ZeroSpace 3e EN:Occult Orders
Living creatures may tap into and utilize an esoteric form of energy which permeates the physical universe, including hyperspace. This energy is known by different names (Psi, the Empyrean, the Lifeweb, the Source, etc.), and is used in different ways, depending on the philosophy and metaphor used by those seeking to harness it. Most sentient creatures are aware of this energy, if only unconsciously, but very few are capable of manipulating it.
Organization
Although esoteric orders are cohesive in theory, in practice the amount of control the order has over its members and the amount of influence members have on the order itself vary a great deal.
Would you like to randomly generate the organization of an esoteric order? You can!
| Roll 1d6 | Type |
|---|---|
| 1 | Confederacy |
| 2 | Democracy |
| 3 | Kratocracy |
| 4 | Meritocracy |
| 5 | Monarchy |
| 6 | Oligarchy |
- Confederacy: Members of the order are organized into numerous small, self-governing groups. Each group participates in overall governance of the order.
- Democracy: All members of the order participate in governance. Senior members of the order may have more influence than junior members.
- Kratocracy: The order is governed by those who are strong enough to seize power through force or cunning. The specific methods permitted may be circumscribed by law or tradition.
- Meritocracy: Responsibility for governance is granted to members of the order based on their demonstrated talent and ability.
- Monarchy: Supreme power over the order belongs to an individual, often for life or until abdication. The extent of the monarch's power may be circumscribed by law or tradition.
- Oligarchy: Governance of the order rests with a small elite segment of the order distinguished by royal, wealth, intellectual, family, military, or religious hegemony. This hegemony tends to be self-perpetuating.
Doctrines
While the individual members of an esoteric order will vary in their behaviour, the order itself generally has an accepted canon and official doctrine. Individuals who violate the order's rules may suffer anything from mild criticism by their peers, to censure, to expulsion. In rare cases, an order may issue a warrant of execution for heretics and apostates.
Would you like to randomly generate the doctrines of an esoteric order? You can!
| Roll 2d6 | Complexity |
|---|---|
| 2 | Roll twice on Table 2 |
| 3-7 | Roll three times on Table 2 |
| 8-11 | Roll four times on Table 2 |
| 12 | Schism: roll on table 1 again, and see the note below |
Schism: The esoteric order is divided into two or more opposing and mutually antagonistic branches. Roll on Table 1 again to determine the complexity of the order's doctrines. When rolling on Table 2, make a note of the first roll and its opposite. The majority of the order has the first doctrine rolled (and all successive rolls), but a splinter group has the opposing doctrine (the rest of their doctrines are all the same). For example, the opposing doctrine of "adventure" is "security".
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Esoteric Powers
This is a list of typical esoteric powers found in a ZeroSpace game. This list is not exhaustive. A character may well have a power not listed here, using the guidelines under New Powers and subject to GM approval. However, any new powers should be approximately as useful as these powers, in order to maintain a sense of fairness with other characters. Each power costs one character point. We suggest spending no more than 5 character points total on alien traits, gifts, and esoteric powers.
Would you like to randomly generate a character's esoteric powers? You can! Consult the "Number of esoteric powers" table.
| Roll 1d6 | Powers |
|---|---|
| 1 | Roll once on Typical esoteric powers |
| 2-3 | Roll twice on Typical esoteric powers |
| 4-6 | Roll three times on Typical esoteric powers |
Count the number of esoteric powers, and subtract that number from your pool of character points.
