Jack
Introduction
Jacks are intrepid explorers. They are jacks of all trades—hence the name—although the word also hearkens back to fables involving a wily, resourceful hero who always seems to be named Jack. Used as a verb, “to jack” means to steal, to deceive, or to get out of a tight scrape through ingenuity or luck.
Jacks don’t use one skill or tactic exclusively; they use whatever weapons, armor, esoteries, or anything else might help them. They are hunters (particularly treasure hunters), con artists, skalds, rogues, scouts, and experts in a variety of fields.
Jacks in Society:
Jacks are crafters, entertainers, leaders, and thieves. They’re architects, engineers, con artists, salespeople, and teachers. This diversity doesn’t mean that the Jack is the archetypal every-man—that kind of simple categorization would diminish the character type. Jacks are remarkable in that they can do so many different things, and some do multiple things. If one Jack is an artist and another is an explorer, there’s likely a third who is both at once.
Skilled and learned Jacks who share their gifts with others are prized members of society, well respected for what they know and can do. A village might be protected by warriors, but it’s the Jack who makes everything run smoothly by repairing or building whatever is needed, handling disputes, investigating mysteries, and so on. On the other hand, Jacks who use their varied abilities to benefit only themselves are distrusted at best and reviled at worst. The murderers and thieves of a community are likely Jacks.
Jacks in the Group:
Jacks fill in the space between the extremes of Nanos and Glaives. They frequently do a little of everything and know a little of everything. They can fight alongside a Glaive or have a scholarly talk with a Nano. There are no right or wrong places, actions, or roles for Jacks. They can hold their own in combat or other dangerous situations, but they excel at many assorted tasks like searching for clues, using diplomacy with the locals, or repairing a piece of broken gear. The drawback, of course, is that Jacks are rarely the best fighters in combat or the best numenera handlers. They might, however, be the best at more specialized skills. They’re the most likely characters to know how to climb, how to stand watch effectively, how to jimmy a lock, and how to jury-rig a makeshift shelter or snare trap.
Jacks and the Numenera:
Jacks gravitate toward cyphers or artifacts that expand their array of options even further. An enhanced piece of armor might be fine for a Glaive, but many Jacks would rather have an object that allows them to communicate at a distance, walk through walls, or put foes to sleep.
Advanced Jacks:
Jacks are the most flexible of the character types, and advanced Jacks are no different. Some learn esoteries, as Nanos do. Others hone their combat abilities. Some Jacks do both, gaining more skills and improving at, well, a little bit of everything.
JACK BACKGROUND
You might hear people say that a Jack is just the typical every-man (or every-person), but don’t believe it. You aren’t like anyone else. You can do things that no one else can do because you do so many things. You’re a warrior, you’re a thief, you’re a diplomat, you’re a sage, and you’re a spy.
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