Rules for the Void
Nodes and Weaves
Every event that takes place on the Prime on Baennor is reflected in the Void. These reflections are called Weaves and are referred to by most aetherists as "spirit-constructs". They are not quite living beings, but not entirely inanimate either. A Weave is a naturally occurring phenomenon where events on the Prime are essentially reflected in the Void. The lifespan and strength of a weave is determined by the event itself on the Prime. Major events or strong emotional ties create long-lasting weaves, while everyday occurrences create wispy, short-lived weaves. Much like a tracker follows footprints and other clues to track their quarry, atherists and other trained practitioners following these clues - often called Wefts (think "tracks" in the Void) - to read the information in a weave. A Node is nothing more than an artificial weave created for the purpose of storing information. Dwimmersmiths create nodes that interact with the Prime and can be used to calculate, store, and transfer information. Dwimmersmiths fabricate Ways - imagine conduits that connect Weaves together - to enable the transfer of information between the Nodes. For the most part, Nodes are not compatible with Weaves despite the similarities. While it has been proven possible, it is usually not worth the effort for practitioners to connect a Node to a Weave.Actions against Weaves and Nodes:
- Attack. Using a voidspike or slate, an practitioner makes a check against the defense of the Node. Success deals damage to the node. If the node reaches 0 Edge, it's defenses are defeated and the practitioner may attempt other actions against the Weave or Node.
Note: Weaves do not typically have Edge; while they may have other abilities or defenses, an practitioner may immediately attempt to read a weave.
- Read. Normally, read actions are only used with Nodes, because Weaves are usually not organized in a fashion capable of being "read". In order to read an object, and practitioner must make a slate check against the Defense of the Node (or Weave). If successful, the practitioner is able to gain some level of information from the target. For every 5 by which the roll beats the Defense DC, the practitioner is able to learn an additional piece of information.
- Replicate. If the target has no Edge, an practitioner may attempt a voidspike or slate check against the Defense DC, plus modifier for its size - see below. If successful, the practitioner is able to create a copy of the Node or Weave and store it in their device. A replicated Node or Weave can then be taken and investigated at a later time (see: Replicated Weaves for more information).
- Search/Investigate. When an practitioner attempts to investigate a Weave or Node with no Edge, they must first make a slate check against the Defense DC of the Weave. If successful, the practitioner is able to glean information from the Void related to the Weave (or Node).
- Write (Nodes only) - Using a voidspike or slate, an practitioner can write to a Node. Most of the time this is the harmless capture of information, however - particularly with the use of a voidspike - harmful information may also be written to the Node, potentially damaging or corrupting it.
Corrupted Nodes and Weaves are known as Withers and often cause significant disruptions when brought into existence.
Slate
Adventuring Gear
Varies Requires Attunement
The most common way to glean information from the Void is to utilize a portal device. In the past, these devices would have been huge, taking up entire walls. Today most people who are capable of interacting with them view the Void through a small, handheld device called a Slate. These devices almost appear to be a decorative picture frame, complete with transparent glass. In order to use a Slate the owner must be able to attune to it and be capable of manifesting magic from the Void.
When activated a Slate becomes an overlay on the world around the user - a window into the Void within their immediate area. It is with these devices an aetherist or other practitioner the ability to interact with Weaves and other creatures or objects within the Void. As long as the user spends a bonus action to maintain the connection to the Void, they are able to interact, as applicable, with the Void using skills and manifestations against creatures and objects there.
There are many manufacturers of slates across the Commonwealth, but almost all of them are in Rynmark. Slates are generally pretty expensive piece of kit and usually only found in the hands of professional aetherists and other practitioners.
- Basic Slate. 1,000 Notes, 1d4 Psychic*, 0.5 lbs., Properties: Binding, Void Viewing
- Aetherix Slate Mk III. 2,200 Notes, 1d6 Psychic*, 0.5 lbs., Properties: Aetheric Shield 2, Binding, Void Viewing
Slate Properties
Aetheric Shield. Devices equipped with an aetheric shield grant a bonus to the Defense of its owner equal to its rank. Adding ranks of Aetheric Shield costs an amount equal to (1 + the new Rank) x 1,000 Notes.
Binding. This device can serve as an aetheric focus for practitioners to bind their daemons.
Void Focus. With this property, a practitioner adds the Void Focus rank as a bonus to hit and damage targets in the Void. Adding ranks of Void Focus costs an amount equal to (1 + the new Rank) x 1,000 Notes.
