(M) Guardian

Attribute: Influence
Type: Defend
Time: One Action

Description: This skill is used to protect another with the power of the character’s faith, blocking melee or ranged attacks with an upraised palm. The target must be within a range of 1 yard per 2 points in the skill tree and the attack is turned away as if blocked. The use of this skill begins a communal state.

Prerequisites: The (E) Aegis skill, the (E) Sanctify skill, and eight points in the skill tree

(E) Smite

Attribute: Influence
Type: Attack
Time: One Action

Description: Characters use this skill to call upon the deity or entity to bring their wrath down on an opponent. On a successful skill check, a target within a range of 1 yard per point in the skill tree is knocked prone and inflicted with a fatigue state that lasts for one round per 2 points in the skill tree, beginning immediately and ending at the end of the expiration round. The target gets a Stamina save with a -1 modifier per 3 points in the skill tree to resist the Smite, with the knockdown affecting up to large-sized beings. The use of this skill begins a communal state.

Prerequisites: The rebuke skill and four points in the skill tree

Tithing

Attribute: Influence
Type: Utility
Time: One Action

Description: This skill is used to take a contribution of life energy from a target for the benefit of the character. With a successful skill check, a number of health points equal to the skill tree rank (Novice), or a number of body points equal to the number of points in the skill tree (Expert) may be taken from a donor to heal the character at a 1:1 rate. An unwilling donor gets a Stamina save to resist. If the skill check fails or the target saves, there is no transfer. How this skill is used depends greatly on the dogma of the deity or entity and could have dire consequences. The use of this skill begins a communal state.

Specialization: (Required) Deity or entity

(E) Intercede

Attribute: Influence
Type: Defend
Time: One Action

Description: This skill is used to call upon the deity or entity to stop a target from attacking a specific individual. On a successful skill check, the target cannot attack the protected individual for one round per 4 points in the skill tree and can choose to attack another or wait out the effect. Should the protected individual attack that target, the effect is broken. It can only be used against a specific target one time per encounter. The use of this skill begins a communal state.

Prerequisites: The Aegis skill and four points in the skill tree

(E) Heal

Attribute: Constitution
Type: Utility
Time: One Action

Description: Those with this skill can lay on hands to absorb significant wounds, healing the target while taking on their body damage. The character can choose to exchange any number of body points and heal the target at a 1:1 ratio, though upon taking on the damage, they immediately enter a damaged condition (-4 modifier to all actions). The target’s damaged condition is not removed unless all body damage is healed. The use of this skill begins a communal state.

Prerequisites: The Offering skill and four points in the skill tree

Offering

Attribute: Constitution
Type: Utility
Time: One Action

Description: A character with this skill can lay on hands to transfer minor wounds, healing the target while taking on their health damage. The character can choose to exchange any number of health points at a 1:1 rate. The use of this skill begins a communal state.

Specialization: (Required) Deity or entity

Cure

Attribute: Constitution
Type: Utility
Time: Two Actions

Description: Those with this skill can lay hands on a target to draw a disease or poison out and into themselves. The ally is immediately cured of the effect, and the character gets a save against it, with a +1 modifier per two points in the skill tree. If the save fails, the character suffers the effects until they pass or are relieved. The use of this skill begins a communal state.

Specialization: (Required) Deity or entity

Aegis

Attribute: Influence
Type: Defend
Time: One Action

Description: Characters with this skill are protected by their faith and, when communing with their deity, can block attacks with only an upraised palm. They are able to turn away ranged attacks (Novice), melee attacks (Expert), and ranged or melee attacks when On-Guard and magical attacks (Master). The use of this skill begins a communal state.

