from key goat gorilla territory. noises are swine-like in nature. The hog monkey tends to be
a troublesome animal if it is let loose in the city.
Goat gorillas can become relatively docile in captivity. When
trained, they can serve as figures of security while still 2 4 3 1 3 1

BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
2 11 0 0 7 20 0 0
SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
 Skills (in groups): Acrobatics, Melee, Survival,  Skills: Melee 3, Survival 3, Resilience 3, Intimidation
Instinct, Sleight-of-Hand 4
 Talents: None.  Talents: None.
 Abilities: Ornery (Add to all check made to  Abilities: Pounce (If the moose lion uses the aim
handle, domesticate, or otherwise work with a hog maneuver, it also gains Knockdown on its next
monkey). attack); Charge! (Once per encounter, a moose lion
 Equipment: Small fists (Melee; DMG 2; CRIT 4; can use its free maneuver to move from medium
Range [Engaged]). range to engaged to attack a target. Along with
 Silhouette: 1 allowing the moose lion to close quickly with its prey,
a charge also adds 2 damage to the attack and
Giant Rhinoceros Beetle [Rival] Disorient 2).
The giant rhinoceros beetle is a large insect named for its  Equipment: Horns (Melee; DMG 8; CRIT 4; Range
immense size and facial prongs. Often seen in its native [Engaged]); Fangs (Melee; DMG 3; CRIT 2; Range
habitat, the Si Wong Desert, it is commonly used by the [Engaged])
beetle-headed merchants as a beast of burden.  Silhouette: 2
This gargantuan insect possesses an enormous green shell

that serves as protection. It exhibits prongs, small beady eyes,
Spirits
and six legs, as are ubiquitous in insects. Wan Shi Tong [Nemesis]
4 4 1 1 1 1
4 15 0 0
2 3 2
 Skills: Melee 3, Survival 3, Resilience 3,

 Talents: None.
 Abilities: None
 Equipment: Massive Horn (Melee; DMG 8; CRIT 3;
Range [Short]).
 Silhouette: 2
Saber-tooth Moose Lion [Nemesis] Wan Shi Tong is an ancient, wise, and powerful spirit who
The saber-tooth moose lion is native to the forests of the collects information for his Spirit Library, and thus is the most
southern Earth Kingdom. Its large teeth, long horns, and knowledgeable being among humans and spirits. He never
ferocious attitude make it a formidable creature. Although it misses an opportunity to learn new facts or boast about his
appears intimidating, the saber-tooth moose lion is, for the vast intelligence, though he has developed an indifference for
most part, a friendly animal; however, if a mother feels studying human technology since leaving the physical world.
something is threatening its cub, it can become very violent. Although his regular shape is that of a huge black-and-white
barn owl, when angered he can assume much more
The saber-tooth moose lion stands at least ten feet high, with
frightening forms.
brown fur, a long muzzle, and a pair of palm-shaped antlers
on its head. Its body and tail are feline in appearance and its Long before his encounter with Team Avatar, Wan Shi Tong
two enlarged upper fangs extend past its lower jaw. It also has brought his library from the Spirit World to the physical world.
large clawed paws. Together with his band of knowledge-seeking foxes, he
collected knowledge from all over the world, which he
The moose lion cub is very small, approximately the size of a
displayed in his library in hopes that humanity would use it to
small dog. The cub is very intelligent and friendly, and it
better itself.
vaguely resembles a light brown hippo with a mid-length
bushy tail and large ears. As it lacks an adult's large teeth and Although he left his great collection of knowledge available to
antlers, it appears harmless and playful. It is difficult to identify the mortal world for many years, he eventually became angry
one as a moose lion until its horns and fangs have grown in. at humankind when he observed humans using the library's
knowledge solely for the purpose of getting an edge on one
7 4 2 2 2 3 another, such as when Admiral Zhao of the Fire Nation once
stumbled upon the library and learned about Tui and La's BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
mortal forms, information he used to help the Fire Nation
1 5 1 1
conduct a large scale invasion of the Northern Water Tribe.
Consequently, the wronged owl spirit banned humans from SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
his study.
Wan Shi Tong has a contentious relationship with the Avatar,  Skills (in groups): Acrobatics, Melee,
and humans in general, but on rare occasions the great  Talents: None.
knowledge spirit will allow into his Spirit Library a true friend  Abilities: TBD
to the spirits.  Equipment: Dark Hand (Melee; DMG 3; CRIT 5;
Pierce 2, Finesse, Range [Engaged]).
5 6 6 5 6 5  Silhouette: 1
Dark Spirits [Nemesis]
10 60 45 0 0
9 5 4 3 3 6
1 5 1 1
 Skills: Melee 3, Survival 3, Resilience 3, Intimidation
 Talents: Dramatic Riposte 1, Adversary 2.
 Abilities: TBD
 Equipment: Horns (Melee; DMG 8; CRIT 4; Range  Skills (in groups): Acrobatics, Melee,
[Engaged]); Fangs (Melee; DMG 3; CRIT 2; Range  Talents: None.
[Engaged])
 Abilities: TBD
 Silhouette: 2—3
 Equipment: Dark Hand (Melee; DMG 3; CRIT 5;
Pierce 2, Finesse, Range [Engaged]).
Dark Spirits [Minion]  Silhouette: 2
Dark spirits are spirits who have become unbalanced due to
the influence of the darkness, destruction, and chaotic energy Koh [Nemesis]
within people. Despite Vaatu's defeat by Avatar Korra and
Koh the Face Stealer is one of the most ancient and
Raava, spirits are still susceptible to turning dark depending
knowledgeable spirits in all of the Spirit World. Nearly as old
on the state of the environments they considered important.
as the Ocean and Moon Spirits, he is the only known
Particularly, the Water Tribes experienced several incidences individual to remember them crossing over to the physical
of dark spirit attacks following the Hundred Year War, due to world, where they took the forms of koi fish. He is a malevolent
the destruction of a sacred spiritual forest in the North Pole entity with the body of an enormous centipede-like creature
and progressive spiritual neglect in the South Pole. Dark and resides under an ancient tree in the Spirit World. His self-
spirits attack seemingly at random, with many lurking in chosen name reflects his ability to literally steal the faces of
sacred places, or areas with great spiritual imbalance that other beings who express emotion and he can use them at
have become neglected over time. will by "blinking".
With the Spirit Portals open, dark spirits are no longer Koh is a perilous force who can be dangerous to meet. He has
impervious to most bending attacks, and are particularly the ability to steal the face of anyone or anything that shows
susceptible to spiritbending. Like other spirits, they are also emotion to him, which is why those who are aware of his
capable of possessing humans, thereby subjecting the host to power attempt to remain inexpressive while in his presence.
mortal danger. He possesses a sadistic personality, constantly trying to goad
the slightest bit of emotion out of his visitors by frightening
Dark Spirits [Minion] them with his monster-like appearance, or taunting them with
2 3 2 1 1 3 his many faces, even if it is the Avatar.
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI However, Koh's actions suggest he is amoral rather than
1 9 1 1 purely evil. He stole Ummi's face to punish Avatar Kuruk for
his arrogance, but willingly told Avatar Aang the names and
SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE location of the Moon and Ocean Spirits and the danger they
were in, and led him to his past Avatar lives. He is cryptic and
often speaks in riddles.
 Skills (in groups): Acrobatics, Melee,
 Talents: None. 6 5 6 6 6 6
 Abilities: TBD
 Equipment: Dark Hand (Melee; DMG 3; CRIT 5;
Pierce 2, Finesse, Range [Engaged]). 10 60 60 3 3
 Silhouette: 0 – 1 SOAK WOUND STRAIN DEFENSE
Dark Spirits [Rival]

5 4 2 2 2 4

 Skills: Acrobatics 2, Athletics 3, Melee 4, Survival 3, Impervious (Koh is susceptible only to damage dealt
Intimidation 2 only by bending techniques).
 Talents: Dramatic Riposte 2  Equipment: Needle arms (Melee; DMG 12; CRIT 3;
 Abilities: Terrifying (Upon first seeing Koh, a Range [Engaged], Pierce 3.
character must make a Hard ( ) Fear check);
Silhouette: 3

XIII – The Great Uniter
The Earth Kingdom territories are in turmoil after the This perfect storm of uncertainty has emboldened petty Earth
assassination of Earth Queen Hou-Ting at the hands of monarchs throughout the Earth Kingdom provinces to lay
Zaheer, a member of the Red Lotus and an airbender who claim to the throne while others seek to use the chaos to
sought to introduce chaos into the world. The city of Ba Sing bolster their political goals. One such aspiring leader, hailed
Se, capital of the Earth Kingdom, is in disarray without its by her followers as the ‘Great Uniter’, has used this chaos to
ruler—precisely the fire Zaheer intended to ignite. Unrest and her advantage, using nationalist rhetoric to rally Earth
uncertainty permeate through to the Lower Ring; with the Kingdom citizens to support her cause to unite the disparate
Earth Queen dead, the line of succession is unclear and many Earth Kingdom under the banner of a new Earth Empire. She
residents of the megacity have begun to question whether intends to demonstrate her conviction by quelling the unrest
they need a monarch at all. For Zaheer, once again in Ba Sing Se. To do so, the Great Uniter has established a
apprehended by the Avatar and the White Lotus, this is an network of covert and overt supporters throughout the
accomplishment. For the rest of the world, these shaky Kingdom and within Republic City to rally supporters to follow
circumstances translate to a lack of security. her.
Adventure Summary
The Great Uniter is an adventure designed to present a group When the game session begins, the PCs have only a brief
of new players with a broad view of the abilities they possess amount of time to survey their surroundings. It is likely that the
and the world they can explore. Specifically, it sets the Player PCs do not yet know one another—this is all right. In a few
Characters on the path to shaping their own story, developing moments, they will find themselves irrevocably woven
their bending techniques or investing in the world around together in a tapestry of the antagonist’s making.
them. It can also be used to establish the players within an
alternative timeline of events from The Legend of Korra and
as the catalyst for future adventures.
In this adventure, the Player Characters begin in media res as

passengers on the Ba Sing Se monorail heading outbound
from the Middle Ring to the Lower Ring. The reason(s) for
each character being aboard this train at this particular time
should be up to the Players and the Game Master, with the
GM keeping in mind that the train will never arrive at its
intended destination. Still, this scene can be used liberally by
the GM to invoke PC backgrounds, Honor, or Motivations as
plot hooks.

Episode I: Off the Rails
Scene 1: Capture
The adventure begins with the Player Characters departing
the Middle Ring of Ba Sing Se aboard the city’s world-famous
monorail. Read aloud or paraphrase the following:
You’re aboard the Ba Sing Se monorail, renowned

worldwide for being the safest and fastest way to travel
across the largest city in the world. Most of the passengers
pay you no mind and shuffle past you to find their seats
along the interior. Some of them choose to remain
standing while you [and your cohorts] take a seat for
yourself. As the day winds down, you take stock of your
surroundings and reflect upon what brought you to the
Impenetrable City, and consider your destination ahead.
The players should be given a moment to converse amongst

themselves so that their characters can be introduced to one
another (if they are not already acquainted). The players
should be encouraged to make one of the following skill
checks: an Easy ( ) Perception check, an Average ( )
Knowledge (Streetwise) check, or a Hard ( ) Instinct
check. No more than one check per Player Character should
transpire before the Interruption occurs. Failure here simply
means that the PCs gain no relevant insight into what is about
to happen.
If the PCs pass any of the checks, the GM can provide the
following information based upon the check:
 Streetwise: You see a number of unsavory looking

people, probably laborers, aboard the train
interspersed among the passengers. This is normal,
of course, for any Lower Ring-bound train from the
Middle Ring, as travel between the two is common,
especially for the poorer inhabitants of Ba Sing Se
who work in the Middle Ring but live in the Lower
Ring.
o aa or a t: The PC(s) may notice that a
few of the disheveled individuals are
wearing dull red scarves or armbands
which greatly contrast with the usual
greens, browns, and yellows inherent to
Earth Kingdom couture.
 Perception: One individual in particular seems to
stand out among the passengers of the crowded
train. He is not dressed like other Earth Kingdom
citizens and he does not appear as though he is a
Ba Sing Se native, as he cannot help but gawk
outside of the window. He sports a fancy pair of
glasses—a sign of his wealth—and is seen checking
a watch he pulls from his lapel pocket. Boost Dice and Setback Dice
o aa or t: The PC(s) recognize this
These dice are independent of the difficulty of the check,
gentleman from a recent newspaper in
and represent external factors. make the check more
which it was written that Dr. Peng Dao, a
representative of Cabbage Corp., traveled likely to succeed; make the check less likely to
to Ba Sing Se University to discuss a succeed. can be gained by performing certain
research partnership. maneuvers, through talents, or even by the GM. can be
 Instinct: One of the passengers is wearing what added due to environmental factors, or through misfortune
appears to be a jacket with three buttons running as determined by the GM.
The Second Age v1.6 | The Great Uniter | 229

