The Heart’s Compass
Every Hero has two aspects that form their psyche: their Drive and their Dark Urge. They are what motivates them and shapes their moral temperament.
Drive
A Drive is the core ideal that compels the Hero to act. It is their moral compass and the guiding worldview that gives their actions meaning.
| Foundations of Order | Forge of Aspiration | Circle of Harmony |
| Authority | Creativity | Balance |
| Duty | Dominion | Community |
| Honour | Foresight | Equality |
| Justice | Knowledge | Freedom |
| Sacrifice | Resilience | Nature |
| Tradition | Wealth | Passion |
Keepsakes
A Keepsake is a tangible link to the Hero’s Drive an object, place, or memento that embodies their convictions.
During rest or downtime, a Hero can spend time with a Keepsake to restore Flare and centre themselves.
A Hero begins with one Keepsake and may hold up to three.
More can be created through meaningful story events or found in play, so long as they have personal significance to the Hero’s ideals.
Dark Urge
A Dark Urge is the flaw that shadows the Hero’s ideals. It is the part of them that tempts selfishness, cruelty, or betrayal when they are weakened.
| Cowardice | Cruelty | Duplicity |
| Greed | Indulgence | Recklessness |
| Treachery | Vanity | Vengeance |
Corruption
Corruption measures how far the Hero has strayed from their ideals. It is tracked on a four-step wheel.
Each time the Hero is burned out (Flare reduced to 0), advance Corruption by one step.
While the Hero has Corruption, they roll that many danger dice with all Reactions. When these danger dice are rolled:
- 1–3: The Dark Urge intrudes on their thoughts, twisting intent or focus.
- 4–6: The Dark Urge drives a destructive victory: the Hero succeeds, but in a way that harms others or undermines their ideals.
The Dark Urge does not remove the Hero’s agency, but it colours how they respond.
Reducing Corruption
Corruption cannot be reduced through mechanical means.
It can only be absolved through moments of clarity, catharsis, or genuine character development.