Specialization: (Required) Deity or entity

Furrow

Attribute: Strength
Type: Attack
Time: One Action

Description: With this skill, a character can make sweeping attacks with a pole weapon. It can be used to attack all targets in a frontal 180º arc within reach of the weapon at no modifier, make a spinning attack to strike all targets in a 360º arc around the character within reach of the weapon at a difficult (-4) modifier, or strike at the legs (with a called shot modifier) to make a trip attack at targets in a frontal 90º arc (Reaction save to negate the trip attack). Characters can choose to change their facing by spending one free action to take up to a 90º pivot. Because of its aggressive nature, this attack action may not be used with a defensive stance or the On-Guard defense, and the use of it negates any defensive modifiers gained by skill-based stances, i.e. Defensive form, Counter form, etc. On a successful skill check, the target is hit and may defend normally; if the skill check fails or the target makes a successful defend, the attack misses.

Specializations: (Required) Proficient weapon(s) with reach capabilities

(E) Deadly Strike

Attribute: Strength
Type: Attack
Time: One Action

Description: A character with this skill can make a ferocious, forceful attack with the intent of destroying a foe. For this attack, the Strength modifier for weapon damage is increased by one per two points in the skill tree. Due to its aggressive nature, this attack action may not be used with a defensive stance or the On-Guard defense, and the use of it negates any defensive modifiers gained by skill-based stances, i.e. Defensive form, Counter form, etc. On a successful skill check, the target is hit and may defend normally. It may be used with any Novice attack skill in this tree, with all related and general combat modifiers applied normally. If the skill check fails or the target successfully defends, the attack misses.

Prerequisites: Four points in the skill tree

Wither

Description:  Those targeted with this spell are magically aged to an elderly state for their particular race. While under the effects of the spell, all attack, defend, and move skills have a difficult (-4) modifier, move rates are cut in half, and all armor ratings are reduced by 2. If the caster fails to maintain the spell or the target moves out of the caster’s spell reach, the effect ends immediately. The material component is a cut of rotting scalp from a corpse dead for at least a year that is held in the palm and consumed in the casting.

Visage of the Dead

Description:  This spell is used to shape death energies to camouflage signs of undeath for a period of time. The Death Eater gets a defend save based on Casting Rank to Observation and Search skills to notice the signs of undeath, with the duration based on the Constitution score and character rank, i.e., Novice – minutes, Expert – hours, Master – days. Alternatively, it can be used to create a ghostly image of a specific person, mimicking their voice in the apparition, or allow the caster can take on the image and project the voice of a recently deceased person. Those who choose to disbelieve the illusion will get a Willpower save to see through the ruse. The material component is a strip of death shroud and piece of dead flesh (used up) that is held in the palm while casting.

Vampiric Touch

Description:  This spell inflicts the target with death energy and transfers their life energy to the caster. If the target does not make the save, they take up to skill rank damage which is transferred to the caster, healing Health damage first, and then Body damage. Armor is ineffective against the spell. The material component is a humanoid or animal tooth in a small vial of blood, that is consumed upon casting.

Turn Undead

Description:  With this spell, the Death Eater can effectively avert the undead, causing them to stop their current actions and wander away. Undead of a lower character rank get no save and will simply cease whatever actions they are taking and calmly depart the vicinity, while those of equal character rank get a Willpower save to resist. The spell is ineffective against undead of a greater character rank than the Death Eater. So long as there is no contact with them, the undead will ignore everything and everyone in the vicinity of the caster. The material component is a bone wrapped in corpse flesh that is tossed away and consumed during casting.

Terrify

Description:  This spell is used to scare a target so badly that they are able to only stand in place and quake at the sight of the Death Eater. The target is allowed a Willpower save to avoid the effect, but those who succumb are overwhelmed with terror and will stand prone staring wide-eyed at the caster for the remainder of the round and the next, in addition to entering a Fatigue condition while in the presence or vicinity of the Death Eater. While in the prone state, they are susceptible to a kill shot, though if the attack fails, the prone effect ends immediately. The second-round prone effect may be broken with assistance from an ally, requiring one action for the target and ally. The material component is a humanoid eye that is held in the palm and consumed during the casting.