down the right-face of the jacket. A black scarf the existence of these caverns are that they represent
covers their face up to their nose, with only their eyes smuggling tunnels into and out of Ba Sing Se.
visible to onlookers. With one hand, they are holding
an overhead support bar while standing near a well- The GM can use this brief pause in events to assess player
dressed man in glasses who appears to be checking reactions and plan accordingly for any optional encounters.
the time. After a few moments, read aloud the following:
o aa or t: Any PC(s) who succeeds on this You awaken much later, still surrounded by darkness,
check with this result should be given a unsure of where you are. Head and joints still aching, you
note from the GM alerting them can feel that your wrists are shackled together, along with
[confidentially] that the figure is attempting your ankles. Around you the air feels damp and cool. You
to discreetly hold a device in their other
hear a muted conversation between at least two
hand.
individuals who sound like they’re arguing.
INTERRUPT! “I know they weren’t supposed to be brought down
The players should be given a very brief moment to digest here…we only needed Dr. Dao, but they were injured and
whatever they’ve learned before the quiet conversations are we couldn’t just leave—”
brought to an abrupt end by an unintelligible shout, followed
by an explosion. Regardless of how much information is “They’re a liability, Chen. You heard what the boss said;
learned by the PCs, knowledge alone cannot stop this we need clean up this mess!”
particular incident; though the information they acquire can The PCs, along with Dr. Dao, are being held as captives in
certainly be used to help them make it through the remainder caverns near the Eastern Lake similar to those seen at Full
of this scene. Moon Bay, just south of Ba Sing Se. When appropriate, say
Direct the PCs to make a Hard ( ) Resilience check. through interrogation, the GM can reveal that the players got
Failure means the PCs take up to 3 points of strain. Any there through earthbending and smuggler tunnels with secret
amount of s should reduce the number of strain taken by 1 railways, but the GM can ad lib the details if pressed by the
per Success to a minimum of 1. The GM may handle a, players.
Disadvantage, t or d results however they feel is Their captors are several unknown operatives who may or
appropriate, up to and including dealing wounds or a Critical may not be the individuals responsible for the attack on the
Injury. Once the damage has been done, the GM should train; their intended target was Dr. Dao, the well-to-do
continue the session by reading the following: gentleman who traveled from Republic City to Ba Sing Se
An explosion rattles the train and its passengers from the University to discuss a research agreement on the Spirit Vines
outside as the carriage careens away from the stone overtaking Republic City. Peng Dao is seeking funding for his
railway, diving straight into the farms far beyond the slums research into harnessing spiritual energies and Ba Sing Se
of the Lower Ring. For a moment, you and everyone University has the money. The PCs have been taken as well
aboard experience a sensation of weightlessness as the as a result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
car flies off the rails. You brace for an impact that never
In addition, alongside the Player Characters and Dr. Dao may
comes. Instead, the fading light of the setting sun instantly
be several other passengers from the monorail, depending on
turns dark and you feel a cool breath of air envelope you
how many NPCs you feel you need as a GM to keep the plot
before the shock impact knocks you out.
moving along; these NPCs would likely be terrified and most
will mostly be unwilling to speak if the PCs attempt to strike
Unfortunately for them, the players are merely ‘collateral up conversation. Some example NPCs are provided later.
damage’ in the kidnapping attempt of Dr. Dao perpetrated by
parties unknown—which organization the assailants The players should now have the opportunity to take in their
represent is left open to interpretation, in order to allow you as surroundings and formulate some course of action. If
the GM to bring the world to life as it fits the players’ interests. successful, an Easy ( ) Survival check will reveal to them
that they are, in fact, underground. An Average ( )
The players may be aware of Dr. Dao’s presence on the train, Perception check informs the players that they are clearly
but they should not yet have any indication about the culprits being held captive with the other passengers (the other PCs
behind the bombing (they may not even know they were on and Dr. Dao, if not additional NPCs). The PCs will likely also
the train). The carriage itself did not land on the ground, but notice that all their starting gear and equipment has been
rather it fell into a cavern that was quickly opened up by an taken from them. Once they escape, they will find this
earthbender to swallow the carriage and, quite literally, cover equipment being conveniently held in a separate room.
up the disappearance of the doctor. One possibility to explain
Players may attempt an Empathy check in which case the
Hello Darkness, My Old Friend GM should feel free to ad-lib NPC personalities, thoughts, and
emotions. One or several players may also attempt a Sleight-
Being captives inside of a completely unlit cavern will not of-Hand check to attempt to break free from the cuffs. The
directly harm the Player Characters, but neither will the difficulty and odds of success here are entirely up to the
lack of light benefit them. Unless they can procure some whims of the GM; if the player can reasonably narrate how or
source of light, any PC making Body or Agility-based why their character could free themselves, the GM should play
checks suffer on those checks due to poor visibility.
230 | The Great Uniter | The Second Age v1.6

along. The restraints here aren’t meant to hinder the players, Encouraging Player Ingenuity
but to encourage them to flex their thinking skills and give
them a real opportunity to start roleplaying. One of the key appeals to the Avatar setting is the ability
to bend the elements. Given the chance, a bender Player
INTERRUPT! Character will try to use their bending abilities to solve any
Each player should only be given the opportunity to make a problem – that’s why a player chooses to roleplay as a
single check before the guards arrive. Just as the players bender.
complete their actions, a group of three NPCs appear; where
a wall once enclosed their holding cell, a doorway-like hole Don’t be afraid to let the player describe what they want
has appeared due to Chen the guard earthbending an to do with an element, even if it seems unlikely. In the
entrance from the wall. handcuffs, each element can have a different approach.
A firebender may try to heat the cuffs and melt them off;
Before the PCs can react, read or paraphrase the following (if an attentive waterbender might just be able to conjure up
you are not including additional NPCs just ignore those bits): enough water from the damp cave atmosphere; an
earthbender could attempt to pick the lock with a ‘key’
Without warning, the far wall opens, and a soft green light made from the earth; even a particularly finessed
creeps into the holding cell. It becomes apparent to you airbending attempt might just be the right move. Even if it
that you are not the only ones being held captive. In fact, feels goofy, it may help the narrative and increase the
several other passengers, including the well-dressed drama or suspense.
gentleman from the train, are being held in this dark, damp
holding area. Bandits and Bogeymen
One guard motions toward the bespectacled man and the The players are being held by a band of hired goons led by a
other two aggressively rip him up off the ground and carry yet-unknown metalbender for a reason also unknown to the
him out through the threshold as he whimpers in futile players. Among these mercenaries is a Rival-level NPC
protest. Another of the guards looks over the remaining named Chen who clearly has some misgivings about what he
captives saying, “The rest of you can stay here until further and his cohorts are doing. Kidnapping a foreign doctor is no
notice.” petty crime, after all, and the destruction of a monorail in
transit is considered a capital offense by laws of the Earth
“Uh wait, what if one of them is a bender?” Kingdom (though who remains to enforce those laws is a
different issue altogether).
“Who cares? Those cuffs are platinum.”
While most of the adversaries in this scene are likely in it for
the money, Chen is motivated by a love for his country and
Scene 2: Escape his people. He sincerely believes any efforts to restore Earth
Kingdom sovereignty are worthwhile and virtuous, but he
At this point, the players have a variety of options limited only
doesn’t share the conviction of his fellow guards that change
by their imaginations. To get out of this predicament, the
should come at the expense of innocent lives. As a GM, you
players will have to devise an escape attempt.
have the power to determine whether this NPC remains an
They can attempt to talk to the guards, inquiring after who they antagonist, or can be swayed to assist the party.
are and why they’re being held captive; they can certainly
attempt to escape right away but will likely not get very far due Chen, Earthbender [Rival]
to their restraints and the three guards blocking their only In the event of combat, the following stat block and features
escape route. can be used directly, or as a rough template. Ultimately, an
NPC should have whatever skills they need to accomplish
The PCs can also attempt to induce the guards to fight; a what they’re supposed to.
close hit or NPC Disadvantage result would certainly permit
the Game Master to explain how a character then managed 3 3 2 2 1 2
to free up their arms or legs—this world is modeled after a
cartoon, after all, and sometimes an outlandish escape
attempt can keep the players and the GM desiring more fast- 3 15 1 0
paced action. SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
Fighting their way out is not meant to be the PCs only means
of escape from this particular predicament. Having the players  Skills: Martial Arts 2, Bending 2, Bending Arts 2,
locked up and trapped this early in the adventure can Instinct 2, Meditation 2, Resilience 1, Engineering 1,
jumpstart the players’ creative juices and provide an incentive Perception 2, Navigation 1
for them to assume the roles of their characters and act as  Talents: Adversary 1
their characters might in these sticky situations. Perhaps an
 Abilities: None.
aspect of the environment can help aid the players. Is one of
 Forms: Earth Gauntlet, Earth Blast, Earth Slam,
them a firebender, can they heat the cuffs? Maybe you decide
Immobilize, Stone Fist
the cuffs themselves are platinum, but the chain binding is of
 Equipment: Light Clothing
a lesser quality. If there is a waterbender among the group,
recall that the cell was described as feeling ‘damp’ – is there
a small puddle of water somewhere?

Crystal Cavern Grunts [Minion] One of the passengers, a portly and small woman, begins
3 2 2 1 1 1 wailing loudly.
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI “Please! Help us! You would really just leave us behind?
3 5 0 0 With no food or water, in a dark hole?”
SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE She continues to sob loudly, and you suspect her cries
may alert the guards to your attempt at escaping.
 Skills: Martial Arts 1, Perception 2, Instinct 2

If the PCs offer to help the NPCs, read the following:
 Talents: None
 Abilities: None
One of the passengers, a young boy—perhaps only 15
 Equipment: Regular clothing
years old—thanks you profusely for unlocking his cuffs.
It should be apparent to the party that Chen is hesitant about
“My parents probably think I just got lost, or worse—that
the entire operation; he may be persuaded to help the
something terrible happened to me. If it weren’t for you, I
captives slip away. If the PCs can pass a Hard ( )
might never be seein’ them again.
Persuasion check, Chen will mutter something about
‘keeping his Honor’ before discreetly (“accidentally”) dropping The boy removes a folded piece of paper from his pants.
the cuff keys as he and the other two guards close the “door”
behind them. The players can use these to unlock their “Take this, it’s a map of my borough in the Outer Ring. My
restraints, but will still be stuck in a doorless, windowless hole parents don’t trust me to travel without it, but I know my
in the ground. way around the city. That dot there is where I live. If you
ever want to visit for any reason, my father makes the best
If the party contains an earthbender, that player can attempt Jasmine tea in the whole city!” His excitement winds down
an Average ( ) Bending Arts check to open a hole in the as he motions to you to lead the rest of the way.
wall where the guards came and went—assuming they’re no
longer in restraints. Otherwise, the GM can assist the players
If the Player Characters leave the other passengers behind,
in their escape attempt in whatever manner fits. Perhaps a
they should each lose one point of Honor for each passenger
PC’s backstory plot hook can come into play; one of the other
(no more than three) stranded in the cell.
passengers, also being held captive, might be an untrained
earthbender. With a little guidance [let’s call it an Average
( ) Leadership check], the passenger might be
Sneaking Around
encouraged enough to use their earthbending to create a Depending on how the party escapes their confinement, their
doorway. presence may not be known to their unknown captors. For
instance, if Chen drops the key, or they free themselves from
restraint and escape when the NPCs are gone, no one would
Optional Encounter: Prison Break be around to immediately notice their absence. However, if
While the PCs are collaborating to break out of their makeshift they fight to get out of their holding area, the rest of the
prison, the GM can interject periodically from the role of the adversaries may now be aware of their escape attempt and
other NPC prisoners, should you choose to include them. could be on alert.
Extra NPCs can be a great tool to keep the game moving, if
the players are at an impasse. They want to stay locked up The cavern in which the players find themselves is large, but
just about as much as the players do. Of course, if you decide not overwhelming. It has a few large open spaces,
not to include any additional NPCs, you can skip through the interconnected by linking tunnels. As they exit their cell, the
dialogue choices here and skip to Sneaking Around party will see that the path goes in both directions to their left
and right. The cavern system is a complete circle, with three
This optional encounter gives the players a chance to make points of entry; two in the same, main cavern leading upstairs
their first honorable choice (and possibly even make some
to the docks, and one on the opposite side of the system
new friends). Read the following out loud at some point during leading down.
their escape attempt:
As the party explores, they’ll have the opportunity to find their
As you devise your escape plans, the other captives cry belongings which have been stashed away, and they may
out for help, begging you to unlock their shackles and even see some softly glowing crates emitting a green light.
guide them through the dark corridors that await you. The same glow is coming from the stairs which go down, and
if discovered the players will see that this floor is just a smaller,
damper environment where larger versions of the crystal are
If the PCs choose to ignore their pleas, they hear the
formed along the back wall—it looks like a harvesting
following, otherwise skip this read-aloud if you have decided
operation. It’s possible these captors are working a second
not to include extra NPCs:
job in gathering these crystals—but who would want them,
and why?
Enemy Encounters
How many NPCs are in the cavern system is up to you and
the challenge desired by the party, but too many could result