Void Viewing. When an attuned practitioner uses a bonus action to peer through this device, they may view the demi-plane of the Void as if it were laid over the Prime. Objects and creatures existing in the Void become visible through this device as long as they are not masked or otherwise hidden.
Cost: 1,000+ Notes
Weight: 0.5 lbs
Voidspike
Adventuring Gear
Rare Requires Attunement
Voidspikes (also known as Aetherspikes) are wand-like devices that come in a variety of styles and colors. These devices, once attuned, allow trained adepts to interact with nodes and weaves from the Prime. Often considered illegal without a license in the Commonwealth, an adept who spikes a Node (or Weave) can read, When used as a weapon against constructs, the voidspike deals damage based upon the wielders Intelligence modifier.
Cost: 200 - 1,500 Notes
Weight: 0.5lbs
Weave Example
Weave, Tiny
Tiny elemental (void), any
Defense 10
Edge 0
Health 10
Speed 5ft
Str: 10 | Dex: 13 | Con: 10 | Int: 10 | Wis: 12 | Cha: 3
Skills Negotiation +1
Damage Immunities Immune to physical damage of any type
Condition Immunities Immune to all conditions
Senses None
Languages None
Challenge 1/8
Abilities
Ready to Negotiate. In order for practitioners to gain access to the information within a Weave, they must first interact with it. Interacting requires a successful, opposed negotiation check. After a successful Charisma (Negotiation) check opposed by the the Weave, it will convey some or all of its information.
Reflection of the Prime. A Weave is the reflection of an event that occurred on the Prime. Adepts can interact with a Weave by using tools like a voidspike or slate, or through the use of manifestations such as Psychometry . See Nodes & Weaves for more information on interacting with a Weave.
A tiny Weave is usually the result of an equally tiny event. Something like a person jumping out of the way of a moving mechanical, someone picking a lock, or perhaps someone else receiving a gift. After successfully negotiating with the Weave, the viewer sees segments of the information contained within the Weave replayed before them in ghostly images from within the Void.
Void Spirit. A Weave may only affect and be affected by other creatures in the Void. Creatures that are not in the Void cannot perceive the Weave and cannot interact with it, unless they have a Special ability or magic that has given them the ability to do so.
Inanimate. The weave is completely unresponsive to attacks or other stimuli against it. Its attributes are only necessary for determining any resistance to spells and other attacks.
Actions
None.
Description
This tiny, wispy elemental is ephemeral in its appearance. It shimmers even in the absence of direct light as it slowly roils in front of you. Weaves are only ever found in the Void - a demi-plane surrounding the planet Baeenor. Depending upon the nature of the Weave, many are often found in the vicinity of other nastier creatures such as incarnates - Void creatures made manifest through intense emotion.
Defense 10
Edge 0
Health 10
Speed 5ft
Str: 10 | Dex: 13 | Con: 10 | Int: 10 | Wis: 12 | Cha: 3
Skills Negotiation +1
Damage Immunities Immune to physical damage of any type
Condition Immunities Immune to all conditions
Senses None
Languages None
Challenge 1/8
Abilities
Ready to Negotiate. In order for practitioners to gain access to the information within a Weave, they must first interact with it. Interacting requires a successful, opposed negotiation check. After a successful Charisma (Negotiation) check opposed by the the Weave, it will convey some or all of its information.
Reflection of the Prime. A Weave is the reflection of an event that occurred on the Prime. Adepts can interact with a Weave by using tools like a voidspike or slate, or through the use of manifestations such as Psychometry . See Nodes & Weaves for more information on interacting with a Weave.
A tiny Weave is usually the result of an equally tiny event. Something like a person jumping out of the way of a moving mechanical, someone picking a lock, or perhaps someone else receiving a gift. After successfully negotiating with the Weave, the viewer sees segments of the information contained within the Weave replayed before them in ghostly images from within the Void.
Void Spirit. A Weave may only affect and be affected by other creatures in the Void. Creatures that are not in the Void cannot perceive the Weave and cannot interact with it, unless they have a Special ability or magic that has given them the ability to do so.
Inanimate. The weave is completely unresponsive to attacks or other stimuli against it. Its attributes are only necessary for determining any resistance to spells and other attacks.
Actions
None.
Description
This tiny, wispy elemental is ephemeral in its appearance. It shimmers even in the absence of direct light as it slowly roils in front of you. Weaves are only ever found in the Void - a demi-plane surrounding the planet Baeenor. Depending upon the nature of the Weave, many are often found in the vicinity of other nastier creatures such as incarnates - Void creatures made manifest through intense emotion.
