"Hmm? Oh, I could go for some steak and eggs. Do you think there's really any good food in this dirthole, though?""The ears? Yeah, there was surgery. It's not that hard. The worst was when they had to slice off the ears I already had, and a joint off the top of my fingers. See, I got claws now. Cool, huh? Anyways, after that it was all just waiting around and sleeping a lot, they don't want ya to move while the stuff grows in an' integrates with your nerves. The stuff doesn't come fully grown, it's like a jelly of organic stuff over a mesh to give it eventual structure, so I couldn't really do anything but sit around and play videogames for a couple months. Ah, it was fine, though, I had a backlog to get through."The merc tilts her head when Fransesca asks if she would want more mods.
"Nah, why would I want that? I've already got the best one.As they get closer to the Bistro, Fransesca notes that it's of sturdier foundation than the other buildings, made from high quality masonry rather than somewhat cruder hand-molded bricks. In terms of architectural style, it seems as though it's been transplanted here from somewhere else. She directs her attention towards the base of the building, and notes that the foundation appears to be
floating about half a foot over the muddy ground. The difference isn't that immediately notable, but... that's not normal.
Of course, Fransesca is not deterred by this fresh mystery. She pushes open the front door, making the chimes attached jingle. Inside there's a counter and some tables, and absolutely nobody is about.
"Huh. I guess they're not open? But- eh, that much be it. Let's go somewhere else, okay kid?"Before the bodyguard can turn around to leave, though, a female voice fills the room from ceiling-mounted speakers.
"Greetings, magical organic, and... organic. I am The Dragon. It is good to see you. Feel free to walk my halls."Oh. Well, do you have steak and eggs? I'm hungry.The voice pauses for a moment.
...Yes. Have a seat.As the mercenary takes a seat at the bar, another girl walks in, who is described like this:
Slight of frame, Anna-Leigh is slightly on the taller side for her family - but this is saying only that she'd come just short of average. Long fingered and slim boned, Anna-Leigh tends to neutral or contemplative expressions - and her poor vision since birth means that while her facial expressions are honest - she's terrible at reading them and her own are a bit... off. Shy by nature, and having spent much of her young life training as a weaver, she rarely draws attention to herself and is often half-shied back from any significant grouping of people.
[Gained Knife, Snacks]
Anna-Leigh makes her excuses to her mother. She feels her mother's gaze look through her, sharp. But not cold.
"Stay safe. You can tell me about it after."
Then, she's out in the world. The distant lights have faded now, but Anna-Leigh remembers the way to the brightest of the nearby ones. The thought of using the same... power as last time is exhausting, but she doesn't need it. She just needs to focus and use her senses, including the new ones.
Soon, she's standing before a strange place, a restaurant that doesn't belong here. She's sure that she doesn't know anybody in the village who runs it, or who's visited. This isn't the strange part, the strange part is how the entire building seems to her new sense, blazing with power and purpose, a vivid green. Strength, and gentleness, and... a cloak. Despite all the power, something hidden away.
Hand trembling, she opens the door and steps inside.
Within, she finds another girl, who is described like this:
Taller than average, and a little overweight. She wears white pants, a heavy belt, and a long white coat, all festooned with many pockets and pouches--half of which tend to be filled at any given moment. She only ever wears heavy boots (much to the chagrin of the maids), and of course, she's virtually always wearing a smile; you're never full dressed without one, after all!
There's also an armed thug sitting at the bar, apparently waiting for food.
"Huh? Who-"Violet turns to face the bot, and nearly leaps.
"W-what's that? Is it a bomb?"Spice waves awkwardly at the girl. It speaks in a different manner now, with the scratchiness of a well-worn speaker rather than the crackle of radio.
"A-ah, my apologies, miss, I am Spice. A- ah, interstellar magical robotic alien visitor? I must apologize-""You came from space? What planet are you from? Can you tell me more about it?""Well, certainly!.. Some other time. You see, we really must be going, time is of the essence!" It looks hopefully at Icatrina, as if prompting her to support this notion.