Other Options You can tell you’re nearing the end of the tunnel when you
see a dim light at the other end coming from the top of the
Due to their inventive nature, Player Characters have a stairs. Rushing to your escape, the smell of wet earth and
habit of coming up with plans of their own. In the event salt fills the air. As you step through the final threshold, a
they proceed in a direction that is unforeseen, either by great wall, second only to those of Ba Sing Se, stands
this adventure or by the Game Master, their plans should before you emblazoned with Earth Kingdom insignia.
never be dismissed out of hand. If their plans are Multiple watchtowers run along the wall adorned with
reasonable or help drive the plot, they should be allowed green and gold tiling. You can hear the soothing rhythm of
to play them out. If these plans intersect with any of the light waves crashing against the other side of the wall.
scripted options, try to weave them together.
Despite these grandiose trappings, the entire facility looks
in a party wipe, and too few might feel like a nuisance. One and feels abandoned. Moss can be seen growing along
way to troubleshoot this problem is to start small, and add on the wall in several locations, growing over the stone
more. staircases to the watchtowers. Several pillars are cracked
or near-collapsing, and the towers themselves look as
For example, maybe the NPCs from earlier are just a though they have seen better days. One of the towers has,
detached patrol—another one could be on the way. If the PCs in fact, collapsed in on itself. You can tell the Earth
fight them, remember that the NPCs are smart human beings Kingdom has provided few, if any, resources for the
and would probably retreat to their allies rather than stand and upkeep of this particular station. The monarchy may have
die. If the PCs are overwhelming them, have them retreat and abandoned it altogether.
the next encounter can result in an ‘increased’ number as a
result of the NPCs alerting their buddies.
At least one of these NPCs is a Nemesis-level metalbender— The players might want to take a bit of time to explore their
Shintu the Disciple—who was earlier referred to as ‘the boss’ surroundings; the GM should give let them [briefly] make
by one of the guards. some checks. A character can make an Average ( )
Several (but not most) of the other NPCs could be Rival-level Knowledge (Geography or History) check to learn that this
earthbenders (including Chen). The remaining NPCs should would have been the sister port taking in refugees from the
be Minion-level characters in groups of 3 or more. If the famed Full Moon Bay, and that it was once used as a
players encounter these adversaries during their escape, checkpoint for refugees during the Hundred Year War.
each group of minions should be accompanied by no more People, mostly refugees, traveled from all over the world to
than two Rival-level earthbenders. come to this secluded dock, hidden from the Fire Nation,
seeking haven and safe passage into Ba Sing Se.
For Player Characters who are just beginning, this is a
sufficient challenge, and much of it could be overcome If the players roll for Perception, the GM might tell the PCs
through stealth or diplomacy, rather than fighting. Remember that the center appears to have repurposed—possibly by
that these NPCs are also human—they have strengths, flaws, brigands, bandits, and pirates—as some sort of base of
desires and fears of their own. operations or hideout. As the Player Characters explore their
surroundings or deliberate among themselves on how to
The goal for the players—at this point—should be to escape. proceed, the GM should feel at liberty to divulge (or withhold)
They may want to find out why they were taken and what is as much information about their assailants as is necessary to
going on generally. As the GM, your job is to engage the PCs spark player interest.
with dialogue from the NPCs intermittently between combat or
stealth encounters where appropriate; in addition, the GM This area contains only two obvious means through which the
should entice the players to go after Dr. Dao and his players can exit the docks: they can attempt to take one of the
assailants. Different facts about his kidnapping can be alluded three boats out of the bay or they can head back into a tunnel
to (or made up) that tie-in directly with a PCs Motivation or on the opposite wall, which leads down some stairs, back into
Honor. If NPC enemies are left conscious, they can be the complex and circles back around to their cell from the
interrogated and, if successful, may divulge more information other side. A third, hidden option can be discovered if they can
about who they are, where they are, why they are there, and investigate the cavern to discover the hidden exit on the
what they intend to accomplish by kidnapping Dr. Dao. opposite side of the docks. What they’ll see is stone and
earth—but a matter of meters separates this spacious cavern
As the GM, your job is to ultimately guide the players into the and the outside world.
docks.
If the players attempt to hijack a boat, they will be confronted
by its skeleton crew (two rival earthbenders and Shintu). To
Scene 3: Pursuit discover (and open) the hidden exit, they will need a character
By now, the Player Characters should be free—whether they to earthbend the door open. This could be Chen the reluctant
escaped or were released. They may have even acquire more guard, a Player Character, or one of the other hostages which
information about their current predicament. the party may or may not have freed.
Regardless of their circumstances, the PCs will ultimately find In either case, the players will eventually be confronted by
themselves escaping the makeshift tunnels, caverns, and Shintu, the metalbender in charge of this particular operation.
holding cells in which they awoke. When they reach the docks,
the GM should read or paraphrase the following:

Shintu the Disciple
 Skills: Engineering 3, Bending Arts 3, Martial Arts 2,
Bending 2, Instinct 2, Meditation 2, Resilience 1,
Engineering 2, Perception 2, Knowledge (Culture) 2
 Honor: Shintu considers herself a patriot and fights
for a romanticized Earth Kingdom which excludes
foreign influence.
 Talents: Adversary 1
 Abilities: Metal Arm (once per turn as a maneuver,
Shintu can suffer 1 strain to metalbend her arm into
any small tool or one-handed weapon; she gains
on all checks made with this tool or weapon; attacks
made in this way are made using improvised weapon
rules).
 Forms: Metalbending, Earth Piston, all basic forms.
 Equipment: Light Clothing.
NPC Earthbenders [Rival]

4 2 2 1 1 3
4 10 0 0
Shintu (信徒; [SHIN-tu] “Disciple” or "follower" in Chinese) is
a metalbending engineer with a notably-absent left arm. What SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE
looks like melted skin covers the shoulder, and what's left of
her armpit on that side of her body. Her arm was lost as a
 Skills: Martial Arts 2, Bending 2, Bending Arts 2,
result of a devastating assault by firebending criminals in the
slums of Ba Sing Se. In its place, she has learned to use her Instinct 2, Meditation 2, Resilience 1, Engineering 1,
metalbending to control and manipulate a crude, but Perception 2, Navigation 1
dexterous prosthetic metal arm. She often transforms the arm  Talents: Adversary 1
into an array of hand tools by bending it into the desired shape  Abilities: None.
and tool for the job—even if it’s a weapon.  Forms: Earth Blast, Earth Structure, Immobilize
 Equipment: Light Clothing.
She is brash and often espouses an absolutist worldview (“All
firebenders are imperialist scum” is something Shintu might Bon Voyage, Au Revoir
say). Of course, she harbors great disdain not just for
Whether they choose to commandeer a ship or they
firebenders and the Fire Nation, but for anyone she perceives
earthbend through the main entrance, the Player Characters
to be an “outsider” trying to influence the Earth Kingdom or its
will be confronted by Shintu. At the start of the encounter, the
citizens. For that reason, she believes in Kuvira, the “Great
GM should read aloud the following:
Uniter,” and believes that foreigners, especially the Fire
Nation citizens, don’t belong in the Earth Kingdom.
Before you stands a young dark-skinned woman, perhaps
Shintu is usually accompanied by two Rival-level NPC no older than 20. You can see that she’s missing an arm,
earthbenders and will disengage from combat if the odds are but has a prosthetic arm in its place. As you look her up
against her—she is smart and she should be thinking ahead. and down, you can tell that she’s in charge, despite her
She hopes to see the United Republic of Nations territory short stature; she is carrying herself with a purpose that
rightfully returned to the Earth Kingdom and she believes evades you.
kidnapping Dr. Dao is the necessary “first step” toward this
She cracks a threatening smile as she eyeballs your entire
reclamation; if she can frighten the doctor enough to forgo his
party before speaking, “My name is Shintu and you’re not
research aspirations with Ba Sing Se University, she hopes
supposed to be here.” She pauses before asking, “How
other foreigners will follow suit.
did you get out of your cell?” She pauses again.
What Shintu has not been told is that the kidnapping is part of
a much broader stroke on a canvas behind closed doors.
Thus, she knows very little of her benefactor. Shintu has been If the players don’t respond, Shintu will interject:
told to capture the doctor and bring him to an abandoned
fortress near Senlin Village. “It doesn’t matter. Look, I’m feeling generous today. I’ll let
you all walk away if you promise not to interfere. Dr. Dao
Shintu — Metalbender [Nemesis] here has an appointment with someone who very much
3 4 3 3 2 5 wants to meet him to talk about his research. Let us take
the doctor and we’ll let you walk out of here—no hard
feelings.”
3 20 20 1 1
If the PCs headed for the ships and intend to commandeer
SOAK WOUND STRAIN R/M DEFENSE one, Shintu will warn the party:
“I told you that we’d let you leave this place. I didn’t say of encounters wherein the party can fight his captors now, or
anything about taking our boats. There’s an exit at the chase after them to rescue him. Doing so will put them on the
opposite end of the docks along that high-rising wall of path to discovering the secrets of Dr. Dao’s research, thus
stone there. This is your last chance and my patience is uncovering the plot (and reasoning) behind his capture.
wearing thin.” The specifics of what Dr. Dao’s research is, and who Shintu
is working for, are left deliberately vague. These are clues to
If the party heeds her warning, they will have no trouble be uncovered over the course of several divergent
discovering the exit and will be able to leave. Shintu will even encounters. The missing answers are left to be filled in by you,
escort them out and open the door for them. Otherwise, their the GM, as your players discover who their characters are—
attempts to steal a ship will begin a combat encounter with and what interests them—and what sorts of stories they want
Shintu and her companions. to tell.
Shintu will only fight the players off so she can escape with The idea is to draw your players in, either with this initial plot
Dr. Dao; he is the target, and the PCs would merely be hook, or by opening the door for them to make their own
collateral damage. She will seem reserved in fighting and try story—literally and figuratively. If they do not rescue Peng
to make her way to the ships, or will do everything she can to Dao, or do not care to follow up on his hooks, they’ll either
get the PCs off her ship(s). If necessary, Shintu will sacrifice wander off on foot in the open world, or sail away by boat into
the other ships if she can get on a different one from the PCs the Eastern Lake.
to escape out into the bay.
For each passenger they escort, the PCs should each be
If the PCs first encounter Shintu at the wall, she will offer to awarded one point of Honor. If they rescue and escort Dr.
earthbend a door for them to leave. Dao, each Player Character will be awarded an additional
three points of Honor for rescuing a person of moderate
Ultimately, the Player Characters will leave this dock with or
notoriety.
without Dr. Dao. Although a damsel-in-distress, the doctor’s
presence serves merely as an optional plot hook for a branch

Episode II: Out of the Frying Pan…
Should the party commandeer one of the ships, they will need
Scene 1: Departure to pass an Average Sailing check in order to make way for
As the party plots their next move, the Game Master should whatever destination they choose; depending on how the
remind them of any obligations they took on while effecting players acquired the vessel could change a number of things.
their escape. If they had to use force, perhaps their battle damaged some
core component of the ship, in which case an Engineering
Did the party respond favorably to the young boy, taking the check could be make the necessary repairs.
map of his district in Ba Sing Se? Did they agree to help the
other prisoners escape their cells, or did they leave them Once in possession, the opportunity to investigate the boat
behind to suffer in darkness? What has become of Dr. Peng and explore their immediate surroundings.
Dao, the researcher from Cabbage Corp – did the party try to
rescue him from his captors, or did they leave him to his The players should be encouraged to make one (or more) of
unknown fate? the following skill checks: Perception, Knowledge
(Geography), Navigation, Sailing, Engineering, or
After each encounter, you can see how every decision made Survival. The difficulty of each check should be Average but
by the party begins to shape the outcomes which befall them, the GM may raise or lower the difficulty as needed. Success
and how their actions impact the overall narrative. Perhaps or failure can mean a variety of things. If the PCs pass any of
the party rolled so particularly well that they even managed to the checks, the GM can provide the following information
convince Chen, the earthbending bodyguard, to abandon his based upon the check:
ignoble cause to aid them in their escape.
 Perception: A single uncanceled success is all it
While Episode I was merely a brief introduction intended to takes for the party to know that the ship has an
familiarize new players with the mechanics and atmosphere unfamiliar layout (if any PC should know what to
of Avatar: The Second Age, from here on out the story could expect with a Ferry). In general there is an upper
go in any direction. A GM should be prepared to think of new deck, a lower deck, and a cargo hold.
characters, encounters, and scenarios on the fly. When it o aa: The cargo hold is filled to about half
comes to the party—you can’t plan for everything. capacity with mostly empty crates and
containers, apart from three sealed crates.
One important decision can help the GM guide players When opened, the players will find glowing
through “The Great Uniter” and it depends on whether the crystals from the Crystal Catacombs.
players took a boat. Although the players have the opportunity o t: One of the rooms is locked, and it is
to (and will frequently) wander ‘off the rails’, the boat clearly the Captain’s Quarters.
specifically serves as another plothook for the party. Within, it  Geography: A successful Geography check will tell
contains the figurative and literal keys to uncovering more the players they’re in Full Moon Bay, leaving from the
information about the party’s abductors and their plans for Dr. direction of the Ferry Waystation and Ba Sing Se
Dao. train depot.
o aa: They realize there’s a river to the
Modernized Ferry east, and where there’s a river, there are
Ferries are employed en masse to cross bodies of water villages and towns.
throughout the Earth Kingdom and can be founding traversing o t: They know that the Eastern Lake feeds
inland seas, lakes, and large rivers. This particular ferry has into Copper Lake, which runs off into
been downsized, but upgraded with an engine for additional Kongulan River and then Chameleon Bay
speed and maneuverability. It even has some modern which is connected to the Eastern Sea and
amenities including a renovated kitchen and it even has a the rest of the world.
small spa.  Navigation: Success here can mean that players
have plotted a new course, or have determined in
5 4 3 4 5 4 which general direction they are heading.
SIL SPEED HNDLNG ARMOR HULL STRAIN o aa or t: Players can choose where they
1 1 1 1 want to go next without any undue
setbacks, delays, or mishaps.
FORE PORT STARBRD AFT  Survival: There’s plenty of food and other supplies
in the kitchen.
o a: The beds are cozy and there are plenty
 Manufacturer: Unknown
for everyone (including any other prisoners
 Crew: One captain, 2 sailors and crew. rescued).
 Encumbrance Capacity: 400. o t: The ship even has several first aid kits,
 Passenger Capacity: 20 passengers. and plenty of tea.
 Price/Rarity: 85 silver pieces / 7  Engineering: A successful Engineering check is all
 Customization Hard Points: 2 that is needed for the PCs to see that this is not a
 Weapons: None. standard Earth Kingdom ferry. It has been
modernized in a variety of ways.

