View source for Mneme Career Cards Quick Fix

= Mneme Career Cards Quick Fix =

The '''Career Cards Quick Fix''' is a set of streamlined variant rules for Cepheus Engine character creation. These rules simplify the standard mechanics while maintaining tactical depth and narrative richness.

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== Overview ==

The Quick Fix system replaces complex and redundant mechanics with unified task resolution. The core philosophy: '''use the Core Task Resolution System (2D6 + DM vs. Difficulty) for everything''', eliminating standalone subsystems.

'''Key Document:''' [file:221015_MNEME_24_CAREER_CARDS.pdf Mneme 24 Career Cards PDF]

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== Change Summary: RAW vs. Quick Fix ==

=== Task Resolution ===

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! Rule Area !! RAW (Rules As Written) !! Quick Fix (Mneme Variant)
|-
| '''Core Mechanic''' || Roll 2D6 + DM against static 8 || Roll 2D6 + DM against '''Variable Difficulty''' (career-specific target numbers)
|}

* ''Reference:'' Cepheus Engine SRD p.11 (Core Task Resolution System)
* Already used in Qualifying, Survival, Commission, and Advancement rolls—now applied universally

=== Commission and Advancement ===

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! RAW !! Quick Fix
|-
| Separate rolls for Commission and Advancement || '''Survival Effect 4+ = Automatic Advancement'''
|-
| Commission check to enter Rank 1 || No Commission roll needed—all careers start Rank 0
|-
| Advancement check separate from Survival || Survival roll determines both survival AND advancement
|-
| SOC gains from events || Even Ranks increase SOC by 1
|-
| No SOC loss mechanic || Failing by 4+ reduces SOC by 1
|}

* ''Reference:'' Cepheus Engine SRD p.14 (Degree of Success)

=== Re-Enlistment ===

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! RAW !! Quick Fix
|-
| Roll 2D6 to re-enlist || '''Automatic success''' if choosing to continue
|-
| Natural 12 = forced re-enlistment || '''No forced re-enlistment'''
|-
| Two interpretations of re-enlist rules || Player freely chooses to continue or leave
|}

=== Anagathics (Anti-Aging Drugs) ===

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! RAW !! Quick Fix
|-
| Declare before Survival roll || Declare before Aging roll
|-
| Triggers second Survival roll || '''No second Survival roll'''
|-
| Grants cumulative bonus per term || Simplified: Spend 100,000Cr per use
|-
| Complex bonus calculation || Skip aging roll entirely when using
|-
| No usage limits || '''Maximum uses = SOC − 7''' (High SOC needed for access)
|}

'''Examples:'''
* SOC 8 = 1 use maximum
* SOC 10 = 3 uses maximum
* SOC 12 = 5 uses maximum

High SOC characters have social connections to access Anagathics and secure loans.

=== Aging ===

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! RAW !! Quick Fix
|-
| Standalone mechanic: Roll 2D6 − Terms || '''Core Task Resolution:''' 2D6 + END DM vs. Difficulty (Terms + 1)
|-
| Complex lookup tables || Integrated Effect-based results
|}

'''Aging Results by Effect:'''

{| class="wikitable"
! Effect !! Physical Characteristics !! Mental/Social
|-
| 1+ || No Effect || No Effect
|-
| 0 || No Effect || No Effect
|-
| −1 || Reduce STR, DEX, or END by 1 || —
|-
| −2 || Choose two from STR/DEX/END, reduce each by 1 || —
|-
| −3 || Reduce STR, DEX, and END by 1 || —
|-
| −4 || Choose one: reduce by 2; others reduce by 1 || —
|-
| −5 || Choose two: reduce by 2; remaining reduces by 1 || —
|-
| −6 || Reduce STR, DEX, and END by 2 || —
|-
| −7 || Reduce STR, DEX, END by 2 || Choose INT, EDU, or SOC: reduce by 1
|}

=== Drifter Career ===

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! RAW !! Quick Fix
|-
| Must roll to qualify || '''Automatic qualification'''
|-
| Failing creates draft/drifter loop || Failing Survival = lose job (stay in career, find new job)
|-
| Can retire normally || '''No retirement benefits'''
|}

=== Benefits ===

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! RAW !! Quick Fix
|-
| Roll after every career change || '''Track per career, roll all at mustering out'''
|-
| Immediate benefit rolling || Deferred until final retirement
|-
| Complex tracking || Simplified: note which career each benefit came from
|}

=== Draft Options ===

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! RAW (Government Conscription) !! Quick Fix (Forced/Drag Careers)
|-
| Aerospace Defense || '''Barbarian'''
|-
| Marine || '''Belter'''
|-
| Maritime Defense || '''Colonist'''
|-
| Navy || '''Mercenary'''
|-
| Scout || '''Pirate'''
|-
| Surface Defense || '''Rogue'''
|}

Draft represents careers characters get '''dragged into or forced into''', not government military conscription.

