Starless

"I cannot imagine a fate worse than life without magic. In honesty I'd just end it all if I ended up like them. " -Shey, Rainbow Wizard.

  No one chooses to be Starless. It makes life much more difficult for those on Solus, limits access to Plasmatech or any other type of magical technology and items, and worst of all: Weakens the individual who is. Specifically the immune system becomes heavily compromised and those who are Starless seem to fall ill much more frequently. Advances in medical technology have made this not as life-threatening as it was once, but it still can be fatal. Yet, even with those who are Starless, heroes can rise and defy the threads of fate.  

Causes

  There are two ways to be Starless. Either A: Born into it, or B: Having your partner celestial body ripped from you.   For those under A: It is unknown why some people are born Starless, it is not genetic, it is not an issue of Starless parents producing Starless offspring, instead to many it seems almost entirely random. Those born Starless rarely make it to adulthood, but those who do often come out of the ordeal stronger for it. Even if they must still be somewhat careful of their condition they don't let it define them. Some being Wise Men, others intellectuals, and some even the best inventors of Plasmatech despite their ability to use it by default without outside power sources to aid.   For those under B: It is a traumatic experience be ripped from your partner celestial object. While many attribute this to your partner object being consumed by a black hole the more recently common way has involved cults planet-wide. Horror stories of waking up in a ritualistic room, surrounded by hooded figures, as they attempt to rip the star's power physically from the body and into their own as an attempt to learn the secrets of the ruling family has grown in infamy over the past decade. It is unknown if they are successful in fully stealing the star's power, but the victim is then left as Starless. Going through this process can lead to near literal mind-shattering pain, comas, shock, or a myriad of other long-lasting conditions. Some may recover and be able to lead a semi-normal life, and others may not.  

Bonuses and Penalties

  All Starless cannot use Plasmatech without using external sources (batteries) to power these magical items up. These are easily purchasable in towns, cities, or from traveling traders and simply require you to be concious of their existence like ammunition.   All Starless cannot be a class that uses magic and cannot have a background that bestows any magical abilities, spells, etc. A Starless will always have 0 spellslots of every level overwriting any and all other magical gear, plasmatech, etc.   Starless, however, can still participate in rituals that have the aid of at least one other Starborn, Terraborn, or Plasmatech standin.   All starless get -1 to fortitude saving throws against diseases.   Starless' resolve grows as they overcome challenges. Depending on the situations resolved, how they are resolved, and the overall success or failure of encounters, Starless will unlock unique abilities and stat increases, not limited to but including univeral Will, Reflex, Acrobatic, Athletic, Crafting, Performance, Society, Stalth, Suvival, and Thievery bonuses. These don't come frequently, but will certainly put you at least on par with a Starborn, eventually.