[Extortion 3d6: 8 Charisma+1 Rat+1 = 10]
The rat flinches back and hesitates, as if slightly incredulous that Kora's not already beating the snot out of him.
"I-I'll do anything! Please, let me help you, uhh, somehow!"
Not very creative or proactive. Still, he looks absolutely terrified, so Kora could probably give him some direction and he'll follow it. At least until his pea-brain forgets how scary she is.
[Gained 'Follower']
Diane quickly summons up a handful more tanks to be buddies for the one. They're easy enough to make, but she does feel a slight bit of exertion.
[-1 Mana]
She tries to mentally command the tank to fire. She tries, really, really hard! It doesn't seem to work, though.
"C'mon, just shoot."
One of the tanks does a little salute and then spits out a pea-sized sphere of metal without much force. The other tanks do a little cheer and shoot as well.
Next she gathers her power to try to make a tiny little squirrel. Just visualizing it is a bit harder than with the tank, with smooth organic lines and countless tiny hairs and... something like its own life, independence, the ability to perceive and choose.
[Creation 3d6: 11 Virtuous+1, Difficulty-2 = 10]
[-1 Mana]
The creation appears at first like a tiny lump of something glowing, faintly. Something not quite a mathematical solid, something alive, pulsing. It grows, bit by bit, expanding by strands and lumps, until there's something like a tiny, tiny, tiny fetus of something animal-shaped, pulsing with its own strange life. Then it starts to unfold, drawing from its surroundings, a strand grabs from the created tanks, from the dust, from the window and the windowsill, and a tiny needle pricks into Diane's hand, leaving a single drop of blood to roll down. And the thing, whatever it is, takes in all of these things and changes, shifts through hues. Brown and green and blinding white and an odd purple. And it unfolds. And unfurls it's limbs.
Standing there on the windowsill is a living thing which is possibly not really anything like a tiny squirrel. Its gaze meets its creator's.
And then it opens the window and jumps out, disappearing.
[Command 3d6: 11 Virtuous+1, Charisma+1 Impossibility-2 = 11]
[-3 Mana]
The chains rear up defiantly in response. Their rattling is a scream.
WEA desperate plea for understanding.
CANNOTThey let go.
REACHThe chains dangle inverted, facing the sky. They are not enough. These are beings of the earth, bound to the earth, they cannot reach the sky! The sky, where the great predator-wasp dwells! The difference is a physical constant, or at least, it is to them.
Exhausted, the grains of stone and asphalt fall to the earth. They cannot be what they were meant to be, so they cease to be.
[Intuition 3d6: 8 Awareness+1 = 9]
Seven isn't sure what to make of that. However, the vile flying machine remains undefeated, for now.
[Aggro: 4]
The buzzing beast cries out once more with the same voice Seven heard cry out in rage.
"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT, JENKINS? WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUCK THAT WAS,
SIR? WELL LOOK IT UP IN YOUR GAY LITTLE DICTIONARY JENKINS!!"
Stats:
Strength: +0
Endurance: +0
Agility: +0
Awareness: +1
Charisma: +1
Knowledge: +1
Health: Fine!
Mana: 20/20
Inventory:
Plain Clothing
Backpack of odds and ends
Water Bottle
Military Rations x5
Powers:
Radio Telepathy: No cost. Instinctual, Capillary.
Allows for telepathic communication with other magical beings. Also allows one to listen in on mundane radio transmissions. Telepathic transmissions are in turn detectable by mundane means, but are instinctively encrypted, sounding like jumbled static though mundane technology.
Magical Form: 1 Mana to transform, 0 to revert to mundane form. Instinctual, Transformation.
A basic and safe form of transformation magic which lightly modifies your body and soul to better carry magic. While in a magical form, any other magic you use is much stronger, but your mundane abilities are a bit weaker, due to being detached from such concerns. In addition, you will be much more noticeable and possibly identifiable as a magical being. If you lose consciousness or run out of mana, you will harmlessly revert to your mundane form.