=== No Retirement Careers ===

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! RAW !! Quick Fix
|-
| All careers can retire normally || '''Drifter, Belter, Barbarian have no retirement''' (no safety net)
|}

=== Universal Career Advancement ===

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! RAW !! Quick Fix
|-
| Athlete, Entertainer, Hunter, Scout: No advancement (auto-gain 2nd skill) || '''All careers have ranks and advancement'''
|}

'''Career-Specific Changes:'''

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
! Career !! RAW !! Quick Fix
|-
| '''Scout''' || Survival END 7+ || '''Survival END 6+'''
|-
| '''Hunter''' || Survival STR 8+ || '''Survival INT 6+'''
|-
| '''Noble''' || Qualification SOC 4+, Survival SOC 4+ || '''Qualification SOC 12+''', '''Survival SOC 6+''', SOC reflects rank when advancing (obscenely wealthy)
|}

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== Character Creation Checklist (Quick Fix Applied) ==

=== Step 1: Generate Characteristics ===
* Roll 2D6 for STR, DEX, END, INT, EDU, SOC
* Calculate DMs: (Characteristic / 3) − 2, round down

=== Step 2: Determine Homeworld ===
* Choose or roll for homeworld trade codes
* Gain background skills: 3 + EDU modifier at Level 0
* First two from homeworld; rest from education list

=== Step 3: Choose Career ===
* Select from 24 careers
* Roll qualification vs. '''Variable Difficulty''' (not static 8)
* −2 DM per previous career
* Drifter: '''Automatic qualification'''
* Draft: '''Automatic qualification''' to forced career

=== Step 4: Basic Training ===
* First term, first career: All service skills at Level 0
* First term, subsequent careers: Pick one service skill at Level 0

=== Step 5: Skills and Training ===
* Choose skill table and roll
* Skill-0 if new; +1 level if existing
* Characteristic improvements apply immediately

=== Step 6: Survival Roll ===
* Roll 2D6 + DM vs. career-specific difficulty
* '''Effect 4+ = Advancement'''
* Even rank: +1 SOC
* Fail by 4+: −1 SOC
* Success: Note benefit for mustering out
* Failure: Mishap, no benefit this term

=== Step 7: Aging ===
* Age increases by 4 years per term
* Age 34+: Roll using '''Quick Fix Aging''' (2D6 + END DM vs. Terms+1)
* Anagathics option: Spend 100,000Cr, skip aging (max SOC−7 uses)

=== Step 8: Re-Enlistment ===
* '''Automatic''' if continuing
* No forced re-enlistment on 12
* 7+ terms: Must retire

=== Step 9: Change Career or Muster Out ===
* Under 7 terms: Can choose new career (−2 DM per previous)
* Track benefits per career
* Roll all benefits at mustering out

=== Step 10: Buy Equipment ===
* Purchase starting gear
* Ships and vehicles if affordable

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== Quick Reference Tables ==

=== Variable Difficulty Examples ===

{| class="wikitable"
! Description !! Difficulty !! DM Modifier
|-
| Easy || 4 || +4
|-
| Routine || 6 || +2
|-
| Average || 8 || +0
|-
| Difficult || 10 || −2
|-
| Very Difficult || 12 || −4
|-
| Formidable || 14 || −6
|}

=== Career Card Count ===

* '''24 Complete Careers''' with Quick Fix rules applied
* Each card includes:
** Qualification target number
** Survival difficulty
** Skill tables (Personal Development, Service, Specialist, Advanced)
** Ranks and bonuses
** Mustering Out benefits (Cash and Benefits tables)
** Special rules and notes

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== Implementation Notes ==

=== For Players ===

The Quick Fix system makes character creation faster while maintaining meaningful choices:

* '''Fewer rolls''' — Survival roll handles survival AND advancement
* '''No dead ends''' — Drifter auto-qualify prevents qualification loops
* '''Clearer aging''' — Task resolution system applies universally
* '''Strategic anagathics''' — SOC-based limit creates interesting choices

=== For Referees ===

* '''Unified mechanics''' — One system (2D6 + DM vs. Difficulty) for everything
* '''Easier tracking''' — Benefits noted per career, rolled at end
* '''Transparent difficulties''' — Variable targets make career differences clearer
* '''Consistent math''' — No edge cases or special subsystems

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== Related Resources ==

* '''[[Character Creation]]''' — Master index for all character creation resources
* '''[[Mneme CE Character Creation]]''' — Detailed chapter breakdowns
* '''[[Mneme CE Chapter 1 Character Creation]]''' — Complete 24 careers with full rules
* '''[[Mneme Cepheus Engine Rules]]''' — Core rules overview
* '''[file:221015_MNEME_24_CAREER_CARDS.pdf Mneme 24 Career Cards PDF]''' — Complete quick reference

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[[Category:Mneme]]
[[Category:Quick Fixes]]
[[Category:Character Creation]]
[[Category:Rules]]
[[Category:Cepheus Engine]]