Difference between revisions of "FrivYeti/SorceryEmbod"

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Magic is a powerful force, but properly understanding and directing that powerful is more difficult than laymen believe. While legendary sorcerers might lay their enchantments over entire cities, or curse a family unto the seventh generation, most sorcerers have a much more limited scope of effects.
 
Magic is a powerful force, but properly understanding and directing that powerful is more difficult than laymen believe. While legendary sorcerers might lay their enchantments over entire cities, or curse a family unto the seventh generation, most sorcerers have a much more limited scope of effects.
  
−
The manner through which sorcerers expand on their capabilities are the Five Embodiments. These five understandings of magical existance have existed since the Magus first developed the capability for sorcery, and were used extensively during the Fire War. Each understanding itself had five layers; all sorcerers instinctively understand the most basic of these layers, and can apply them to their spells, but must then take special care and effort in developing further layers. For many years, the existance of the fourth and fifth Embodiments was largely aprocyphal; while stories told that the Magus had access to them, they were often considered to be largely poetic, in order to retain the fivefold harmony that seemed to embody magic. It was not until the spread of the left-hand paths that it became clear that there were always five layers to each Embodiment, and much speculation remains as to how, and whether, the Magus was able to access these without himself following the left-hand path.
+
The manner through which sorcerers expand on their capabilities are the Five Embodiments. These five understandings of magical existance have existed since the Magus first developed the capability for sorcery, and were used extensively during the Fire War. Each understanding itself had five layers; all sorcerers ins
  
−
Each of the Five Embodiments is known by a parable; these parables were supposedly taught by the Magus himself to his pupils, by way of explaining the function of each Embodiment. The parables show the existance of all five layers of each Embodiment, and are meant to be considered and meditated upon by prospective students. They are not technically necessary, but nearly all modern sorcerers teach them to their students.
+
=== Akasha, The Embodiment Of Scope ===
  
−
=== Learning Embodiments ===
+
[[FrivYeti/SorceryEmbodAka | The Embodiment Of Scope]]
  
−
Embodiments are relatively easy to learn; unlike spells or Principles, a sorcerer need not spend a great deal of time developing and charting them; instead, only the basics of training are required. However, Embodiments do require a great deal of understanding of how Essence functions in order to be purchased.  
+
At its most basic, sorcery is a personal affair. A sorcerer may easily and readily affect herself, or a single other target, but must individually untangle Essence flows in order to work changes against them. Akasha represents the understanding that all things are connected, and allows a character to spread a net of her Essence, entrapping an ever-growing array of things within the breadth of a single spell. It is one of the most valued of the Embodiments, especially by young sorcerers.
  
−
Learning an Embodiment requires a number of days of training equal to its Essence requirement. If the character has a tutor, this time is halved. Embodiments always cost 8 XP to learn, regardless of whether or not a character has a tutor. They must be learned in order, and characters may never expand upon them or create new Embodiments; they represent the sum total of knowledge of the basics of spell manipulation.
+
=== Bhumi, The Embodiment Of Duration ===
  
−
=== Akasha, The Embodiment Of Scope ===
+
Essence is, by its nature, a transitory thing. Though a sorcerer may transform many things, their innate natures quickly change them back. Through Bhumi, however, a sorcerer learns to work their magics ever-deeper into the fabric of a thing, vastly increasing the duration of their spells. Note that because of its nature, Bhumi interacts oddly with instant-duration spells; rather than applying them each instant, it uses the duration to apply the spell's total effect, divided by the duration.
  
−
At its most basic, sorcery is a personal affair. A sorcerer may easily and readily affect herself, or a single other target, but must individually untangle Essence flows in order to work changes against them. Akasha represents the understanding that all things are connected, and allows a character to spread a net of her Essence, entrapping an ever-growing array of things within the breadth of a single spell. It is one of the most valued of the Embodiments, especially by young sorcerers.
+
Bhumi requires a character to commit motes of Essence to spells. Commited motes may not be recovered until the spell's effects end.
  
−
[[FrivYeti/SorceryEmbodAka | The Embodiment Of Scope]]
+
<b><i>The First Embodiment Of Duration: Essence Lingering</b></i>
 +
Cost: 3 motes (1 commited)
 +
Essence Required: 2
 +
The character learns to impress the patterns of Bhumi on her Essence. Her spells last for one scene.
  
