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= The Rift = | = The Rift = | ||
− | ''Here There Be | + | ''Here There Be Dragons'' |
− | A young woman steps into the the sea, the cold biting against her ankles. She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes and plunges her head beneath the surf. She opens her eyes to look upon an empty wasteland, the first thing she feels is a familiarity both comforting and threatening. She smiles as the churning waters force brackish polluted brine down her throat. | + | A young woman steps into the the sea, the cold biting against her ankles. She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes and plunges her head beneath the surf. She opens her eyes to look upon an empty wasteland, the first thing she feels is a familiarity both comforting and threatening. She smiles as the churning waters force brackish polluted brine down her throat. He's old, so very old and so very tired. A fish of enormous proportions, his cilia graciously inhabited by swarms of luminous crustaceans, swims ever deeper. He's returned to the land of his fathers to die. |
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− | He's old, so very old and so very tired. A fish of enormous proportions, his cilia graciously inhabited by swarms of luminous crustaceans, swims ever deeper. He's returned to the land of his fathers to die. | ||
== Getting there == | == Getting there == | ||
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All Leviathans can in theory access the Rift. Water, in its various forms, is a powerful conduit and a Leviathan needs to be submerged in one of its variations to attempt to dive into the Rift. Sea water is the most powerful of these, but in a pinch, clear water, fog or blood can serve. The Storyteller remains final judge of whether or not a Leviathan is "submerged" at the time, but ideally the character should be invisible from those outside the lake, fog bank or other obscuring feature. | All Leviathans can in theory access the Rift. Water, in its various forms, is a powerful conduit and a Leviathan needs to be submerged in one of its variations to attempt to dive into the Rift. Sea water is the most powerful of these, but in a pinch, clear water, fog or blood can serve. The Storyteller remains final judge of whether or not a Leviathan is "submerged" at the time, but ideally the character should be invisible from those outside the lake, fog bank or other obscuring feature. | ||
− | Mechanically, the Leviathan rolls his Sheol + Resolve and spends a point of Ichor and slips into the alternate reality of the Rift. Attempting this in sea water gives a +1 bonus. Blood or natural clear water (lake, river) carries no penalty. Tap water is further removed from the Primordial Waters and therefore carries a -1 dice penalty as does fog or clouds. Water wracked by the fury of a storm is even better, turbulent waters offer a +1 bonus while a true storm or onrushing tidal wave gives +2 | + | Mechanically, the Leviathan rolls his Sheol + Resolve and spends a point of Ichor and slips into the alternate reality of the Rift. Attempting this in sea water gives a +1 bonus. Blood or natural clear water (lake, river) carries no penalty. Tap water is further removed from the Primordial Waters and therefore carries a -1 dice penalty as does fog or clouds. Water wracked by the fury of a storm is even better, turbulent waters offer a +1 bonus while a true storm or onrushing tidal wave gives +2. Other cases are left at the appreciation of the storyteller. The Leviathan can carry other people into the Rift if they are in physical contact with her; one additional success is necessary per extra person. |
− | When diving into the Rift, the Leviathan entirely disappears from the Shore (the real world). He does not carry through any items unless he spends a Willpower point to do so; even then, some items may stubbornly refuse to go through | + | When diving into the Rift, the Leviathan entirely disappears from the Shore (the real world). He does not carry through any items unless he spends a Willpower point to do so; even then, some items may stubbornly refuse to go through. Crossing over creates turmoil: waves, wind, storm or fog may be left behind, possibly making the area (such as a tub of tap water) unsuitable for return. |
− | In some areas, called Gatewaters, the Rift is much closer to our reality. Humans will get sucked in sometimes, and even those who don't are more likely to develop Derangements (these areas give a -1 penalty on all rolls to avoid getting Derangements). Most Gatewaters are in areas deeply associated with water: either on the ocean itself, around certain islands, or in marshes, bogs or river deltas. Crossing through at a Gatewater does not require a point of Ichor. | + | In some areas, called Gatewaters, the Rift is much closer to our reality. Humans will get sucked in sometimes, and even those who don't are more likely to develop Derangements (these areas give a -1 penalty on all rolls to avoid getting Derangements). Most Gatewaters are in areas deeply associated with water: either on the ocean itself, around certain islands, or in marshes, bogs or river deltas. Crossing through at a Gatewater does not require a point of Ichor. |
==Travelling the Rift == | ==Travelling the Rift == | ||
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===The Shallows === | ===The Shallows === | ||
