Fortune is that strange, intangible thing that sets adventurers apart from ordinary people. It allows characters to succeed where they should have failed and escape harm from blows that should have killed them. It can represent divine favor, mystical guidance and protection, sheer tenacity, or dumb luck - whatever the player likes. One point of Fortune costs one character or experience point.
Powerful villains and monsters may have Fortune as well.
Fortune allows The Adversary to alter the power level of the game. An Adversary who wants a high-powered game can give each character some bonus Fortune for free. One who wants a gritty game can limit Fortune or forbid it altogether.
Mechanically, Fortune can be used for a number of things:
Improve Trait checks
A player may chose to sacrifice 1-3 points of Fortune for an equal bonus to a trait roll. This decision must be made before the dice are thrown.
Run Like The Wind
An individual may spend up to 3 Fortune to add an equal number of spaces to a move action. One who uses both of his actions to move may spend 3 Fortune each action for a total of six extra spaces in one round.
Rapid Attack
A warrior or archer may sacrifice 3 Fortune to make two attacks with a single action. One who uses both actions to attack could spend 6 Fortune for four attacks in one round.
Absorb Wounds and Shocks
When a character takes damage, the player may use Fortune to absorb wounds and shocks: 1 point of Fortune per point of damage. Whether to burn Fortune or take the damage must be decided at the time of the blow.
Heal
Adventurers with the Empathy gift may burn Fortune to heal themselves and others, 1 point per wound or shock healed.
Increase Sorcerous Power
A player may sacrifice Fortune to power a spell, 1 point of Fortune for 1 point of energy.