2.1 Burns and Haunts List
Choose one burn and one haunt from the lists below.
Burns
Choose a burn for your character. Your burn represents a major event with such a negative impact that it made your old life untenable.
| Burn | Description |
|---|---|
| Betrayed | You were betrayed by someone you trusted so deeply that it shattered your world. |
| Confined | You were held against your will, but you managed to escape. |
| False Memories | You discovered that some of your memories were implanted, and you had to get out. |
| Framed | You were framed for a crime you didn't commit and had no choice but to run. |
| Identity Swap | Your digital identity was swapped with that of a criminal and you ran. |
| Key Witness | You have key evidence of a major crime like a murder, coverup, or massive fraud. |
| Lost it All | You lost it all. Your family, your friends, your job, your residence. Everything. Gone. |
| Left for Dead | You were part of a tragedy with mass casualties. Somehow you survived. |
| Made Enemies | You made some powerful people very upset with you, and you ran for your life. |
| Past Exposed | A dark secret from your past was exposed, and you fled out of shame or fear. |
| Reputation Destroyed | Your professional reputation was destroyed by your enemies, leaving you with nothing. |
| System Shock | You became privy to information that shocked your conscious and left you unable to continue. |
| Test Subject | You were an unwilling test subject in a scientific experiment, but you escaped. |
Haunts
Choose one thing that haunts your character. The haunt you choose frames the lasting consequences of your burn and can be used by the GM to introduce story elements into the game. Your haunt also drives your character forward. When you engage in specific activities related to your haunt, you recover a Luck Point.
| Haunted by... | Recover a Luck Point |
|---|---|
| The Truth You have questions about something related to your burn, and you are driven to find answers. Write down at least one question your character wants to answer about their past. For a [Haunt], this question should be deep, such that it cannot be answered quickly or easily. |
When you discover a hidden truth (whether it is related to your burn or not) |
| The Helpless You know you can't help everyone, but you feel a strong urge to step in and act as a protector when you encounter someone who is helpless and in need. |
When you help someone who is in need |
| Honor The events of your burn showcase dishonorable actions--either by you or someone else pivotal to your story. You have since developed your own code of honor, and you strive to uphold it. Write down at least one self-imposed tenant your character must follow. |
When you follow your code of honor despite the inconvenience |
| Active Pursuers You are well aware that you're actively being pursued by someone described in your burn, such as the megacorp where you worked. Write down the name of the person or organization that is pursing your character, as well as why they are chasing you. |
When you escape from a chase or help someone else escape from being chased (whether the event is related to your burn or not) |
| An Unpaid Debt You could not have come back from your burn without the help of someone to whom you now owe a great debt, one which cannot be paid off without considerable effort and time. Work out the details of your debt with the GM. |
When you make a payment towards your debt or help someone else pay off a deb of their own |
| Destruction Massive loss was central to your burn, and it remains a source of heartbreak and angst for you. When you see others making choices that will lead to a similar destruction by your estimation, you feel a strong urge to intervene. |
When you stop someone from being destructive or prevent something from being destroyed |
| Redemption You feel guilt over something related to your burn, something you did--or which you failed to do. You cannot change the past, but you can try to make amends. Write down one thing your character strives to do at least once a month, some form of charity or good works. |
When you perform a selfless act of altruism or charity |
| Revenge You lust for revenge against someone described in your burn, someone you view as responsible for what happened. To qualify as a [Haunt], this should be a very powerful person or organization, one that cannot be dispatched quickly or easily. |
When you "get even" or take revenge on someone who has slighted you or wronged you in some way (whether related to your burn or not) |
| Disruption Your burn left you with a desire to cause as many problems as possible for those you perceive as enemies. Your plans may be meticulous and subtle or ad-hoc and in-your-face. Write down the name of the person or organization that is the subject of your ire. |
When you do something to significantly disrupt the status quo of an operation or organization (whether related to your burn or not) |
| The Thrill of Danger You came out of your burn with the feeling that you're never really alive unless you're in danger. This is not to say that you have no fear. To the contrary, it is the fear that makes you feel alive. You find it difficult to resist taking unnecessary risk. |
When you engage in risky behavior that could result in your injury or death--and you come out unscathed |
| Corruption The corruption and criminality you witnessed as part of your burn left its mark on you. Now, you have a strong desire to investigate corruption and expose it to the world. You are driven to publish your findings to the Net, not for your own fame, but to call the jackals out by name. |
When you discover and document corruption or criminal behavior and post your findings to the Net |