Veterans of the Weird West

Building Cinematic and Supernatural Deadlands Characters in GURPS Fourth Edition

by Jason “PK” Levine

The material presented here is my original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games (www.sjgames.com); it is
released for free distribution, and not for resale, under the permissions granted in the Steve Jackson Games online policy. This material is not official and
is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games. This game references the Savage Worlds game system, available from Pinnacle Entertainment Group at
www.peginc.com. Savage Worlds, Deadlands, and all associated logos and trademarks are copyrights of Pinnacle Entertainment
Group. Used with permission. Pinnacle makes no representation or warranty as to the quality, viability, or suitability for purpose
of this product. GURPS is a registered trademark of Steve Jackson Games. All rights are reserved by their respective copyright and
trademark holders. All artwork is public domain, from openclipart.org.

Version 1.0 – Last Updated 3/7/12 – Latest Version Always at www.mygurps.com

 Introduction
There are plenty of “kitchen sink” settings, but none no Harrowed hucksters or shaman gunslingers.
with the feel of Deadlands – things may be weird, but at I hope you find this conversion guide useful, and love
the same time, they make sense. That’s why I’ve enjoyed feedback, whether via email ([email protected]) or at
gaming in this setting, whether via Savage Worlds or the forums.sjgames.com, where my username is “PK.”
licensed GURPS Third Edition adaptation, GURPS
Deadlands: Weird West. Required Books
The license didn’t extend to GURPS Fourth Edition, This game aid requires the GURPS Basic Set Fourth
sadly, but that doesn’t mean this system isn’t perfect for the Edition and GURPS Deadlands: Weird West (for GURPS
setting! In fact, I’d argue that it’s an even better fit than the Third Edition) to play, as this work only expands upon the
original system. The grittiness adds to the horrific aspect of existing rules from the latter. As well, the blessed require
the game, while GURPS’ diverse systems mean that martial GURPS Powers: Divine Favor, cinematic gunslingers
artists, the blessed, and hucksters will feel truly different, require GURPS Gun Fu, hucksters may want GURPS
rather than all relying on the exact same mix of powers. To Deadlands: Hexes, braves and martial artists may want
emphasize this difference, it may be fun to forbid players GURPS Martial Arts, and shamans require GURPS
from mixing and matching from the sections below; e.g., Thaumatology, for their respective supernatural abilities.

The Blessed
Anyone who draws power directly from God (whether holy ground. Yes, this means an actual Deadland becomes
Christian or otherwise), is considered one of “the Blessed.” Fear Level 2 despite being sacred ground; the outside world
These characters use the power system described in GURPS encroaches and corrupts. As a rough guide for duration,
Powers: Divine Favor to call down miracles as needed. subtract the original Fear Level from 7, then square the
Up to three levels of Power Investiture (Divine Favor) result; this is how many hours the miracle is likely to last
[10/level] are available, improving the Blessed’s reaction (e.g., 36 hours for Fear Level 1, or just one hour for Fear
roll. There are no firm requirements for the mandatory Level 6). The GM may adjust this, as always. (This only
religious disadvantages; the GM is the final judge of applies to lands with a Fear Level of 1+; in theory, a land
whether a given trait is “holy” enough. The optional rule with Fear Level 0 could remain consecrated indefinitely.)
allowing a one­second prayer (at ­2 to the petition roll) is The Harrowed, as undead creatures, are vulnerable to
assumed to be in play unless the GM rules otherwise. Protection From Evil – but only if they bear malign intent
For the purpose of Consecrate Ground, any land with a toward the Blessed. True friends of the Blessed, even
Fear Level of 1+ resists using an effective HT of 3×(Fear undead ones, have nothing to fear.
Level+1). If successful, the fear level is temporarily The Blessed may learn and use Exorcism skill without
reduced by four levels (to a minimum of 0) and considered penalty.

