Thief

Thief

Contents

You’ve heard them, sitting around the campfire. Bragging about this battle or that. About how their gods are smiling on your merry band. You count your coins and smile to yourself—this is the thrill above all. You alone know the secret of Dungeon World—filthy filthy lucre.

Sure, they give you lip for all the times you’ve snuck off alone but without you, who among them wouldn’t have been dissected by a flying guillotine or poisoned straight to death by some ancient needle trap? So, let them complain. When you’re done with all this delving you’ll toast their hero’s graves.

From your castle. Full of gold. You rogue.

Names

Halfling: Felix, Rook, Mouse, Sketch, Trixie, Robin, Omar, Brynn, Bug

Human: Sparrow, Shank, Jack, Marlow, Dodge, Rat, Pox, Humble, Farley

Look

Choose one for each:

Shifty Eyes or Criminal Eyes

Hooded Head, Messy Hair, or Cropped Hair

Dark Clothes, Fancy Clothes, or Common Clothes

Lithe Body, Knobby Body, or Flabby Body

Stats

Your maximum HP is 6+Constitution.

Your base damage is d8.

Starting Moves

Choose a race and gain the corresponding move:

Halfling

When you attack with a ranged weapon, deal +2 damage.

Human

You are a professional. When you spout lore or discern realities about criminal activities, take +1.

You start with these moves:

Trap Expert

When you spend a moment to survey a dangerous area, roll+DEX.

On a 10+, hold 3.

On a 7–9, hold 1. Spend your hold as you walk through the area to ask these questions:

  • Is there a trap here and if so, what activates it?
  • What does the trap do when activated?
  • What else is hidden here?

Tricks of the Trade

When you pick locks or pockets or disable traps, roll+DEX.

On a 10+, you do it, no problem.

On a 7–9, you still do it, but the GM will offer you two options between suspicion, danger, or cost.

Backstab

When you attack a surprised or defenseless enemy with a melee weapon, you can choose to deal your damage or roll+DEX.

On a 10+ choose two.

On a 7–9 choose one.

  • You don’t get into melee with them
  • You deal your damage+1d6
  • You create an advantage, +1 forward to you or an ally acting on it
  • Reduce their armor by 1 until they repair it

Flexible Morals

When someone tries to detect your alignment you can tell them any alignment you like.

Poisoner

You’ve mastered the care and use of a poison. Choose a poison from the list below; that poison is no longer dangerous for you to use. You also start with three uses of the poison you choose. Whenever you have time to gather materials and a safe place to brew you can make three uses of the poison you choose for free. Note that some poisons are applied, meaning you have to carefully apply it to the target or something they eat or drink. Touch poisons just need to touch the target, they can even be used on the blade of a weapon.

  • Oil of Tagit (applied): The target falls into a light sleep
  • Bloodweed (touch): The target deals -1d4 damage ongoing until cured
  • Goldenroot (applied): The target treats the next creature they see as a trusted ally, until proved otherwise
  • Serpent’s Tears (touch): Anyone dealing damage to the target rolls twice and takes the better result.

Alignment

Choose an alignment:

Chaotic

Leap into danger without a plan.

Neutral

Avoid detection or infiltrate a location.

Evil

Shift danger or blame from yourself to someone else.

Gear

Your load is 9+Str. You start with dungeon rations (5 uses, 1 weight), leather armor (1 armor, 1 weight), 3 uses of your chosen poison, and 10 coins. Choose your arms:

  • Dagger (hand, 1 weight) and short sword (close, 1 weight)
  • Rapier (close, precise, 1 weight)

Choose a ranged weapon:

  • 3 throwing daggers (thrown, near, 0 weight)
  • Ragged Bow (near, 2 weight) and bundle of arrows (3 ammo, 1 weight)

Choose one:

  • Adventuring gear (1 weight)
  • Healing potion (0 weight)

Bonds

Fill in the name of one of your companions in at least one:

I stole something from                       .

                       has my back when things go wrong.

                       knows incriminating details about me.

                       and I have a con running.

Advanced Moves

When you gain a level from 2–5, choose from these moves.

Cheap Shot

When using a precise or hand weapon, your backstab deals an extra +1d6 damage.

Cautious

When you use trap expert you always get +1 hold, even on a 6-.

Wealth and Taste

When you make a show of flashing around your most valuable possession, choose someone present. They will do anything they can to obtain your item or one like it.

Shoot First

You’re never caught by surprise. When an enemy would get the drop on you, you get to act first instead.

Poison Master

After you’ve used a poison once it’s no longer dangerous for you to use.

Envenom

You can apply even complex poisons with a pinprick. When you apply a poison that’s not dangerous for you to use to your weapon it’s touch instead of applied.

Brewer

When you have time to gather materials and a safe place to brew you can create three doses of any one poison you’ve used before.

Underdog

When you’re outnumbered, you have +1 armor.

Connections

When you put out word to the criminal underbelly about something you want or need, roll+CHA.

On a 10+, someone has it, just for you.

On a 7–9, you’ll have to settle for something close or it comes with strings attached, your call.

When you gain a level from 6–10, choose from these moves or the level 2–5 moves.

Dirty Fighter

Replaces: Cheap Shot

When using a precise or hand weapon, your backstab deals an extra +1d8 damage and all other attacks deal +1d4 damage.

Extremely Cautious

Replaces: Cautious

When you use trap expert you always get +1 hold, even on a 6-. On a 12+ you get 3 hold and the next time you come near a trap the GM will immediately tell you what it does, what triggers it, who set it, and how you can use it to your advantage.

Alchemist

Replaces: Brewer

When you have you have time to gather materials and a safe place to brew you can create three doses of any poison you’ve used before. Alternately you can describe the effects of a poison you’d like to create. The GM will tell you that you can create it, but with one or more caveats:

  • It will only work under specific circumstances
  • The best you can manage is a weaker version
  • It’ll take a while to take effect
  • It’ll have obvious side effects

Serious Underdog

Replaces: Underdog

You have +1 armor. When you’re outnumbered, you have +2 armor instead.

Evasion

When you defy danger on a 12+, you transcend the danger. You not only do what you set out to, but the GM will offer you a better outcome, true beauty, or a moment of grace.

Strong Arm, True Aim

You can throw any melee weapon, using it to volley. A thrown melee weapon is gone; you can never choose to reduce ammo on a 7–9.

Escape Route

When you’re in too deep and need a way out, name your escape route and roll+DEX.

On a 10+ you’re gone.

On a 7–9 you can stay or go, but if you go it costs you: leave something behind or take something with you, the GM will tell you what.

Disguise

When you have time and materials you can create a disguise that will fool anyone into thinking you’re another creature of about the same size and shape. Your actions can give you away but your appearance won’t.

Heist

When you take time to make a plan to steal something, name the thing you want to steal and ask the GM these questions. When acting on the answers you and your allies take +1 forward.

  • Who will notice it’s missing?
  • What’s its most powerful defense?
  • Who will come after it?
  • Who else wants it?
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