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| | [[Age Of Dragons: Main Page]] -> [[Age Of Dragons: Lifepaths]] -> [[Age of Dragons: Beast Unbound|Beast Unbound]] | | [[Age Of Dragons: Main Page]] -> [[Age Of Dragons: Lifepaths]] -> [[Age of Dragons: Beast Unbound|Beast Unbound]] |
| − |
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| − | THIS PAGE MID-EDIT!
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| | | | |
| | __toc__ | | __toc__ |
| | | | |
| − | ----
| |
| | =Overview= | | =Overview= |
| | ===The Old Ways Survive=== | | ===The Old Ways Survive=== |
| | | | |
| − | ''The pack wheeled overhead as the herd of aurochs (sixty-foot long prehistoric cattle normally known for their belligerence) 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.'' | + | ''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.'' | | ''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.'' |
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| | ''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.'' | | ''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.'' | + | ''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. '' |
| − | <br><br>
| |
| − | ===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.
| + | ''Civilisation shackled instinct and dulled the soul. These were Beasts Unbound.'' |
| | | | |
| − | 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, the followers of this path are almost all conscious adherents of the way of life, choosing to deliberately reject a more complex existence, and by doing so feel alive in a way that other Dragons cannot imagine.
| + | ===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. |
| | | | |
| − | =Lifepath Powers=
| + | 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. |
| − | ===XXX=== | + | <br><br> |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 50
| + | =Edges= |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''1 Mental Energy''
| + | ==Skills== |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Discipline;''
| |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX=== | + | ===Tooth and Claw=== |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 60
| |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''1 Arcane Energy''
| |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Suspire;''
| |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| + | This ''Lifepath Skill'' adds the Dragon's ''Arete'' in ''Beast Unbound'' when calculating ''Technique'' for the following types of tasks: |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 70
| + | * Attacking in combat with natural weaponry (that is tooth and claw, but not weapons or magic). |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' Nil.
| + | * Defending in combat with natural weaponry, or with natural agility or toughness. |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Feat;''
| |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| + | 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. |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 80
| |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' Nil.
| |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Discipline;''
| |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX=== | + | ===Alpha's Dominance=== |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 90
| |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''1 Arcane Energy''
| |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Suspire;''
| |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| + | This ''Lifepath Skill'' adds the Dragon's ''Arete'' in ''Beast Unbound'' when calculating ''Technique'' for the following types of tasks: |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 100
| + | * Establishing dominance in the pack. |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''1 Mental Energy''
| + | * Effectively coordinating pack's under your command. |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Discipline;'' | + | * 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. |
| | + | * Roaring loudly. |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX=== | + | ===Hunter's Instinct=== |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 125
| |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''1 Mental Energy''
| |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Discipline;''
| |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| + | This ''Lifepath Skill'' adds the Dragon's ''Arete'' in ''Beast Unbound'' when calculating ''Technique'' for the following types of tasks: |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 150
| + | * Recognising the Alpha in your own and other packs. |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''2 Mental Energy''
| + | * Recognising the territorial markings of others. |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Discipline;'' | + | * Tests of perception of the physical environment. |
| | + | * Tests of animal instinct or bestial courage. |
| | + | * Finding prey or other creatures through scent or through tracking techniques. |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX=== | + | ===Beast of the Wilderness=== |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 175
| |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''2 Mental Energy (per +1 dice)''
| |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Discipline;''
| |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| + | This ''Lifepath Skill'' adds the Dragon's ''Arete'' in ''Beast Unbound'' when calculating ''Technique'' for the following types of tasks: |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 200
| + | * Knowledge of how to survive in the wild. |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''1 Arcane Energy''
| + | * Demonstrating resilience when dealing with environmental hazards, weather, disease, hunger or thirst |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Suspire;'' | + | * 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. |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX=== | + | ===Heart of the Wolfpack=== |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 250
| |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''1 Arcane Energy''
| |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Suspire;''
| |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| + | This ''Lifepath Skill'' adds the Dragon's ''Arete'' in ''Beast Unbound'' when calculating ''Technique'' for the following types of tasks: |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 300
| + | * Defending your packmates against physical attack. |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''1 Arcane Energy''
| + | * Bolstering the morale of your packmates. |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Suspire;'' | + | * Tests of perception or empathy when dealing with your packmates. |
| | + | * Subtly influencing yout packmates. |
| | + | * Showing courage or determination to support your pack. |
| | + | * Demonstrating loyalty to your pack. |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| + | <br><br> |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 350
| |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''2 Arcane Energy''
| |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Suspire; Vitamancy;''
| |
| − | *Vitamancy spells cannot be cast by Death-aligned Dragons.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 350
| |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''2 Arcane Energy''
| |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Suspire; Hierarchomancy;''
| |
| − | *Hierarchomancy spells cannot be cast by Chaos-aligned Dragons.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 350
| |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''4 Arcane Energy''
| |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Suspire; Necromancy;''
| |
| − | *Necromancy spells cannot be cast by Life-aligned Dragons.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 350
| |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''4 Arcane Energy''
| |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Suspire; Autarchomancy;''
| |
| − | *Autarchomancy spells cannot be cast by Life-aligned Dragons.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 400 years
| |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''None: always on.''