−
=== Bhumi, The Embodiment Of Duration ===
+
<b><i>The Second Embodiment Of Duration: Essence Continuing</b></i>
 +
Cost: 6 motes (2 commited), 1 Willpower
 +
Essence Required: 3
 +
The character deepens the marks that Bhumi leaves upon a pattern. Her spells may last up to one day.
  
−
Essence is, by its nature, a transitory thing. Though a sorcerer may transform many things, their innate natures quickly change them back. Through Bhumi, however, a sorcerer learns to work their magics ever-deeper into the fabric of a thing, vastly increasing the duration of their spells. Note that because of its nature, Bhumi interacts oddly with instant-duration spells; rather than applying them each instant, it uses the duration to apply the spell's total effect, divided by the duration.
+
<b><i>The Third Embodiment Of Duration: Essence Enduring</b></i>
 +
Cost: 9 motes (3 committed), 1 Willpower
 +
Essence Required: 4
 +
The character learns to expand and groove the marks of her magics. Her spells may last up to one month.
  
−
Bhumi requires a character to commit motes of Essence to spells. Commited motes may not be recovered until the spell's effects end.
+
<b><i>The Fourth Embodiment Of Duration: Essence Abiding</b></i>
 +
Cost: 12 motes (4 committed), 1 Willpower
 +
Essence Required: 5
 +
The character creates vast and powerful spells, with impressive durations. Her spells may last up to one year.
  
−
[[FrivYeti/SorceryEmbodBhu | The Embodiment Of Duration]]
+
<b><i>The Fifth Embodiment Of Duration: Essence Eternal</b></i>
 +
Cost: 15 motes, 2 Willpower
 +
Essence Required: 6
 +
The character learns to permanently groove changes into reality. Her spells do not ever end of their own accord. Targets granted abilities by these spells need some time to adapt to them; they are considered to go into experience debt to buy any abilities that magic may grant them. However, the character does not need to commit motes to this effect, and it will outlive her.
  
 
=== Agni, The Embodiment Of Condition ===
 
=== Agni, The Embodiment Of Condition ===
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Magic is not selective. It pours and twists, transforming everything in its path. Through the power of Agni, characters learn to shape magic to their will, narrowing its focus in order to affect only certain things with it. Unlike most other Embodiments, Agni does not scale quickly in cost along with its power. It is also notable that Agni is often useless unless combined with Akasha, although cunning spellcasters find ways to use it regardless.
 
Magic is not selective. It pours and twists, transforming everything in its path. Through the power of Agni, characters learn to shape magic to their will, narrowing its focus in order to affect only certain things with it. Unlike most other Embodiments, Agni does not scale quickly in cost along with its power. It is also notable that Agni is often useless unless combined with Akasha, although cunning spellcasters find ways to use it regardless.
  
−
[[FrivYeti/SorceryEmbodAgn | The Embodiment Of Condition]]
+
<b><i>The First Embodiment Of Condition: Essence Dividing </b></i>
 +
Cost: 1 Willpower
 +
Essence Required: 2
 +
The character discovers the basics of Agni. She may target spells to affect only people that she chooses, or to exclude only people that she chooses, within its normal scope.
 +
 
 +
<b><i>The Second Embodiment Of Condition: Essence Restraining </b></i>
 +
Cost: 2 motes, 1 Willpower
 +
The character refines her knowledge of Agi. She may target spells to affect a single obvious category of target (such as "only humans", "only redheads", or "only wooden targets". Only primary effects of the spells are thus targeted; any spillover (such as heat from a lit fire) affects others normally. Any attempt to conceal a target's condition generally requires an Intelligence + Larceny roll at a difficulty of (Essence +2).
 +
 
 +
<b><i>The Third Embodiment Of Condition: Essence Filtering </b></i>
 +
Cost: 4 motes, 1 Willpower
 +
The character creates increasingly specific capabilities with her Agni. She may now chain together up to her Essence worth of conditions, applying the spell to targets that meet a set number of them (any, all, or somewhere in between). The conditions must still be physical in nature.
 +
 
 +
<b><i>The Fourth Embodiment Of Condition: Essence Discerning </b></i>
 +
Cost: 6 motes, 2 Willpower
 +
The character learns to send Agni deep into a target's soul. She may use single conditions that are nonphysical in nature, such as "Only those with Essence 4 or higher", or "Only those with Compassion 3". The character does not need to know whether a target has such a condition to use the spell. Only magical concealment can defeat this, and it increases its difficulty by the character's Essence.
 +
 
 +
<b><i>The Fifth Embodiment Of Condition: Essence Assorted </b></i>
 +
Cost: 8 motes, 2 Willpower.
 +
The character reaches the pinnacle of Agni. She may apply any number of conditions, which may be as vague or specific as she chooses, to her spells.
  
