To adapt Harry Dresden for the Sword of Cepheus 2nd Edition (or any 2D6-based Cepheus Engine fantasy system), he is best represented as a Sorcerer with high Charisma and Endurance, reflecting his "magical bruiser" nature and tendency to survive things he shouldn't.
Harry Dresden
Rank: Experienced Adventurer Characteristics: * STR: 8 (+0)
DEX: 7 (+0)
END: 11 (+1)
INT: 9 (+1)
EDU: 8 (+0)
SOC: 5 (-1)
CHA: 10 (+1)
Skills
Sorcery (Combat): 3
Investigation: 2
Athletics: 1
Gun Combat (Revolver): 1
Melee (Staff): 1
Deception: 1
Knowledge (Occult): 2
Streetwise: 1
Magic: The Elemental Specialist
In Sword of Cepheus, Harry utilizes the Sorcery skill. Given his focus, his spells should be flavored as "Evocation."
Fuego (Blast): Range 30m, 3D6 damage. Harry often takes a -1 DM to "overchannel" for an extra +1D6 damage.
Infriga (Freeze): Targets a 3m area to create difficult terrain or freeze objects.
Forzare (Shield/Force): Provides +4 Armor versus a single incoming ranged or melee attack as a reaction.
The Sight (Special Ability): Harry can expend 1 point of INT to activate "The Sight." This allows him to automatically succeed on any Knowledge (Occult) check to identify magical residue or entities, but he must make an END check to avoid being overwhelmed/stunned by the intensity of the vision.
Signature Gear
Enchanted Staff: Treated as a Quarterstaff (2D6 damage). It provides a +1 DM to all Sorcery checks when held.
Blasting Rod: A small wand that grants a +2 DM specifically for Blast (Fire) spells but offers no bonus for defensive magic.
Duster (Heavy Leather): Armor 2. Harry’s enchantments give this a +2 bonus against kinetic attacks (bullets/blades) but 0 against fire.
The .44 Revolver: Range 25m, 3D6 damage. Used when magic fails or subtlety (rarely) is required.
Traits & Flaws
Chivalrous: Harry receives a -2 DM to any Social check involving deception or harm toward those he perceives as innocents or under his protection.
The Building was on Fire...: Whenever Harry uses a Blast spell and fails the Sorcery check, an uncontrolled fire starts in the immediate vicinity.
Hard to Kill: When reduced to 0 END, Harry may make one immediate END 8+ check. If successful, he stays conscious with 1 HP for 1D6 rounds.
Alternative Archetype: The "Urban" Variant
If you are running a more modern Cepheus hack (like Hostile or Modern), simply swap the EDU and SOC stats to reflect his status as a "consultant" and replace Melee with Drive (Beater Car).
To adapt Mouse for Sword of Cepheus 2nd Edition, he should be treated as a Heroic Creature or a powerful supernatural Ally. In the Dresden files, he is a "Temple Dog" (Foo Dog), which translates perfectly to a high-END, high-INT beast with protective magical abilities.
Mouse (Temple Dog)
Characteristics:
STR: 14 (+2)
DEX: 9 (+1)
END: 15 (+3)
INT: 9 (+1)
EDU: 3 (-1)
SOC: 6 (+0)
CHA: 11 (+1)
Skills
Athletics (Strength): 3
Melee (Natural): 2
Recon: 2
Survival: 1
Sorcery (Abjuration): 2
Special Abilities & Combat
Bite: 2D6 + STR modifier (total 2D6+2). On an Effect of 6+, Mouse pins the target, rendering them immobile.
Supernatural Senses: Mouse receives a +4 DM to all Recon checks to detect hidden supernatural entities, veils, or shapeshifters.
Spirit Armor: Mouse possesses natural Armor 4 against all magical or supernatural attacks due to his celestial nature.
Magic: The Bark of Protection
Mouse doesn't cast spells in the traditional sense; his "magic" is fueled by his END and his vocalizations.
The Bark: As a significant action, Mouse can emit a resonant bark. Any supernatural entity within 10m must pass an END 10+ check or be pushed back 3 meters and stunned for 1 round.
Protective Circle: By spending 2 points of END, Mouse can "anchor" a defensive perimeter. All allies within 3m of him receive +2 Armor against all attacks for the duration of the combat encounter, provided Mouse does not move from his spot.
Traits
Innocent Guardian: Mouse receives a +2 DM to all checks when acting directly to protect a child or a helpless "innocent."
Cheat Code (Size): Despite being a massive Tibetan Mastiff, Mouse can attempt to "act like a lapdog." He uses CHA instead of DEX for Stealth checks when trying to look harmless in social situations.
Loyalty: Mouse is immune to any magical compulsion or fear effect that would force him to abandon his companions.
Usage in Play
Mouse is effectively a "tank" character. In Sword of Cepheus, combat can be incredibly lethal; having a companion with 15 END and the ability to provide a localized Armor bonus is a massive force multiplier for a party of fragile human investigators.