| Roll 1d6 | Roll 1d6 | Power | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Acceleration | Power Level adds to Agility for the purpose of walking and swimming speed |
| 2 | Ambient Awareness | Can see equally well in every direction simultaneously | |
| 3 | Animal Control | Can communicate with and mentally control non-sentient animals | |
| 4 | Assimilation | Move through solid matter as though through water | |
| 5 | Barrier | Can use esoteric energy to create walls and simple geometric shapes | |
| 6 | Blast | A ranged attack using esoteric energy | |
| 2 | 1 | Clairvoyance | Can attempt to perceive things at a distance |
| 2 | Cloak | Become difficult to perceive by living beings and machines | |
| 3 | Conflict Meditation | Enhance allies' morale, coordination, and precision | |
| 4 | Dissonance | A Close Combat attack which ignores all normal forms of protection | |
| 5 | Esoteric Projection | Project one's consciousness, leaving one's physical body behind | |
| 6 | Harmony | Survive in environments and conditions that would impair or even kill normal people | |
| 3 | 1 | Healing | Revitalize a character who has lost Endurance in combat |
| 2 | Illusion | Create realistic three-dimensional phantasms | |
| 3 | Instill Emotion | Influence a target's behaviour by controlling their emotional state | |
| 4 | Leaping | Leap impossibly far -- more than a mere jump, but not quite flying | |
| 5 | Life Extension | Never grow old nor die from "natural causes" | |
| 6 | Meditation | Focus esoteric energy to heal much faster than the typical humanoid | |
| 4 | 1 | Mental Resistance | Resistant to mental attacks and unnatural coercion |
| 2 | Object Animation | Animate and mentally control an inanimate object | |
| 3 | Override | Communicate with and mentally control an android or other sentient machine | |
| 4 | Plant Control | Animate and mentally control a non-sentient plant | |
| 5 | Possession | Seize control of a target, effectively making them a passenger in their own body | |
| 6 | Premonition | Avoid being surprised even if there is no way to see the attack coming | |
| 5 | 1 | Probability | Influence the odds, playing fast and loose with the laws of chance |
| 2 | Rapport | Communicate with inanimate objects in ways that people normally can't | |
| 3 | Reflection | Use a psiblade or psistaff to reflect a ranged attack back at the attacker | |
| 4 | Selective Gravity | Move at normal ground speed along walls, ceilings, and other surfaces | |
| 5 | Sensory Deprivation | Render a target unable to see or hear | |
| 6 | Shadow Walk | Travel from one point to another without traversing the intervening space | |
| 6 | 1 | Stasis | Put a target into a fugue state, unable to move, think, or take any actions |
| 2 | Suggestion | Influence a living creature's behaviour, forcing the target to obey the character's command | |
| 3 | Telekinesis | Mentally grapple a character or object without touching them | |
| 4 | Telepathy | Communicate directly with the mind of another person | |
| 5 | Torment | A Mental Combat attack which ignores all normal forms of protection | |
| 6 | Ward | Use a psiblade or psistaff as protection against most forms of physical or energy damage | |
Acceleration
- Movement action
Acceleration allows the character to run and swim impossibly fast. The character's Power Level is added to their Agility for the purpose of determining their walking and swimming speed. If the character's Agility + Power Level is greater than 10, the character's walk, run, and sprint movement speed can be found in the GM Resources chapter.
Ambient Awareness
- Constant
Through their connection with the esoteric energy suffusing the universe, a character with Ambient Awareness can perceive equally well in every direction simultaneously. The character can sense shapes and textures as clearly as with ordinary vision, but without the ability to perceive color. Ambient Awareness can be activated with a free action.
Animal Control
- Standard action
Animal Control allows a character to communicate with and mentally control all non-sentient animals within short range (10 m). To communicate with and mentally control all non-sentient animals within short range, the character must succeed at a Manipulation (Power Level) roll against the Survival (Presence) roll of the animal within range with the highest Presence. As a rule of thumb, the Presence of a domesticated animal is usually 2, and the Presence of a wild animal is usually 6.
Controlled animals operate independently of the character controlling them. Giving a new mental command to the controlled animal requires a free action. Controlled animals have the normal attributes, movement, and attack types that those kinds of animals would have. However, controlled animals are resistant to further mental manipulation, having Presence equal to the character controlling them, or their natural Presence, whichever is greater.
The effects of Animal Control last until the end of the scene.
Assimilation
- Movement action
Assimilation allows a character to move through solid matter as though through water, leaving no trace of their passage. The movement speed of a character using Assimilation is equal to their swim speed. The character may make a double-move or swim sprint using Assimilation.
A character using Assimilation cannot pass through a force field or other energy shield; other than this, objects in the physical world generally have no effect on a character using Assimilation, or vice versa. However, Assimilation itself provides no protection against attacks.
Barrier
- Standard action
Barrier is a medium range (100 m) power which permits the character to use esoteric energy to create walls and simple geometric shapes. The action value (AV) of the Barrier is equal to the attacker's Agility + Power Level.
