The Focus is what the character in question primarily does with their time. For adults – this would be a class or a profession or occupation..
No two Regular Cast Members can have an identical Focus (unless Rule 2 is invoked). It should be noted, before anyone despairs, that soldier is different than warrior, thief is different than spy, wizard is different than sorcerer, doctor is different than scientist, and so forth.
RCM's cannot designate Using My Power or its obvious equivalent as a Focus.
When performing any task directly related to the Focus, that character adds the value of the Focus to the Task Roll. This includes any skill or task that someone of this background would be expected to know. A sailor would know about ship operations and knots and the like, but also some basic marine biology, meteorology and be a good coastal geographer.
It is OK to be generous about what tasks fit within a Focus.
A focus can be increased with experience. Older characters then would typically have higher levels of focus.
•Apprentice = +1
•Journeyman = +2
•Master = +3
It is possible to have more than one Focus.
It is possible to have a negative Focus - to be terrible at whatever the character primarily does. This might be part of a weakness (particularly if the character has no idea how bad he is at this).
RCM’s are assumed to be Apprentice level (+1). This is because the RCMs are young, and thereby not seasoned professionals.
It is possible to develop a Focus through Plot Points at a x2 multiplier. Focii are subject to the same Unusual, and Supernatural or Fantastic cost multipliers as the rest. Sorcerer might be a common (if Supernatural) Focus coming from Atlantis, but from modern day Baltimore, it would be Unusual.
Should the value of the Focus exceed the character’s Core Dice, that Focus becomes Extraordinary, and development beyond is subject to that multiplier as well.
Next: Skills