− | In the Shallows individual thoughts take life. The | + | In the Shallows individual thoughts take life. The verity is staggering, every creature is unique and range from entirely natural looking sea life to alien forms never scene outside the tribe. Similar thoughts band together in enormous schools, shoals and colonies ranging from a few dozen members to swarms that stretch for miles. |
− | At a first glance the Shallows are beautiful, with brightly coloured creatures, graceful kelp fields and multihued piles of rocks and sand arranged in dazzling patterns all lit by a roiling light which seems to come from the water itself. Even at this low depth this beauty is just a façade (a popular theory says that like the minds that form it, the Shallows | + | At a first glance the Shallows are beautiful, with brightly coloured creatures, graceful kelp fields and multihued piles of rocks and sand arranged in dazzling patterns all lit by a roiling light which seems to come from the water itself. Even at this low depth this beauty is just a façade (a popular theory says that like the minds that form it, the Shallows try to put it's best face forward). In the Shallows, the real dangers lay hidden in crevasses or disguised amongst the seaweed. |
Of all the Rift it is the shallows that closest resembles the web of life found in the ocean. Here thoughts of rest, of contentment or of safety form vast coral reefs floating free through the depths. Predatory swarms born from thoughts of hunger are a persistent danger while schools of fear and secrecy watch from hidden recesses. | Of all the Rift it is the shallows that closest resembles the web of life found in the ocean. Here thoughts of rest, of contentment or of safety form vast coral reefs floating free through the depths. Predatory swarms born from thoughts of hunger are a persistent danger while schools of fear and secrecy watch from hidden recesses. | ||
− | A “rift biologist” could spend lifetimes charting the interplay of species, wondering if understanding the ecosystem would reveal the inner workings of the mind | + | A “rift biologist” could spend lifetimes charting the interplay of species, wondering if understanding the ecosystem would reveal the inner workings of the mind but to most Leviathans the Shallows, for all it's teeming forms of life, is an empty place lacking the ancient lore and secrets found deeper within the Rift. |
− | ===The | + | ===The First Depth === |
As a Leviathan swims deeper the light begins to dim. Here impulses make their home, it's a hostile dangerous place for the Tribe's impulses are cruel. Here a Leviathan must beware creatures that embody the tribe's desire for conquest, domination or combat. And yet not everything at this Depth is wicked, the impulse to nurture children, to forge community or find a higher purpose in life than the daily struggle to eat or be eaten, these are all represented here. | As a Leviathan swims deeper the light begins to dim. Here impulses make their home, it's a hostile dangerous place for the Tribe's impulses are cruel. Here a Leviathan must beware creatures that embody the tribe's desire for conquest, domination or combat. And yet not everything at this Depth is wicked, the impulse to nurture children, to forge community or find a higher purpose in life than the daily struggle to eat or be eaten, these are all represented here. | ||
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Those Leviathans who seek this layer of the rift usually seek meditation on the impulses that drive them. They hope that by watching each impulse in isolation they will be able to recognise it in themselves and learn to master it; or they seek a positive impulse they can learn to copy and incorporate into their own being. For some it's a religious or spiritual endeavour, for others it's a desperate attempt to regain control over their lives. A successful voyage could justify buying a dot of Resolve, Composure or even Tranquillity. | Those Leviathans who seek this layer of the rift usually seek meditation on the impulses that drive them. They hope that by watching each impulse in isolation they will be able to recognise it in themselves and learn to master it; or they seek a positive impulse they can learn to copy and incorporate into their own being. For some it's a religious or spiritual endeavour, for others it's a desperate attempt to regain control over their lives. A successful voyage could justify buying a dot of Resolve, Composure or even Tranquillity. | ||
− | ===The | + | ===The Second Depth === |
− | Going deeper into the Rift a Leviathan will encounter self images, if not his own than another's. It's a weird place where individual facets of a Leviathan's personality are distorted through perceptions and given form. | + | Going deeper into the Rift a Leviathan will encounter self images, if not his own than another's. It's a weird place where individual facets of a Leviathan's personality are distorted through perceptions and given form. The link between the mind and the rift creatures it creates is strong here, and the tendency towards maritime life isn't absolute. At this Depth one Leviathan's inflated self image becomes a living monument, a statue in the classical style that pulses and contracts as though it's marble skin was the flesh of a beating heart. Another imagines himself to be a just ruler of a noble heritage as so appears as a elegant sea serpent with a crown of golden scales, but he knows this image to be false and so the serpent is marked with weeping diseased sores and it's eyes have the glint of madness. |