o a: Find out the ship has been upgraded may be the moment they decide to wander off to explore areas
and given an engine. that are not planned for The Great Uniter. This is okay! As the
o t: Players are provided with the players wander, the GM’s role is to build the world around
Modernized Ferry’s stat block. them, to make it come to life with NPCs and towns through
 Sailing: Success is required to make way and to which they can travel.
change course.
o aa or t: Find out the ship has been Thus, the players succeeding their Sailing and Navigation
upgraded and given an engine. checks is presumed to mean that they are heading wherever
they want. Within their geographic vicinity are the following
As they continue to explore the ships, the players will find the key locations from Avatar canon: Chameleon Bay, the Si
personal effects of its former inhabitants, which will shed light Wong Desert, Full Moon Bay, and even the Serpent’s Pass.
on their background and their possible motivations. Several optional encounters are keyed here to assist the GM
in bringing the party on-track with the narrative of The Great
Based solely on the trinkets and clothing onboard, most of Uniter.
them outwardly appear to be Earth Kingdom citizens.
At least one of them was keeping a journal, and the following

On Foot or Wandering
may be read aloud or otherwise provided to the players: If they did not take the ferry, the players will leave the Eastern
Waystation through the entrance which was opened through
[day 1] I’ve taken on another search-and-rescue with Shintu.
earthbending either by Shintu, Chen, or a party member. To
Bringing that father and daughter together after the assassination their north, the party will find the Halan Desert and of course
really made me feel like I was making a difference in peoples’ Ba Sing Se to revisit. In the east, Copper Forest awaits the
lives. Shintu gave me a new bunkmate, though…Chen, I think his party, shrouding Chameleon Bay and the thriving port-town of
name was. She said he wants to use his bending to help people. Chameleon City.
[day 6] We had eggs and picken for breakfast again today…Shara Even further north is Chalang Forest and along that river is
wouldn’t even sneak an extra slice of bacon for me, she says “I the undepicted Chalang City. Although only some of these
cook it, I eat it” but I saw her give some to Chen…
locations were ever named in the show, fewer were ever
[day 13] Shintu said we’ll be in Ba Sing Se by tomorrow, but she spoken-of by characters. Thus, many of the locations
hasn’t said why. available to GMs and players are sprinkled with unnamed
villages, towns, forests, cities, ruins, mountains, and other
[day 15] It’s been two days and she still has us looking for some features ripe for exploration.
sort of cabbage man, a doctor I think?
They party may have a clear idea on what they want to do—
[day 16] New kid Chen found the guy we’re looking for, who is
apparently not some kind of cabbage spirit. Shintu wants us to they could want to spend time in iconic Ba Sing Se for leisure,
keep tailing him. to explore, or to follow up on leads related to their backstory
(what were they doing in Ba Sing Se, anyway?); or they may
[day 18] Kuvira’s really making a difference in the Lower Ring, it’s seek out other destinations they recall from the Avatar
like she was born for this. I was terrified after Queen Hou-Ting universe, straying far from the scene. The alternative is that
was murdered, but when Kuvira asked for the people of Ba Sing
the PCs may feel utterly lost and directionless.
Se to help each other and help themselves, I couldn’t just sit
around and do nothing. The city was tearing itself apart… I don’t In both cases, the GM can use the optional encounters at the
know what this United Republic doctor has to do with helping
end of this chapter (or create your own) to steer the players
rebuild the Earth Kingdom, though. Shintu says our buyer can
help rebuild Ba Sing Se.
toward the plot of the adventure.
[day 22] He does something different every night. He’s gone to Every new town and NPC presents an opportunity to
the Jasmine Dragon in the Upper Ring a couple of times, but he’s introduce plot hooks for Optional Encounters, which do not
also been to the Middle, and even Lower Ring. Is he sight-seeing? necessarily connect to the greater story, or they can be used
to gauge the party’s collective interests and formulate an
[day 23] Shintu said we’re making a move on the doctor
entirely new plot. They can also serve as an introduction to a
tomorrow. She wants Chen there, but she told me to go back to
character or scenario to bring the party on-track with the story.
the ship and wait for her to get back.
The GM should not feel obligated to do this, nor should the
GM force the party to stick to a preplanned plot. A GM should
Smooth Sailing be prepared to think of new characters, encounters, and
After letting the party investigate the ship, decide what to do scenarios on the fly and to bring to life the story being told by
next, and chatter amongst themselves, the GM will likely find the players.
herself being pulled in drastically different directions. Of
course, if the players never took the ship and left the Full
Moon Bay waystation on foot, then they are probably already
wandering. This section is broken down into several sections
outlining some guidance for GMs.
Set Sail
Assuming the players took the ship and were successful in
making way, they’ll have had the opportunity to plot a course.
They could choose to go in just about any direction, and this

Whatever path they choose, it is important to remember that Should the party venture forth with the narrative of the
your role as the GM is to mediate the PCs’ actions vis-à-vis adventure, the GM should continue to Scene 2 below.
skill checks, and to narrate the world as it evolves from the Otherwise, feel free to skip ahead to the end of this chapter
consequences of those actions. Forcing the players to go where several optional encounters have been laid out for
down a predetermined route could prove ineffective and convenience.
unenjoyable for everyone involved.
Still, there are times when it is appropriate for the GM to Scene 2a: Let Bygones Be
provide the party with a little nudge—in any direction. Having This scene is a direct narrative continuation of The Great
a player make a Knowledge or Perception check on the fly Uniter. Players should have the option to return to this scene
and feeding them important details from earlier encounters at any time or may be led to it after an optional encounter.
and sessions the player may have overlooked, but the
character might have remembered. You could also use a Before returning to this scene, it’s important to consider what
nearby NPC, or introduce a new one, to point the PCs in the the antagonists have been up to while the PCs were out
right direction. gallivanting around. What progress have they made toward
their goals? Have the players made any choices, friends, or
Don’t forget the train! allies which could hinder those goals? Remember that the
players are looking to feel that their choices matter, and
It’s important to remember if the players are on foot that reflecting those choices in the narrative as it develops is the
they just narrowly eluded their captors and were on an way to do that.
Earth Kingdom passenger transport that
just…disappeared. The waystation to Ba Sing Se is visibly  If the party has been wandering by foot and cannot
close (perhaps just on the horizon), and the authorities seem to find a place to go, or are perhaps lost and
have no doubt begun to sweep the entire area looking for dwindling in supplies, they should happen upon a
the missing train, passengers, and most importantly: the small, yet bustling village during the next in-game
perpetrators. What the party does is up to them, but you day. This can be Pingdao described below. It can
should remember that they may have information key to also be any other made up village in any location
the investigation. where the players happen to be (call it Laowei or
Copper Village if you’re struggling).
Consider keeping the party on their toes, forcing them to
 If the party fails its Sailing or Navigation checks,
make an Average ( ) Perception check the moment they won’t be in the Eastern Lake for very long.
they see daylight. If they succeed, they’ll notice a few Through inclement weather or mechanical mishap,
people who appear to be heading their way—maybe the ship will ultimately crash—convenient for the
these are the Royal Guard, or Kuvira’s personal security. party that it would land in the small clearing that you
Perhaps they’re Shintu’s backup. Who they are and what see to the immediate south of Full Moon Bay up
sort of encounter they’ll bring with them is entirely up to above.
you as the GM; the circumstances can fit almost any
narrative, and force the players into action if there’s a lull In Avatar: The Last Airbender, this was the location of the farm
in gameplay. and barn where Appa stayed during his lost days. It’s become

a bustling, but humble village in the 70 years since. The town Whatever the case may be, when the Player Characters
of Pingdao. invariably run into Piànzi, you may alert the PCs thus:
Merely a setting for a character introduction, the details are Not for the first time you notice a very tall man who’s been
secondary; this could be the third among a dozen other towns following you for some time. He seems to have been
the party wanted to visit throughout their off-the-rails watching you, perhaps working up the gumption to
adventuring. The following example of Pingdao is simply the approach, or maybe planning something a bit more
stage for the introduction of an NPC who can reel the PCs sinister.
back into the web of the narrative.
Read aloud the following to the players if their Sailing and As far as the party is concerned, they don’t really know one
Navigation go poorly: way or the other. Regardless, the party will deal with Piànzi
however they see fit and, if they do so diplomatically, he will
As your ship tosses violently back and forth, you see a confide in them several details. As the GM you can choose to
growing coastline on the horizon. You do not see any divulge all, some, or none of this information as the
docks or beaches, and you yell to the others to brace for circumstances necessitate.
impact against the rocks. The wreck is a haze to you, but
you remember being tended to by several strange faces—  He recently lost possession of an ornamental
were they on the ship? You fade out of consciousness and lockbox containing what he claims is an heirloom of
awaken many hours later in a small bed. great sentimental value to him.
 In addition to simply passing by, he reveals that he
Whether in Pingdao, Laowei, or elsewhere, the players should was on his way to Ba Sing Se, as that is where he
eventually stumble into Piànzi and learn of his offer to help was heading when he was jumped by highway
find his missing parcel. brigands and his lockbox taken from him.
 He was traveling with a friend who was supposed to
rendezvous with him a few days ago; Piànzi is visibly
Mysterious Piànzi disturbed by his friend’s tardiness.
Piànzi (骗子; [PEE-uhn’zuh] “Deceiver” or “Conman” in  He doesn’t much care for Kuvira, her ambition, or her
Chinese) is a notably tall man with a slender profile. His skin visions for Ba Sing Se and the rest of the Earth
is much darker than most of the folks in town, which causes Kingdom—apart from her new railways.
him to stand out when he’s not wearing his long-sleeve coat  He’s from Republic City, but he was traveling to Ba
and slacks; beneath his open jacket, his clothes are adorned Sing Se from the Misty Palms Oasis in the Si Wong
in gold trimming, belying his noble or wealthy background. Desert.
The party may run into him at the local tavern, or he may catch  He explains that he travelled from Republic City to
their interest in the town square. the Misty Palms Oasis to convene with the spirits
who have made their home there.
Piànzi — [Nemesis]
Once he’s explained himself, Piànzi will make his pitch. He is
looking to hire the PCs to return toward Ba Sing Se to retrieve
3 4 3 3 5 4 his missing lockbox and meet him outside of the walls of the
city. Should they ask, Piànzi offers to pay the party 2000
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI copper pieces…per person (such a high number so very early
3 20 20 1 1 on may be an irresistible reward for new players, and it’s a
SOAK WOUND STRAIN R/M DEFENSE not-so-stealthy way for the GM to hook the players into the
plot). He will also promise to put the players in contact with
members of his ‘organization’ which he states is highly
 Skills: Stealth 3 influential and supports a “good cause.”
 Honor: TBD Once they receive the package, he explains, they are to
 Talents: Adversary 1, Chi Disruption, Chi Disruption continue en route to Ba Sing Se and meet him at the Jasmine
(Expert), Chi Disruption (Master) Dragon in the Upper Ring. What they will not know, nor could
 Abilities: TBD they possibly find out at this point in time, is that Piànzi is a
 Equipment: Light Clothing member of a powerful shadow organization, and that he is not,
in fact, the legitimate owner of the contents within the lockbox.
Piànzi will have been a few steps ahead of the party and,
To which organization Piànzi claims membership is up to you;
when they arrive, he’ll be among the first to know about it.
it could be the Equalists, or the Red Lotus, or an entirely new
Word travels fast about outsiders showing up, especially if
faction created by you.
they’re looking for lodgings or wares. Wherever and whenever
Piànzi first encounters the party, the GM should roll a Stealth
check with a difficulty of the party’s highest rank in Devising a Plan
Perception. A successful check means that Piànzi is able to If the PCs are willing to help Piànzi, the next step will be to
skulk about unnoticed by the party; if he fails describe him devise a plan for recovering his lockbox. Narratively, it does
sticking out of the crowd, looking equally as displaced as they not matter where the players find the package—it’s a
do, to the players. Alternatively, the PCs can all make an McGuffin, a literary device meant to push the plot along. The
opposed Perception check against Piànzi’s Stealth skill. GM should have Piànzi offer clues about where the heirloom
could have ended up, and these locations may be inferred
Although the story has been written with the party
approaching from the south and intercepting the couriers prior
to their crossing of Serpent’s Pass, it may be just as likely that
they approach the Pass from the north and are, instead,
ambushing the couriers on their approach to Ba Sing Se.
Ultimately what matters is that the party meets the couriers
before the couriers arrive in Ba Sing Se to deliver the parcel.
As the GM, you may choose to resolve this as a time-skip,

overnight journey, or even a Skill Challenge centered on the
hazards of overland travel (see Chapter IX: Game Master).
However, it is also possible to take your time and permit the
party to explore their surroundings while they make the
journey. This could mean providing them with any number of
opportunities to flex their skills: random combat encounters
with highway bandits, combat or social encounters with spirits
(who have a predilection for any remaining wilderness), or
even puzzle encounters which require the PCs to user their
bending and nonbending skills in imaginative ways. Keep in
mind how long it might take the couriers to reach their
destination—what happens if the party is too late?
Whatever the case may be, eventually the party must attempt
to rendezvous with the courier in order to progress the
narrative of “The Great Uniter”. If the party passed their earlier
Navigation check, the narrative turns in favor of the party:
they have the option (once they arrive) to set up camp and
stake out for the courier thus allowing them to ambush the
‘shady brigands’ and gain to their Initiative checks.
If they fail the Navigation check, they will simply ‘catch up’ to
the brigands—soon discovering that the brigands are, in fact,
agents of the Earth Kingdom. In either case, move on to
Scene 2b: Ambush!
Of course, the party could be too late and the couriers have
from the party’s interests. This could be near Serpent’s Pass, already left the location and pressed onward. In this case, the
either waystation of Full Moon Bay, even as far as Republic GM should use this opportunity to compel the NPCs actions
City or the Si Wong Desert. If the PCs have gone elsewhere forward, whether the party intervenes or not. How will Piànzi
and ran into Piànzi there, the GM can refer to Chapter X for feel? Why is this lock box so heavily guarded, and where is it
additional inspiration and details about other places. being taken? These are all threads which can be explored in
great detail by a curious table of players.
The only prerequisite factor here is that the players accept
Piànzi’s offer and set out to where they believe the lockbox
can be found. Their goal is to get moving, because regardless Scene 2b: Ambush!
of where they wind up, the encounter is designed to be This scene is a direct narrative continuation of The Great
roughly the same. Remember: no matter where they go, the Uniter. Players will not have the option to return to this specific
players will ambush a small courier group who have been point-in-time in the story; if they wait too long (more than a
tasked with delivering the lockbox to Ba Sing Se. week in-game), their window of opportunity to intercept the
Of course, the players may decline the offer and instead

choose to wander off; if they do so, the GM should refer to the
earlier part of Episode II where guidance can be found should
the players stray away from the narrative. Optional
encounters can be found at the end of this chapter.
Intercepting the Lockbox

If the PCs accept Piànzi’s request, it may not matter in which
direction they choose to go. As mentioned before, the parcel
is a literary device meant to push the plot along, cajoling the
party into ambushing a small group of Earth Kingdom
couriers. Based upon the clues provided by Piànzi, the party
might make a Hard Navigation check and, if they succeed,
should be directed by the GM to head toward the Serpent’s
Pass.

