My own take on The Black Hack borrows some ideas from the Whitehack, so I run The Gray Hack. Essentially each character has a Race and a Class (and a Heroic Path – but more on those for another post). The Race and Class act as ‘Groups’, spheres of knowledge that allows the PC to make straight Attribute checks on specialist areas that make sense for their groups. Other characters would be at a Disadvantage.
So, the Sarcosans have the skill Lore of Cities. They can make a straight INT test to know information about particular cities and their surroundings. Other PCs without this skill would be at a Disadvantage.
I’m not settled yet on the particular abilities, but these form some starter ideas. Characters are created by taking these steps:
Character Generation Options
- Choose where you are from
- Choose your Class
- Choose your Heroic Path
I use The Race Hack and The Class Hack. A number of versions of these are available. They add to TBH without weighing it down.
The Dorn
Start with +1d4 HP
Courageous when fighting with fellow Dorn. Advantage on Willpower tests (WIS) when fighting with 5 or more fellow Dorn.
Advantage with Lore of the Northlands (INT)
Advantage when resisting the effects of cold and exposure (CON)
The Sarcosans
Urban
Advantage when testing Gather Information (CHA) in cities
Advantage with the skill Lore of Cities (INT)
Plains
Advantage for Riding (DEX)
Mounted Combat. Can fight on horses without Disadvantage
Erenlanders
Craft: Gain one Craft or Trade skill to reflect that in the Last Age, life in central Erenland is hard, and men and women must develop useful trades and crafts at a young age simply to survive.
Learning: Gain advantage in any one skill. The Erenlanders are adept at learning and cunning and flexible in the application of it. Provide a story as to why the character has gained this learning.