Smother

Description:  The Death Eater can use this spell to literally suffocate those in the area of effect with death energy. When cast, shadowy wisps with no substance reach out from the caster to engulf the area of effect, requiring a Reaction save for anyone in the area. If the save is successful, the targets may use move actions to escape the AoE. However, anyone who enters the AoE after it is cast but while it is being maintained, is subject to the spell effect. Anyone caught in the area at the end of the round becomes trapped and begins to drown in the death energies, requiring a Stamina save each round, with a progressive -2 modifier each round. A failed save indicates that the target has passed out and, without assistance, will regain consciousness six rounds after the effect ends. If the caster fails to maintain the spell or the target moves out of the caster’s spell reach, the effect ends immediately. The material component is a used death shroud wrapped around the caster’s throat.

Horror

Description:  With this spell, the Death Eater can horrify a target within the range of the spell that spreads to affect all in the AoE. Any who fail the save run off screaming in a random direction for the duration of the spell without concern for anything but getting away from the caster. The spell has a difficult (-4) modifier to cast, giving the target a difficult (-4) save to resist. After the duration ends, any target affected by the spell is left in a Fatigue condition while in the general vicinity and presence of the Death Eater. The material components are a death mask worn by the caster and a small vial of urine that is poured out and used up during the casting.

Gore Gloves

Description:  With this spell, the Death Eater can cause blood-covered bones to grow out of the flesh of their hands, forming living cestus that can be used to make unarmed melee attacks. Claw attacks are made with the Casting skill (Str+6, magic damage, SF 4, Crit 1, Small Size) and require the caster to have a Weapon Proficiency in Gore Gloves. The gloves can take whatever form the caster desires, so long as they maintain a small size, and once the casting state ends, the gloves and the spell must be recast. The material component is a small amount of the caster’s blood, either stored in a vial or from a small wound.

Death’s Shadow

Description:  This spell is used to afflict a living being with death energy, disrupting their life force with the chill touch of the grave. The spell causes sixteen (16) points of damage, if the target takes any damage, their flesh immediately turns cool and pallid, putting them in a Fatigue condition until that damage is healed. All damage saves are made against the Magic Armor total (Constitution plus relevant armor plus bonus modifiers) casters add their Basic Hits to the armor total against spells from the same magic foundation. Those who die while under the effect of this spell will immediately rise as a feeder and attack the nearest living being. The material components are a piece of used death shroud (used up) and a chunk of a gravestone or a coffin nail held in the palm during casting.

Control Undead

Description:  With this spell, Death Eaters can take control of and issue commands to any rotter of lower rank within range, temporarily bringing it into their employ. The effect is instant and there is no save. A rotter will remain under the caster’s influence for the duration of the spell, and while a broken spell may provoke an attack from the undead, most often they will either wander away or remain nearby, docile unless provoked. If trying to usurp control over a rotter that is under the control of another caster, that caster is allowed a Willpower save to retain control and becomes aware of the attempt. The material component is a cut of corpse flesh (used up) and a link from an iron chain that is held in the palm during casting.

Animate Skeleton

Description: The Death Eater uses this spell to raise and control the skeleton of a corpse with death energy, directing it with simple commands. Any dead humanoid may be raised in this manner, with any remaining flesh dissipating into dust. These skeletons are marionettes, whose threat rating is based on the caster’s Character Rank, i.e., Novice – Brute, Expert – Hunter, Master – Warling, though casters may attempt to animate a more powerful skeleton with a progressive -4 modifier per threat rank increase. Whether moving or standing still, the bones clack but make no other noise. If the caster fails to maintain the spell or the skeleton moves out of the caster’s spell reach, the skeleton collapses into a pile of bones unless the caster collects three bones and wires them together while the spell is being maintained. So long as this bone armature is kept intact and the skeleton remains within the caster’s spell reach, the death energy does not dissipate, and the caster need only hold the armature to issue commands. The material component is an intact atlas vertebrae placed at the base of the skull that is used up in the casting.