 
=== Jala: The Embodiment Of Restoration ===
 
=== Jala: The Embodiment Of Restoration ===
  
−
This Embodiment alone affects not the magic, but the mage. Essence recovers slowly, and sorcerers must scrape to regain it. Through Jala, a character recovers her Essence far more quickly, learning to tap into the flows of Creation in order to do so. Those who master this Embodiment can cast their spells with far greater frequency.
+
This Embodiment alone affects not the magic, but the mage. Essence recovers slowly, and sorcerers must scrape to regain it. Through Jala, a character recovers her Essence far more quickly, learning to tap into the flows of Creation in order to do so. Instead of the slow recovery rate of 2 motes per hour of light activity and 4 motes per hour of rest, they recover more quickly:
  
−
[[FrivYeti/SorceryEmbodJal | The Embodiment Of Restoration]]
+
<b><i>The First Embodiment Of Restoration: Essence Recovering </b></i>
 +
Essence Requirement: 2
 +
The character recovers 2 motes per hour of heavy activity, 4 motes per hour of light activity, and 6 motes per hour of rest.
 +
 
 +
<b><i>The Second Embodiment Of Restoration: Essence Swelling </b></i>
 +
Essence Requirement: 3
 +
The character recovers 4 motes per hour of heavy activity, 8 motes per hour of light activity, and 12 motes per hour of rest.
 +
 
 +
<b><i>The Third Embodiment Of Restoration: Essence Replenishing </b></i>
 +
Essence Requirement: 4
 +
The character recovers 4 motes per hour of heavy activity, 8 motes per hour of light activity, and 12 motes per hour of rest. In addition, she recovers one extra Willpower each morning.
 +
 
 +
<b><i>The Fourth Embodiment Of Restoration: Essence Overflowing </b></i>
 +
Essence Requirement: 5
 +
The character recovers 6 motes per hour of heavy activity, 12 motes per hour of light activity, and 18 motes per hour of rest. In addition, she recovers one extra Willpower each morning.
 +
 
 +
<b><i>The Fifth Embodiment of Restoration: Essence Satiated </b></i>
 +
Essence Requirement: 6
 +
The character recovers 6 motes per hour of heavy activity, 12 motes per hour of light activity, and 18 motes per hour of rest. In addition, she recovers two extra Willpower each morning.
  
 
=== Vayu, The Embodiment Of Distance ===
 
=== Vayu, The Embodiment Of Distance ===
Line 46: Line 98:
 
Magic is a personal feat. Normally, mages may aim their spells only at a target who they can touch. This is frequently difficult and unpleasant, and those who prefer hostile spells especially find Vayu to be a powerful ally. Note that characters using Vayu must still aim a spell as usual, and must be able to see their target (either physically, or through other spells) regardless of range. This becomes critical at higher-Essence levels.
 
Magic is a personal feat. Normally, mages may aim their spells only at a target who they can touch. This is frequently difficult and unpleasant, and those who prefer hostile spells especially find Vayu to be a powerful ally. Note that characters using Vayu must still aim a spell as usual, and must be able to see their target (either physically, or through other spells) regardless of range. This becomes critical at higher-Essence levels.
  
−
[[FrivYeti/SorceryVayu | The Embodiment Of Distance]]
+
<b><i>The First Embodiment Of Distance: Essence Adjacent </b></i>
 +
Cost: 4 motes
 +
Essence Requirement: 2
 +
The character learns to forge Vayu between her target and herself. Her spells have a range of (Essence x25) yards.
 +
 
 +
<b><i>The Second Embodiment Of Distance: Essence Bridging </b></i>
 +
Cost: 8 motes
 +
Essence Requirement: 3
 +
The character expands on the power of Vayu. Her spells have a range of (Essence x200) yards.
 +
 
 +
<b><i>The Third Embodiment Of Distance: Essence Extending </b></i>
 +
Cost: 12 motes, 1 Willpower
 +
Essence Requirement: 4
 +
The character's spells can stretch a phenomenal distance. Her spells have a range of (Essence x5) miles.
 +
 
 +
<b><i>The Fourth Embodiment Of Distance: Essence Amplifying </b></i>
 +
Cost: 16 motes, 1 Willpowe
 +
Essence Requirement: 5
 +
The character can stretch her power out far beyond herself. Her spells have a range of (Essence x100) miles.
  