| |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Discipline;''
| |
| − | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 450
| |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''2 Mental Energy (per +1 dice)''
| |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Discipline;''
| |
| − | | |
| − | ===Exceptional XXX===
| |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 500 years
| |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''1 Mental Energy (per rerolled dice)''
| |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Discipline;''
| |
| − | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 600
| |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''1 Arcane Energy''
| |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Suspire;''
| |
| − | | |
| − | ===XXX Exertion===
| |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 700
| |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''1 Physical Energy''
| |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Feat;''
| |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX Fortification=== | + | ==Powers== |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 800
| |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''None: always on''
| |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Discipline;''
| |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX=== | + | ===Physical Conditioning=== |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 1000
| |
| − | *'''Activation Cost:''' ''None: activate once only''
| |
| − | *'''Keywords:''' ''Discipline;''
| |
| − | <br><br><br>
| |
| | | | |
| − | =Lifepath Resources=
| + | 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. |
| − | ===XXX===
| |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 25 years
| |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| + | * '''Arete 1+: Conditioned Muscles''' |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 50 years | + | The Dragon permanently adds +5 to his ''Soma'' sphere. |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| + | * '''Arete 21+: The Wicked Edge''' |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 100 years | + | 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. |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| + | * '''Arete 31+: Hardened Scales''' |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 200 years | + | 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. |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| + | * '''Arete 41+: Power of the Beast''' |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 300 years | + | The Dragon permanently adds a further +5 to his ''Soma'' sphere.<br><br> |
| | + | ==Suspires== |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| + | This ''Lifepath'' does not have any special ''Suspires'' associated with it. |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 400 years
| |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX=== | + | ==Techniques== |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 500 years
| |
| | | | |
| − | ===XXX===
| + | This ''Lifepath'' does not have any special ''Techniques'' associated with it. |
| − | *'''Experience level required:''' 750 years
| |
| − | | |
| − | ----
| |
| − | | |
| − | [[Category:Age_of_Dragons]]
| |
| − | | |
| − | ----
| |
| − | =Overview=
| |
| − | ===The Old Ways Survive===
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''The pack wheeled overhead as the herd of aurochs (sixty-foot long prehistoric cattle normally known for their belligerence) 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.''
| |
| | <br><br> | | <br><br> |
| − | | + | [[Category:Age_of_Dragons|Beast]] |
| − | ===The Beast Unleashed 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, the followers of this path are almost all conscious adherents of the way of life, choosing to deliberately reject a more complex existence, and by doing so feel alive in a way that other Dragons cannot imagine.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ----
| |
| − | | |
| − | =Milestones=
| |
| − | | |
| − | ==Lifepath Sphere Variations==
| |
| − | | |
| − | * '''Atavism''' ''(100 XP)''
| |
| − | By passing this milestone you have truly tapped into your bestial self, though perhaps by sacrificing part of your sense of self along the way. You gains +1 dice on all tasks relating to his bestial traits (sensory perception, hunting, tooth and claw combat) but have -1 dice on tasks relating to civilisation (high etiquette, academic study, tool use, weapon use, etc.). Passing this milestone is a one way trip - the advantages gained and the costs incurred will be with you for the rest of your life, so embracing atavism is rarely taken lightly by the majority of breeds.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | * '''Dominance''' ''(40 XP)''
| |
| − | A dragon who has this milestone has a fearsome mien and is practiced at asserting his dominance. You gain +1 dice on all tasks relating to direct intimidation, asserting dominance and asserting command. Note that this does not give any benefit to subtle tasks (such as implied threats), nor does it give any intellectual benefit (such as knowledge of strategy) but it can have unusual applications if used creatively (for example, seduction of someone with the right personality, inspiring loyalty in followers, etc.)
