Introduction
Humans, as is their wont, tread where wiser species dare not go. Thus we have humans who, having acquired magic that transcends time to a limited extent, set about stealing treasures from their own past.
Other time travelers have appeared every so often. Most have been scholars, or at least tourists, with some sense of responsibility. Some will remember the so-called TimeWatch, who tried to police time travel.
Blatantly plundering the past, however … there are just no words.
Appearance
Time Thieves look little different from any other ruffian of their World and era, save for the glowing amber gem secreted somewhere on their person. A few may dress better if they have been stealing valuables from across time and space. Many who use the Portal power may carry a “library” of relics that allow them to return to the past.
Tactics
As their name implies, Time Thieves use the power of a Time Gem to execute daring burglaries across past, present, and future. As such they will usually avoid physical conflict using Freeze, Haste on themselves, Slow on pursuers, and other tricks to elude capture in addition to their considerable innate talents.
Time Thief Characters
Extra Dice Needed: standard polyhedral set, esp. percentile.
Referees should first create or steal statistics for a “Thief” or “Burglar”, particularly a crafty and gifted one, and then give them a Time Gem. Fill out the Time Gem User Sheet. Faction is “Thief”.
Special Abilities
All special abilites come from the Time Gem. See that page for more information.
Appendix: A Time Thief in Various Systems
We will create a thief character, suitable as an experience PC, named Kiara the Quick, and give her a Time Gem.
Kiara has had her Gem for a little while, and unlocked two poowers.
Kiara’s Time Gem
Owner: Kiara the Quick
Faction: Thief
Gem Control: 55%
Depletion: d100
Unlocked Powers: Freeze, Intuition, Leap, Portal, Retake, Undo
Barbaric 2E
Barbaric 2E is published by Stellagama Publishing.
| Combat | Craft | Lore | Physical | Social | Stealth | Stamina | Defense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| +1 | +0 | +0 | +2 | +1 | +1 | 20 | 9+ |
Protection: 2 (leather armor).
Weapons: Knife (2d6)
Equipment: Time Gem, 2 Knives, leather armor, crowbar, lockpick tools, 20m of rope, grappling hook.
OpenQuest
This work is based on the OpenQuest System Resource Document (found at https://openquestrpg.com/srd), a D101 Games product developed, authored by Newt Newport with Paul Mitchener. OpenQuest System Resource Document © 2021 by Newt Newport with Paul Mitchener is licensed under Attribution 4.0 International. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
The following text is © 2025 by Frank Mitchell. All rights reserved.
Characteristics
| STR | CON | DEX | SIZ | INT | POW | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 13 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 13 |
Attributes
| HP | DM | MP | MR | Armor | Loot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | +0 | 10 | 15m | leather (2 AP) | 2 |
Resistances
Dodge 45%, Persistence 25%, Resilience 40%
Skills
Athletics 54%, Culture (Own) 38% Deception 50%, Mechamisms 40%, Language (Own) 83% Natural Lore 38%, Perception 33%, Streetwise 33%, Trade 33%,
Combat
- Close Combat 44%, Dagger (1d4+1)
- Ranged Combat 50%, Dagger (1d6)
- Unarmed Combat 44%, Punch/Kick (1d4)
Magic
Personal Magic Casting 30%: Back Eyes [2], Cover Blind Side [1], Unlock 3
Euqipment
Money: 23 GD, 15 SP, 4 CP
Time Gem, 2 Daggers, Leather Armor, Backpack, Climbing Kit, Crowbar, Flint & Tinder, Grappling Hook, Lock Picks, Rope (10m), 3 Torches.
Shadowdark
“Timeless Threats: Time Thief” is an independent product published under the Shadowdark RPG Third-Party License and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG © 2023 The Arcane Library, LLC.
Class: Thief
Level: 5
Ancestry: Human
| Str | Dex | Con | Int | Wis | Cha | HP | AC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| stat | 12 | 17 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 14 |
| mod | +1 | +3 | +1 | +0 | +0 | +1 |
Class Abilities: Backstab, Thievery.
Talents: Advantage on Initiative rolls Backstab x6 (incl. level bonus), +1 to melee and ranged attacks.
Background: Wanted
Alignment: Neutral
Deity: Ord
Title: Rogue
Languages: Common, Dwarfish
Gear: Time Gem, 2 Daggers, Leather Armor, Lock Picks, Crawling Kit (7 Slots)
Money: 47 gp, 5 sp, 4 cp
| Attack | Bonus | Range | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dagger | +3 | C / N | 1d4 |