−
===== Comments =====
+
<b><i>The Fifth Embodiment Of Distance: Essence Infinite </b></i>
 +
Cost: 20 motes, 2 Willpower
 +
Essence Requirement: 6
 +
The character attains perfect mastery of Vayu, learning the secrets of distance. Her spells have no range; they may find their target anywhere in Creation and beyond.

Revision as of 19:33, 17 April 2007

Back to Sorcerer

The Five Embodiments

Magic is a powerful force, but properly understanding and directing that powerful is more difficult than laymen believe. While legendary sorcerers might lay their enchantments over entire cities, or curse a family unto the seventh generation, most sorcerers have a much more limited scope of effects.

The manner through which sorcerers expand on their capabilities are the Five Embodiments. These five understandings of magical existance have existed since the Magus first developed the capability for sorcery, and were used extensively during the Fire War. Each understanding itself had five layers; all sorcerers ins

Akasha, The Embodiment Of Scope

The Embodiment Of Scope

At its most basic, sorcery is a personal affair. A sorcerer may easily and readily affect herself, or a single other target, but must individually untangle Essence flows in order to work changes against them. Akasha represents the understanding that all things are connected, and allows a character to spread a net of her Essence, entrapping an ever-growing array of things within the breadth of a single spell. It is one of the most valued of the Embodiments, especially by young sorcerers.

Bhumi, The Embodiment Of Duration

Essence is, by its nature, a transitory thing. Though a sorcerer may transform many things, their innate natures quickly change them back. Through Bhumi, however, a sorcerer learns to work their magics ever-deeper into the fabric of a thing, vastly increasing the duration of their spells. Note that because of its nature, Bhumi interacts oddly with instant-duration spells; rather than applying them each instant, it uses the duration to apply the spell's total effect, divided by the duration.

Bhumi requires a character to commit motes of Essence to spells. Commited motes may not be recovered until the spell's effects end.

The First Embodiment Of Duration: Essence Lingering</b> 

Cost: 3 motes (1 commited)
Essence Required: 2

The character learns to impress the patterns of Bhumi on her Essence. Her spells last for one scene.

<b>The Second Embodiment Of Duration: Essence Continuing</b> 

Cost: 6 motes (2 commited), 1 Willpower
Essence Required: 3

The character deepens the marks that Bhumi leaves upon a pattern. Her spells may last up to one day.

<b>The Third Embodiment Of Duration: Essence Enduring</b> 

Cost: 9 motes (3 committed), 1 Willpower
Essence Required: 4

The character learns to expand and groove the marks of her magics. Her spells may last up to one month.

<b>The Fourth Embodiment Of Duration: Essence Abiding</b> 

Cost: 12 motes (4 committed), 1 Willpower
Essence Required: 5

The character creates vast and powerful spells, with impressive durations. Her spells may last up to one year.

<b>The Fifth Embodiment Of Duration: Essence Eternal</b> 

Cost: 15 motes, 2 Willpower
Essence Required: 6

The character learns to permanently groove changes into reality. Her spells do not ever end of their own accord. Targets granted abilities by these spells need some time to adapt to them; they are considered to go into experience debt to buy any abilities that magic may grant them. However, the character does not need to commit motes to this effect, and it will outlive her.

Agni, The Embodiment Of Condition

Magic is not selective. It pours and twists, transforming everything in its path. Through the power of Agni, characters learn to shape magic to their will, narrowing its focus in order to affect only certain things with it. Unlike most other Embodiments, Agni does not scale quickly in cost along with its power. It is also notable that Agni is often useless unless combined with Akasha, although cunning spellcasters find ways to use it regardless.

<b>The First Embodiment Of Condition: Essence Dividing </b> 

Cost: 1 Willpower
Essence Required: 2

The character discovers the basics of Agni. She may target spells to affect only people that she chooses, or to exclude only people that she chooses, within its normal scope.

<b>The Second Embodiment Of Condition: Essence Restraining </b> 

Cost: 2 motes, 1 Willpower

The character refines her knowledge of Agi. She may target spells to affect a single obvious category of target (such as "only humans", "only redheads", or "only wooden targets". Only primary effects of the spells are thus targeted; any spillover (such as heat from a lit fire) affects others normally. Any attempt to conceal a target's condition generally requires an Intelligence + Larceny roll at a difficulty of (Essence +2).