Gunslingers
Anyone can learn to shoot, but cinematic gunmen are Speedloaders do exist in this setting. Don’t forget Fast­Draw
defined by the Gunslinger advantage. It provides the (Ammo), which is required to use Quick Reload!
expanded benefits as detailed in Gun Fu (p. 15); in brief, In Deadlands, the Gunslinger advantage also allows
the gunman adds Acc or half Acc to skill when taking no shooters to learn Blind Fighting, Breaking Blow, and Zen
more than a step, or ignores all movement and close­ Marksmanship (all for guns only; see Gun Fu). As well, it
combat penalties. Old­fashioned shooters may add Arsenal, opens up all of the techniques from Gun Fu and all the
Guns (­20%); Gun Rack, One­Handed Guns Only or Two­ perks except for Cinematic Knockback, Cinematic Option,
Handed Guns Only (each ­40%); or even something as Fireball Shot, Flimsy Cover, Infinite Ammunition, Muzzle
specific as Type, Revolvers Only or Bolt­Action Rifles Only Flamethrower, No Friendly Fire, Recoil Rocket, Scattergun,
(all ­60%). However, some gunslingers may have no Silencer, Tacticool, or Walking Armory. The listed perks
problems transitioning from “real” guns to the crazy beam either don’t suit a Western or just push the limits of
weapons created by mad scientists! “cinematic” a little too much for the setting. (Of course, the
Gunmen should also consider the Akimbo and Quick GM may decide otherwise; this is only a suggestion.)
Reload perks, for reloading quickly even with both hands Concealed Carry Permit is unnecessary for the setting and
full. For the latter, specialize in Swing­Out Revolver (with a Cool Under Fire is meaningless to Gunslingers.
speedloader) or Internal Magazine (for most rifles). These options lend themselves to the following two
categories. Unless Gunslinger is limited (by Gun Rack or Thumbing (for single­action pistols) or Fast­Firing (for
worse), these are only thematic divisions. double­action ones). Remember that Gunslinger gives you
improved defaults for Thumbing and Fast­Firing. Also
Pistoleros consider Whirlwind Attack.
Be sure to take either Ambidexterity or Off­Hand
Weapon Training (Pistol). Enhanced Time Sense allows for Riflemen
Bullet Time (see Gun Fu, p. 14) and makes the Area Enhanced Tracking with Multiple Lock­Ons (+20%)
Defense perk useful. Multiple levels of Fastest Gun in the lets you Aim at multiple foes. Zen Marksmanship (Rifle)
West make sense for duelists. Blind Fighting is great for (Gun Fu, p. 24) is worth learning Meditation for (and far
nighttime gun fights, while Breaking Blow fits kick­down­ more effective than the Precision Aiming technique) and
the­door­style gaming. For techniques, first improve your Blind Fighting lets you make shots in pitch darkness.
RoF by maximizing Dual­Weapon Attack (Pistol) and either Targeted Attack (Rifle Shot/Skull) is indispensable.

The Harrowed
This conversion uses High Pain Threshold and Counting Coup
Unkillable, not Supernatural Durability. This makes a During character creation, a Harrowed may purchase
Harrowed very hard to put down for good, but possible to one of the following powers (some of which may require
cripple or knock out without killing. While this is a slight GURPS Powers for game mechanics). He may earn the
deviation from the standard Deadlands approach, it’s an right to buy more (or to upgrade a leveled one) by
intentional one. The lower cost makes it feasible to mix defeating certain abominations. The GM may choose to
normal and Harrowed PCs, while the difference in simply gift him with the power when he defeats one,
durability makes Harrowed enemies scarier than normal without charging character points, but the other players
ones, but not to an overwhelming degree. might (rightfully) find that unfair.

