MartialArts/StormCrowStyle
Storm Crow Style
By FourWillowsWeeping.
Background
This charm tree is intended, stylistically, to be used with a spear; it is the first of a planned group of Melee styles in the way of Martial Arts styles. (None of which have been written yet; I'm in the process of making flasy color-themed styles for real MA right now).
Charms
Unfurling Banner Flourish</b>
<b>Cost: 3 motes Duration: Instant Type: Reflexive Min. Melee: 2 Min. Essence: 1 Prereqs: None
The Exalt's Essence-guided movements are swift and sure; he assumes the predatory grace of a hunting bird. During the turn this Charm is activated, the character add his Melee to his initiative total; this Charm can be used only once a turn.
Stalking Heron Attitude</b>
<b>Cost: 1 mote per 2 dice Duration: Instant Type: Supplemental Min. Melee: 2 Min. Essence: 1 Prereqs: Unfurling Banner Flourish
Like the heron, the character becomes quick and alert. The character may add 2 dice to any parry attempt per 1 mote spent on this Charm, subject to dicepool enhancement limits. If this Charm is used to add an odd number of dice, the half-mote left over is wasted.
Golden Falcon Meditation</b>
<b>Cost: 5 motes Duration: One scene Type: Simple Min. Melee: 3 Min. Essence: 2 Prereqs: Stalking Heron Attitude
The character charges his weapon and body with Essence, smoothing their movements to effortlessness. Until the end of the scene, he adds his permanent Essence to his initiative total.
Serene Crane Stance</b>
<b>Cost: 5 motes Duration: One scene Type: Simple Min. Melee: 4 Min. Essence: 3 Prereqs: Golden Falcon Meditation
Essence crackles from the character's hands, making his weapon's movements certain as the crane's patient footsteps and irresistible as the wind. Until the end of the scene, he adds his permanent Essence to all parrying dicepools.
Storm Crow Form</b>
<b>Cost: 7 motes, 1 Willpower Duration: One scene Type: Reflexive Min. Melee: 5 Min. Essence: 3 Prereqs: Serene Crane Stance
The character's eyes flash with golden thunder, and Essence pools on the ground around him. While this Charm is in effect, the character may use his full Dexterity + Melee dicepool to parry any incoming attacks that he is aware of. In addition, he may spend Essence to enhance parries on a 1 mote per 2 dice basis. An Exalt can only benefit from the effects of one Form-type Charm at a time; if a new one is activated, the previous Form ends.
Sinuous Tassel Distraction</b>
<b>Cost: 2 motes per 1 additional difficulty Duration: Instant Type: Supplemental Min. Melee: 2 Min. Essence: 1 Prereqs: Unfurling Banner Flourish
The character makes a complex, Essence charged feint with his weapon, which distracts and confuses his opponent. The character's attack is more difficult to parry or dodge as if he had more successes; the character can buy one die of additional difficulty for 2 motes.
Sharpness Lost in Silk</b>
<b>Cost: 5 motes Duration: Instant Type: Simple Min. Melee: 4 Min. Essence: 3 Prereqs: Sinuous Tassel Distraction, Stalking Heron Attitude
The character performs an elaborate, impossibly swift attack, which can be defended against only by Charms which permit characters to avoid attacks of which they are not aware, or by characters with Charm-enchanced vision.
Striking Thunder Prana</b>
<b>Cost: 2 motes Duration: Instant Type: Supplemental Min. Melee: 2 Min. Essence: 3 Prereqs: Unfurling Banner Flourish
The character enhances his attack with a wild burst of Essence; the weapon adds the character's permanent Essence to its damage.
Inevitable Rainfall</b>
<b>Cost: 7 motes Duration: Instant Type: Supplemental Min. Melee: 4 Min. Essence: 3 Prereqs: Striking Thunder Prana
Nothing can avoid being touched by the rain. With this Charm, the character punches through his target's armor; the attack can be soaked only by Stamina.
Ninefold Branching Lightning</b>
<b>Cost: 5 motes, 1 Willpower Duration: Instant Type: Extra Action Min. Melee: 5 Min. Essence: 3 Prereqs: Inevitable Rainfall
The character's weapon leaps and dives as if of its own will; it reaches out to touch all within the warrior's reach, like lightning drawn to trees. The character can make additional attacks this turn equal to his permenent Essence.
Long-Fingered Thunderbolt Technique</b>
<b>Cost: 6 motes, 1 Willpower Duration: Instant Type: Extra Action Min. Melee: 5 Min. Essence: 3 Prereqs: Ninefold Branching Lightning
Essence crackles down the character's weapon, setting the weapon ablaze with golden lightning. If the character hits with an attack, he may make an additional attack to a target no more than Essence yards away. This additional attack carries a -1 dicepool penalty. As long as the character hits, he may continue making attacks, as long as each new target is no more than Essence yards away from the previous. Each subsequent attack carries a penalty 1 greater than the last :-2, -3, et cetera.