− | Usually a Leviathan's self manifests as many independent beings, one is how | + | Usually a Leviathan's self manifests as many independent beings, one is how she sees herself as a ruler, another is how she sees herself as a fighter, or a lover, or a scholar. Sometimes though a Leviathan's entire self image becomes one creature, these creatures vary hugely but always seem to be the sum of many parts. One looks like a ancient and predatory turtle, not too unlike the Leviathan who created it: The shell shows how he sees himself socially, hiding away from others, the jaws represent his guilt for the times he killed and are chipped, rotten things. Another composite takes the form of organs wrapped around a granite skeleton with flayed strips of flesh reaching out like tentacles to seek and devour. These composites are stronger and smarter than the other creatures of this Depth. |
The practical benefits for a Leviathan to find his own self image are limited though ripping apart a bad image might provide catharsis. Finding a rivals self image however can provide useful leverage, the roll to examine one is Wits + Empathy which may be contested by Resistance. This cannot reveal any information except how a Leviathan sees (this facet of) himself but in the hands of a crafty Leviathan that alone can be invaluable. Seeking out your friends can be just as useful, if they see themselves as alone or surrounded by hidden knives then maybe they might not be as friendly as you thought. Other Leviathan's look for family, with the family dynamics of the tribe discovering how your parents viewed their abilities as parents could be the closest thing to closure a Leviathan can get. | The practical benefits for a Leviathan to find his own self image are limited though ripping apart a bad image might provide catharsis. Finding a rivals self image however can provide useful leverage, the roll to examine one is Wits + Empathy which may be contested by Resistance. This cannot reveal any information except how a Leviathan sees (this facet of) himself but in the hands of a crafty Leviathan that alone can be invaluable. Seeking out your friends can be just as useful, if they see themselves as alone or surrounded by hidden knives then maybe they might not be as friendly as you thought. Other Leviathan's look for family, with the family dynamics of the tribe discovering how your parents viewed their abilities as parents could be the closest thing to closure a Leviathan can get. | ||
− | A rare possibility is for a Leviathan to seek out the self image of long since dead members of the Tribe. It is rumoured that the Progenitors themselves have left remains here, | + | A rare possibility is for a Leviathan to seek out the self image of long since dead members of the Tribe. It is rumoured that the Progenitors themselves have left remains here, islands formed from fossilised pieces of an identity still guarded by the psychological complex that once gave it worth. But even the fossils or still living identity of a more recent ancestor can offer a glimpse of life in an earlier era. A successful discovery can provide a bounty of information or even the revelation about one's ancestry needed to increase Sheol. Few trips are successful for here every creature is unique and in this dangerous environment lifespans are not long. If a living Leviathan's self image is destroyed it will soon reform but a dead Leviathan's is lost to history. |
− | ===The | + | ===The Third Depth === |
− | The | + | The Third Depth is the Rift's treasure trove, or perhaps it's garbage dump. While some of the greatest discoveries have been found elsewhere, it is the third depth which consistently delivers it's spoils into the grasping fins of the tribe, at least those who can tell treasure from trash. Here the roiling light found above has faded to a dim twilight. Under this faded glow memories take form, but they're not alone. The strongest memories, the ones with great emotional worth are found alongside the psychological complexes that give it value. The desire to keep a guilt ridden memory a secret snaps its jaws and spreads clouds of ink to protect it's charge. Treasuring a memory of happier times forms symbiotic creatures who polish and cherish their charge. |
− | The memories themselves are slow | + | The memories themselves are slow sedentary creatures, markers of the turtle, the shellfish and the coral are common. A memory's size is directly linked to how much information it contains, while the memory of a single Ritual will not be very large a single creature can hold a bounty of closely related information. An old and experienced Leviathan's entire library of rituals could form a immense beast, teaming with symbiotic life, gracefully cutting through the depth. |