Harrowed Cat Eyes: Night Vision 7 [7] + Ultravision [10]. 17

77 points* points.
Bad Smell [­10]†; Deep Sleeper [1]; Doesn’t Breathe Cat Eyes (Improved): Dark Vision [25] + Detect
[20]; Doesn’t Eat or Drink [10]; Double all Will penalties Supernatural Beings (Analysis Only, ­50%; Short­Range 1,
for staying up late [­1]; Fearlessness 3 [6]; High Pain ­10%) [8]. 33 points.
Threshold [10]; Immunity to Metabolic Hazards [30]; Chill o’ the Grave: Temperature Control 2 (Area Effect,
Injury Tolerance (No Blood; No Vitals; Unliving) [30]; Less 20 yards, +50%; Cold, ­50%; Emanation, ­20%) [12]. 12
Sleep 4 [8]; Nightmares (12) [­5]; Pallor [­10]; Phantom points.
Voices (Diabolical) [­15]; Regrowth (Reattachment Only, Claws: Blunt Claws (Switchable, +10%) [4]. 4 points.
­50%) [5]*; Secret (Harrowed) [­20]‡; Sexless [­1]; Split Claws (Improved): Long Talons (Switchable, +10%)
Personality (12) [­15]; Unaging [5]*; Unhealing (Partial; [13]. 13 points.
Must devour red meat) [­20]; Unkillable 2 (Achilles Heel, Ghost: Insubstantiality (Requires Concentrate, ­15%)
Any injury to the skull, ­50%) [50]; Unnatural Feature [68]. Note: Even if the Harrowed has access to supernatural
(Death wound) [­1]. abilities, nothing he can do will cross over into the physical
world while a ghost, not even information spells. 68 points.
* Regrowth and Unaging costs are reduced as a house Hell Fire: Control Fire 1 (Only to increase or decrease
rule. With standard costs, the template is 102 points. intensity, ­40%; Ranged, +40%; Reduced Range, 1/10,
† Can be covered by perfume or alcohol which changes ­30%) [14] + DR 5 (Limited, Heat/Fire, ­40%) [15]. Note:
the reason for the reaction penalty, but doesn’t eliminate it. The Harrowed can roll against IQ to cause any 1­yard­
‡ For one who can’t (or won’t) hide, replace Secret radius (or less) fire within 10 yards to flare up or die out.
with Social Stigma (Excommunicated; Monster) [­20] and 29 points.
­20 points of other social disadvantages – usually Enemy Infest: Mind Control (Area Effect, 2 yards, +50%;
(Random posse of do­gooders; Hunter; 9 or less) [­20] – Specialized, Insects Only, ­40%) [55]. 55 points.
reducing template to 57 points. Soul Eater: Leech 1 (Heals HP or FP, +60%; Requires
Will vs. Will Roll, ­15%) [37]. 37 points.
If someone dies in play and isn’t burned or blessed, the Spook: Terror (Visual) [30]. 30 points.
GM should deal out (HT+Will)/6 cards (round down). If at Stitchin’: Regeneration (Slow; Requires red meat,
least one is a Joker, he comes back Harrowed. For a PC ­20%) [8]. 8 points.
whose player still wants to play him, the GM should reduce Stitchin’ (Improved): Regeneration (Normal; Requires
his attributes and secondary characteristics by about 40­50 red meat, ­20%) [20]. 20 points.
points to partially compensate, then devote half of his Wither: Leech 1 (Requires Will vs. Will Roll, ­15%;
future earned character points (round up) toward paying Steal Youth, +300%; User doesn’t grow younger, ­50%)
off the remaining debt. [84]. 84 points.
 Hucksters
At a minimum, a huckster requires Magery 1 Dealing with the Devil
(Huckster) and at least 1 point in Occultism. Magery 0 has Most hucksters gamble with the manitou. To do so, the
no inherent use; it’s simply a buy­in. Note that Magery huckster draws five cards, plus one additional card for
(Huckster) costs 15 points for Magery 1, and 10 points for every two full points of success, to a maximum of
each additional level, as specified on p. B66; don’t use the Magery+4 cards. He then forms a hand of five cards and
tiered pricing from GURPS Deadlands: Weird West! compares it to the needs of the hex. If he can meet at least
the minimum hand required for the hex, it goes off. If not,
Huckster Traits not only does it fail, backlash happens!
Daredevil: Hexslinging is not automatically considered Jokers are wild, but automatically cause backlash when
high­risk behavior. If you are casting a hex in an unusually used. Just drawing a Joker is safe as long as there are at
risky situation or manner, Daredevil gives the usual +1 to least five other cards to use. Thus, if the huckster has six or
your hex skill and lets you reroll a critical failure. It has no more cards, and can form the minimum hand without