Running a Social Encounter
It is important to remember that the purpose of a social encounter is not to slow the story down with unnecessary dice rolls, but to emulate
the very real potential for tense negotiations to go from smooth to sour at the drop of the wrong faux pas. Generally, a social encounter
should only occur if there are two or more parties with competing interests. Each party has an opportunity to present its argument—their
side of the story; the overall outcome is which side ‘wins’ the discussion. Whose interest takes precedent? GMs can be very flexible as to
what a Success outcome can signify. The outcome of a social encounter may not effect characters in the long-term, but they should at least
have short-term consequences for the PCs and NPCs. Strain, not wound, will be a common occurrence in a social encounter. PCs should
expect to take on strain throughout the duration of the encounter. Below is a description of social skills and what they can be used for in
Social Encounters.
Persuasion – This means getting the target to see things from your perspective; can be useful in negotiations or situations where you need
to obtain something form the target. Can be opposed by Meditation, Instinct, or Discipline.
Intimidation – Physically threatening the target, even so much as simply waving their sword. Used to convince the target that you will cause
them harm if they do not capitulate. May not always coerce the target, but it should alter NPC behavior. Typically opposed by Discipline and
Meditation.
Deception – Tell a convincing lie to the target to make them believe something untrue. Players will need to roll for Discipline to discover if
they are being lied to. Opposed by a character’s Instinct and Discipline.
Empathy – Connecting with a character on a personal level can be challenging, but rewarding. Players can gain valuable bonuses in the
case of success, such as or learning about the NPC’s Motivations, but might acquire Setback if they fail to relate with the NPC. Deception
and Discipline can oppose or trick up Empathy.
Leadership – Players may command allies and targets to perform tasks that may cause them harm; they can reassure allies, inspire others
to their cause, and convince an unwitting ally to pledge their loyalty. Only a character with Discipline can oppose Leadership.
Negotiation – Characters will often need to negotiate deals, trade items, or convince targets to compromise on a vested interest. Can be
opposed by Discipline and Negotiation.
Perform – In certain circumstances, a character may want to put on a show. This could be as a distraction, or an interesting way of gaining
favor with a particular target or audience. Opposed only by another’s own skill to Perform.
Earth Kingdom couriers has likely closed, as the package The PCs will want to settle in for just a moment. Encourage
should have been delivered to Ba Sing Se—skip to Section the players to make a few brief checks to pass the time by
3. asking them what they do now that they’ve arrived to their
destination (Geography, History, Survival, etc.). You may use
If the players progress further into The Great Uniter, they’ve them to convey the following information:
probably already pondered aloud as to the contents of the
mysterious lockbox. At this point, no one has told them  Geography: The Serpent's Pass is a narrow strip of
anything, not even Piànzi. Even if he’s coerced into giving up land located between the East and West Lakes and
details, Piànzi doesn’t actually know what’s in the box— as it serves as one of the few direct paths to Ba Sing Se.
was never his family heirloom. He and his missing partner  History: It is named after the serpent which guards
were tasked by their cohorts with bringing the box to Republic it, making the pass feared in the Earth Kingdom.
City. During the Hundred Year War, many refugees
refused to use the pass, opting instead to cross the
When the party meets up with the couriers, they may very well lake by boat.
find out what’s in the box.
 Survival: The Serpent's Pass is one of the few direct
If the party passes their Navigation check and arrives before paths to the Earth Kingdom's massive capital, Ba
the couriers, the GM can read the following out loud (some or Sing Se. The rocky path is treacherous and consists
all of it may not pertain to the party if they went somewhere of dangerous cliffs.
other than the entrance of the Serpent’s Pass):  Perception (upon close inspection): A large sign
bearing the name of the pass is affixed to the
entrance, and the words "abandon hope" are carved
You can smell the water from the lakes, including Full Moon Bay, into one of the posts of the gateway to the pass,
the nearer you get to your destination. As you cross over the next serving as a warning to any passersby and adding to
foothills, you see the imposing, serpentine rock-way on the the strong fear felt at the location.
horizon. With the forest and towns behind you after roughly a
week of travel, you’ve found your way to the Serpent’s Pass. As the GM, you have the freedom here to take as long or as
short amount of time as you like to let the players explore their
You quickly situate yourself on a clearing with some brush cover
overlooking the base entrance of the footpath. This would be a immediate surroundings. Some may want to observe the
perfect spot to watch who comes and goes through the pass. region overlooking Serpent’s Pass; but the players might
Though many seldom do, for fear of the serpent which guards the simply wish to proceed.
route.
It’s up to you to alert them to the arrival of the small Earth
Despite the inherent dangers, a few still choose to make the trek Kingdom entourage. If the characters have a spyglass or they
in the name of haste. With the extension of the Ba Sing Se roll exceedingly well on a Perception check, they’ll learn (at
monorail to the north of Serpent’s Pass, travelers brave enough a distance) that these people are not, in fact, highway bandits
to cross can find themselves in the Middle Ring by nightfall.
but are wearing Earth Kingdom uniforms. How they choose to

proceed from there is entirely up to them. Perhaps they don’t here. Whether a certain response or piece of information
care—or perhaps they are unaware—and choose to rush in warrants a Social Skill check is entirely up to the GM.
head-on simply to instigate a fight and hope for the best (if Suggestions have been made, but are not necessary. GMs
there is time, maybe they jumped a party of innocent travelers may refer to the Social Encounters section in Chapter VII:
by mistake). If they rush in, you can skip to the Fight! section Conflict & Combat.
up head. Otherwise, the party may verbally interact with the
couriers; skip ahead to Talking, if so. Read aloud the following if the party indicates they want to
talk:
If the party failed the Navigation check, they will arrive right
behind the couriers. The party cannot sneak up on the A stout man, presumably leading the Earth Kingdom party
couriers and are caught off-guard with no plan. The following climbs out of the passenger side of the truck and turns to
can be read out loud: face the player characters. He eyes your party up and
down before uttering a very stiff “Colonel Chang”.
You can smell the water from the lakes, including Full
Moon Bay, the nearer you get to your destination. As you The men surrounding Colonel Chang are silent and still as
cross over the next foothills, you see the imposing, jagged stone. The colonel takes another two steps closer toward
rock-way on the horizon. the party, toward the back end of the truck.
Serpent’s Pass. You pause for a moment to breathe in the “These men are under orders, and you are impeding on
view before quickly collecting yourself. As you peer out our time table. You are welcome to cross Serpent’s Pass
beyond the foothills, you spot another party inching toward with us—safety in numbers, you know—but you will need
the entrance of the walkway, much closer to the awning to move along otherwise.”
than you. These could be Piànzi’s bandits—but it’s too
late, and you’ve been spotted. A small truck and an ostrich Despite his surprising cordiality, Colonel Chang is particularly
horse come to a stop. pointed on the word “will.” He should provide the following
answers to general questions without any skill checks:
Before you can react, you hear an imposing “HALT!”
 Who are you? My name is Colonel Chang and this
“This is an official caravan of the Earth Kingdom on orders is Captain Kong. We are servants of the Earth
from the Provisional Chancellor. Disarm yourselves and Kingdom. [Captain Kong would likely let out a
state your business. mumble or a grunt at this remark].
 What are you doing? Our business here is
Either the players comply with the orders of the Earth classified, but we would be happy to oblige any
Kingdom courier—and gain an opportunity to learn valuable citizen trying to cross the Serpent’s Pass safely.
information—or they refuse to disarm and instigate the fight.  Tell us about Serpent’s Pass / this area / the
If they choose the latter, skip ahead to the Fight! section. Earth Kingdom. You don’t know? If you aren’t
Otherwise, continue on with the social aspect of the encounter aware of the dangers inherent to the Serpent’s Pass,
outlined in the Talking section. then that’s all I need to know that you shouldn’t be
here. Serpent is in the name! [Brush up on your Earth
TABLE: Social Skills Kingdom lore].
Acting Skill Opposing Skill  We need the lockbox. This parcel is intended for
direct delivery to the Provisional Chancellor herself
Intimidation Meditation, Discipline and we are duty-bound to safeguard its transport.
Deception Instinct Anyone who gets in the way of that is an enemy of
Empathy the State and will be dealt with accordingly.
Deception, Discipline
Perform Perform Colonel Chang
Persuasion Meditation, Instinct Colonel Chang is a member of the Royal Earthbender Guards
of Ba Sing Se, known as the King's Guard by the commoners.
Leadership Discipline
These guards are earthbending warriors within the Earth
Negotiation Negotiation Kingdom affiliated with neither the Dai Li nor the army. They
instead serve as personal protectors of the earth monarch.
Since the assassination of Queen Hou-Ting, many Royal
Talking Guards—particularly Chang—feel as though they have failed
If the players are curious enough, they may take the at their jobs and are looking to adapt to the quickly-changing
opportunity to converse with the Earth Kingdom agents and, structure of government brought about by the Provisional
in the process, learn more about the lockbox, Piànzi, why the Chancellor Kuvira, who has brought her own personal elite
packaged is being delivered, and ultimately who the parcel is metalbending warriors to serve as her closest guards. Feeling
for. relegated to mundane tasks below his title, Colonel Chang is
incredibly resentful of Kuvira and has little interest in her
This section is a roughly-structured Social Encounter. There leadership.
will be a variety of dialogue boxes that the GM can read aloud
to inform the party (and progress the plot), or can use as Although he seems approachable, Chang is still a Royal
guidelines and make up his own dialogue for the NPCs. The Guard and takes his title very seriously. He will be cordial with
party may experience all, or very few, of the options outlined the PCs, even moreso if he believes they endorse Earth

Kingdom tradition over Kuvira’s version of progress. He does for a fight they were not likely anticipating. Ultimately, these
not know the contents of the lockbox, but he believes are merely suggestions and the choice is up to the GM as to
whatever it is must be important. Chang met with Tien Satoru, which skill is appropriate based on the circumstances of the
an Earth Kingdom engineer and innovator living in Republic moment.
City. Tien is the grandson of Earthen Fire Refinery’s own
Satoru and the inventor of a device that “will change the Commander Chang (Royal Earthbender Guard)
course of nonbender history”. Chang listened patiently as Tien
[Rival]
babbled on about his prototype and understood very few of its
implications. At most he understands that it’s a metal 4 2 2 2 3 3
contraption. BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
5 20 20 0 1
Captain Kong
Captain Kong is a captain of the Earth Kingdom army. As SOAK WOUND STRAIN R/M DEFENSE
such, he wears yellow armor instead of the standard green
variant and per the standard operating procedure of the Earth  Skills: One-Handed Weapons 2, Resilience 3,
Kingdom army, Kong is accompanied by his trusted mount, Discipline 3, Bending 3, Bending Arts 3, Leadership
Cho, a vivacious and swift ostrich horse. The captain is smug 4, Negotiation 2
and resentful of Colonel Chang and the rest of the Royal  Talents: Adversary 1, Bodyguard
Guards; he believes their failure to protect the queen is  Abilities: None.
evidence of their corruption and he fully supports Kuvira in her  Forms: Earth Gauntlet, Earth Armor, Earthquake, all
endeavors, buying in to her message about the inherent Basic forms.
corruption of monarchies, and her vision of the future. A  Equipment: Royal Guard Uniform, Sword,
lifelong military man, Captain Kong aspires to become a Warhammer
General and a member of the Council of Five—or whatever
takes its place. Captain Kong (Earth Army Captain) [Rival]
Captain Kong has little patience for non-Earth Kingdom 4 4 2 1 2 3
citizens and even less so for a party of multicultural bandits. BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
He understands that more than coincidence brought the PCs 5 13 15 1 1
to this critical junction in his caravan’s travels. He knows only
what he needs to know, and that’s good enough for him. SOAK WOUND STRAIN R/M DEFENSE
Negotiations  Skills: One-Handed Weapons 2, Martial Arts 1,