<b>The Third Embodiment Of Condition: Essence Filtering </b> 

Cost: 4 motes, 1 Willpower

The character creates increasingly specific capabilities with her Agni. She may now chain together up to her Essence worth of conditions, applying the spell to targets that meet a set number of them (any, all, or somewhere in between). The conditions must still be physical in nature.

<b>The Fourth Embodiment Of Condition: Essence Discerning </b> 

Cost: 6 motes, 2 Willpower

The character learns to send Agni deep into a target's soul. She may use single conditions that are nonphysical in nature, such as "Only those with Essence 4 or higher", or "Only those with Compassion 3". The character does not need to know whether a target has such a condition to use the spell. Only magical concealment can defeat this, and it increases its difficulty by the character's Essence.

<b>The Fifth Embodiment Of Condition: Essence Assorted </b> 

Cost: 8 motes, 2 Willpower.

The character reaches the pinnacle of Agni. She may apply any number of conditions, which may be as vague or specific as she chooses, to her spells.

Jala: The Embodiment Of Restoration

This Embodiment alone affects not the magic, but the mage. Essence recovers slowly, and sorcerers must scrape to regain it. Through Jala, a character recovers her Essence far more quickly, learning to tap into the flows of Creation in order to do so. Instead of the slow recovery rate of 2 motes per hour of light activity and 4 motes per hour of rest, they recover more quickly:

<b>The First Embodiment Of Restoration: Essence Recovering </b> 

Essence Requirement: 2

The character recovers 2 motes per hour of heavy activity, 4 motes per hour of light activity, and 6 motes per hour of rest.

<b>The Second Embodiment Of Restoration: Essence Swelling </b> 

Essence Requirement: 3

The character recovers 4 motes per hour of heavy activity, 8 motes per hour of light activity, and 12 motes per hour of rest.

<b>The Third Embodiment Of Restoration: Essence Replenishing </b> 

Essence Requirement: 4

The character recovers 4 motes per hour of heavy activity, 8 motes per hour of light activity, and 12 motes per hour of rest. In addition, she recovers one extra Willpower each morning.

<b>The Fourth Embodiment Of Restoration: Essence Overflowing </b> 

Essence Requirement: 5

The character recovers 6 motes per hour of heavy activity, 12 motes per hour of light activity, and 18 motes per hour of rest. In addition, she recovers one extra Willpower each morning.

<b>The Fifth Embodiment of Restoration: Essence Satiated </b> 

Essence Requirement: 6

The character recovers 6 motes per hour of heavy activity, 12 motes per hour of light activity, and 18 motes per hour of rest. In addition, she recovers two extra Willpower each morning.

Vayu, The Embodiment Of Distance

Magic is a personal feat. Normally, mages may aim their spells only at a target who they can touch. This is frequently difficult and unpleasant, and those who prefer hostile spells especially find Vayu to be a powerful ally. Note that characters using Vayu must still aim a spell as usual, and must be able to see their target (either physically, or through other spells) regardless of range. This becomes critical at higher-Essence levels.

<b>The First Embodiment Of Distance: Essence Adjacent </b> 

Cost: 4 motes
Essence Requirement: 2

The character learns to forge Vayu between her target and herself. Her spells have a range of (Essence x25) yards.

<b>The Second Embodiment Of Distance: Essence Bridging </b> 

Cost: 8 motes
Essence Requirement: 3

The character expands on the power of Vayu. Her spells have a range of (Essence x200) yards.

<b>The Third Embodiment Of Distance: Essence Extending </b> 

Cost: 12 motes, 1 Willpower
Essence Requirement: 4

The character's spells can stretch a phenomenal distance. Her spells have a range of (Essence x5) miles.

<b>The Fourth Embodiment Of Distance: Essence Amplifying </b> 

Cost: 16 motes, 1 Willpowe
Essence Requirement: 5

The character can stretch her power out far beyond herself. Her spells have a range of (Essence x100) miles.

<b>The Fifth Embodiment Of Distance: Essence Infinite </b> 

Cost: 20 motes, 2 Willpower
Essence Requirement: 6

The character attains perfect mastery of Vayu, learning the secrets of distance. Her spells have no range; they may find their target anywhere in Creation and beyond.

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