Editing Trinity:Creature Mementos

A [[Trinity:Languages#Ronkan | Ronkan]] word, ''memento'' is the term used to refer to the creatures used extensively by [[Trinity:Trainer | trainers]]. More specifically, the term is the proper name for creatures that were specifically bred by the first trainers.

=Background=
Mementos began originally as normal, wild animals, native to the plains of [[Trinity:Sarteri | Sarteri]]. However, when the halflings were under attack by [[Trinity:Prophet_Moth | prophet moths]], they needed to arm their children with something less prone to friendly-fire than firearms. As such, a training method was developed, and the reins of wild animals were put into childrens' hands.

Time passed, and the children moved on from attempting to tame and teach these creatures - but not all did. Rather than take up the call of the gunslinger, some of the halflings devised breeding methods, as well as more advanced training techniques. They improved upon the gnomish methods, and clarified the creatures' connections to the [[Trinity:The_Forces#Blue | Blue]].

Within several decades, the creatures were no longer recognizable as natives to the region. Instead, they had been turned into a classification of animal known as ''mementos''.

==Today==
In the modern world, these creatures are raised in Sarteri and Chaliraz on small ranches, where one or two halflings tend to them, continuing to breed the same creatures their people have been breeding for centuries. It is tradition for those who take up the path of the trainer to be gifted with one of these creatures, as they are unusually powerful and fierce for their size - such is the power of selective breeding.

Since the fall of the Ronkan Empire, some of the ranches in southern Sarteri became abandoned, and the ''mementos'' bred there managed to either die or free themselves; as such, it is not uncommon to hear local rumors in Sarteri of some massive ''memento'' or other terrorizing the countryside. While some of these lost species have been recovered, local rumors are often simply hearsay - though it is unknown exactly how many ''memento'' species are lost to the wilds of Sarteri.

Not all trainers come across their ''mementos'' honestly. It is not even necessarily a requirement for a trainer that they use a ''memento''.

==Breeding==
In the early years of the trainer profession, many different creatures were used in breeding and cross-breeding to achieve the desired results. As such, while not all of the ''memento'' species can interbreed, there are several distinct groups of ''mementos'' that can breed together. The results are not often desireable; however, there are several commonly-used species that were the result of unusual pairings.

Oftentimes, young trainers are advised to avoid breeding altogether, as knowing how to breed ''mementos'' requires years of intense, personal experience with the ''mementos'', as well as a (in modern times) firm grounding in genetics. However, some teachers encourage experimentation.

=Mechanics=
''Mementos'' - those bred specifically by trainers - are treated differently than normal creatures a trainer encounters and captures. They are bred to grow quite quickly, and mature much faster than many of the creatures found in the wilds of Trinity.

Mechanically, ''mementos'' are treated each as an individual race; each race then has an associated class, much like the monster race classes from ''Savage Species''. However, there are also monster race prestige classes: a wide variety of ''mementos'' do not reach a fully-matured state until they have become more experienced. ''Mementos'' who meet the requirement for a monster race prestige class are not required to take levels in it.

==Techniques==
The class abilities from the ''memento'' race classes are not just class features - they are also abilities a member of the trainer class can learn, and then teach to other creatures (not just ''mementos''). Whenever the ''memento'' learns a new Technique, the trainer also gains access to it (even if the Technique is then forgotten - see below).

A ''memento'' can know a number of Techniques equal to its Intelligence score. When a ''memento'' would learn a new Technique (noted in the description of the ability), the ''memento'''s trainer must choose what ability is forgotten.

Should a Technique require a saving throw, all ''mementos'' set the saving throw DCs for their Techniques as follows: 10 + Charisma modifier (minimum +0) + 1/2 HD.

Unless otherwise specified, all Techniques are standard actions.

===Technique Points===
All Techniques use a number of Technique Points, or TPs. The amount of TPs used by an ability is equal to the level at which it was gained; Techniques a creature learns early in life are easier to use than those learned later.

A memento has a number of Technique Points equal to double its level.

=The Mementos=
A list of the ''mementos'' in Trinity follows. Each of the more common ''memento'' species has come to be known by a common name, which is [[Trinity:Languages#Lynaen | Lynaen]] in origin; breeders, however, will usually refer to the species by its proper name, to ensure that everyone involved in the conversation knows precisely which specie of ''memento'' is being discussed.

* [[Trinity:Memento_Quietus | Lon'thal (''Memento Quietus'')]] 
* [[Trinity:Memento_Ferrum | Ori'chal (''Memento Ferrum'')]]
* [[Trinity:Memento_Arbustum | Bal'trin (''Memento Arbustum'')]]
* [[Trinity:Memento_Varietas | Elar'in (''Memento Varietas'')]]
* [[Trinity:Memento_Toxicum | Pyn'phal (''Memento Toxicum'')]]
* [[Trinity:Memento_Volatilis | Nyl'sadi (''Memento Volatilis'')]]
* [[Trinity:Memento_Altilis | Al'alarin (''Memento Altilis'')]]
* [[Trinity:Memento_Muris | Tyr'calas (''Memento Muris'')]]
* [[Trinity:Memento_Rostrum | Qui'syln (''Memento Rostrum'')]]
* [[Trinity:Memento_Canis | Can'dori (''Memento Canis'')]]
* [[Trinity:Memento_Loricatus | San'crye (''Memento Loricatus'')]]
* [[Trinity:Memento_Caudanovem | Val'tyri (''Memento Caudanovem'')]]
* [[Trinity:Memento_Velox | Lin'alra (''Memento Velox'')]]

[[category:Trinity]]