Pain and Suffering

An invisible, serrated shard of glass piercing the flesh.  Mind numbing agony which emanates through the body.  That incessant ache which permeates everything and clouds the senses.

I find that pain isn't represented very well, or at all most times.  For instance, if someone were to suffer from a blow from a truck the pain would be debilitating.  Even if said person were to then be magically healed, the pain might continue to linger unless directly addressed.  A victim suffering from damage should be suffering penalties, and the greater the damage...

Pain

For every ten points a victim suffers damage to their wound pool, in a single attack, the victim gains one Pain.  Pain is healed with rest (like pools and other modifiers).  Every point of Pain gives -1 to all rolls (except during lunacy rolls add Pain).  All undead and golems are immune to pain.

Threshold (Sage Lore - Stm)

Add the Threshold modifier to Pain, a victim can never receive a positive modifier this way.  (Eg: A victim with 2 Pain and Threshold +4 would have no negative or positive penalty due to Pain.)

Shock
When a victim's Pain penalty equals their Stm, they go into shock.  When in shock, a victim is limited to one check or move and may not use mana or prayer pool.

Using Power and Pain

Soothing Touch (Water, Healing) - DoS removes Pain from target.

Transference (Telepathy, War, Air, Summoning) - DoS removes Pain from target which the caster receives.  (War could then be used to make a pool to hit, transferring the Pain to the target.)

Skills and Pain

The skill torture should be noted, due to being able to give things pain points (equal to the DoS).  The intended target should be immobilized to use this as a check and no damage is done.  Torture could also be stacked with a damage roll, which would double the amount of Pain received from the attack.

Aid can be used to reduce pain, temporarily.  An aid check will negate Pain at one per DoS, which will go down at one every round.

A non-lethal called shot could also be used to double the Pain from an attack.

Tormentor (Priest Source)

A person might chose to specialize in producing and spreading pain to harness the dark energies it produces.  A tormentor does this by hurting themselves and others and then using it as a weapon against their foes.

Starting Level: +1 Threshold, 1 knowledge point, 3 weapon uses.

Level Advancement: +1 Threshold, 2 weapon uses.

Using Pool:  A tormentor can use an amount of prayer equal to the amount of Pain near them, including themselves, up to five times their Threshold modifier.

-Scathe: Pool to hit, attack DoS equals Pain received by target.

-Transfer: Threshold DoS equals amount of Pain to be transferred from one target to another willing target.

-Override: Caster may ignore one Pain modifier for each 5 prayer used.

-Incite: Pool to hit, attack DoS adds to an immediate lunacy roll.

-Agonize: Target loses an amount of wounds equal to Threshold DoS, to a maximum of their Pain.

Other Sources and Pain

Any source which gives a modifier to MS would instead gain a modifier to Threshold.

Soul Streamer

Soul Streamer (Priest Source)

There is a persistent cycle of life and death, an ebb and flow, an energy that is constant and immense. Soul Streamers have learned to tap in to this energy and use their bodies as a conduit with which to alter the flow. Every person is different, thus every soul streamer will have learned different uses for this power. There is a chorus, created in the stream, by the multitudes of ending and beginning lives; because of this, soul streamers slowly lose their minds... their individuality slowed stripped away.

Starting Level: 3 knowledge points, d10+Chr prayer, +1 Madness.

Level Advancement: +2 knowledge points, +d10 prayer, +1 Madness.

Disciplines: The victim must choose three Disciplines: lunacy, resist, healing, scry, undeath or dominance.

Magus Guard

Magus Guard

Magus Guard are mages that have spent years studying the principles of combat. They are not warriors, but mages who have sacrificed arcane studies for martial ones. Because of this the practical application of the skills they study are beyond their grasp, and therefore they cannot apply more than the basics of any martial art in combat. They manipulate the arcane energies around them to increase their combat prowess or decrease that of their opponents to compensate for this shortcoming. Unlike Warlocks/Battle Magi, the Magus Guard are usually among those leading the charge in to combat. They are the adrenaline junkies/berserkers of the mages. Typically the best of the Magus Guard are used by the largest mage schools. Often they are left to protect the secrets hidden within their libraries or as assassins; their abilities making them equal to any normal warrior in battle.

Using Mana:

Used to augment/hinder combat abilities or weapon stats

    Modifier to Hit (+1/1)

    Increase unsoakable (+1*/2)

    Additional parry (1 parry/2)

Must choose a weapon specialization at creation from any specified Standard Weapon Use

    For an additional +5 XP at level up, new weapon specializations can be learned, victim must have the relevant Standard Weapon Use.

Banned from cybernetics, master, sensei and martial arts.

Max pool expenditure is based off applicable the specified standard weapon use of the weapon being used, this weapon use counts as a sage lore.

 

Adapted by Brin Shadius.

MADNESS!!!

Madness

When a victim is confronted by something which does not comply to rational thought they are touched by madness. The decent into insanity can be gradual or swift, or it may be forced upon by spells and curses.