During a social encounter, the party can (and likely will) Leadership 3, Bending 3, Bending Arts 2,
attempt to convince the Colonel to hand over possession of Intimidation 3,
the box, but this would be incredibly unlikely. They would need  Talents: Adversary 1
to make a Formidable ( ) Persuasion check to  Abilities: Military Precision (may add to checks
succeed, and should include or depending on whether made to destroy structures or use co-operative
the Colonel is favorable to the party. A favorable Daunting bending). Earth Disc (may spend an action to hurl a
( ) Intimidation or Negotiation check might silhouette 2 slab of earth at the opponent, causing
convince the Colonel to surrender the lockbox. Deception them to make an opposed Agility check to avoid the
and Leadership will be far less likely to return any results disc; targets engaged with disc either jump out of the
while Empathy or Perform may allow the PCs to gain the way or take a number of damage ignoring soak equal
Colonel’s favor. to the Rival’s Body rating; earthbenders can make a
Bending (BOD) check to instead redirect the disc in
Any attempts at persuading or negotiation, or gaining favor a different direction).
with the Colonel will be interpreted by Captain Kong as
 Forms: Earth Tremor, Earth Piston, Earth Fist, Earth
subterfuge and he will not relinquish the lockbox without a
Blast.
fight. Depending on whether he views Colonel Chang as a
 Equipment: Earth Kingdom Captain Uniform, Pouch
traitor, he may open his attack on the party by attacking
of Stones, Warhammer
Chang first, forcing Chang to choose a side.
If the party pushes too hard, or especially if they fail a Cho the Ostrich Horse [Rival]
Deception or Intimidation check, they’ll be in for a fight. Captain Kong’s Ostrich Horse.
4 3 2 1 1 1
Fight!
Perhaps the party was too stubborn, or a little headstrong, or BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI
maybe they were just bored…either way, there’s a fight. If the 4 10 0 0
players arrived at Serpent’s Pass before the couriers, they
should get a boost to their Initiative roll. In this scenario, they
should roll Perception since they had the advantage of being 2 3 2
able to scope the scene. If the party arrived after the Earth SILHOUETTE SPEED HANDLING
Kingdom couriers, they get no advantage and instead should
roll Instinct since they’ll need to rely on their guts to gear-up  Skills: Athletics 2, Melee 2, Resilience 2, Instinct 3
 Talents: Enduring
 Abilities: Steadfast (Ostrich Horses and their
 Skills: Athletics 4, Stealth 3, Perception 2, Instinct 2
owners receive to skill checks when being ridden
as a mount); Beast of Burden (Ostrich horses add 10  Talents: Adversary 1, Swift, Expert Swimmer,
to their encumbrance threshold). Targeted Blow, Deadly Accuracy, Rapid Reaction,
 Equipment: Sometimes equipped with armor and a Enduring 3
riding saddle. Hind-legs (Melee; DMG 3; CRIT 3;  Abilities: Destruction (when attacking a structure,
Knock Back) either natural or made by bending, the serpent adds
to its attempt)
Earth Army Soldiers [Minion]  Equipment: Massive claws, teeth (Melee; DMG 10;
Accompanying Captain Kong and Commander Chang are a CRIT 3) Smashing tail (Range [Short]; Concussive,
complement of four to eight Earth Army soldiers, all Disorient 2, Pierce 3).
nonbenders. They know absolutely nothing about their If the players are on the verge of winning, Commander Chang
mission other than their intended purpose to make any would- will surrender, as he values his life and freedom more than he
be bandits think twice before attacking their caravan. Earth fears what the collapsing Earth Kingdom government will do
Kingdom soldiers, both benders and nonbenders, carry a wide to him. Captain Kong will continue to fight only if he still has
variety of weapons from spears, swords, and other various Cho. If his mount goes down, he will surrender. No matter
polearms to more unusual weapons such as hammers, axes, what they do, this scene ends on a sort of climax.
and sickles. Soldiers are typically attired with specially-
armored conical helmets, which have also been shown to
function in battle as an impromptu shield against fire blasts. Scene 3: Critical Junction
Whether they have the box or not, the party is at a crossroads,
3 2 1 1 1 3 literally and figuratively: do they go to the Jasmine Dragon and
BODY AGI INT CHA GUI CHI return the box to Piànzi? Maybe the party no longer trusts
Piànzi, since they may realize that he was lying in the first
3 8 0 0 place. Do they lie and say they couldn’t acquire it (when they
SOAK WOUND R/M DEFENSE did)? Do they never return to him at all, and just hope he
doesn’t find out what happened (he will know the courier was
 Skills (group only): Bending, Bending Arts, ambushed since he knew it existed at all)? Perhaps the party
Discipline, Ranged (Light), Instinct, One-Handed fails to capture the parcel, and decides to skip out on Piànzi’s
Weapons. errand altogether.
 Talents: None
If they retain the box for themselves, the party may become a
 Abilities: None.
target of the Provisional Chancellor, who may send Shintu
 Forms (group only): Earth Blast, Earth Structure
after them, if they are acquainted. This could happen before
 Equipment: Earth Kingdom Military Uniform, any they ever see Piànzi again. Perhaps actual bandits (like
one-handed or ranged (light) weapon Gombo) were hired to retrieve Earth Kingdom property—or by
Piànzi, who wanted to cover his bases and intends to double-
Interruption! cross the party.
Whether the players obtain the lockbox or not, the encounter
may be interrupted by an event of some kind. Perhaps the
colonel and captain will surrender rather than give their lives
over an item they know nothing about. If the party is in
Serpent’s Pass, it could be the serpent. If they’re in the Si
Wong Desert, it might be sandbenders or the sand shark.
Perhaps a spirit was awakened by the fighting and lashes out
indiscriminately at everyone. Whatever the case may be, it is
important for the GM to use this as an opportunity to break up
what might be a one-sided fight, and to provide the PCs with
one last opportunity to obtain the lockbox amidst the contrived
chaos of the scene.
Sea Serpent [Nemesis]

This ferocious animal lives mostly on fish and other water
creatures, but it will attack and eat just about anything—it has
even been known to attack ships when looking for a meal. The
serpent lets out a loud, blood-curdling scream just before it
attacks.
5 6 1 1 1 3
8 20 20 0 0

natural materials to imitate the ignition of an explosive
Much Ado about Nothing substance, propelling a small object across a great distance
As it was described earlier, the lockbox acts as a McGuffin— with breakneck velocity. Although not an Equalist himself,
a plot device used to compel the party in reacting one way or Satoru was inspired by the plight of nonbenders to “level out”
another. However, that does not mean that the contents of the the playing field between those with the awe-inspiring ability
box are irrelevant to the plot; on the contrary, the box contains to manipulate the world around them, and those who cannot;
a critical piece of information and hardware that would weave the “great equalizer” as many have called it.
the players into a deeply-entwined narrative on an
international scale. Thus, if the party opens the box before returning it, or they
retain the package for themselves, they will likely stumble
As they have already seen, at least two parties are interested upon its contents. In-character, they will have little-to-no
in this box: Piànzi and the Earth Kingdom (more specifically, understanding of the device or the schematics. The players,
Provisional Chancellor Kuvira). A third, yet unmentioned, though, will undoubtedly know what a flintlock is.
party also desires the contents of this box: the Equalists of
Republic City.
Each party has an interest in acquiring the contents of this Firearms? In my Avatar?
parcel which, as Satoru put it, will “change the course of Practically speaking, explosive materials and combustion
nonbender history forever.” While each party is aware that the were present in The Last Airbender; and earthbending-
contents can be weaponized, few are fully aware of what the
based firework projectiles are shown to be in use as well.
device actually is or does.
The introduction of high-grade metalworking, proliferated
Fortunately, as a Game Master, you have the unique position metalbending, and fireworks without earthbending in
of knowing all. The contents of the box are twofold: a The Legend of Korra imply that the circumstances under
schematic for a flintlock mechanism, and the mechanism which such a mechanism could be crafted do exist.
itself. Indeed, it is a firearm. The decision to introduce firearms The components and theoretical understanding for such a
into the Avatar universe was made with deep consideration of
mechanism exist in the universe; all that is needed is a
the themes and motifs present in the series.
compelling narrative to synthesize these elements
Enter Tien Satoru, a nonbender engineer who identified the together.
possibility of shrinking Fire Nation turret barrels, and using
and a few potential entries into these expansive underground
Honorable Couriers: Returning to Piànzi networks.
Assuming the party honors their commitment to Piànzi, they
will return to him in Ba Sing Se, specifically meeting him at the Does the party have a couple powerful earthbenders? It is
Jasmine Dragon as they requested. Hopefully with the possible that they could use their ability to scale the massive
package in tow, the party will need to make their way back to stone Outer Wall, even one or two at a time, to get to the top.
the walled city, specifically the Upper Ring. Perhaps they’ll If they do scale the wall, what do they find up top? Canonically
traverse Serpent’s Pass, or take a ferry across Full Moon Bay there are many guards posted all over its perimeter, and the
back to the waystation and train depot. If they have not Dai Li even ordains that posted soldiers actually live on and
already tried to get back into the city since the capture in inside of the wall. This would likely be a much more dangerous
Episode I, the GM should see this as an opportunity to path to take.
impede the party’s progress with heightened security detail.
These could be generic Earth Kingdom soldiers, Royal These are only a few examples of what can be done. As the
Guards, Kuvira’s own private security forces, or perhaps a GM of your own game, you get to choose what sorts of
blend of the three. After all, a terrorist attack against one of challenges the party can face, and you decide how their
the Earth Kingdom monorails would certainly warrant an actions, or reactions, have consequences for their future
increased presence of military and guards. selves.
Access to the city would likely be highly restricted, and the Reporting to Piànzi
slow trickle of commuters and travelers would come to a crawl With or without the parcel, when the PCs arrive at the Jasmine
when they are all being searched for contraband of any kind. Dragon, read the following:
Having just barely restored order to Ba Sing Se, the
Provisional Chancellor does not want to be seen as weak and
will be fervently seeking out the perpetrators—or perhaps a You approach the world-renown tea shop located in the
scapegoat. If they’re not careful, the PCs could draw too much Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se, the Jasmine Dragon. Walking
unwanted attention. up the stone staircase, you enter its courtyard. A fountain
decorates its center. Before you is a massive jade-color
Lockbox in tow structure decorated with gold and ivory trimmings. Its two
With the package in their possession, the players not only front windows are intricately designed with a repeating
have to smuggle themselves back into Ba Sing Se, but now a square pattern. During business hours, its doors remain
royal parcel which has undoubtedly been reported missing by open, and so you walk straight in.
now. As the GM this presents an opportunity for you to
Immediately you see a long carpet stretching out before
challenge the PCs in their attempt to reach the Jasmine
you, leading to the serving counter in the back. Two
Dragon. Perhaps they get through the outer wall, but require
golden dragons dancing with one another adorned on a
passports to go beyond the Middle Ring—maybe they’re
jade-colored rug. On either side, you see square and
recognized as passengers from the missing train and are
circular tables, some with ongoing games of Pai Sho.
wanted for questioning. Whatever the circumstances, the
party should be coming into Ba Sing Se very hot. In the far corner, you can see Piànzi already sitting and
sipping tea. It appears as though he doesn’t even notice
Empty-handed that you’ve walked right in.
Even if they fail to obtain the lockbox, the party may still honor
their word and rendezvous with Piànzi, if only to report that
When the party finally approaches Piànzi, he will wait to speak
they were overwhelmed. Although the party might still be
until spoken to, reacting accordingly to whether they deliver
accosted by security at any point throughout their travel from
favorable news, and the package. If the party delivers the
the outer wall to the Upper Ring, they’ll be much less likely to
parcel, Piànzi will thank them, provide them with their reward,
subject themselves to heightened scrutiny without holding
and invite them to meet up with his companion (mentioned
such a wanted package.
earlier).
Entering Ba Sing Se The party may instead attempt to betray Piànzi and retain
Whether it’s because the party successfully stole the possession of the parcel, in which case they will need to make
package, or because you want to introduce a little challenge, an opposed Deception check against Piànzi’s Discipline
getting in to Ba Sing Se can be a small task in and of itself. skill. If they fail the check, Piànzi will call them out on their lie,
Perhaps one of the convoy soldiers managed to radio a but profess that he is outnumbered and would not want to
message back to the capital which is now on higher alert. Or make a scene in the Jasmine Dragon. Unbeknownst to the
maybe their faces are recognized at the gate by other PCs, (they could make a Daunting Perception check),
survivors of the train, or are plastered on Wanted posters. Piànzi signals to his companion, who has been playing Pai
Sho the whole time, that they have been betrayed by the party
Whatever the case may be, you have the opportunity to
and that she is to follow them. Whether Piànzi ambushes the
challenge the players to be creative about how they enter the
party the same day or not is up to the GM.
city. Maybe they attempt to bribe the guards blocking their
way; they could make a Streetwise check, or use their Finally, the party could report of their failure to retrieve the
underworld connections, to recall the existence of a nearby heirloom—whether Piànzi empathizes is up to the GM, and
smuggler’s route; or perhaps they make a History or Culture would necessarily depend upon the impression Piànzi initially
check and successfully remember the Crystal Catacombs, received of the Player Characters; he will generally be willing

to overlook failure and offer a second, substantially more Every new town and NPC is a new opportunity to present one-
difficult, opportunity unless he has been slighted in some way. off Optional Encounters, with seemingly no connection to
the greater story, or they can be used to gauge the party’s
To the Wind collective interests and formulate an entirely new plot. They
It is entirely possible that the PCs, with or without the lockbox, can also serve as an introduction to a character or scenario to
decide to renege on their word to Piànzi and they just head off bring the party on-track with the story. The GM should not feel
for new adventures. In this case, as mentioned earlier, keep obligated to do this, nor should the GM force the party to stick
in mind the many vested interests who would actively seek the to preplanned plot. A GM should be prepared to think of new
PCs to reclaim the lockbox. characters, encounters, and scenarios on the fly.
They party may have a clear idea on what they want to do— Episode III: …and into the Fire
they could want to spend time in iconic Ba Sing Se, follow up
Coming soon…
on their backgrounds and Motivations, or they may seek out
other destinations they recall from the Avatar universe,
straying far from the scene. The alternative is that the PCs
may feel utterly lost and directionless. In both cases, the GM
can use optional encounters (pre-supplied or player-created)
to steer the players toward the plot of the adventure.