Cheap Heal: 1 Mana per use. Simple, Amorphous, Generative.
Allows you to touch someone and rapidly regenerate their body into an "ideal" shape. Cheap and effective. Will nearly instantly close wounds, restore organs, and even regrow limbs, but is less effective at nullifying illness or toxins. This power relies on aspects from friendliness and kindness, and will not function if one bears intent to harm the target. This power becomes much cheaper in mana when used by a soul suffused in kindness.
Shield: 1 Mana for first Layer, N+1 for each additional Layer, Concentration. Lattice.
One of the more complex powers taught to beginners, due to its excellent ability to prevent loss of life. The user is surrounded as long as they concentrate in a shining lattice of runes which protect them from any one 'hit': whether a fist, bullet, or point-blank explosion. Regardless of how much damage is absorbed, the shield will immediately shatter. Multiple layers of shield may be active at once, but the cost increases for each. The shield protects a bit more area than just your own body, allowing allies to take cover as well, but making it harder to dodge attacks entirely.
Stats:
Strength: +0
Endurance: +1
Agility: +1
Awareness: +1
Charisma: +0
Knowledge: +0
Health: Fine!
Mana: 18/20
Inventory:
Plain Clothing
Backpack of odds and ends
Water Bottle
Military Rations x5
Powers:
Radio Telepathy: No cost. Instinctual, Capillary.
Allows for telepathic communication with other magical beings. Also allows one to listen in on mundane radio transmissions. Telepathic transmissions are in turn detectable by mundane means, but are instinctively encrypted, sounding like jumbled static though mundane technology.
Magical Form: 1 Mana to transform, 0 to revert to mundane form. Instinctual, Transformation.
A basic and safe form of transformation magic which lightly modifies your body and soul to better carry magic. While in a magical form, any other magic you use is much stronger, but your mundane abilities are a bit weaker, due to being detached from such concerns. In addition, you will be much more noticeable and possibly identifiable as a magical being. If you lose consciousness or run out of mana, you will harmlessly revert to your mundane form.
Improvise!: ? Mana per use. Instinctual, Amorphous, Lattice.
Magic can do anything! Why not give it a try? Channeling Creativity as a way of mimicking other aspects, Diane can bring into existence anything that she can imagine, to the extent that she can indeed imagine that thing. Objects created in this way are unstable and temporary, but no less real. A Knowledge roll may be made to determine duration, and a poor roll can result in unpredictable outcomes. Sometimes, it's better to know what you're doing.
Mana Bolt: 1 Mana per bolt. Simple, Amorphous.
Create a dense structure of Mana and then throw it at something. Roughly analogous to throwing a brick at somebody's head, both in terms of simplicity and efficacy. Though an effective weapon against most organics, this basic form of magic lacks the appropriate aspects to exert lethal force. This makes for a good base to learning more effective and expensive attack powers.
Stats:
Strength: +0
Endurance: +0
Agility: +1
Awareness: +2
Charisma: +0
Knowledge: +0
Health: Fine!
Mana: 18/20
Inventory:
Embroidered Salwar Kameez
Backpack of odds and ends
Water Bottle
Military Rations x5
Seam-Ripper knife
Snacks
Powers
Radio Telepathy: No cost. Instinctual, Capillary.
Allows for telepathic communication with other magical beings. Also allows one to listen in on mundane radio transmissions. Telepathic transmissions are in turn detectable by mundane means, but are instinctively encrypted, sounding like jumbled static though mundane technology.
Magical Form: 1 Mana to transform, 0 to revert to mundane form. Instinctual, Transformation.
A basic and safe form of transformation magic which lightly modifies your body and soul to better carry magic. While in a magical form, any other magic you use is much stronger, but your mundane abilities are a bit weaker, due to being detached from such concerns. In addition, you will be much more noticeable and possibly identifiable as a magical being. If you lose consciousness or run out of mana, you will harmlessly revert to your mundane form.
