DBSInfernalCharmsAthletics

Athletics Charms

A managed the beginnings of an Athletics tree before a very different angle presented itself. Ever eager to know Wikizens sentiments, I thought I'd present both for your perusal; whichever is favoured will be completed. The first tree is a 'traditional' Athletics tree focused on overcoming restrictions of reality, the second is a more bizarre tree focusing on Stances and the reflection of Yozis' natures. Tell me what you think!

Charm Tree I

Mosquito Method

• Cost: 3 motes
• Duration: One scene
• Type: Reflexive
• Minimum Athletics: 2
• Minimum Essence: 2
• Prerequisite Charms: None

A mosquito is separate from the water upon which it stands, an analogy to the Infernal’s own existence. Bound to reality by subtle tethers alone, the Infernal seems astonishingly light. Even the most tenuous of solid objects (such as leaves of grass or pond lilies) can support his weight, and his balance is immaculate.

Obsidian Splinter Stance

• Cost: 3 motes
• Duration: One turn
• Type: Reflexive
• Minimum Athletics: 3
• Minimum Essence: 2
• Prerequisite Charms: Mosquito Method

The Infernal laces himself further into the fabric of Creation, anchored to it. Provided he stands upon a solid object, the Exalt does not experience knockback or knockdown of any kind, regardless of circumstances.

Poison Ivy Kata

• Cost: 2 motes
• Duration: One turn
• Type: Reflexive
• Minimum Athletics: 3
• Minimum Essence: 2
• Prerequisite Charms: Mosquito Method

As a creeper clings tightly to a tree as it ascends, so does the Infernal. She may walk up walls, across ceilings and along any other oddly angled object, provided it could normally support his weight.

Passionate Grace Of Malady

• Cost: 2 motes
• Duration: Instant
• Type: Reflexive
• Minimum Athletics: 4
• Minimum Essence: 3
• Prerequisite Charms: Poison Ivy Kata

A pool of water, plume of smoke or friendship is just as real as an anvil, and with this Charm an Infernal can consider it just as substantial. The Infernal may make an Essence + Athletics roll; success allows him to treat a body of liquid as though it were solid for the purposes of movement this turn. Three successes allow him to do the same with gaseous substances, and five allow him to do so with abstract objects.

Charm Tree II

Many of the Infernal Athletics Charms involve Stances. These are treated in all regards as martial arts Forms; only one may be executed at one time, and they are incompatible with other Forms and Stances alike.

Thrall’s Finest Moment

• Cost: 4 motes
• Duration: Instant
• Type: Extra Action
• Minimum Athletics: 2
• Minimum Essence: 2
• Prerequisite Charms: None

Imbuing her most devoted follower with power, the Infernal brings her shadow briefly to life. Rising from beside her, her shadow may make a single dice action this turn (at her direction, and with her own aptitude) before melting back down into insubstantiality. It may not split its dice pool. Should the shadow be killed, it reverts to its gossamer form, ready to be summoned once more.

Uncounted Progeny Stance

• Cost: Varies
• Duration: Instant
• Type: Extra Action
• Minimum Athletics: 3
• Minimum Essence: 2
• Prerequisite Charms: Thrall’s Finest Moment

Twisting and knotting the strands of reality about her, twining the fabric of Creation in impossible patterns, the Infernal appears in several places at once. She acquires as many replicas as she wishes, all clustered about her and free to take a single dice action of their choice, unravelling with a scouring tear of impossibility at the end of the turn. They may not split their dice pools. For each replica she creates, she pays motes of Essence equal to twice the number of copies of her already present, including her real self. Note that whilst Solar extra attack Charms are often errata’d to half cost, this Charm is deliberately not, due to its increased flexibility. The replicas have the same abilities, appearance and condition as the Infernal, but any wounds received by them are not conferred to the Infernal.

Copper Vigil Of The Warden

• Cost: 5 motes
• Duration: One scene
• Type: Simple
• Minimum Athletics: 4
• Minimum Essence: 3
• Prerequisite Charms: Uncounted Progeny Stance

The Infernal steels her limbs and arcs them about in sinuous circuits, ready for attack from whatever angle. While enacting this Stance, the Infernal cannot be surprised and may make a reflexive counterattack, using the Ability of her choice, against any attack targeting her.