− | The largest and most prized memories, long since fossilised after the death of the Leviathan who created them, are invaluable treasure troves of knowledge and even the smallest memory may contain a priceless nugget of information. It is for this reason that Leviathans brave the Tempest. If you can find what you seek and defeat the creatures which guard it everything from occult knowledge, a taste of day | + | The largest and most prized memories, long since fossilised after the death of the Leviathan who created them, are invaluable treasure troves of knowledge and even the smallest memory may contain a priceless nugget of information. It is for this reason that Leviathans brave the Tempest. If you can find what you seek and defeat the creatures which guard it everything from occult knowledge, a taste of day to day life in the Tribe to the location of hidden temples is just waiting to be found. |
− | ===The | + | ===The Forth Depth === |
− | The | + | The Forth Depth is often called the Great Barrier Reef. Partly it's a winking allusion to the other Great Barrier Reef and partly it's a perfectly appropriate name. It's certainly great, it looks like a reef and most Leviathan's going this deep are heading all the way to the bottom, to these Leviathans the Forth Depth is pretty much nothing more than a barrier. They're ignoring what might be the most useful layer of the Rift. |
− | The | + | The Forth Depths contains the Tribe's views on itself. Not individual Leviathan's views, but the entire Tribe's views on the entire Tribe. In this it once again earns it's name as a barrier, the forth depth is the dividing line between the individual and the collective. |
− | Even the most cursory exploration reveals a great truth about the Tribe, it has defined itself almost entirely by it's relationship to man. The Reef is comprised of untold trillions of living beings, most no bigger than a human finger nail. There's macroscopic amoebas, polyps, tiny fish, coral, crustaceans, aquatic insects, jellyfish, flatworms and infinitely more than can be listed here. To call the Reef static would be a joke, it's teeming with life and energy. The creatures that comprise it give birth, grow, fight, love, die. As representatives of humanity they run the full range of reaction to the Leviathan's presence: they are Beloved eagerly fawning and offering tiny gifts, they are Ahabs and Marduk swarming the larger Leviathan in their millions but mostly they are ordinary humans, seemingly unaware of the Tribe yet shuddering at the Wake's presence. Despite this few Leviathans feel superior to the almost microscopic creatures, not here. They're everywhere, they press against his skin, crawl over his lips, his nose, his eyes. There's no succour, no rest, it's enough to drive a Leviathan to madness, or at least | + | Even the most cursory exploration reveals a great truth about the Tribe, it has defined itself almost entirely by it's relationship to man. The Reef is comprised of untold trillions of living beings, most no bigger than a human finger nail. There's macroscopic amoebas, polyps, tiny fish, coral, crustaceans, aquatic insects, jellyfish, flatworms and infinitely more than can be listed here. To call the Reef static would be a joke, it's teeming with life and energy. The creatures that comprise it give birth, grow, fight, love, die. As representatives of humanity they run the full range of reaction to the Leviathan's presence: they are Beloved eagerly fawning and offering tiny gifts, they are Ahabs and Marduk swarming the larger Leviathan in their millions but mostly they are ordinary humans, seemingly unaware of the Tribe yet shuddering at the Wake's presence. Despite this few Leviathans feel superior to the almost microscopic creatures, not here. They're everywhere, they press against his skin, crawl over his lips, his nose, his eyes. There's no succour, no rest, it's enough to drive a Leviathan to madness, or at least an Outburst. |
A Leviathan who wishes to pass through the barrier reef must navigate the many tunnels and caverns that exist within the Barrier Reef. The tunnels are incredibly claustrophobic and poorly lit – the light in the higher parts of the Rift has entirely faded by this point leaving only the Barrier's bioluminescent inhabitants to light the way. – One never knows when the walls might turn against you while hot jets of water and other hazards of the Tempest charge through. Despite this navigation is rather easy, providing a Leviathan sticks to routes that go down there she'll have little trouble finding her way with a minimum of backtracking. | A Leviathan who wishes to pass through the barrier reef must navigate the many tunnels and caverns that exist within the Barrier Reef. The tunnels are incredibly claustrophobic and poorly lit – the light in the higher parts of the Rift has entirely faded by this point leaving only the Barrier's bioluminescent inhabitants to light the way. – One never knows when the walls might turn against you while hot jets of water and other hazards of the Tempest charge through. Despite this navigation is rather easy, providing a Leviathan sticks to routes that go down there she'll have little trouble finding her way with a minimum of backtracking. | ||
