Deviance Teaser
Character Growth: Bionics, Mutations, & Spiritual Changes
Each character will be able to carry three Deviances. These aren't just upgrades, they represent a reflection of the choices you have made and play directly into your arc across the Cycle as a whole. At the end of each session your GM will select from a list of Deviances your character has met the criteria for and offer you a choice of three to pick from. Characters reduced to 0 Wounds, Will, or Wane in a session must take the corresponding Injury Deviance as detailed below. you may only ever take one Deviance per session, and this extends to Injuries.
Deviances follow a similar thread as to Wounds, Will, and Wane. Feed one, you may be starving another. Crafting a properly balanced character will take time and patience, with plenty of temptations to focus on one area of growth above others along the way. The problem with strength is that is invites challenge. You may find yourself in a bigger pond than you anticipated if you push your luck too often.
Common Examples of Bionic Deviances
Example
Neural Inhibitor
Nanites
Ocular HUD
Pro
No longer makes Will saves for pain or resisting Influence.
Active tissue regeneration and limitless stamina.
See two hundred yards with the ability to scan for Infared signatures and detachable eye can serve as a scouting drone.
Cons
Permanently lowers Will and become unable to make Influence checks of your own.
Become immune to most other forms of medical intervention including pain relief.
Suffer Influence penalties for your highly visible augmentation.
Common Examples of Somnic Deviances
Example
Ancestral Knowledge
Jinx
Guardian
Pros
Absorb the genetic memories of terrestrial flora and fauna, increasing one Body or Mind Trait while Concentration is held.
Tapping into subtle body language and subliminal mental cues you cause an opponent to slip up, costing them a d20 of your choice after the dice are rolled.
You ask the Dream for protection and a creature mutated by Somnic forces ferociously answers your call.
Cons
Suffer a point of Wane damage any time you break Concentration prematurely as the memories overwhelm your connection to self.
You cause visual distortions in most cameras and security systems, making you a potential liability in most stealth situations.
Your presence puts normal animals on edge, often triggering their flight or flight responses.
Common Examples of Resonate Deviances
Example
Tune Flesh
Paint Reality
Divine Silence
Pros
Vibrate the cells inside an organic creature to either restore lost Wounds, or reduce them.
Turn back a single turn for yourself or an opponent. All rolls and actions must be made from scratch, with full knowledge of the time skip.
Quiet the cosmic distortion and simplify your situation. You gain a temporary time slowing effect.
Cons
Chance to have the opposite of intended effect, and at double the original bonus or loss.
GM takes control of your character for turn as 'something else' begins making decisions for you.
Find difficulty in hearing the familiar chaos of life. You begin to move as normal again, however your mind remains trapped at half speed until your next rest.
Common Examples of Injury Deviances
Example
Old Wound
Trauma
Insecurity
Pros
Remove this Deviance through roleplay for the potential to earn a much more beneficial Ability at the end of the session.
Remove this Deviance through roleplay to learn new Skills that can build resilience against further Trauma.
Remove this Deviance through roleplay to earn a permanent Trait increase as you return from the brink of the abyss reforged.
Cons
Lower all Dice Pools associated with Body Traits by one until this Deviance is removed.
Lower all Dice Pools associated with Mind Traits by one until this Deviance is removed.
Lower all Dice Pools associated with Spirit Traits by one until this Deviance is removed.
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