Difference between revisions of "Age of Dragons: Beast Unbound"

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* Laying strong scent to mark your territory. Recognising the territorial markings of others.
 
* Laying strong scent to mark your territory. Recognising the territorial markings of others.
 
* Tests of animal instinct.
 
* Tests of animal instinct.
 +
* Tests of perception of the physical environment.
  
−
===Wilderness Survival===
+
===Beast of the Wilderness===
  
 
This ''Lifepath Skill'' adds the Dragon's ''Arete'' in ''Beast Unbound'' when calculating ''Technique'' for the following types of tasks:
 
This ''Lifepath Skill'' adds the Dragon's ''Arete'' in ''Beast Unbound'' when calculating ''Technique'' for the following types of tasks:
Line 49: Line 50:
 
* Finding prey or other creatures through scent or through tracking techniques.  
 
* Finding prey or other creatures through scent or through tracking techniques.  
 
* Demonstrating resilience when dealing with environmental hazards, weather, disease, hunger or thirst
 
* Demonstrating resilience when dealing with environmental hazards, weather, disease, hunger or thirst
 +
* Predicting the weather, assessing the lay of the land.
 +
* Recognising things within nature (edibility of animals, movement of herds, plants, etc.)
 +
* Knowledge of wild lands around the dragon's territory, for example knowing where fresh water is, etc.
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
 
==Powers==
 
==Powers==
  
−
This ''Lifepath'' does not have any special ''Powers'' associated with it.
+
===Physical Conditioning===
−
<br><br>
 
−
==Suspires==
 
  
−
===The Lore of Words===
+
With time spent living the life of a ''Beast Unbound'' the Dragon naturally grows hardier, physically conditioned by the harsh realities of wilderness existence. Some dragons even begin to physically change, becoming more animalistic in appearance and growing in bulk and power.
  
−
The Lore of Words concerns itself with understanding and perceiving the magic inherent in language. Magics of communication and of naming are within the reach of lesser magi and with increasing mastery the lore allows for subtle magics that influence the speech or thoughts of others. Wiht increasing mastery, the Lore becomes less subtle, taking words and infusing them with the celestial power of the draconic elder. These suspires use words like swords, cutting deep into the conscious mind.
+
* '''Arete 1+: Conditioned Muscles'''
 +
The Dragon permanently adds +5 to his ''Soma'' sphere.
  
−
* '''Arete 1-10: Perception and Protection'''
+
* '''Arete 21+: The Wicked Edge'''
−
The dragon can now use his suspires to tell truth from lies, to translate words spoken or written in any language, to spot the unintentional truths hidden behind spoken words, and to recognise spoken magics in all their forms. He can also now shield his mind and those of his colleagues to render them immune to the effects of the Lore of Words. He can use his spells to break existing magical influences on others.
+
The claws and teeth of the Beast Unbound become serrated and considerably tougher and more vicious than those of their contemporaries. In physical conflict, the ''Beast Unbound'' gain a +5 effect modifier to Finisher attacks made with their bare claws and teeth. Note that this is cumulative with the Hunter Dragons' ''Mark of the Predator'' birthright.
  
−
* '''Arete 11-20: Communication and Naming'''
+
* '''Arete 31+: Hardened Scales'''
−
With a spell the dragon can send his words to a distant message recepient, with the message travelling as fast as the wind is blowing. The dragon cab also cast spells to name a creature within line of sight, immediately learning the calling name that the creature identifies himself with. Other magics might make your words heard above any background noises, or using mirrors or crystal globes to facilitate long distance conversations. He can also turn his spoken words into writing (by speaking over a prepared book or scroll), and he can make written words speak out loud.
+
The scale-plates of the Dragon thicken, making him a lot tougher. This gives a -10 debuff to Effect for physical Finisher moves against this Dragon in approproate circumstances.  
  
−
* '''Arete 21-30: Subtle Influences'''
+
* '''Arete 41+: Power of the Beast'''
−
A dragon can now bind a target to speak only truth, though he cannot force a target to speak. He can make a target remember his words whether he wants to or not. He can make the words of another sound beguiling or discordant. He can make others feel a surge of emotion, though he can't force them to act on that emotion.
+
The Dragon permanently adds a further +5 to his ''Soma'' sphere.<br><br>
−
 
+
==Suspires==
−
* '''Arete 31-50: Strong Influences'''
 
−
A dragon can now force a target to silence, or force him to answer a question that is asked of him, while bound to truth. He can empower his words so they have the weight of magic behind them, dramatically increasing his powers of persuasion.
 
−
 
 
−
* '''Arete 51+: Invasive Magics'''
 
−
The dragon can now get straight into a target's mind with nothing but words. He can mind control, giving orders that cannot be refused. He can speaks mad words to inflict temporary insanity. He can shape someone's perceptions or memories by describing images to them. He can create written works that are so fascinating that the weak willed cannot do anything else till they are done reading.
 
