Monday, June 29, 2009

Waste World: Advantages and Special Powers

These special powers and abilities were originally created by Colin Chapman, to be included in the Ikarus sourcebook for Waste World. It was never actually published, and he was kind enough to allow me to archive them here.

Unique Advantages


Imperial Bloodline
You are a member of the great Phoenix bloodline, rulers of Ikarus and kin to the Emperor himself. The bloodline will ransom you if necessary (albeit with some reluctance), and use its influence and contacts to help you (providing of course you prove worthy of such aid, and the the Phoenix have extremely high standards to maintain). You are expected to behave as befits this great noble bloodline, to obey your elders and betters in the bloodline without hesitation, and epitomise the cruel and callous elan that all Ikareans aspire to. Failure to do so will not only cost you these benefits and responsibilities, it might very well cost you your life. Cost: 15

Celestial Bloodline
Similar to Imperial Bloodline above, you are a member of a powerful noble family of Ikarus, such as the Gryphon, Wyvern or Basilisk bloodlines. They will also aid you as noted above, but their resources and influence are less substantial (although extremely large). You are expected to behave as an exemplary member of your bloodline, and even these "lesser" bloodlines are unforgiving and merciless as regards "traitors". On the positive side, you will not be in the public eye as much as a member of the Imperial Bloodline would. Cost: 10

Minor Bloodline
You are a member of a minor Ikarean bloodline, giving you full rights of citizenship (such as the right to bear arms and to keep slaves). You may even serve in such hoored positions as slaver, torturemaster, sentinel, or bard, or even serve the great Ikarean military as an Eaglewarrior, scout, or pilot. You will be expected to behave as befits an Ikarean, and to defer to those of purer blood. Providing you do so, you will retain your rights, living in grandure amid the clouds. Unfortunatly, while your family may be willing to aid you, their resources, power and influence are not extensive. Cost: 5

Basilisk's Icy Mind
You have recieved rigorous and harsh tuition from some of the most powerful psionics in existence, honing your mind and willpower to resist psionic intrusion and the threat of insanity from gaining new powers. You gain +1 to any Resistance rolls, and halve the number of powers you have when using them as a modifier for an insanity roll. Cost: 10. Prerequisite: Celestial Bloodline (Basilisk)

Gryphon's Rage
You have recieved dedicated instruction in close combat since birth, favoring slashing maneuvers with wingblades and talons. The secret techniques taught to you give you +1 to hit and a +1 damage bonus when using those weapons, and enables you to make a second attack with those weapons at no penalty. Cost: 10. Prerequisite: Celestial Bloodline (Gryphon)

Majesty of the Phoenix
You have been tutored to compose yourself as a god, portraying an inspiring demeanor, walking, speaking and gesturing with confidence, purpose and nobility. Your every measured glance, subtle gesture and stance convey a feeling of superiority and demand the attention of those around you. You gain a +2 bonus on all social rolls that involve oratory, leadership or intimidation. Cost: 10. Prerequisite: Imperial Bloodline.

Wyvern's Cunning Sting
You have been raised as a deadly assassin since birth, giving you an almost mystical prowess for hiding and stealth, and an instinct for deadly and unexpected strikes. You gain a +1 bonus on all stealth and hiding rolls, and a +2 damage bonus when striking with surprise from behind. You can even use stealth in well-lit areas with little or no cover, so adept are you, and only suffer a -3 penalty when doing so. Cost: 10. Prerequisite: Celestial Bloodline (Wyvern)

Advantages

Chilling Gaze
You have the look of a cold-blooded predator, causing lesser mortals to quail in their boots and cowards to soil themselves under your penetrating gaze. Add +2 to any rolls to intimidate or cow other characters, but you suffer a -1 penalty on any social rolls that do not involve invoking fear or awe (such as seduction). Cost: 10

Demonic Empathy
Despite their utterly alien nature, you possess a bizarre understanding of True Demons, and they actually seem calmer and easier to befriend in your presence. They are less likely to attack you than anyone else (if they aren't mistreated). Unfortunatly, you do seem somewhat otherworldly and eerie to your fellow sentients, so while you have a +2 bonus on all social rolls, interactions, and social relations with True Demons, you suffer a -1 penalty on such rolls with other humanoids and creatures of flesh. Note: This advantage does not apply to False Demons (those energy beings that were once human). Cost: 10

Demonic Familiar
You have bound a demon in servitude to you and, unlike many demons, this one actually seems to like you. This means it is unlikely to "misinterpret" any commands you give it, or try to harm you or escape. Still, it's unlikely to sacrifice itself on your behalf (unlike many pets) and may prove stubborn or disagreeable at times. Cost: As Pet advantage. Prerequisite Must have the Demon Binding psionic power.

Keen Smell/Taste
You have a highly developed sense of smell and taste, although not to the extent of the Bloodhound Scent Special Power. Add +2 to all your smell/taste perception rolls. Needless to say, this can prove useful for detecting the subtle odor of some poisons and gases (which may prove singularly beneficial in Ikarus). Cost: 5


Lesser Advantages

Many of the Advantages in Waste World highlight extremes of those abilities, and provide substantial benefits. The following Lesser Advantages provide bonuses, while allowing for the fact that not every attractive person is Handsome/Beautiful, not everyone with a resistance to disease is immune, and so on. You cannot purchase these advantages and the full-fleged versions.

Attractive
You are attractive and pleasing to behold, although not striking and breathtaking (as those with Handsome/Beautiful are). It adds 1 to all your reaction rolls and to all skill rolls which may be impacted by physical appearance (seduction, persuasion, and so on). Cost: 5

Likeable
People seem to like you, and tend to listen to what you say. You get a +1 on all reaction rolls from NCs. This bonus also applies to all skill rolls in which you interact with other people (seduction, oratory, persuasion, and so forth). Cost: 5

Resistant to Disease
You have a strong immune system, and seldom succumb to disese or illness. Add 2 to your rolls to resist diesease. Cost: 5

Resistant to Mutation
You are possessed of a strong biological matrix, making you highly resistant to the effects of mutation. Add 2 to all your rolls to resist mutation. Cost: 5

Resistant to Poison
Your liver is extremely efficient at neutralising toxins and poisons, giving you a bonus of 2 to all your rolls to resist drugs, poisons and toxins. Cost: 5


Special Powers

Eagle-Eye
Like a bird-of-prey you can see with astounding acuity, recognising details at a distance of up to 5 kilometers (obstacles permitting), and only suffer a -1 penalty when using your ranged weapons beyond close range. It is possible to purchase this power and the Keen Eyes advantage. Cost: 10

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