The Veil & Lead Companion Reference Character Sheet

Exposed

Minor

Effect: Attackers gain TN −1 against you (easier to hit).

Duration Until start of your next turn (Tempo-triggered), or until you reach cover (positional)

Inflicted By

  • Completing an action with Tempo 3 or less (most Fast Actions)
  • Being caught in the open without cover
  • Standing up from Prone (no longer Prone, but visibly upright)

Cleared By

  • Start of your next turn (automatic, for Tempo-triggered Exposure)
  • Reaching cover (for positional Exposure)
  • Take Cover action (Tempo 3)

Exposed is the tax on speed. Most Fast Actions (Tempo 2–3) trigger Exposed (drawing your weapon, scrambling between cover, aiming) because moving fast means your eyes and body aren’t where they need to be to defend yourself.

The penalty is one-sided (it affects attackers’ TN, not your own pool), which makes it a less devastating debuff than Suppressed but a consistent one. A gunslinger who keeps drawing fresh weapons and scrambling between positions is always Exposed somewhere between turns. The tactical question is whether speed is worth the −1 TN cost.