Glaugust 2026 #5: Heart Stringer

This isn't a fighter, thief, wizard or cleric (I think!) Its intended to be pretty versatile, but I bet it's especially compatible with Unusual Days and a wip that KludgeKauldron and I are tinkering with for a Superheroes GLOG thing... more to come soon! I think this will be my last Glaugust post, I have very much run out of steam. Thanks for reading, and please tag me in the glog discord with other blogwagons!

Musician

Start with a guitar, saxophone or other portable instrument, flashy or especially grungy clothes, a concealed knife (d6) and your last dose of a popular drug

Skills: (1d6) 1-2. Drinking, 3-4. Eating, 5-6. Drugs

Gain +1 Performance Point (PP) per Template

A. Performance, The Club

B. Deep Ties

C. The Club Grows

D. Sunset

Performance - Your musical stylings are beautiful and tug at the emotions of those who hear. You have a pool of Performance Points (PP) that you can spend by playing a song. After 1d3x2 minutes, a small audience will be moved in a way that you choose. You may adjust their reaction roll up or down one result for each PP spent, or implant an idea in their minds consisting of no more than PP words. For example, you could say "Let Loose" or "Riot." This effect is purely psychological and not magical, and will therefore not force them to act. Sufficient pageantry, like a huge stage and effects or a major event going on surrounding your performance could cause them to act on their feelings, but more likely you will only put the idea in their minds for them to go forward with.

PP are recovered after a night of restful sleep in a comfortable bed. You can bank unspent PP, but may only possess up to [Templates]x2.

The Club - You may spend PP to reveal an NPC who you have history with. Describe them and what brought you together. The GM will describe what split you apart. PP spent can be used to give the NPC traits as listed below.

1 PP - They have a piece of uncommon equipment, They are bonded with another NPC, they can verify a rumor

2 PP - A Template, they'll do you one favor, they speak a language you don't

3 PP - They just came into a small windfall, they own a decrepit building, they have mastery in a skill

4 PP - B Template, they're wealthy, they're loyal to you

6 PP - They can equip a full squad, they have a rare piece of equipment, they aren't human

8 PP - C Template, they'd die for you, they have a magic item (or equivalent)

Traits not covered here can be negotiated with the GM.

Deep Ties - Your charm is overflowing! When you spend a Week/Downtime Turn or equivalent hanging with an NPC, you can progress forward on the track below. NPCs in The Club generally start at Acquaintances, and will go backward one space on the Track per big favor or big betrayal. This replaces the Reaction Roll for NPCs you are establishing Deep Ties with. Relationships degrade back to Strangers after one month or more of absence.

                                                                                 

<-- Great Enemies -- Enemies -- Nuisances -- Strangers -- Acquaintances -- Friends -- Best Friends -->

 

 After reaching Enemies rank, NPCs will cut off communications from you and begin plotting their revenge. After reaching Great Enemies, they will make thwarting you their main objective.

 

There is no good way to mechanize all the benefits or drawbacks that could come from making friends or enemies with any given NPC. Your GM will do what's best, I trust them. 

 

The Club Grows - You can now have up to 5 best friends. For each best friend, you may roll with advantage on a roll related to their greatest trait. May be "Making Friends" or "Delicious Stew," just whatever is most important to this NPC. Your Best Friends will not degrade with time.

Sunset - Your long career of breaking hearts and belting tunes has taken its toll. There is an itch to put down the instrument and maybe settle down. The next time you fail a social or musical roll, make a save versus death with a bonus for each Deep Tie established.

 

Great Enemies - Reroll successful result once EVER

Enemies - -2 each

Nuisances - -1 each 

Acquaintances - +1 each
Friends - +2 each
Best Friends - Reroll result once EVER

Band Mate - Automatically successful roll once EVER

 

On a failed save, you can't help but give up the music. Retire into a life you can afford. Once, you may reveal that you were following your party into danger and jump out of the background to assist, but leave when this scene is finished. Alternatively, you return out of retirement for one last job. Choose a new class, you have all 4 templates in it (you learned to keep you busy during your retirement.) You fail all saves automatically, crippled by the hole music left behind.

 

On a successful save, your heart is strong for now. Make a new save when someone questions your sound or you use your Performance feature.