Node Example
Node, TIny
Tiny elemental (void), any
Defense 10
Edge 10
Health 10
Speed 5ft
Str: 10 | Dex: 13 | Con: 10 | Int: 10 | Wis: 12 | Cha: 3
Damage Immunities Immune to physical damage of any type
Condition Immunities Immune to all conditions
Senses None
Languages None
Challenge 1/8
Abilities
Alarm. When a Node is attacked or accessed by someone who does not have permission, the Node uses its Alarm action on its initiative.
Information Bank. A Node is an artificial and very dense versions of a Weave. In order to interact with a Node, the adept accessing it must either be the creator or be granted permission. Otherwise, they must defeat the Node and reduce its Edge to 0. Once at 0 Edge, the Node can be accessed using the actions described under Nodes & Weaves.
Void Spirit. A Node may only affect and be affected by other creatures in the Void. Creatures that are not in the Void cannot perceive the Weave and cannot interact with it, unless they have a Special ability or magic that has given them the ability to do so.
Inanimate. The Node is completely unresponsive to attacks or other stimuli against it. Its attributes are only necessary for determining any resistance to spells and other effects.
Actions
Alarm (Recharge 4-6). The Node emits a small spirit-construct into the Void that is sent to alert security or the owner of the Node. The spirit-construct has a Defense of 10, Health of 5, and a Move of 60'.
Description
This small, block-shaped elemental looks like a glowing cube in the Void. It shimmers even in the absence of direct light as it slowly roils in front of you. Nodes are only ever found in the Void - a demi-plane surrounding the planet Baeenor.
Defense 10
Edge 10
Health 10
Speed 5ft
Str: 10 | Dex: 13 | Con: 10 | Int: 10 | Wis: 12 | Cha: 3
Damage Immunities Immune to physical damage of any type
Condition Immunities Immune to all conditions
Senses None
Languages None
Challenge 1/8
Abilities
Alarm. When a Node is attacked or accessed by someone who does not have permission, the Node uses its Alarm action on its initiative.
Information Bank. A Node is an artificial and very dense versions of a Weave. In order to interact with a Node, the adept accessing it must either be the creator or be granted permission. Otherwise, they must defeat the Node and reduce its Edge to 0. Once at 0 Edge, the Node can be accessed using the actions described under Nodes & Weaves.
Void Spirit. A Node may only affect and be affected by other creatures in the Void. Creatures that are not in the Void cannot perceive the Weave and cannot interact with it, unless they have a Special ability or magic that has given them the ability to do so.
Inanimate. The Node is completely unresponsive to attacks or other stimuli against it. Its attributes are only necessary for determining any resistance to spells and other effects.
Actions
Alarm (Recharge 4-6). The Node emits a small spirit-construct into the Void that is sent to alert security or the owner of the Node. The spirit-construct has a Defense of 10, Health of 5, and a Move of 60'.
Description
This small, block-shaped elemental looks like a glowing cube in the Void. It shimmers even in the absence of direct light as it slowly roils in front of you. Nodes are only ever found in the Void - a demi-plane surrounding the planet Baeenor.
Types of Aetherists
Investigator. Just as the name implies, investigators specialize in detective work. They use the Void and their understanding of Weaves in order to solve crimes, find missing persons, and generally help the Commonwealth.Revenant. While all aetherists use some measure of psychic energy in their magic, revenants use their abilities to attack the very psyche of their targets, haunting and instilling terror in their victims.
Spektors (speck-tors; short for Aspector or Aspect; slang: skippers or drifters). There are individuals who have developed the specialized ability to send their metaphysical mind into the Void on their own. While rare, these individuals can leave their physical form and travel through the Void searching for information, looking for clues, protecting portals, and so forth. While out of their bodies, their physical forms are defenseless and rely on their mates or seclusion for protection. In the Void they can do anything an aetherist with a slate can do, only better.
Spider. Someone who specializes in finding and stealing information from within the Void. Spiders are often called upon to dig up blackmail material, steal secret blueprints, and conduct other various and nefarious activities.
Summoner. Occasionally, there are aetherists who are able to physically manifest their spirit-constructs on the Prime instead of using them for their spell effects. These summoners conjure daemons to aid them in their studies, in their investigations, and even in combat. While one of the most uncommon of aetherist archetypes, they are nevertheless heavily studied due to their somewhat unique ability to bring these constructs into the Prime - a phenomenon previously thought impossible.
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