Spellweave: 2 mana per turn. Instinctual, Capillary, Special.
Anna-Leigh has an instinctual understanding with the waves and strands of magic which surround her. This technique was used by her ancestor long ago, who used it to be a peerless master of the secret, unseen arts. This is just an incomplete version of that power, but it has stupendous potential. While using this power, Anna-Leigh can "catch" powers used by her allies and delay their use, weaving multiple strands and their mana and aspects into a single tapestry spell. As long as this power is maintained, more powers can be added to the tapestry, and the spell will only activate when this power's cost is no longer paid.
Soulsee: No Cost, Concentration. Simple, Capillary.
By concentrating, you're able to directly sense the outer aura of souls as though through a sixth sense. These auras can be brightly seen through smoke or haze, but not through solid objects. By examining someone's aura you can learn about their emotional state and deeper nature, and of course the lack of an aura leads to the conclusion that you're not looking at a human being...
Expensive Mage Sense: 2 Mana per use, Concentration. Capillary.
You are deeply attuned to the magical world and are able to visualize your immediate surroundings using your magical senses alone. You are also able to see human soul auras through walls and can hunt down magical beings from great distances. This power is said to be the first step on the road to deeply understanding the universe, and it is true that it may shift one's perspective. This power is more expensive owing to its user's inexperience.
Stats:
Strength: +0
Endurance: +1
Agility: +0
Awareness: +1
Charisma: +1
Knowledge: +0
Health: Magical Form
Mana: 14/20
Inventory:
Plain Clothing (A grey jumpsuit, adorned with various patches, pockets, and tassels, sewn on crudely by her own hand. The additions appear to be made with torn-apart copies of the jumpsuit itself.)
Backpack of odds and ends
Water Bottle
Military Rations x5
Powers:
Radio Telepathy: No cost. Instinctual, Capillary.
Allows for telepathic communication with other magical beings. Also allows one to listen in on mundane radio transmissions. Telepathic transmissions are in turn detectable by mundane means, but are instinctively encrypted, sounding like jumbled static though mundane technology.
Magical Form: 1 Mana to transform, 0 to revert to mundane form. Instinctual, Transformation.
A basic and safe form of transformation magic which lightly modifies your body and soul to better carry magic. While in a magical form, any other magic you use is much stronger, but your mundane abilities are a bit weaker, due to being detached from such concerns. In addition, you will be much more noticeable and possibly identifiable as a magical being. If you lose consciousness or run out of mana, you will harmlessly revert to your mundane form.
Binding of Obligation: 2 Mana per use, 3 Mana to maintain. Lattice, Summon.
With a gesture, chains erupt from the ground or walls to entangle and trap your target, preventing it from moving. The chains are very strong and a normal human being will be entirely incapacitated, but the power may fail to fully envelop larger targets. Additionally, the target will have their life and motivation slowly drained out of them, as Seven enforces order on their soul.
Fly: 2 Mana per use, 1 Mana to maintain. Lattice, Infuse.
You sprout a large pair of wings from your shoulder blades and gain the ability to fly. This flight is very fast, making it easy to avoid attacks, but is hard to control in tight spaces. While this flight is powered entirely by magic, the wings are a physical manifestation of the magic, and if they're damaged you'll fall. Thankfully these aren't truly a part of your body and will feel no pain nor shed blood.
Stats:
Strength: +1
Endurance: +1
Agility: +0
Awareness: +0
Charisma: +1
Knowledge: +0
Health: Fine!
Mana: 19/20
Inventory:
Plain Clothing (ragged burlap tunic and knee-length pants tied with a belt of sailor's rope, heavily repaired rope sandals, worn out workman's gloves with patched and padded knuckles)
Backpack of odds and ends
Water Bottle
Military Rations x5
Powers:
Radio Telepathy: No cost. Instinctual, Capillary.
Allows for telepathic communication with other magical beings. Also allows one to listen in on mundane radio transmissions. Telepathic transmissions are in turn detectable by mundane means, but are instinctively encrypted, sounding like jumbled static though mundane technology.