−
 
 
−
===The Lore of Binding===
 
−
 
 
−
The Lore of Binding is the sorcery of social contracts and traditions. This Lore is considered weak by some sorcerers, as so much of it depends on the agreement and consent of all effected by it spells. Ambassador-Courtiers know better: agreement and consent are nebulous things, easily manipulated by a wily courtier, and the spells themselves enforce civilised behaviour with arcane power. With increasing mastery, a Binder can manipulate the celestial laws, working on agreements made by the gods and primordial forces.
 
−
 
 
−
* '''Arete 1-10: Perception and Protection'''
 
−
The Dragon can now perceive Contract Marks wherever they may be, and can interpret them to reveal exactly what bindings are in place. The Dragon can also shield himself and allies to ensure that they are protected from being marked against their will, and can never be affected by Binding magics unless he agrees.
 
−
 
 
−
* '''Arete 11-20: Consensual Bindings / Minor Punishments'''
 
−
The Dragon can now work with consensual contracts of all sort - he can turn a spoken word into an arcane oath, or a promise into a binding geas. Common effects include oaths of brotherhood, oaths of enmity and claims of hospitality. Those who transgress against such bindings are punished by the magics with minor effects - for example, visible and permanent brandings as an oathbreaker, being prevented from flying for a year or suffering moderate injuries. With magic of this level the parties must vocally agree to the conditions of the binding in the dragon's presence. Critically though, they need not be sincere in their agreement, or aware that magical enforcement is going to be placed. A would be poisoner who offers hospitality to his guests can be bound, even if he offered it with the plan to later break his word.
 
−
 
 
−
* '''Arete 21-30: Negation and Modification'''
 
−
The Dragon can now undo or adjust pre-existing bindings, though this usually requires a contest of arcane strength against the magus who first placed them.
 
−
 
 
−
* '''Arete 31-50: Forced Bindings  / Major Punishments'''
 
−
The dragon can now force bindings on a target, for example forbidding them to enter a certain area, forcing them to obey a geas given to them or demanding hospitality where none is offered. Such effects generally require a contest of arcane power, however.
 
−
The dragon can also append major punishments to any bindings he creates - for example, permanent blindness, severe injury, crippled flight or infertility. Needless to say, dragons do not force bindings on each other lightly... doing so is as harsh a crime as physical assault.
 
  
−
* '''Arete 51+: Primordial Law  / Divine Punishments'''
+
This ''Lifepath'' does not have any special ''Suspires'' associated with it.
−
The dragon can now make judgments against those who have sinned against primordial law, and can hand out powerful and severe punishments. Crimes in the eyes of primordial law include kinslaying, the murder of hatchlings and sexual intercourse outside of Breed, as well as "lesser" crimes such as betrayal of hospitality and breaking sworn oaths. It is up the GM to deem what can be deemed a crime against Primordial Law, but it should be noted that it is not affected by te subjetcive judgment or morality of either the mage or the perpetrator. Against the lawbreakers, the mage can now inflict terrible punishments, including curses that are handed down through the generations, condemnation of the soul to hell, or infliction of madness or crippling disability.  
 
−
<br><br>
 
  
 
==Techniques==
 
==Techniques==
  
−
===Esoteric Linguistic Mastery===
+
This ''Lifepath'' does not have any special ''Techniques'' associated with it.
−
 
 
−
Every dragon speaks the draconic tongue of Essraghai, and even the mentally slowest dragon is likely to be a dab hand at mastering mortal languages with only a week or two of practice. This resource represents knowledge of the more unusual languages that a Dragon might come across - ones for which there are no readily available teachers, or which are too alien to master easily. For every 5 points of Lifepath Arete you have, gain fluency in one unusual language. Example languages might include Kraken-speak, Wyverntongue, Low Daemonic and any others that the story introduces.
 
−
 
 
−
===Xenoculture Mastery===
 
−
 
 
−
Every dragon is presumed to know his ''own'' culture like a native - it comes with being a native! For example, a Solar Dragon would know about Alliance life, the traditions of the Coastal regions, the history of the Solar Accord, of Coastal slang and colloquialisms and of Solar behavioural mannerisms. On the other hand, a Velvet Dragon wouldn't know about those things at all!
 
−
If you have this Edge, for every 5 points of Lifepath Arete you have, gain knowledge of one culture, gaining the same degree of intimacy with it as a native would.
 
−
 
 
−
Note that having this Edge isn't a prerequisite for becoming familiar with another culture - the GM could rule that if you spend enough time immersed in another culture you'll become pretty much native to it. Rather, having this edge lets you automatically keep expanding your cultural nous, as well as retaining and updating your knowledge of already familiar cultures as time passes.
 