effect once you begin drawing cards. using the Joker, it’s usually best to! (Though there will be
Luck: Luck can be used either to reroll a bad hex skill rare times when a Joker­fueled Flush is a better choice than
roll or after drawing cards. In the latter case, choose one a “safe” Pair.) The backlash always happens after the hex
card you drew that is not a Joker. Draw two more cards. goes off, and will not directly pervert or undo its effects;
You may either keep your initial card or replace it with one the huckster won fair and square, but then the manitou
of these two cards. (Exception: If either of the two cards found a way to sneak into our world!
you drew was a Joker, you must replace your initial card
with the Joker.) Note that you do not have to use this card Sacrificing Energy
to make up your actual poker hand, even if it’s a Joker. Instead of drawing any cards, the huckster may simply
Magery (Huckster): Each level adds +1 to all hex skills, let the manitou drain his life energy, in the form of lost FP.
and every two full levels give +1 to Gambling. Magery also Only the huckster’s FP can be sacrificed, he cannot draw
allows you to hold more cards; when casting, your hand upon external sources (like his friends). He may only take
size cannot exceed Magery+4, no matter how well you roll. himself as low as ­1×FP, and going below 0 FP incurs the
Magic Resistance: This trait is rare. It cannot be usual HP injury. If he passes out, the hex is still cast. Breath
combined with Magery (Huckster), even with Improved! Control, Fit, Very Fit, etc., do not help with this FP loss.
The FP he sacrifices “buys” a given hand, as shown on
Casting a Hex the table below. For every two full points of success, reduce
Each hex is a Mental/Hard skill with no default, as the cost by 1 FP; this discount can’t exceed his Magery and
defined in GURPS Deadlands: Weird West (pp. 76­79) and can halve the final cost (round up) at most!
GURPS Deadlands: Hexes. A hex takes one Concentrate
maneuver to cast, followed by a roll against the hex skill. FP Hand Size
By accepting a ­5 penalty, the huckster may move half his 1 Red Card (for tricks; see below)
movement while concentrating instead of a mere step. 2 Ace
Technically, this roll represents the huckster trying to track 4 Pair
down a gullible or stupid manitou, who will then cast the 6 Jacks
hex for him. The skill roll determines the next step: 8 Two Pairs
12 Three of a Kind
Critical Success: As for a success, plus one of these three 16 Straight
benefits: (1) He may use Jokers without incurring backlash. 24 Flush
(2) He may treat his final hand as one step higher than 36 Full House
what he actually drew or paid the energy cost for. (3) 52 Four of a Kind
Regardless of his hand or the energy paid (even if 0 FP), 72 Straight Flush
the hex goes off with the minimum result. (The huckster 96 Royal Flush
chooses the most useful benefit, after all cards have been
drawn or energy paid.) Above the Maximum Hand
Success: He finds a manitou in the Hunting Grounds to Some hexes have effects for hands going all the way up
negotiate with. Note his margin of success. Now he can to a Royal Flush or otherwise have a bonus effect for every
either deal with the devil or sacrifice energy; see below. hand above a certain level. However some stop flatly at a
Failure: He couldn’t find a manitou that was interested. given hand (usually Straight). For the latter category,
Further skill rolls to cast that hex are at a cumulative ­1 drawing one hand above the maximum provides ×3
until it succeeds or five minutes have passed. duration or range (huckster’s choice). Two hands give ×10,
Critical Failure: Backlash – a manitou blindsided him! three give ×30, four give ×100, five give ×300, and so on.
The GM rolls on one of the backlash tables or just comes up The huckster may always choose to end the hex earlier; this
with something nasty and appropriate. requires a Concentrate maneuver but no roll.
Tricks FP instead of backlash. However, if a Joker is drawn and all
Tricks are defined in GURPS Deadlands: Hexes. of the other cards are black, the huckster suffers full
Dealing with the devil for a trick requires drawing only one backlash; he accidentally dealt with a full­powered
red card. Drawing all black cards means the caster loses 1 manitou instead of a wimpy one!