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | * '''Strong sexuality''' ''(40 XP)''
| |
| − | A dragon who has this milestone has enhanced his sexual prowess and fertility. You gain +1 dice on all tasks relating to reproduction, including reproduction itself, sexual performance, and sexual seduction (i.e. seduction with the honest goal of intercourse, rather than manipulation).
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | * '''Survivor's constitution''' ''(40 XP)''
| |
| − | A dragon who has passed this milestone is hardened by the rigours of outdoor life. You gain +1 dice on all tasks relating to your sound constitution, including resisting the effects of hunger, tiredness and thirst, resisting poisons and disease, and maintaining endurance over long flights or tiring activity. Note that this milestone specifically does not help with combat or ''resist damage'' checks.
| |
| − | <br><br><br>
| |
| − | | |
| − | ==Talents==
| |
| − | | |
| − | * '''Breaking the Shell''' ''(6 XP)''
| |
| − | You can make a special ''"shell-breaker"'' claw attack at +1 TN. If this attack hits, you deals no damage, but the target loses a number of points of Armour Rating equal to the unopposed successes scored on your attack roll.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | * '''Falcon's Pursuit''' ''(10 XP)''
| |
| − | A true predator stays on his prey's tail. In Skirmish Combat, if an enemy moves away from you (from ''Close Quarters'' to ''Middle Distance'') you can opt to immediately move after him, reducing the distance to ''close quarters'' again before that enemy's battle phase. Doing so does not count towards your usual movement for this round, but you can only use Falcon's Pursuit once per round.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | * '''Harry the Prey''' ''(5 XP)''
| |
| − | Pack-hunting takes some practice to master, but once learnt can become almost intuitive. You can make a special ''"harrying"'' claw attack at +1 TN. If this attack hits, it is at +1 TN to the damage check, but the target is tagged as being ''harried'' until the start of your next action. All melee attacks against a ''harried'' target are at -1 TN.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | * '''Peregrine Dive''' ''(10 XP)''
| |
| − | This hunting technique seems easy enough, but actually requires a lot of finesse and self control. You fly high above your (aerial) quarry, then dive towards the target accelerating with both gravity and controlled wingbeats to achieve considerable velocity. As you moves past your target you snatch at them, grappling them and digging in your rear talons, before breaking your descent with the air resistance of your wings. Though this technique was initially developed to hunt aerial prey, it is also a battle manoeuvre of some utility. To use this Talent, you must be at a higher altitude than your target at the start of your tactical movement phase, but otherwise in the same location. You automatically drop to the target's altitude during the tactical movement phase, and then make an unarmed claw attack at +1 TN during the battle phase. If the attack hits, then the damage check is at -3 TN, and if you wish you can automatically grapple the target.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | * '''Weakening strike''' ''(6 XP)''
| |
| − | You know that if you weaken a target, you can wear him down. This is a claw attack at -1 TN, that if it deal damage successfully can never deal more than a ''Light Injury'' in damage (even if more than one damage success is rolled).
| |
| − | <br><br><br>
| |
| − | | |
| − | ==Arcane Lore==
| |
| − | | |
| − | * '''Bitterflesh''' ''(10 XP)''
| |
| − | To cast this spell you must inhale deeply from a pool of your own urine, then hold your breath for several seconds. For twenty four hours afterwards your flesh becomes poisonous for others to eat. Any creature that swallows a portion of your blood or flesh, receives an immediate ''heavy injury'' from the ingested poisons. If they swallow sufficient flesh or blood to provide a full meal, they instead are ''critically injured''. If the amount ingested is minimal (e.g. from a bite attack against you where they take care not to swallow) then they are only ''lightly injured''.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | * '''Firejet''' ''(10 XP)''
| |
| − | With this simple firebreath spell, you aim a blast intended to soften up a single foe, or even score a kill against a weak target. This is a ranged firebreath attack that uses ''Pneuma'' to attack and deal damage, and can be used up to middle distance. It does not set fire to targets, has no burst effect, and you can make called shots with this attack. While this firebreath spell may seem weak compared to some, it has the advantage that it leaves prey' bodies intact enough to provide a good meal afterwards.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | * '''Interred in Earth''' ''(10 XP)''
| |
| − | By lying flat against the earth, and inhaling deeply, you can have the ground swallow you up so that you are buried beneath the surface. Anything on the surface (grass, cobbles, etc.) will not be disturbed or displaced, and you will be buried just deep enough that all of you is at least a foot underground. While interred you cannot move and are unaware of anything happening above ground, but you can breathe and sleep. If you move at all, the effect ends as the earth expels you forcibly. You can remain underground for up to a month at a time, though the spell gives you no special protection against hunger or thirst. This spell can only be cast if there is a sufficient body of loose soil or earth to accomodate you.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | * '''Marked Ground''' ''(10 XP)''
| |
| − | By urinating on the ground, then exhaling pneuma over it, you can mystically mark your territory. Anyone who gets close enough to smell the urine (a dozen yards for humans, a few hundred yards for most dragons) is instantly aware that they are on marked ground, and receives a subconscious sense of threat warning them that they are crossing into your territory. Though they can still proceed on if they wish, many weak willed or instinctive creatures (such as animals) will consciously leave the marked area.