Indulgent Amber Harmony

• Cost: 5 motes
• Duration: One scene
• Type: Simple
• Minimum Athletics: 4
• Minimum Essence: 3
• Prerequisite Charms: Uncounted Progeny Stance

The Infernal attunes herself to the whims of her body, and echoes its desires with her languid movements. When this Stance is being used, any dice she receives from channelling Sins are treated as automatic successes.

Manifest of Adamant Definition

• Cost: 5 motes
• Duration: One scene
• Type: Simple
• Minimum Athletics: 4
• Minimum Essence: 3
• Prerequisite Charms: Uncounted Progeny Stance

Aligning her movements with inner truths, the Infernal brings her anima into iconic display. Whilst the Stance is in effect, her actions are bold, implacable and as irrefutable as those truths. Dice pools for opposing the Infernal’s actions are reduced by her Essence.

Messenger’s Imposition Of Burning Phosphor

• Cost: 5 motes
• Duration: One scene
• Type: Simple
• Minimum Athletics: 4
• Minimum Essence: 3
• Prerequisite Charms: Uncounted Progeny Stance

Her eyes dancing wildly, her actions wild and provocative, the Infernal draws all attention upon herself. Whilst she remains within the throes of this Stance, anyone wishing to devote attention to anything but her must succeed at a reflexive Conviction roll in order to do so.

Agony’s Expression In Brimstone

• Cost: 5 motes
• Duration: One scene
• Type: Simple
• Minimum Athletics: 4
• Minimum Essence: 3
• Prerequisite Charms: Uncounted Progeny Stance

After a moment of silent contemplation, the Infernal unlocks all repression and succumbs to her internal anguish. Limbs tensing and writhing in turn, she finds total abandon. Whilst in the throes of this Stance, an Infernal can feel no greater pain, pleasure or delirium; they do not suffer die penalties from injuries, poison or disease. Furthermore, any attempts to influence their emotional state, magical or otherwise, automatically fail.

Cavortance With Silver Reflections

• Cost: 5 motes
• Duration: One scene
• Type: Simple
• Minimum Athletics: 4
• Minimum Essence: 3
• Prerequisite Charms: Uncounted Progeny Stance

As the Infernal enters this Stance, she draws close to the subject of her attention, her movements intimate even as they may be hostile, her words sweet nothings in their ears. That person becomes the Infernal’s partner until their demise or the conclusion of this Stance; as they are drawn together beyond the weavings of fate, none can influence them, though they remain visible and tangible. Attacks come wide, and attempts to communicate are ignored or misunderstood. Creatures with a higher Essence than the Infernal are free to act without these restrictions.

Refining Wisdom As Glass

• Cost: 5 motes
• Duration: One scene
• Type: Simple
• Minimum Athletics: 4
• Minimum Essence: 3
• Prerequisite Charms: Uncounted Progeny Stance

With wisdom comes the ability to influence with less effort. Standing limp, head lowered, the Infernal extends her strength through Essence flows instead. Whilst this Stance remains in effect, the Infernal need not move her lips to speak, nor her arms to attack someone. Anything the Infernal could do something normally (she must be unbound and within reach), she may do so without visible effect. Use of All-Encompassing Sorceror’s Sight or similar Charms will reveal her roiling Essence enacting her actions on her behalf.

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Feedback

I would *love* the second Charm tree if it wasn't comprised almost entirely of nonstackable scenelongs. ;) Basing around Stances or whatever is cool, but I think filling the tree up with them might be a little overdoing it. Plus, some of them are a little confusing. Only a few say "Stance" in the name, and is a Dance the same thing as a Stance? ;) I would suggest perhaps using the first tree as a base and tossing some of the more esoteric Charms of the second tree in at higher points. ~ Grandmasta

Good call! I'll set to work on an amalgamated tree...DeathBySurfeit

Perhaps the 2nd tree might fit into... Socialise? Or Bureaucracy, as the 2nd charmtree seems to emulate how Malfeas works (sub-elements of personality, etc). Just a suggestion.
-- Darloth