Shield Bash

Attribute: Strength
Type: Attack
Time: One Action

Description: This skill is used to make a sharp or forceful straight-arm punch attack with a physical shield, based on character rank. At Novice rank, characters may make one shield bash attack after weapon SF with no off-hand attack penalties. At Expert rank, characters can make up to two shield bash attacks after weapon SF (up to shield SF) with no off-hand attack penalties and if the target takes damage from the attack, a Stamina save is required to avoid being stunned for the remainder of the round. At Master rank, if the target takes damage from the attack, a Stamina save is required to avoid being staggered for the remainder of the round and the next round. The number of shield bash attacks cannot exceed the total number of actions in the round. On a successful skill check, the target is hit and may defend normally; if the skill check fails or the target makes a successful defend, the attack misses.

Specializations: (Required) Specific type of physical shield, i.e. small, medium, large, etc.

Dualist Stance

Attribute: Knowledge
Type: Utility
Time: N/A

Description: A combat style employing two weapons. Imposing and dynamic, it allows the combatant to make a full round of weapon attacks, allowing characters to use the full speed factor of each weapon (within the total number of available actions in the round), and potentially causing two different types of damage. Learners are instructed in two forms that carry specific attack/defend modifiers. The Balanced form offers no modifiers and used to assess threats or in group tactics. The Break Guard form is an assertive stance that offers a greater chance to hit with a +4 modifier to attack, but a -2 modifier to defend; its daunting nature gives opponents a -2 modifier to defend, while the attacker is wielding two proficient melee weapons. During combat the forms can be changed at the start of each round, but may not be changed during the round, carrying over to the next round if no change is announced. It may be used with any attack or defend skills in the tree, and the modifiers stack with all combat modifiers (including off-hand penalties). Only one stance may be purchased during character generation, but others can be selected as the character advances.

Specializations: (Required) Proficient weapon

Form              Attack/Defend
Break Guard            +4/-2
-defender has            –/-2

Punch

Attribute: Agility
Type: Attack
Time: One Action

Description: Those with this skill can make damaging or disabling attacks to the upper body causing physical damage equal to [Strength] + [Basic Hits]. All punch attacks have a speed factor of 4, a critical hit range of 1, and the difficulty to hit is based on location and damage type (blunt or disable). While this skill may be advanced normally, it may not be used with any Expert or Master level combat skills.

Specialization: None

Kick

Attribute: Agility
Type: Attack
Time: One Action

Description: A character with this skill can make damaging or disabling attacks to the midsection, lower limbs, or those low to the ground or prone, causing damage equal to [Strength] + [Basic Hits] +2. All kick attacks have a speed factor of 2 and a critical hit range of 1, and the difficulty to hit is based on location and damage type (blunt or disable). While this skill may be advanced normally, it may not be used with any Expert or Master level combat skills.

Specialization: None

Layering, Active

Attribute: Knowledge
Type: Utility
Time: N/A

Description: This skill is used to protect against spell interrupts. After successfully casting an Active Duration spell with any Casting skill in this tree, the caster can layer the same spell with this skill, maintaining the spell through any disrupt, including dispelling, moving out of range, loss of concentration, failing to use an action to maintain, etc., for one round per layer added. The spell effect ends if the caster does not maintain the original casting after all added spell layers expire. So long as the target is under the effect of the original casting, there is no save against the layered spell, and there is no limit to the number of times a spell can be layered. Spell details can be found in the Core Rules: Magic Users section.

Tactical Use: After a Hold spell is cast and the target fails the Willpower save, the effect is activated. In the next round, a second Hold spell is cast on the same target, adding a layer; if a Dispel is used or the caster fails to maintain the spell, moves out of range, etc., the spell continues into the next round and that layer is lost, leaving only the original casting which must be maintained normally.