Indian Braves
Tribal training allows braves to learn Heroic Archer Indian archers have access to a new technique. This
(GURPS Martial Arts, p. 45) and Weapon Master. Neither replaces the more complicated rules for quick­shooting
advantage allows for cinematic martial­arts skills, however! bows (from Martial Arts, p. 119).
(This is a restriction specific to Deadlands. The martial
artists get access to those skills, while the braves get bonus Instant Shot (Hard)
damage.) Default: Bow­8 for most archers, Bow­5 if you have
Weapon Master adds one additional benefit to ranged either Heroic Archer or a version of Weapon Master that
missile weapons (such as bows): The brave can parry with includes bows, or Bow­3 if you have both. Cannot exceed
the weapon using (skill/2)+3, instead of DX, without Bow.
automatically ruining it. Consider this the missile­weapon Prerequisite: Bow­16+ and Fast­Draw (Arrow)­16+.
equivalent of Weapon Master’s normal parry benefit.
Braves also have access to the special “acrobatic You draw, nock, and fire an arrow all in one smooth
moves” listed for martial artists (below). motion as a single attack (one maneuver instead of three).

The Law
Any PC may wind up freelancing for the Agency, the roughly equal playing field. However, many (but not all)
Texas Rangers, or the U.S. Marshals. Such freelancers have will take the organization as a Patron. This means that
no actual authority and thus require no special traits. But when they get into trouble, there’s a chance that the
actual agents, rangers, and marshals require both Legal organization will help bail them out if they can get hold of
Enforcement Powers [10] and Duty (12 or less or 15 or it. All three groups are considered 20­point Patrons;
less; Extremely Hazardous) [­15 or ­20]. They have the frequency of appearance ranges from “6 or less” to “12 or
right to pursue suspects or conduct investigations across less.” The PC has the option of adding Equipment (+50%),
state lines, to kill if necessary, and to deputize others. in which case the organization supplies him with gear as
Though they work for an organization, Rank is well (when its frequency of appearance comes up); if so, he
unnecessary; all field agents are assumed to be on a starts off with a Gatling pistol for free.

Mad Scientists
“Mads” need Quick Gadgeteer (Required Disadvantage, Complexity Skill Pen. Time
­10%; Worse bugs, ­20%) [35] and mental disadvantages Simple (up to $100) – 0 2d min.
totaling ­10 or worse that the GM agrees are fitting to a Average (up to $10,000) 15+ ­2 1d­2 hrs.*
mad scientist. Suitable ones include Absent­Mindedness, Complex (up to $1M) 18+ ­4 1d hrs.
Bad Temper, Delusion, Jealousy, and Paranoia. If he ever Amazing (over $1M) 21+ ­8 4d hrs.
lacks at least ­10 points in such traits, his Quick Gadgeteer * Minimum 30 minutes.
stops working! No other version of Gadgeteer exists.
They may buy unlimited Gizmos. Versatile, Scrounging, Versatile and a successful Weird Science roll each give
and Weird Science are all highly recommended. They may +1 to both rolls. A Scrounging roll (or equivalent) – at ­2
also buy advantages with gadget limitations; these are for Average, ­6 for Complex, or ­10 for Amazing gadgets –
automatically subject to the “Using Gadgets” rules below, lets him cannibalize gear on hand worth 1% of what the
except that if they break, they can be repaired (in an hour). device costs instead of using proper lab facilities.
Whether Weird Science was used or not, the gadget
Creating Gadgets may have side effects. The details depend on the Prototype
For simplicity, this table sums up the required skill roll. If the Concept roll was a critical failure, the GM should
level, penalty (“Pen.”) to the Concept/Prototype roll, and use the Prototype result for the device’s apparent bugs, but
time to build a prototype, for each level of Complexity. then add some malicious undetectable­until­it’s­too­late
(The Concept roll always takes a flat 1d minutes.) Apply ones as well. (Exception: If the Prototype roll is a critical
penalties from p. B473 as well, plus ­5 per +1 TL. success, he’ll realize that his concept was flawed.)
 Critical Success: The gadget has no bugs or side effects! use the device, roll against IQ whenever it’s used. If the
Success by 6+: The gadget has one side effect (p. B479). device normally works indefinitely without a skill roll, roll
Success by 4­ 5: The gadget has one bug (p. B476) and anyway (against skill or IQ as appropriate) when it’s first
one side effect. used, then once again every hour; ignore the effects of
Success by 2­ 3: The gadget has one bug and 1d/2 side success or normal failure. The GM should also feel free to
effects (round up). require extra rolls any time the device is stressed or pushed
Success by 0­ 1: The gadget has 1d­3 bugs (minimum 1) to its limit in any way.
and 1d/2 side effects (round up). On a critical failure, the gadget disintegrates
Failure: The device doesn’t work at all. spectacularly; see result 18 on the bugs table. If the device
Critical Failure: A horrific accident! At a minimum, this actually has that bug, it’s far worse! The destruction
will be a 2d [1d] crushing explosion, a temporary ­20­point attracts everyone’s attention (at least +10 to the Sense
disadvantage, or something equivalent. rolls of anyone nearby to notice it) and does 6d of
appropriate injury to the user. He may roll DX, subtracting
Using Gadgets his margin of success (in dice), from this injury; e.g., if he
Every mad­scientist­invented gadget requires some sort makes his DX roll by 4, he only takes 2d. The gadget
of operation roll. If there’s no operation skill required to cannot be repaired or used for parts.

