Followers

Player characters have the option to gain followers as they advance in tier, as provided by type or focus special abilities. Followers do not need to be paid, fed, or housed, though a character who gains followers can certainly make such arrangements if they wish. A follower is someone whom a character has inspired (or asked) to come work with the character for a time, aiding them in a variety of endeavors. A follower puts the PC’s interests ahead of, or at least on par with, their own.

The PC generally makes rolls for their follower when the follower takes actions, though usually a follower’s modifications provide an asset to a specific action taken by the PC they follow.

Modifications

A follower can help a PC in one or more tasks, granting the PC an asset to that task. The level of the follower indicates the number of different tasks they can help with. The tasks that the follower is able to help with are predetermined, usually chosen by the PC when they gain the follower. A level 2 follower who the player determines is a spy could grant a PC an asset on two different tasks, such as stealth and deception. Followers cannot help with tasks that they don’t have modifications for; for the purpose of helping, treat the follower as if they had inabilities in all nonmodified tasks.

When the follower acts autonomously rather than helping the PC, they act like a normal NPC that has modifications. Thus, the modification increases their effective level for the associated task by one step. For example, the level 2 spy follower with modifications for stealth and deception attempts stealth and deception tasks as if they were level 3 and all other tasks as level 2.

Follower Assets to Combat and Defense

A follower cannot grant an asset to a character’s attacks or defense until the follower is level 3 or higher. Even then, the follower can help with attacks and defense only if they have a modification for that kind of task.

Some abilities may grant a special exception to this rule. For instance, the Serv-0 Defender ability gives your level 1 Serv-0 follower (a machine companion) a modification for Speed defense.

Follower Level Progression

A follower increases in level by 1 each time a PC advances two tiers after gaining that follower. When the follower gains a level, the PC also chooses the task that the follower gains a modification for.

Exceptional Follower

When a character gains a follower, there’s a small chance that the follower will be exceptional in some way, a cut above other followers of their kind. The GM determines when an exceptional follower is found, possibly as an additional reward for smart or engaging roleplaying where the PCs impress or otherwise positively interact with one or more NPCs, some of whom may later go on to become one of their followers. An exceptional follower has the same qualities as a regular follower but is 1 level higher.

Pet

Any PC can potentially gain a pet, though a pet typically doesn’t provide modifications. If a character wants a pet that can do this, they must gain the pet through an ability or focus that grants followers. On the other hand, a well-cared-for pet grants an asset to a PC’s tasks related to achieving peace of mind, finding comfort, and resisting loneliness.

Frequently Asked Questions

A follower can help a PC in one or more tasks, granting the PC an asset to that task. The level of the follower indicates the number of different tasks they can help with.

Follower level = amount of modifications

When a follower acts independently of a PC, then the resolution of its attempts will default back to how such things are done with NPCs – their level and any modifications being used to compare which of the two non-player-forces would succeed.

However, should the DM call for a roll based on an NPC’s actions, the player who “owns” the follower or who ordered them to take this action, will roll and apply any modifications the follower has to the roll.

You cannot spend effort on this roll, however – if time permits and your character is able – you may be able to take separate actions before the follower’s action is concluded to aid them, which you could potentially spend effort on.

Your follower acts on your initiative. They can only help you in rolls that they have modifications in. If they are level 2 or lower, they cannot have modifications in attack or defense tasks.

On their turn they can attempt to attack someone with their “owning” player rolling for them. Unless they have a modification, this will be a flat roll against the enemy’s level and will do as much damage as their weapon allows.

Note: The GM has final say on what weapon(s) a follow can and cannot use, and may consider them to have a hinderance using a weapon that they aren’t trained in.

A follower can use their action to help you on your turn if they have a modification in the same kind of attack (ranged or melee). This also counts for them aiding you in defense.

A follower can use their action to help you defend as long as they have a modification in the type of defense (might, speed or intellect) and is able to.

EG: A follower who is stuck in a bear trap would be unable to help you dodge because they cannot move.

Your follower acts on your initiative.