Specialization: (Required) Magical Foundation, i.e. Mystic, Land Strider, Wind Rider, Fire Walker, Wave Runner

Chromatic Hand

Description:  This spell allows the caster to create a hand of shimmering magic of the same color and/or texture as their focus object. When cast, it can be used to make an immediate punch attack, causing twenty (20) points of magic damage, make a push attack to a target prone, or lift or hurl objects up to the caster’s carrying capacity a distance equal to the Influence score in yards, causing ten (10) points of damage plus the weight modifier. While the spell is being maintained, the caster may spend one action (in addition to any active spell maintenance requirements) to take any of the described actions once per round to affect any targets in the locus, though hurling objects requires a casting skill check to hit. A Reaction save and move are required to escape the area of effect, and targets must use a defend action to avoid hurled objects. The spell effect ends immediately if the caster doesn’t maintain the spell or moves away from the locus, past the caster’s spell reach.

Fire Fist

Description:  With this spell, the caster can create a flaming fist in the same color as their focus object, that strikes from above. The fist causes twenty (20) points of elemental damage to all in an area equal to the Influence score /2, which sets the locus area on fire, causing twenty (20) points of elemental damage the next round and for each subsequent round the spell is maintained. A Reaction save and move is required to avoid the flaming fist; afterward, move actions are required to escape the AoE fire. The spell effect ends immediately if the caster doesn’t maintain the spell or moves away from the locus, past the caster’s spell reach.

Ice Hand

Description:  Casters with this spell can fashion a hand of ice of the same color as the focus object. It can be used to make punch attacks, causing 20 points of magic damage, grab opponents and crush them causing 12 points of elemental damage, or lift or hurl objects up to the caster’s carrying capacity a distance equal to the Influence score in yards, causing ten (10) points of impact damage plus the weight modifier. While the spell is being maintained, the caster may spend one action (in addition to any active spell maintenance requirements) to take any of the described actions once per round to affect any targets in the locus, though hurling objects requires a casting skill check to hit and grabbed targets may attempt to escape, requiring two actions to grab and crush. A Reaction save and move are required to escape the area of effect, and targets must use a defend action to avoid hurled objects. The spell effect ends immediately if the caster doesn’t maintain the spell or moves away from the locus, past the caster’s spell reach.

Galeforce Fist

Description:  A caster with this spell can produce a fist made of powerful winds the color of the focus objects to strike targets in an area equal to the Influence score in yards. Those struck are thrown 10 yards into the air and 10 yards back, taking D20+10 falling damage (Elemental damage) and knocked prone. While the spell is being maintained, the caster may spend one action (in addition to any active spell maintenance requirements) to move the locus and affect any targets in range. Targets must make a Reaction save and take a move action to get out of the AoE. The effect ends immediately if the caster doesn’t maintain the spell.

Ground Strike

Description:  Those with this spell are able to cause a series of stone fists of the same color and/or texture as the focus object to shoot up from the ground, striking those in the AoE. A number of fists equal to the Influence score strikes each target, causing 4 points of impact damage times the number of fists, i.e., 8 stone fists cause 32 impact damage, 9 stone fists cause 36 impact damage, etc., for each round while the spell is maintained A Reaction save and move is required to avoid the initial attack and escape the AoE; afterward, move actions are required to escape the AoE.

Chromatic Chain

Description:  This spell can be used to temporarily immobilize animals, enemies, and monsters. Targets are held in place with a series of chains of the same color and/or texture as the caster’s focus object, remaining aware of their surroundings but unable to move or speak. If the caster fails to maintain the spell or moves out of the spell reach, the effect ends immediately. Anyone who makes contact with an affected target is subject to the spell effects as above, making the effect stronger and increasing its brightness, and adding a progressive -2 save modifier per affected target to others who make contact with an affected individual. In addition, once four or more targets are affected, the brightness of the effect will temporarily blind anyone within the spell reach. When layered, the progressive modifier increases by 2 for each affected target, i.e., one affected target -4, two affected targets -8, etc. Those under the effect of this spell are not subject to a kill shot. If the caster fails to maintain the spell or moves out of the spell’s reach, the effect ends immediately for all affected targets.