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
 
[[Category:Age_of_Dragons|Beast]]
 
[[Category:Age_of_Dragons|Beast]]

Revision as of 10:29, 6 May 2009

Age Of Dragons: Main Page -> Age Of Dragons: Lifepaths -> Beast Unbound

Overview

The Old Ways Survive

The pack wheeled overhead as the herd of aurochs mournfully bellowed their alarm and fear. Claws-Unsheathed roared for his kin to dive, and the Hunter Dragons fell like thunderbolts amongst the beasts. Firebreath deployed to keep the herd panicked and packed tightly, while claws and teeth opened arteries and jugular veins with a placed precision at odds with the apparent fury of the assault.

One auroch dropped, then another, then another. One of the Hunter Dragons foolishly overextended himself, and caught a bull-horn in the ribs for his carelessness. A blast of flame from Claws-Unsheathed drove the angry auroch back, affording the stripling drake time to extricate himself. The rest of the dragons continued their careful hit and run strikes, harrying the aurochs and dropping two more of them before their alpha roared for them to withdraw.

They circled back into the sky, and let the rest of the herd stampede away to safety. Enough aurochs had been killed to feed the pack for a week, and it did not pay in the long run to kill more than they needed to. Already several of the hungry drakes and dragonesses were showing their anticipation of the feast with exuberant puffs of flame, as well as fighting out for a place in the feeding order by pecking and nipping at each other's wingtips.

Any casual observer would have thought that these dragons had devolved into dumb animals, and abandoned their intellect and intelligence. Claws-Unsheathed knew better. He knew that these were brilliant minds and vibrant souls who had simply chosen to live as beasts, and who were revelling in the vitality and joy of the experience. These were dragons who could have had their meals brought to them spiced and prepared by a legion of mortal servants, and who could be sleeping in jewelled palaces if they wanted to. But they chose this life - to hunt and kill for their own food, to sleep in natural lairs open to the sky, because this was the way that dragons were always meant to be.

Civilisation shackled instinct and dulled the soul. These were Beasts Unbound.


The Beast Unbound Lifepath

The Beast Unbound is a lifepath rejected as primitive by many Breeds, yet seen as sacred by others. To be a Beast Unbound is to set aside the trappings of civilisation (be they material, intellectual or moral) and to exist on a simpler, purer level.

That is not to say that all Dragons on this path remain in it forever. Some will visit the Lifepath only for as long as it takes them to "connect to the Beast within", and will return to civilised lifepaths afterwards. Likewise, some come to it late in life, when they have tired of civilised society. Regardless, once the beast within has been unbound, it can never truly be caged again.

Edges

Skills

Tooth and Claw

This Lifepath Skill adds the Dragon's Arete in Beast Unbound when calculating Technique for the following types of tasks:

  • Attacking in combat with natural weaponry (that is tooth and claw, but not weapons or magic).
  • Defending in combat with natural weaponry, or with natural agility or toughness.

This should be considered a core skill for Beasts Unbound as a Beast that cannot fight will be a liability on the hunt, and likely relegated to being the runt of the pack.

Dominance and Instinct

This Lifepath Skill adds the Dragon's Arete in Beast Unbound when calculating Technique for the following types of tasks:

  • Establishing dominance in the pack. Recognising the Alpha in your own and other packs.
  • Intimidation, either through physical means or through growls and raw animal power.
  • Cowing prey animals, or scaring off other predators.
  • Laying strong scent to mark your territory. Recognising the territorial markings of others.
  • Tests of animal instinct.
  • Tests of perception of the physical environment.

Beast of the Wilderness

This Lifepath Skill adds the Dragon's Arete in Beast Unbound when calculating Technique for the following types of tasks:

  • Knowledge of how to survive in the wild.
  • Finding prey or other creatures through scent or through tracking techniques.
  • Demonstrating resilience when dealing with environmental hazards, weather, disease, hunger or thirst
  • Predicting the weather, assessing the lay of the land.
  • Recognising things within nature (edibility of animals, movement of herds, plants, etc.)
  • Knowledge of wild lands around the dragon's territory, for example knowing where fresh water is, etc.



Powers

Physical Conditioning

With time spent living the life of a Beast Unbound the Dragon naturally grows hardier, physically conditioned by the harsh realities of wilderness existence. Some dragons even begin to physically change, becoming more animalistic in appearance and growing in bulk and power.

  • Arete 1+: Conditioned Muscles

The Dragon permanently adds +5 to his Soma sphere.

  • Arete 21+: The Wicked Edge

The claws and teeth of the Beast Unbound become serrated and considerably tougher and more vicious than those of their contemporaries. In physical conflict, the Beast Unbound gain a +5 effect modifier to Finisher attacks made with their bare claws and teeth. Note that this is cumulative with the Hunter Dragons' Mark of the Predator birthright.

  • Arete 31+: Hardened Scales

The scale-plates of the Dragon thicken, making him a lot tougher. This gives a -10 debuff to Effect for physical Finisher moves against this Dragon in approproate circumstances.

  • Arete 41+: Power of the Beast

The Dragon permanently adds a further +5 to his Soma sphere.

Suspires

This Lifepath does not have any special Suspires associated with it.

Techniques

This Lifepath does not have any special Techniques associated with it.

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