Diplomat

You play the long game while everyone else is reacting to the latest provocation. You know how to smile, flatter, and offer gifts to your potential new ally, even when you’d prefer to jump across the table and strangle them. Sometimes less obvious means are required for negotiation. When possible, you try to discover as much as you can about who you'll be talking to. If they won't do as you ask initially, perhaps they'll make a deal in light of something they need that you can help arrange—or, if you're not above making veiled threats, because you know something they’d prefer not come out. You understand others, so you’re probably someone who can advise and assist teammates and serve as an intermediary between your allies and strangers. Many times, a bit of diplomacy—or a bit of

distraction through verbal diversion—is what allows the rest of the team to reach a sensitive location, talk your way out of the same, or, when the stakes are really high, avoid escalating tensions.

Background Options

• Your family was part of an asteroid co-op, but your big mouth got you voted out and now you seek to better yourself.
• You brokered a deal between two multiplanetary corps last month, ending years of hostility.
• You, your parents, and your siblings went down in a moon shuttle crash when you were young. You’ve always suspected a conspiracy was behind it but haven’t found any hard evidence. Yet.
• You were recently fired by the new head of the government bureau that employed you.
• One of your colleagues, a fellow analyst in a spy agency, was recently charged with treason.
• You were last in your graduating class, roundly reviled by your classmates, yet here you are, determined to make a difference and prove them all wrong.
• You can’t say anything about your biggest diplomatic success lest you risk renewed war.
• Your grandchild helps keep you doing what you do—they deserve a better future.

Diplomat Abilities

You gain all of the following benefits: Able to take two more minor wounds and one more moderate wound Add +1 to Speed Pool Add +3 to Intellect Pool Add +1 Edge in Pool of your choice Freely use light and medium weapons Freely use light armor

At tier 3 and tier 6, choose an ability from the Science Fiction Genre Abilities list

Connected (2+ Intellect): You know people who get things done—not just respected people in positions of authority, but also a variety of online hackers and regular street criminals. These people are not necessarily your friends and might not be trustworthy, but they owe you a favor or two. When you use this ability, you remember or otherwise establish a level 2 contact you can reach out to in a specific location. You and your GM can work out the specifics. Effort: Increase the level of the new contact by 1. This ability renews when you access a new location or when at least a month has elapsed in the same location where you last used this ability. At tier 3, you can establish two contacts in a specific location simultaneously. Enabler.

[!example]

Diplomat Equipment Bundle

Choose the following equipment bundle to quickly outfit your character, or assemble your own starting equipment. A briefcase (vacuum-proof), a surelock (to keep others out of your briefcase), appropriate clothing, an extra set of very fine clothing, a smart device (glasses, badge, ring, and the like), a breather, an environmental tent, an everlight, two days of rations and water, a grooming and toiletry kit, and eyeshades. Your character also starts with currency equivalent to a moderately priced item.

Part of Hard Science Fiction