Madness Rating (MR)

Places and entities that are naturally dementing have a Madness Rating (MR). A negative App would apply towards the MR (-2 App would add +2 to the entity's MR), and being immortal also adds +1 MR.

Sanity vs Madness

A madness war is provoked the first time the victim encounters any of the following:

-Something with a MR.

-An immortal being (if mortal).

-Going below -10 wounds.

-Something with a negative App.

-Inter-dominion travel.

-Entering Quiddity, Heaven or Hell.

A madness war is based on the victim's Int. Add one for each sage lore the victim has points in. If the victim has any Madness Points, subtract them from the total. This is the victim's Sanity total.

Int +#SL -Mad +d10 =Sanity

Madness Points

Madness is aquired when a victim fails to resist a madness war. The victim recieves one Madness for every five points they did not resist. Use Madness as a modifier to the victim's MS and against K.O.

Insanity

Once a victim has Madness they will begin to exhibit signs of instability. Whenever a victim with Madness rolls a natural one to attack, or a natural ten on a check, they must roll Insanity in addition to any other effects. The victim rolls one dice and adds any Madness points, then consultes the chart below. Effects will last for an amount of rounds equal to victim's Madness.

Roll Effect Modifiers

1-9 Stable (everything is fine, for now) None

10-14 Paranoid (They are watching) -5 to soak

15-19 Hallucinations (not again...) -5 Per

20-24 The Shakes (twitching fear) -5 Dex, Str

25-29 Visions (it's happening again!) -5 Dex, Man

30-34 Mania (can't take it anymore...) Attacks closest

target.

35-39 Portents (They are speaking to me) +5 to dodge and

MS.

40-44 Neurotic (gibbering looney) +5 auto blast pool

to hit.

45-49 Permament Condition Roll again, effect is

pernament.

Multiple Insanity

If a victim is under the influence of an Insanity, they add +5 to the Insanity roll for each effect.

Ѝ All victims in the Nightlands begin with one Madness.

The next post will be about racial mods and sources dealing with madness....MADNESS!!!!

Specialists

Mages can take multiple talents depending upon their mage source, but not all do. Some prefer to stick to a single talent which can make them more powerful but less versatile. Also, many have noticed the lack of the 'feeding' abilities in the new book, this was intentional as such abilities come at a price. Specialists gain the feed ability (if there is one for their talent), or it can be purchased as an other power. Specialists also gain additional abilities and cost reductions depending on their specialization. Becoming a specialist is an additional cost when purchasing a mage level (much like selecting an additional talent).

A mage who specializes in a single talent will become far more skilled with their power. Mastering a single talent is far easier, as is gaining immunities to it. Some specialists have access to abilities exclusive to them.

Becoming a Specialist: A victim may spend an additional 5 xp when purchasing a mage level to become a specialist. The victim's mage source is not altered in any way, simply note that the victim is a specialist.

Benefits: Mastery (see 'Other Powers – Book of Tools') costs 2 points less and the stat costs are removed. Additional benefits are based upon talent;

Restrictions: A specialist may only have access to a single talent and no further talents may be purchased. A victim cannot become a specialist if they have access to more than one talent.

Air – Elemental Immunity (air)* costs 3 less, add aeromancy modifier to Fl Dex (augmented), Feed (air)#.

Earth – Elemental Immunity (earth)* costs 3 less, add geomancy modifier to soak and Stm checks, Feed (earth)#.

Fire – Elemental Immunity (fire)* costs 3 less, add mage level to MS, Feed (fire)#.

Water – Elemental Immunity (water)* costs 4 less, Waterbreath* costs 5 less, add mage level to one check or war per day, Feed (water)#.

Aether – Elemental Immunity (aether)* costs 3 less, Regenerate (mutation) costs 4 less, K.O. (hand to hand), Feed (aether)#.

Death – Soul Thief* costs 2 less, Hard to Kill* costs 2 less, add necromancy modifier to all regular damage, Feed (death)#.

Famine – Mind Over Body costs 2 less, Hard to Kill* costs 2 less, Magical Resistance* costs 2 less, any attack made by the victim has a K.O. modifier equal to the victim's cryomancy modifier.

Pestilence – Victim's App is negatively modified by their mage level, add cadramancy modifier to all disease and narcotic based rolls (in favor of the disease or narcotic), Appetite Magic and Faith* each cost 2 less, Feed (pestilence)#.

War – Discord* costs 3 less (and may be taken regardless of race), Gaze of Petrification* costs 3 less, Mind Over Body* costs 2 less, add psychomancy modifier to Chr (augmented), Feed (war)#.

Chronomancy – Add mage level to initiative, one reroll per day (per mage level).

Divination – Add scry modifier to dodge and Per (augmented), add mage level to MS.

Dream – Add mage level to K.O. checks, Magical Resistance* and Countercaster* costs 2 less, Feed (dream)#.

Illusion – Add mage level to stealth and App (augmented), Gaze of Petrification* costs 3 less.

Summoning - Add mage level to command, Animal Friendship* costs 2 less, Teleportation#.

*These refer to abilities from 'Other Powers – The Book of Tools' in the Zero Terminus.