Martial Artists
Cinematic martial artists take Trained by a Master, for a Acrobatic Moves
wealth of options (GURPS Martial Arts, p. 48). You may All of these moves require Trained by a Master or
not take Weapon Master, which is reserved for Indian Weapon Master, limiting them to martial artists and Indian
braves (see above). braves. Braves can only use them in conjunction with a
You have access to the following Talents; each costs 5 weapon for which they have Weapon Master, however!
points/level. The reaction bonuses (from other martial These are Move and Attack maneuvers, but without the
artists) do not stack; use that of your highest Talent. Skills normal skill cap of 9. Each inflicts ­6 on the attack roll, but
with a * appear in Martial Arts (pp. 61­62). spending 1 FP when attacking removes this penalty
completely! (Treat this FP cost as extra effort.)
Chi of Earth: Body Control, Breath Control, Esoteric
Medicine, Kiai, Pressure Points, Pressure Secrets. Acrobatic Attack: Roll Acrobatics. If you fail, run up to
Chi of Fire: Autohypnosis, Flying Leap, Jumping, half your Move, then attack (at ­6). If you succeed, run up
Meditation, Power Blow, Zen Archery. to your full Move, then attack (at ­6), and any ranged
Chi of Metal: Breaking Blow, Immovable Stance, Mental attacks against you this turn add your Move to the range.
Strength, Mind Block, Parry Missile Weapons, Precognitive Flying Attack: Run up to your full Move, then roll
Parry*. against DX or Jumping. Failure means you fall; your turn is
Chi of Water: Blind Fighting, Hypnotic Hands*, over. Success means you jump for extra distance (half as far
Hypnotism, Invisibility Art, Push, Sensitivity*. as you ran) and then attack (at ­6).
Chi of Wood: Acrobatics, Climbing, Light Walk, Lizard Spinning Attack: Spin or backflip in place, attacking
Climb*, Stealth, Throwing Art. any one opponent within reach or range in any direction
(at ­6), then end up facing in your original direction.

Shamans
For the most part, shamans use Effect Shaping Path (10 minutes) to add half its margin of success, rounded
Magic, as described on pp. 122­134 and 138­162 of GURPS down, to the spell.
Thaumatology. This section details any differences.
Magery (Path/Book) is required to work shamanic Available Rituals
magic. Shamans may also learn Channeling, Medium, The Paths from Thaumatology (pp. 140­162) are
Spirit Empathy, and Racial Memory (which represents a available, except for the Path of Gadgets, as such things are
spirit guide). the province of the manitous. This includes all rituals
Magery adds to Ritual Magic and to all Path skills. Each defined as part of that Path; e.g., Know Fault is not
Path is an IQ/VH skill with no default. The individual available as a Path of Knowledge ritual, but Ghost Sword is
rituals can be bought up as Average techniques. Other still part of the Path of Spirit. The sole exception is
useful skills include Artist (Drawing or Scuplting), which Gremlins, which remains a Path of Luck ritual.
can avoid a penalty for symbolic representation, and In this setting, Read Memories defaults to Path of
Symbol Drawing, which can be done quickly (1d seconds) Dreams­7 or Path of Knowledge­7. In addition, Soar with
to avoid a penalty for lacking spiritual symbols or carefully Eagles is available. This new ritual from GURPS
Deadlands: Weird West (p. 86)defaults to Path of of the highest­TL piece of gear or transportation the
Dreams­4 or Path of Form­4 and takes 10 minutes to shaman has used in the past week. Be fair – helping a
perform. friend get a wagon out of a ditch doesn’t count as “using”
the wagon! This modifies all spell casting:
Casting a Spell
The final skill roll must take the following factors into TL Modifier TL Modifier
account. All page references are to GURPS Thaumatology 0 +4 4 ­1
except for Long­Distance Modifiers. 1 +2 5 ­2
On a critical failure, make an immediate reaction roll, 2 +1 6+ ­4
applying only +1 for every level of Magery (Path/Book) 3 0 ^ ­6
and +3 for Spirit Empathy. On a Poor or worse result, the
spirits abandon the shaman, letting a manitou through (use The “^” entry refers to any superscience creation
the Backlash rules for hucksters) in addition to the normal (generally the work of gadgeteers) that breaks the laws of
results of a critical failure for that ritual. physics in some way.