Magical Form: 1 Mana to transform, 0 to revert to mundane form. Instinctual, Transformation.
A basic and safe form of transformation magic which lightly modifies your body and soul to better carry magic. While in a magical form, any other magic you use is much stronger, but your mundane abilities are a bit weaker, due to being detached from such concerns. In addition, you will be much more noticeable and possibly identifiable as a magical being. If you lose consciousness or run out of mana, you will harmlessly revert to your mundane form.
Strength Boost: 2 Mana per use, 1 Mana to maintain. Simple, Infuse.
Even devoid of other aspects, Mana is strength. It's a simple matter to feed that mana back into yourself and make yourself stronger. As long as the boost is active, you're more able to strike, lift, and leap. Be aware that while this can make you faster, you won't have enhanced reflexes to match!
Shield: 1 Mana for first Layer, N+1 for each additional Layer, Concentration. Lattice.
One of the more complex powers taught to beginners, due to its excellent ability to prevent loss of life. The user is surrounded as long as they concentrate in a shining lattice of runes which protect them from any one 'hit': whether a fist, bullet, or point-blank explosion. Regardless of how much damage is absorbed, the shield will immediately shatter. Multiple layers of shield may be active at once, but the cost increases for each. The shield protects a bit more area than just your own body, allowing allies to take cover as well, but making it harder to dodge attacks entirely.
Followers:
Name: his name is "Rat" now, whether he likes it or not
Description: Scrawny raggy 13 year old boy. Particularly useless and untrustworthy.
Health: Bruised
Inventory: Satchel of odd and ends
Stats:
Strength: +0
Endurance: +1
Agility: +0
Awareness: +0
Charisma: +0
Knowledge: +2
Health: Fine!
Mana: 20/20
Inventory:
Plain Clothing
Backpack of odds and ends
Water Bottle
Military Rations x5
Mk.9 Target Pistol
.37 Cal Mk.9 Magazine
Powers:
Radio Telepathy: No cost. Instinctual, Capillary.
Allows for telepathic communication with other magical beings. Also allows one to listen in on mundane radio transmissions. Telepathic transmissions are in turn detectable by mundane means, but are instinctively encrypted, sounding like jumbled static though mundane technology.
Magical Form: 1 Mana to transform, 0 to revert to mundane form. Instinctual, Transformation.
A basic and safe form of transformation magic which lightly modifies your body and soul to better carry magic. While in a magical form, any other magic you use is much stronger, but your mundane abilities are a bit weaker, due to being detached from such concerns. In addition, you will be much more noticeable and possibly identifiable as a magical being. If you lose consciousness or run out of mana, you will harmlessly revert to your mundane form.
Heal: 3 Mana per use. Simple, Amorphous, Generative.
Allows you to touch someone and rapidly regenerate their body into an "ideal" shape. Expensive, but effective. Will nearly instantly close wounds, restore organs, and even regrow limbs, but is less effective at nullifying illness or toxins. This power relies on aspects from friendliness and kindness, and will not function if one bears intent to harm the target.
Soulsee: No Cost, Concentration. Simple, Capillary.
By concentrating, you're able to directly sense the outer aura of souls as though through a sixth sense. These auras can be brightly seen through smoke or haze, but not through solid objects. By examining someone's aura you can learn about their emotional state and deeper nature, and of course the lack of an aura leads to the conclusion that you're not looking at a human being...
Followers:
Name: 'Shadesoul'
Description: A "catmodded" young security guard employed by Francesca's father. Beneath a very thin facade of professionalism, she's an adventurer at heart, which is to say greedy and bloodthirsty. A bit tall, with pink hair and yellow eyes.
Health: slightly high
Inventory: "Unassuming" Business Suit, Bulletproof Vest, N5K SMG, 3x .37 Cal N5K magazine
Author
Topic: Full Metal Dress: Shocking Developments! (Read 3075 times)