#These refer to abilities from 'Other Powers – The Book of Tools' in the Survival Guide.

Feed Cost: 6

The victim has learned to feed upon the energies that they practice. A victim may replenish pool whenever the reuirements are met but cannot excede maximum pool. A victim must select which talent they feed from, which they have access to.

All – Casting (1 mana for each use of power that uses a like mana source).

Air – During high winds (d10 mana per round).

Earth – During eathquakes (d10x10).

Fire -Near flame (1 mana per round), near large fire (d10 mana per round).

Water – In open waters (1 per round).

Aether – Electric fields (equal to Str of field or d10 per round).

Death – Near death (mana replenished equal to CL of dying).

Pestilence – Near disease (1 mana per round, per infected).

War – Disputes (1 mana per round), conflict (d10 mana per round).

Dream – Near sleepers (1 mana per round, per sleeper).

Until next round...>

Of Ridden Dragons

Very seldom, a mortal is allowed to be present during the hatching of a dragon, rarely does this mortal become a Dragon Rider. A bond is formed with the hatchling which ties the two together, both mind and soul. It is known that at some point in the Dominions' history Dragon Riders had formed the Draconus Templar which is now only rumored to exist. Most known Dragon Riders exist in the Nightlands, with notable exceptions on both Earth and Sogrum.

A Dragon Rider's strength is the combination of power and knowledge. They can access any of the talents providing they learn the requisite lores. Also, they can draw upon the dragon's well of mana. A Rider's dragon is a "bonded dragon" and is born tied to their Rider. As the Rider progresses, so does the dragon, and the bond intensifies. At maturity, or draccus, the dragon and rider are nearly the same being with a dragon's power and a mortal's ingenuity.

Bonded Dragon

(Dragon Subrace)

Bonded dragons are those which hatched in the presence of the one who was destined to be their Rider. The bond that is formed between the two is immediate and permanent. A Bonded Dragon is affected by the choices of their Rider as much as their own. When a Bonded Dragon reaches maturity (Draccus) their style of breathe weapon is dictated by their Riders skills in magic and faith (mage and priest source).

Stats: d10, Fl Dex

Levels: A bonded dragon gains a level when their Rider purchases one. This level is of the same type as the Rider.

Sources: A bonded dragon has the same sources as their Rider.

Mana Pool: The bonded dragon may share an amount of mana equal to their max pool with their Rider each turn, this is the only way they may spend mana.

Dragon: A bonded dragon gains all of the rules regarding dragons (see Zero Terminus; Book of Races).

Note: A bonded dragon is not a victim race. These are the companions to Dragon Riders (see Zero Terminus; Book of Magic).

Other Power

Heart of Draccus Cost: 6

Draccus

When a dragon reaches maturity their "essence" can be contained within a diamond-like crystal that grows within them. Disgorging this crystal before final death, the dragon will live on within it. The size of the crystal is based on the dragons CL (base is about 6" diameter, doubling every 5 levels). The crystal has a Stm of double the dragon's and a wound pool equal to the dragon's (at the time of disgorging it). Upon the death of the dragon, the soul is transferred to the crystal retaining Int, Wis, Man and Chr. The dragon's pools (other than wounds), knowledges, wu's, powers, etc. are also transferred but not accessible. The dragon also retains their CL.
Through various means like necromancy and technology, the dragon may be re-animated, this will require the creation of a new body to inhabit. Through some powers, like telepathy and scrying, the dragon may be conversed with, (this will allow a Dragon Rider access to the dragon's mana pool). If the dragon was bonded to a Rider, then the Rider will not succumb to Lunacy at the death of their dragons physical body.

Hope that sheds some light on things, until next round.

The Monk and the Dervish

nWo is the kind of game that grows continuously. Even as I polish up the Zero Terminus book, new things are created and another book is already planned (a "survival guide"). A couple of these are two new warrior sources; the monk and the dervish.

Monk

Specializing in unarmed combat, a monk can use their strength to cause severe wounds and breaks. Often learned in martial arts, they can become a strong asset in hand to hand combat. Many temple caretakers are trained as monks in addition to their responsibilities to the clergy.

Starting Level:
1 knowledge point, 2 weapon use points, +d10 wounds, +1* (unarmed).

Level Advancement:
1 weapon use point, +d10 wounds, +1* (unarmed).

Dervish

The dancing, weaving, fluid motions of a dervish are easily identifiable and rightly feared. This style of fighting builds up momentum and uses it to make attacks and dodge others. Once in motion, a dervish becomes an increasingly difficult opponent.

Starting Level:
1 knowledge point, +d10 wounds.

Level Advancement:
+d10 wounds.

Benefit:
For each round the victim has been in hand to hand combat add the victim's warrior level to hit and dodge. This bonus only applies in hand to hand combat and will decrease by the victim's warrior level each round not in hand to hand combat.

These sources are allowed in all settings, and have some interesting possibilities. Either of these sources would benefit from the combat discipline or death talent for more hitting power. The monk's bonus can be added to natural weapons (like claws), or think about a dervish with a shimmer....

Until next round, +1 Int.