Optional Encounters
Are you looking to run a Genesys adventure set in the Avatar can manage to strike him in his physical form, he would leave
universe, but unsure where to start? This section describes a them alone for good.
list of potential, but completely optional, encounters that could
be injected into “The Great Uniter”, stem off of it, or run as Spiritual Burning
stand-alone sessions. The list is by no means exhaustive, and A platoon of firebenders in Fire Nation uniforms are burning a
are merely suggested scenarios for GMs to integrate or adapt. forest near Senlin village for no apparent reason. The villagers
Each scenario is sectioned off through its title, and describes are in disbelief, horror, and shock. What is the Fire Nation up
a plot as a problem presenting itself to the party for a reaction. to? Are the benders actually soldiers? What if Hei Bai
Scenarios will also contains Hooks and Clues; hooks will becomes disturbed and starts another rampage?
detail how to lure PCs into the plot, while clues provide insight Antagonist: Lieutenant Kohaku [Nemesis
into how the plot could be progressed. All scenarios are Firebender/Warrior] and his platoon of firebender and warrior
prepopulated with at least one NPC described as either a rivals and minions. Potentially Hei Bai.
guide, adversary, or otherwise integral figure in the scenario.
Hooks: The party might randomly encounter these
Shock Collar firebenders if they were to find themselves near Senlin village.
Haruto has made a name for himself, claiming he has Additionally, they would likely hear rumors about spiritual
“mastered the element of lightning” and stands accused of disturbances, people vanishing into the Spirit World, or about
kidnapping people off the streets of Ba Sing Se and Republic uniformed Fire Nation soldiers marching through Earth
City, forcing them into silver shackles, laboring away in his Kingdom territory.
silver mines. He claims they are working off debts, but rumors
Clues: One of the key themes of The Second Age is the
suggest he treats them as slaves, shocking them by the silver
conflict between humans and spirits. This plot lends itself to
collars around their necks; some say this happen at the press
this motif, forcing the players to make a choice between
of a button, but others say it happens at the snap of finger.
intervening and preserving balance, or looking away as the
Can he really bend lightning? What is he doing with all that
firebenders torch forests to the ground. In addition, these
silver?
activities could relate to motives of any of the antagonists in
Adversary: Haruto [Nemesis Firebender/Merchant] “The Great Uniter.”
Hooks: The party would likely hear rumors from mountain ‘Til Death Do Us Part
villages about a cruel foreman ‘nearby’ (perhaps, A grief-stricken waterbender attempts in vain to use the
conveniently, the range of mountains nearest to the players). forbidden art of bloodbending to revive their recently-
If they’re in Ba Sing Se or Republic City, they’ll no doubt come deceased beloved. Failure in this attempt drives them into
across reports of kidnappings. madness. Over the next several months, they perfect their
Clues: As one of the best electrical conductors, it makes prohibited talents using recently-deceased bodies from the
sense Haruto would use it to facility his shock collars—is that cemetery. Now, even the living are among those reported
why he mines it, or does he have another level to his missing.
aspirations? Antagonist: Jaryn [Nemesis Waterbender]; Forms:
Bloodbending, all basic Forms
Nightmares and Dreamscapes
While resting, the party is targeted by a large trickster spirit Hooks: Such a story could conceivable haunt the halls of any
who induces nightmares, and feeds off of the party’s anxieties tavern, inn, or pass-through town. The PCs would no doubt
and fears in their sleep. The party must repel this spirit, encounter stories about a village where the graves are
through any means necessary. overturned and rumors about disappearing people.
Antagonist: Mong Shi the Dream-Eater [Nemesis Dark Spirt]; Clues: To really utilize certain narrative atmospheres, the GM
Abilities: Drowsy (Mong Shi can suffer 3 strain to force all might rely on the passage of time to tell a story like this. Such
enemies to roll an opposed Discipline check; failure means a plot could be introduced piecemeal, hooking the characters
the target falls asleep at the beginning of their next turn until over the course of several sessions. The waxing and waning
the end of that turn); Nightmare Fuel (Ranged; DMG 9; CRIT of the moon can serve as both a clue and a plot device.
4; Extreme range; Pierce 3, Stun Damage) which is rolled as
an Average Perform check. Spoiled Fruit
A farming village has lost their livestock and crops to a strange
Hooks: This scenario could be introduced any time the party affliction which seems to be attracting small spirits and
is resting, perhaps in a restless inn, or near a roadside shrine. strangers—or did the strangers bring both?
The PCs may also stumble across Mong Shi in their
adventures if they cross a place where the natural world has Antagonist: Senji the Masked [Nemesis Diplomat/Monk];
been tarnished such that Mong Shi saw it fit to punish Senji is disfigured after a close encounter with a lion spirit. The
humans. GM should describe him as having certain cat-like physical
qualities, but he should still be recognizably human. He leads
Clues: The party could use their Perform skill to oppose
Mong Shi’s efforts, and perhaps even drive him back. If they
a group of former-monks-now-cultists trying to better Antagonist: Jinguo [Nemesis Earthbender/Commander], a
understand the spirits and the Spirit World. partially-deaf, very old and very chatty former commander of
the Royal Guard.
Hooks: No doubt the player characters would hear rumors
about a ‘nearby village’ whose crops and livestock were Hooks: Many opportunities for this encounter exist: the PCs
stricken with some unknown sickness. They may even hear might simply stumble across the wrong mountain and be
direct pleas from villagers in a nearby market, begging anyone attacked; Jinguo could instead approach the party and offer
to investigate. them a job; rumors would inform the party of a real jerk of a
mountain hermit.
Clues: Here the antagonist could be the spirits, a group of
cultists, or both. The cultists might instead be benevolent, Clues: Jinguo’s background leaves a lot of wiggle room for
even help the party understand what is happening to the backstory. He could be a disgraced member of the Royal
livestock and crops. Senji and his cultists should be presented Guard who faced Queen Hou-Ting’s wrath for dereliction of
in a strange light, though, to provide the party with an incentive duty. He might just be an old, crotchety villager with a grudge;
to investigate. As with most other spiritually-oriented plots but perhaps he was wronged in some way. Is he just a
presented in this section, the spiritual activities could very persecuted hermit, or does he have his reasons for hiding out
easily lend itself to the “The Great Uniter”, where multiple on his mountain?
factions have an interest in studying (and harnessing) spiritual
energy. Thunderous Applause
A huge storm is wracking the countryside, forcing the party to
Zealots Amok seek shelter. In their search for a nearby town, they come
A group of zealots in Gaoling are preaching about a Celestial across a roadside shrine filled with other weary travelers.
Mandate—the spiritually divine right of their leader to rule the They are forbidden entry by a short and frail woman who
city and province of Gaoling. The zealots are coercing people demands that the PCs tell a rousing tale to appease the
to fall in line, and to reform traditions so that they may shrine’s spirit, or else they will be barred from seeking shelter
appease the spirits. Some spirits like this idea and are here.
tormenting dissenters. Now, commoners have begun to riot.
Antagonists: Mun Shin [Rival] blocks the door to the shrine.
Antagonist: Tao Feng [Nemesis Diplomat/Astrologer], who She’s not really the antagonist, per se, but she will give a
leads his Rival-level Zealots (Earthbenders, Monks, feeble attempt to stand between the party and the shrine.
Assassins), and his Minion-level Believers. The GM may also
refer to Chapter XII: Adversaries & Creatures for stats on Meifen the Drama Queen [Nemesis Spirit]; Abilities: Hard to
Dark Spirits or may make up their own spirit antagonist. Please (add to all social checks against Meifen); General
Disdain (characters suffer 1 additional strain if they try to use
Hooks: As is the case with most plot hooks, the party would humor to appease Meifen)
likely encounter stories about Tao Feng and his followers
throughout their travels. The closer they get to Gaoling, the Hooks: Such a scenario could happen at any moment; as a
more pertinent those reports could be. The party may even break in the action, or when there is a lull of activity.
stop in Gaoling along the way to some other destination,
Clues: As a social encounter, Meifen cannot be ‘defeated’ but
maybe for rest and supplies, only to find out that not all is what
rather appeased. The idea here is for the GM to encourage
it seems in Gaoling.
the players to put on a small improv performance, regaling
Clues: Tao Feng is a lynchpin character, necessary to drive Meifen perhaps with the drama of their own adventures so far.
the plot (which is ultimately a type of rebellion story). With the
collapsed Earth Kingdom monarchy, it makes sense that Festival of Masks
many different factions within the Earth Kingdom would vie for During their travels, the party comes across a modest village
power. Book 4 of The Legend of Korra confirms this when we celebrating during the Festival of Masks. As they pass through
again meet Kuvira, who explains she spent three years town, they are encountered by a spirit disguised as an old
quashing rebellions and unifying the Earth Kingdom. merchant who hands the PCs free masks of ornate quality.
The masks they receive each represent a negative human
The spiritual presence in Gaoling can be fed into by the events
emotion and once the mask is put on, that’s all anyone sees.
of Book 2, where Avatar Korra left open the spirit portals; this
The party must learn to accept their flaws or else the masks
spiritual activity, let alone the revolt, would no doubt draw the
cannot be removed; the PCs will need to learn to overcome
attention of Provisional Chancellor Kuvira, which might be
their fears, and control their negative emotions.
used by the GM as a way to reintroduce Shintu and the plot
of “The Great Uniter”. Antagonist: Longmeng the Taunting [Nemesis Spirt];
Abilities: Deep Stupor (targets make an opposed Empathy
Widow’s Peak Check; if they fail, they take strain per failure ignoring soak).
A perilous peak is said to be terrorized by an earthbender who
Hooks: Such an encounter could occur in any obscure town,
claims dominion over the entire mountain. A village at its base
throughout any point in the party’s travels, or during any
feels helpless in their attempts to travel or stray up the
excuse for a festival.
mountain for precious resources like wood and water. The
earthbender attacks those who venture too far up the Clues: Intermittent Fear checks should keep the party on
mountain. their toes. Resolving this encounter could take only as long as
it takes for each player to make a successful Fear and

Empathy check in succession. This is a great opportunity to could follow up on poaching reports, and discover the
tailor the scenario toward PC motivations, Honor, and other kidnappings by mistake.
backstory hooks.
Clues: As one of the many factions trying to harness and
weaponize the new spiritual energies in the world, Yu Wei is
Pirates of Mo Ce Sea a scholar of the Spirit World and believes there’s more fact
Marine piracy is on the rise as water tribe outcasts, and people than fiction behind the myth that these animals were the “first
struggling to survive, take to the seas in search of fortune. benders.”
Many of those ranking among the crew are disparate or
displaced waterbenders who have left the crowded Northern
Water tribe; using their abilities, they harness the ocean itself
Burning Desires
as a weapon against unsuspecting merchant ships. A Fire Nation noble is throwing an extravagant party to show
off her prized possessions, including among them a massive
Antagonist: Captain Himaru [Nemesis Captain/Pirate], and ruby cut by ancient earthbenders. Just three nights before the
his animal companion, and Rival-level crew of Pirates, party, she received a threat from local gang leader Gombo
Sailors, and Waterbenders. threatening her and her estate. The noble needs the party’s
help to super proof her property from thieves the night they
Hooks: If the party has a boat and is traveling, they would show up.
likely encounter Cpt. Himaru in the Mo Ce Sea, or the shipping
lanes leading to the Northern Water Tribe. Additionally, it is Antagonist: Gombo [Nemesis Fighter/Bounty Hunter], and
likely that they would begin to hear rumors about pirate activity his gang of Rival-level Rangers and Bounty Hunters.
the closer they got to this part of the world. If the pirate captain
poses a large enough problem, the party might even be Guide: Lady Baozhai [Rival Archaeologist], a collector of fine
approached by the Earth Kingdom or Fire Nation things
governments to put them down.
Hooks: The party might encounter Gombo and his gang
Clues: Captain Himaru provides the GM with an excellent anywhere between Ba Sing Se, through the Earth Kingdom
opportunity to give the players a taste of marine combat and up to the United Republic of Nations borders. Lady Baozhai
storytelling. Navigation and Sailing checks would be would likely live closer to the URN, but it is possible she has
necessary in this scenario. an estate in Ba Sing Se.
Clues: This story has a lot of potential for Avatar fans because
Wandering Master it presents a character from the series (Gombo) in a scenario
Along their travels, the player characters meet a nonbender for players. In The Legend of Korra, we see Gombo ‘stealing’
samurai master who harbors a deep-seated hatred for from Queen Hou-Ting and bemoaning the Avatar’s choice to
benders; he habitually challenges them to duels to prove help her tax the people hurting the most. Gombo could very
himself their better. When he encounters the party, he well see Lady Baozhai as an appropriator of Earth culture and
challenges each bender PC to a one-on-one duel. wealth, and this could feed into the overall theme of “The
Great Uniter” about the pitfalls of ‘us v. them’ mentality.
Antagonist: Satoshi [Nemesis Warrior/Assassin]; Talents:
Deflect 2, Expert Deflect, Master Deflect, Parry 2, Expert
Parry, Master Parry; Equip: Samurai robes (+1 DEF), Katana
Mother of all Fish
(Melee; DMG 6; CRIT 4; Slashing 2; Defensive 1) Certain interested parties in the Northern Water Tribe are
hosting a fishing competition. The contest also purports to be
Hooks: As with the last few scenarios, the Wandering Master a spiritual ceremony, and an observation of traditional offering
lends itself to be a random encounter at any point in the to the great Tigerswordfish spirit. The winner of the contest
party’s adventure. receives an ugly fish hat, all-you-can-eat fish, and a small
purse of coins, as well as renown throughout all the Northern
Clues: If any of the PCs manage to beat Satoshi, he could tag Water Tribe as a master fisherman, and appeaser of the spirit
along as a Master NPC who imparts wisdom and aids on of the seas.
future missions.
Antagonist: Captain Keimar [Nemesis Captain/Sailor], who
Bending the Rules has been sabotaging other contestants, including the PCs. He
A band of benders are poaching flying bison and intends not only to catch the most fish, but to capture the
badgermoles, as well as kidnapping nonbenders. Led by a Tigerswordfish spirit itself.
nonbending scientist, they are rumored to be conducting Tigerswordfish; Abilities: Plunge (Tigerswordfish may
experiments on the nonbending captives to see if they can upgrade next attack difficulty to cause enemy vessel to take
somehow force them to learn bending from their animal on water in). Equip: Spirit Maw (Melee; DMG 10; CRIT 4;
counterparts. Engaged)
Antagonist: Yu Wei [Nemesis Astrologer/Tinkerer], and his Hooks: Yet another example opportunity to entice players to
Rival bender trio Barrel (Firebender), Boulder (Earthbender), use vehicles and travel the seas, this scenario could be
and Barney (Waterbender) encountered in any port city where characters might talk about
Hooks: Per the usual kidnapping scenario, the party would no such a venture. Captain Keimar might just happen to make a
doubt encounter reports about missing persons. They could public challenge, or declaration of intent to capture the great
even receive direct pleas for assistance. Alternatively, they spirit, in the same city through which the players are traveling.