Cyclone

Description:  When cast, animals, enemies, or monsters are temporarily trapped in a micro tornado, causing them to rapidly spin around, putting them in a fatigue condition (-2 modifier to all attack, defend, or move actions) that lasts three rounds for each round spent under the spell effect. If the caster fails to maintain the spell or moves out of the spell’s reach, the effect ends immediately. Anyone who makes contact with an affected target immediately breaks the effect, because of this, those under the effect of this spell are not subject to kill shots. When layered, each casting must be interrupted individually to break the effect of the spell.

Ring of Fire

Description:  Those with this spell are able to trap animals, enemies, and monsters in a fiery band, which causes twelve (12) points of elemental damage each round, on top of the other effects. Targets are bound in fire of the same color as the caster’s focus object, remaining aware of their surroundings but unable to move or speak. When layered, the total amount of elemental damage increases by four (4) per additional casting. If the caster fails to maintain the spell or moves out of the spell’s reach, the effect ends immediately. Anyone who makes contact with an affected target takes the elemental damage and immediately breaks the spell effect. Because of this, those under the effect of this spell are not subject to kill shots.

Roots

Description:  With this spell, the caster summons a series of roots, either stone or plant-based, to coil around the target, temporarily immobilizing animals, enemies, or monsters. The roots take on the same color and/or texture as the caster’s focus object, and while remaining aware of their surroundings those affected are unable to move. Anyone who makes contact with an affected target is subject to the spell effects as above, increasing the number of roots, making the effect stronger, and adding a progressive -2 save modifier per affected target to others who make contact with an affected individual, i.e., one affected target -2. two affected targets -4, etc. When layered, the progressive modifier increases by 2 for each affected target, i.e., one affected target -4, two affected targets -8, etc. Those under the effect of this spell are not subject to a kill shot. If the caster fails to maintain the spell or moves out of the spell’s reach, the effect ends immediately for all affected targets.

Submersion

Description:  This spell engulfs an animal, enemy, or monster in a sheath of water that holds them in place and causes them to begin drowning after two rounds. Targets get a save on their initiative turn each round to avoid the drowning effect. If the caster fails to maintain the spell or moves out of the spell reach, the effect ends immediately, at which point the sheath pops, splashing to the ground and leaving the target soaked. In addition to standard spell interrupts, if the sheath is struck from the outside with a sharp weapon, the caster gets a save against the casting skill. If the check fails, the sheath pops, subjecting those in melee to the water splash. When layered, each casting must be interrupted or popped individually to break the spell. Those under the effect of this spell are not subject to kill shots.

Lightning Ball

Description:  This spell is used to surround the target with a ball of lightning causing sixteen (16) points of damage. The effect lasts four rounds, but on the fourth round, the ball will discharge sheets of lightning in all directions, causing twenty-four (24) points of damage to anyone in an area equal to the Influence score /2, with a Reaction save to reduce the damage by half. The ball of lightning engulfs the target and remains on them for the duration of the spell. All damage saves are made against the Magic Armor total (Basic Hits plus relevant armor plus bonus modifiers).

Chromatic Charge

Description:  Those with this spell can engulf a target with a volatile burst of magic that causes sixteen (16) points of damage. The effect lasts four rounds, but on the fourth round, the magic detonates causing twenty-four (24) points of damage to anyone in an area equal to the Influence score /2, with a Reaction save to reduce the damage by half. The spell appears as a colorful, pulsating symbol that grows more complex with each round before finally exploding in a display of light and sound. All damage saves are made against the Magic Armor total (Basic Hits plus relevant armor plus bonus modifiers).