• Time Taken* (p. 127) Mystic Symbols

• Ritual Space* (p. 128) A mystic symbol must be worn or held openly to be
• Sympathy* (p. 243) useful. It can be stolen with a Quick Contest of DX (but will
• Names* (p. 245) not do anything useful for the thief) or targeted in combat
• Spiritual Symbols* (p. 129) at ­6 (with DR 2, HP 6). It cannot be repaired if damaged;
• Range (Long­Distance Modifiers, p. B241) it provides full effect from HP 6 to 1, half effect (round
• Duration (p. 243) down) from HP 0 to ­5, then no effect at HP ­6 or worse. If
• The Old Ways (see below) stolen or damaged, imbuing a new one requires a full night
• Area† (p. 242) of prayer.
• Multiple Targets† (p. 243) Buy a mystic symbol as one or more advantages with
• Damage† (p. B242) the new Mystic Symbol (­50%) limitation. A shaman only
• Complexity† (Multiple Constituents, p. 243) has one mystic symbol, regardless of the number of traits
• Target has Magic Resistance (GM subtracts its level) purchased. Choose one or more of the following options:
• Contagion‡ (p. 245)
• Sacrifices‡ (p. 246); no humans except self­sacrifice Symbol grants Adept ability. Path/Book Adept (Mystic
Symbol, ­50%) [5/element]. Optionally, add Choice of
* Can be ignored with the proper type of Shamanic Adept. Element.
† Only if applicable to the given ritual; many can simply Symbol improves Path skills. Magery (Path/Book; Mystic
ignore this factor. Symbol, ­50%) [5/level].
‡ Always optional; just a way to get a bonus. Symbol grants resistance to spells. Magic Resistance
(Improved, +150%; Mystic Symbol, ­50%) [4/level]. This
The Old Ways is the only way for a shaman to have Magic Resistance. His
Shamans shun technology; see GURPS Deadlands: Magic Resistance level cannot exceed his Magery level
Weird West (p. 88) for details. The GM should keep track (including any levels bestowed by the mystic symbol).

General Notes
• The default starting power level is 150 points for what’s going on, while Occultism is the skill of general lore
greenhorns, 175 for seasoned hombres, or 200 points for and popular belief. Occultism is a prerequisite for Hidden
true “veterans.” Lore (The Weird West) and Hidden Lore level cannot
• Anyone may take Extra Attack 1. Neither further exceed Occultism level.
levels nor the Multi­Strike enhancement are available. • Some skills have prerequisites. The appropriate type
• Most Indians have Social Stigma (Minority Group). of Magery is required to learn hex or Path skills. Clerical
They may take Racial Memory, which represents a spirit Investment or Divine Favor is required to learn Exorcism;
advisor rather than literal ancestral ties. those without Divine Favor use it at ­4. Quick Gadgeteer is
• The setting­specific advantages not required to learn Weird
Initiation, Mystic Symbol, and Spirit Science, but without it one can
Advisor, from GURPS Deadlands: have no more than 4 points in
Weird West, are not available. Use the the skill. All cinematic martial
alternatives here. skills require Trained by a Master
• Hidden Lore (The Weird West) is (not Weapon Master), with three
the skill of understanding the truth of exceptions listed for Gunslingers.