Each starting player character gets three fate points, plus any racial bonus (p95-96). Significant NPC's may have fate points as well, but low-level thugs, unintelligent monsters, and most other foes will not.

They will re-fresh only by GM prerogative, but more-or-less once per level. Additional fate points may occasionally be gained for particularly heroic efforts, at the completion of a major character or campaign goal, etc.

Fate points can be used to re-roll a failed skill check, attack, save, etc. Each re-roll uses one fate point; successive points may be spent until they are used up or a success is rolled.

Fate points can also be spent, once a success has been achieved through a die roll, to change a success into a noteworthy, reputation-building critical success. In combat this will be a critical with the maximum possible damage. Exact results in non-combat situations will be determined by the player's desires and the GM's fiat. If a fate point is used in this way, it is used permanently; it will not refresh.