| |
| − | <br><br><br>
| |
| − | | |
| − | ==Lifepath-specific Milestones==
| |
| − | | |
| − | * '''Claws of the Lion''' ''(25 XP)''
| |
| − | Using your bare claws as your preferred weapon has strengthened and sharpened them. Any unarmed claw attacks you make roll +1 dice on the damage roll.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | * '''Judgment of the Predator''' ''(10 XP)''
| |
| − | You are adept at assessing the physical strength of a target. You automatically know what any target's Soma score is.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | * '''Foodsense''' ''(10 XP)''
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| − | With time you can grow to recognise the signs of bad food and water, and thus avoid eating or drinking anything that will do you harm. Simply by sniffing, you can automatically recognise food or water that is poisoned, rotten or otherwise harmful to eat.
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| − | * '''Jaws of the Wolf''' ''(25 XP)''
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| − | Hunting and feeding on raw meat has strengthened your bite. Any unarmed bite attacks you make roll +1 dice on the damage roll.
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| − | =Lifepath Resources=
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| − | * '''The Pack'''
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| − | Optionally, after 25 years of being a Beast Unbound you can deem that your Dragon has joined and been accepted into a pack of other Dragons on the same lifepath. Note that if you are of a breed that does not often favour this lifepath, then likely your pack will not be the same breed as you.
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| − | * '''Territory'''
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| − | After 50 years as a Beast Unbound, you or your pack have established a hunting territory that is recognised as yours by sentient and animal life alike. While others may not choose to respect that territory, it is clear to all that it is yours. You know this territory intimately, and are knowledgeable of all of its nuances, prey statuses and ecological patterns.
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| − | * '''Alpha Status'''
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| − | At 100+ years, it is likely that you are the Alpha of your pack, so long as there are no other Dragons in your pack of greater age and strength. Even if there are, at this stage of your Lifepath it is possible for you to strike out on your own and have another pack come to you for leadership.
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| − | * '''Legendary Predator'''
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| − | At 250 years you are seen as something of a legend by other adherents of the Lifepath, respected as a true survivor and ultimate predator. You will be able to command respect (and likely obedience) beyond your own pack, and your pack may swell in size considerably, perhaps even to the level of one of the Hunter Dragon ''Sky Tribes''.
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| − | [[Category:Age_of_Dragons]] | |
Age Of Dragons: Main Page -> Age Of Dragons: Lifepaths -> Beast Unbound
Overview[edit]
The Old Ways Survive[edit]
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[edit]
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.
Tooth and Claw[edit]
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.
Alpha's Dominance[edit]
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.
- Effectively coordinating pack's under your command.
- 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.
- Roaring loudly.
Hunter's Instinct[edit]
This Lifepath Skill adds the Dragon's Arete in Beast Unbound when calculating Technique for the following types of tasks:
- Recognising the Alpha in your own and other packs.
- Recognising the territorial markings of others.
- Tests of perception of the physical environment.
- Tests of animal instinct or bestial courage.
- Finding prey or other creatures through scent or through tracking techniques.
Beast of the Wilderness[edit]
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.
- 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.
Heart of the Wolfpack[edit]
This Lifepath Skill adds the Dragon's Arete in Beast Unbound when calculating Technique for the following types of tasks:
- Defending your packmates against physical attack.
- Bolstering the morale of your packmates.
- Tests of perception or empathy when dealing with your packmates.
- Subtly influencing yout packmates.
- Showing courage or determination to support your pack.
- Demonstrating loyalty to your pack.
Physical Conditioning[edit]
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[edit]
This Lifepath does not have any special Suspires associated with it.
Techniques[edit]
This Lifepath does not have any special Techniques associated with it.