− | The real treasures are hidden in odd corners, where the oppressing mass of life fades away. Sometimes they're Doldrums sometimes not but their contents are always valuable. These caverns show how the Tribe sees itself on a different topic to humanity. Here a Leviathan can find where the Tribe considers itself deficient, to correct or exploit, or where the Tribe views itself with satisfaction. The insights gained might be enough to justify buying | + | The real treasures are hidden in odd corners, where the oppressing mass of life fades away. Sometimes they're Doldrums sometimes not but their contents are always valuable. These caverns show how the Tribe sees itself on a different topic to humanity. Here a Leviathan can find where the Tribe considers itself deficient, to correct or exploit, or where the Tribe views itself with satisfaction. The insights gained might be enough to justify buying Shoel, it depends if they're too specific or not, and certainly justify buying Specialities in Social Skills and situational bonuses when the Leviathan brings them into a conversation, knowing exactly what the Tribe considers it's strength or it's weakness when other Leviathans agree but can't quite put their finger on it is a good way to become a respected leader in the Tribe. |
− | ===The | + | =====Sidebar: Storyhook: The Tower of Babel ===== |
− | + | Finding a hidden secret in the Great Barrier Reef then attempting to fix the problem you unearthed is always a good story hook so here's one possibility to get you started. | |
− | + | '' As you turn a corner the swarming walls part to reveal an enormous cavern. In the centre floats a tower, more a ziggurat really, of sun dryed mud bricks. As you approach you begin to hear thousands of voices speaking in an unknown language.'' | |
− | + | This tower is of course the legendary tower of babel. Or at least a Rift thought-form based on that iconic image. What it's saying isn't as important as what it represents here in the Tribe's collective unconscious (If your players have a suitable supernatural power like the Mandate of Babel tell them it's talking about the tower itself. Quote phrases from the myth and related topics like “Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth” or “temple of the foundation of heaven and earth”). | |
− | + | A language is a powerful enabler of identity for any minority culture. Look at the revival of Gaelic languages or the survival of Hebrew thorough the centuries. To represent the lack of an effective tribal identity Leviathan's do not get their own Language merit like High Speech or the First Tongue. When they see the tower the players understand exactly what it means for the tribe to not have a language of their own and hopefully take the story hook to create one. Do they steal an unused ancient language, something appropriately bronze age or do they try and create something new and uniquely of the Tribe, perhaps a language that can only be spoken by their unique biology thanks to a new Adaptation. | |
− | + | But why can't the Leviathans ever find the top of the tower when they look? Because the tribe's subconscious knows that's how the myth works? Is it just some random bit of weirdness common to the rift? Or is it something more? | |
− | + | == The Tempest (note really rough atm, needs fluffing)== | |
− | + | The Tempest has Ferocity. The minimum Ferocity outside a Doldrum is equal to Depth + 1. The tempest gives a penalty to perception rolls equal to half its Ferocity and risks harm to a Leviathan. Every Sheol minuets Roll Ferocity - Armour - Stamina. At Ferocity 5 this becomes Lethal damage, at Ferocity 10 the Tempest deals Aggravated Damage. | |
− | + | Because the tempest is a physical threat, despite its psychological underpinnings, you can physically protect others. If you're at large enough than positioning yourself upstream of incoming rocks will do the trick. Some areas are noted to lack direction, in these nothing short of carrying people in your mouth will protect them. | |
− | + | === The Waves === | |
− | + | The default form of the Tempest is a churning mass of water. | |
− | === | + | === The Glow === |
− | + | The tempest here is a red glow which seems to come from all directions. Though deceptively tranquil Leviathan's not strong enough to face the Glow risk having the flesh boiled off their bones. The glow lacks direction. Because it is well lit and tranquil the Glow has no perception penalty. | |
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=== The Brine === | === The Brine === | ||
− | + | The tempest here is a sickly mass of churning brine poisonous even to Leviathans. Leviathan's instead resist the Tempest with Stamina + Resolve with +2 bonus from Toxin Resistance. The tempest's usual rules for damage apply. The Brine lacks direction. | |
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=== The Ice === | === The Ice === | ||
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=== The Sandstorm === | === The Sandstorm === | ||
− | + | A fast moving current of water so thick with abrasive sand, silt and mud that you can't see past your own face. Double the Perception penalty. | |
=== The Volcanic Region === | === The Volcanic Region === | ||
− | A thick cover of ash spreads through the water from an unreachable volcano. Small superheated rocks and cooling magma are the threat of the day. Volcanic regions of the tempest are never found below Ferocity 5. To survive a Leviathan must avoid rather than endure. Roll Ferocity + (Size - 5) - Defence | + | A thick cover of ash spreads through the water from an unreachable volcano. Small superheated rocks and cooling magma are the threat of the day. Volcanic regions of the tempest are never found below Ferocity 5. To survive a Leviathan must avoid rather than endure. Roll Ferocity + (Size - 5) - Defence. |
=== The Lightning Fields === | === The Lightning Fields === |