Clues: Once again, this is another scenario that fits in with the Antagonist: Huu Ming [Nemesis Archaeologist/Monk], a rude
overall motif of humanity learning to live in balance with the playboy with dry-humor and a short temper. Huu wants to be
spirits. Keimar presents an opportunity for the players to make the first to uncover the secrets to benders’ history.
a choice that could have significant consequences for the
spiritual balance of the world: do they let Keimar make an Guide: Tomi Lang [Rival history professor] is an adjunct
attempt to capture a spirit, or do they intervene? professor at Ba Sing Se University who specializes in Spirit
World and History knowledges.
Martial Remedies Hook: If the party is itching for adventure and genuine
A village herbalist is revealed to be a skilled martial artist when exploration, this scenario presents a perfect opportunity for
he is witnessed stopping a thief by the party. He does not want exactly that. They could conceivably hear about a job like this
his secret revealed to people and will offer tea, perhaps at any major trading hub
wisdom if he respects the party enough.
Clues: This scenario could be used by the GM to inform the
Guide: Chen Yu (Nemesis Monk/Astrologer] plot of “The Great Uniter” by inserting Tomi Lang as the
individual from Ba Sing Se University with which Dr. Peng Dao
Hooks: This is another scenario that could play out at just was supposed to meet. Additionally, the scenario provides a
about any moment throughout the party’s adventure. chance for players to explore several key locations from the
Clues: It is also another opportunity for the party to potentially Avatar series including the Sun Warriors and Taku ruins.
find a Master.
Hazed and Confused
Sumo Bending On a trip through the wilderness, or sailing through a
The party stumbles across an underground wrestling ring for particularly thick fog, the party finds themselves lost in the
benders. Any of the four elements may participate in these Spirit World. An unassuming spirit greets them to explain that
one-on-one or tag-team fights where users are handicapped they have only 72 hours to get back home before it’s too late.
according to their element. What the players don’t know is that Antagonist: Fu Shi the Hunting Spirit [Nemesis Spirit] looks
someone is rigging the fight. like two snakes coiling around one another in an endless loop.
Antagonist: Palak [Nemesis Entertainer/Merchant] Guide: Pao Shi [Rival Spirit] is a small rabbit-like spirit who
Hooks: If the party is looking to make some extra coin, this warns the party of their impending peril. With the right
could be a scenario the GM can use to engage them. Knowledge or social check, Pao Shi will give the party clues
as to what happens in 72 hours (“the hunt”), and can be
Clues: Each element should be handicapped according to its tricked into revealing that he is the Hunting Spirit Fu Shi.
weakness. Waterbenders should be made to stand on coals,
while firebenders must wade in 6 inches of water at all times. Hook: At any point in the adventure, the players may find
Likewise, earthbenders must balance atop pillars while themselves instantly transported into the Spirit World.
airbenders are weighted down with chains. Clues: As previously mentioned, a key theme of The Second
Age explores the tension between humans and spirits. Here
Precarious Passage is yet another opportunity to explore that tension.
The party stumbles upon a pacifist temple in the middle of the
mountains, but its residents are terrified of benders. To pass The Traveling Trio
through their passage, the party must subject themselves to A traveling trio of benders (fire, water, and air) are wandering
be bound and gagged. While the monks are helpful, offering performers looking to gain the favor of a local lord by
the party food, supplies, and a place to sleep, they are performing at his reception. They know the Lord needs to be
cautious. Little does the party know that bandits have taken convinced, and the trio asks for the party’s assistance. Little
up nearby to kill benders and take their belongings. do the PCs realize that the trio is on the run from loan sharks.
Antagonist: Rinzler [Nemesis Ranger/Bounty Hunter]; Antagonist: Minister Popo [Rival Diplomat] is a brash,
Animal Companion: Pacho the Goat Gorilla [Rival] gluttonous, and condescending man.
Guide: Pondo [Rival Monk], who knows where Rinzler is Terry Two-Lips [Nemesis Merchant/Pirate] is the predatory
hiding and would reveal that he arranged a deal with Rinzler lender after the trio.
for protection if the party guarantees to help save them from
Rinzler. Guides: Tai [Rival Firebender], Hank [Rival Airbender], and
Trix [Rival Waterbender]; each possess all basic forms of their
Hook: Another great opportunity for a random encounter, this respective element.
scenario could hook the player characters in at any mountain
scene. Hooks: The PCs might encounter this trio at any time
throughout their travels.
Raiders of the Lost Art Clues: While Minister Popo presents a pleasant social
The History Department at Ba Sing Se University is hiring all
encounter, and is impressed by a high Honor, the loan shark
willing participants to scour the globe for historical artefacts
angle presents both a more difficult social challenge, and a
regarding ancient bending societies.
potential combat encounter.

Antagonist: Wei Fong the Vengeful [Nemesis Spirit]
Mountain Labyrinth
While traveling through the mountains, the party is besieged Guide: Jaya [Rival-level Waterbender herbalist]
by a storm when they come upon an ancient temple built into
the mountainside. A monk offers them shelter, and when the Clues: One of many opportunities for PCs to explore the
party accepts and is inside the temple, the doors close behind dynamic between spirits and humans in the second age of the
them and the monk reveals himself to be a trickster spirit. Avatar.
Antagonist: Chenfu the Trickster [Nemesis Spirit] New Recruits

Hooks: The GM may use any mountain travel or inclement The Player Characters have been invited to join the illustrious
weather as an opportunity to engage the players with this White Lotus organization and have been taken on by a White
scenario. Lotus master as her initiates. Although they come from
drastically different backgrounds, the PCs must work together
Clues: Since they’re not in the Spirit World, their bending to succeed with their initiation. On the day of their final test, a
should still work. This can be an opportunity for the GM to mysterious man shows up and attacks their master, killing her
create unique puzzles for bender characters to encourage and threatening the PCs to cease their initiation or suffer the
them to use their abilities imaginatively. consequences. Before they can react, he vanishes. Who is
this mysterious man? Is he Red Lotus, or something far more
Pirate Radio sinister?
Controversial pirate radio host “Lightning Lee” is intercepting Antagonist: Unnamed bender [Nemesis]
and brokering international political secrets, inadvertently or
deliberatively sowing dissent in the Earth Kingdom by outing Guide: Lianda, White Lotus Master [Nemesis Firebender]
the Upper Ring’s dirty laundry. Although many elite officials
from all over the world want him silenced, many of the Hooks: If the party is comprised strictly of benders, this type
commoners look up to Lightning Lee as a hero. of scenario should be made available to them after they’ve
gained some experience. Since Lianda is a member of the
Guide: Lightning Lee [Nemesis Entertainer/Diplomat] whose Order of the White Lotus, it’s doubtful that she would avail
one-of-a-kind experimental radio allows him to broadcast all herself to inexperienced benders, or nonbenders.
over the Earth Kingdom no matter where he is.
Clues: This premise makes for a great opening encounter for
Hooks: Most likely, the party is being offered a job by the a new campaign. It serves the purpose of putting together a
Earth Kingdom (vis-à-vis Provisional Chancellor Kuvira) to party of seemingly-unrelated characters, while simultaneously
hunt down Lightning Lee, but it’s possible that instead the introducing them to a larger-than-life campaign setup
party overhears one of his broadcasts at a tavern sympathetic scenario.
to Lee’s grand plan.
Clues: Lightning Lee might be in Ba Sing Se, Omashu, or

The Beetle King
Republic City. A scenario like this could easily relate to the The elusive beetle-headed merchants have been frequenting
events of “The Great Uniter”. Even after Episode I, an the Misty Palms Oasis more often lately. Reports claim that
electrifying personality like Lightning Lee would be all over the they are being driven from their underground settlements in
kidnapping of a foreign scientist, and would want to publicize the Si Wong Desert following recent attacks. While some
this. Those responsible would certainly want Lee to shut up— claim the giant gilacorn is to be blame, having returned from
permanently. extinction, others believe that a man known as “the Beetle
King” is behind the recent attacks.
Peace and Passivity Antagonist: Jiachong, the Beetle King
A monastery of air acolytes needs help removing an
infestation of nuisance and slightly dangerous critters. They Hooks: After overhearing their murmurs at the Misty Palms
insist, however, that the creatures are not harmed as the party Oasis, the party might be approached by several beetle-
removes them. headed merchants and offered the chance to investigate.
Antagonist: Hog Monkeys [Minion] Clues: Per the legends, the subterranean ancestors of the
beetle-headed merchants, the first humans living in the Si
Guide: Ren [Rival Monk], head of the monastery. Wong Desert, were constantly attacked by giant gilacorns
until they mimicked the appearance of sour beetles, the only
Hooks: If the party needs some extra coin, or is traveling and creatures on the desert floor not palatable to gilacorns.
the GM needs another random encounter, this is a perfect However, these giant gilacorns were said to have gone extinct
scenario. by 100 AG.
Clue: As seen in Avatar: The Last Airbender, hog monkeys
love lychee nuts. The Lost Ways
Deep in the valleys within the mountains surrounding Mt.
Spiritual Vengeance Makapu in the northwestern earth kingdom, a band of
A shaman requests an escort for her quest to placate a spirit refugees wearing traditional air nomad clothing show up
that annually threatens her village. outside of Makapu Village, and rumors begin to quickly spread
about ‘lost airbenders’. At the request of their elder leader,

they have come out of hiding to confirm their elder’s
suspicions: airbending has been reborn in the world.
Guide: Bacha Hua (Nepali/Hindi for “Left Over”)
Hooks: The party can hear about these refugees over the
course of their travels, with the rumors becoming more
extravagant the farther away from Makapu they are. They
should hear about airbenders performing ‘amazing feats’ not
unlike the Avatar.
Clues: How did the recluse make this discovery? Who are
these people and what are their motivations?
Spiritual Vampires
Strange things have been happening in Republic City. One of
the weaker triads has amassed a lot of power in a short
amount of time, and spirits living in the city have become
corrupted in their wake. The triad’s benders, once laughed at
for being among the weakest, are now incredibly strong. Even
the police seem unable to halt their progress.
Antagonist: Ketsuki [Nemesis] fire bender and spiritualist
Hooks: The Player Characters can be tasked with infiltrating

the triad.
Clues: The party may learn that they achieved this with the
help of someone who gave them devices that can amplify their
skills by siphoning the energy of surrounding spirits,
corrupting them and turning them into dark spirits. Naturally,
the spirits are not happy about this.

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(NDS) are registered trademarks of Fantasy Flight

What’s Different from Genesys?

2 | Introduction | The Second Age v1.6

The Second Age v1.6 | The System | 3

4 | Introduction | The Second Age v1.6

The Dice Pool

The Second Age v1.6 | The System | 5

Body Skills & Training

6 | The System | The Second Age v1.6

Building a Basic Dice Pool

Interpreting the Pool

Successes & Failures

8 | The System | The Second Age v1.6

Threat h is generally spent by the GM to impose some sort

It is possible for a skill check to result in both Triumph t and

Other Types of Checks

The Second Age v1.6 | The System | 9

Opposed Checks Skilled Assistance

Competitive checks occur when several people are trying to

Other Key Features

12 | The System | The Second Age v1.6

The Second Age v1.6 | The System | 13

14 | The System | The Second Age v1.6

16 | Character Creation | The Second Age v1.6

Step 1: Determine Background

Step 2: Select an Archetype

The Second Age v1.6 | Character Creation | 17

The third is a list of any special abilities, talents, or free skills

Archetypes The Intellectual

The Outcast Lap of Luxury

18 | Character Creation | The Second Age v1.6

 Starting Experience: 110 XP  Starting Experience: 115 XP

 Starting Experience: 105 XP

Wandering Heart Spiritualist

20 | Character Creation | The Second Age v1.6

The Prodigy Bending Pupil

Primal Instinct Bending Artisan

 Starting Experience: 100 XP

Pro-Bender Inner Strength

 Starting Experience: 100 XP 2 2 2 1 3 2

22 | Character Creation | The Second Age v1.6

The Second Age v1.6 | Character Creation | 23

24 | Character Creation | The Second Age v1.6

The Second Age v1.6 | Character Creation | 25

26 | Character Creation | The Second Age v1.6

The Second Age v1.6 | Character Creation | 27

When a character becomes a solider, they automatically Tier Talent

Fighter The Guard, unlike the Fighter, is much more specialized in

28 | Character Creation | The Second Age v1.6

The Second Age v1.6 | Character Creation | 29

Additionally, all mariner characters receive a discount when Tier Talent

30 | Character Creation | The Second Age v1.6

The Second Age v1.6 | Character Creation | 31

32 | Character Creation | The Second Age v1.6

Triggered Honor can also result in other tangible problems— Motivations

The Second Age v1.6 | Character Creation | 33

34 | Character Creation | The Second Age v1.6

because they’re driven—because they’re excited and