Creating a simple shape with Barrier (a wall, dome, cube, and so on) requires a moderately difficult (DV 3) Ranged Combat (Agility + Power Level) roll. Creating more complex shapes is more difficult, with the difficulty set by the GM based on the complexity of the desired shape. For example, an intricate labyrinth would require a remarkably difficult (DV 6) Ranged Combat (Agility + Power Level) roll.
The Brawn and Endurance of the Barrier are equal to the Power Level of the character creating it. The Brawn of the Barrier is used both for its defense value and to support weight as a bridge, support column, or other such structure. If the load on the Barrier exceeds the maximum mass it can support, or if the Barrier's Endurance is reduced to zero, it fades away.
If a Barrier is not attacked or damaged, it will normally remain in place until the end of the scene, after which it fades away.
Blast
- Standard action
Blast is a medium range (100 m) attack of pure esoteric energy which inflicts Endurance damage. Attacking with Blast requires a successful Ranged Combat (Agility + Power Level) roll against the Ranged Combat (Agility) roll of the target.
Blast is a medium range (100 m) attack of pure esoteric energy which inflicts Endurance damage. Attacking with Blast requires a successful Ranged Combat (Agility + Power Level) roll against the Ranged Combat (Agility) roll of the target. If the attacker succeeds at this roll, then the target's Endurance is reduced by one (or more, if using the optional margin of success rules).
Clairvoyance
- Standard action
With Clairvoyance, the character can attempt to perceive things at a distance. Using Clairvoyance typically requires a moderately difficult (DV 3) Perception (Reason + Power Level) roll, but the difficulty may be higher depending on the ambient "noise" and how subtle the thing being perceived is. If the thing being perceived is relatively obvious (to someone with the appropriate senses), no roll should be necessary. The range of Clairvoyance is essentially unlimited, but it is never completely reliable: it is primarily a roleplaying power under the control of the GM.
Cloak
- Standard action
Cloak allows the character to become difficult to perceive, by both living beings and machines. The character is hidden from normal senses unless someone is actively looking for them or there is some environmental circumstance that might reveal the character's location.
If someone is actively looking for the character, the person trying to locate the cloaked character must make a successful Perception (Reason) roll against the cloaked character's Stealth (Agility + Power Level) roll. A character with Clairvoyance or Hyperacuity may add their Power Level to their Reason when attempting to notice a character using Cloak. If an environmental circumstance might reveal the character's location, the person trying to locate the cloaked character gains a bonus die on their Perception (Reason) roll. For example, fog might reveal a cloaked character's outline, or fresh snow might reveal their footprints.
The character may cloak another person or person-sized object, but only as long as the character with the Cloak power is touching the second character or object.
Cloak can be activated with a free action.
Conflict Meditation
- Standard action
Conflict Meditation allows a character to enhance their allies' morale, coordination, and precision. Each of the character's allies in the current battle, no matter how large or small the conflict, gains a bonus die on all rolls for so long as the character maintains their Conflict Meditation. However, multiple uses of Conflict Meditation are not cumulative: if more than one character is using Conflict Meditation, their allies only receive a single bonus die.
A character may take no other actions while using Conflict Meditation, even free actions and roleplaying actions.
Esoteric Projection
- Standard action
The character can detach their consciousness from their physical body and travel to anywhere in the universe, leaving their physical body behind. The character must succeed at a moderately difficult (DV 3) Piloting (Reason + Power Level) roll to navigate to a specific location. While using Esoteric Projection, the "esoteric body" of the traveler is usually unable to interact with the world around them, although they may converse normally. While the "esoteric body" is separated from the character's physical body, their physical body appears to be in a comatose state, and the traveler is unaware of anything happening to or around their physical form. Esoteric Projection is a plot dependent power and may not always be available, at the GM's discretion.
Dissonance
- Standard action
Dissonance is an unarmed Close Combat (Power Level) attack which inflicts Endurance damage. Attacking with Dissonance requires a successful Close Combat (Power Level) roll against the Close Combat (Brawn) roll of the target. Dissonance ignores all normal forms of protection such as armor and energy shields.
Harmony
- Constant
Harmony permits the character to survive in environments and conditions that would impair or even kill normal people. This includes unusual or even poisonous atmospheres, such as underwater or in methane. It also includes environments of extreme cold, extreme heat, and intense ionizing radiation. The character may sleep or eat if they want to, but they suffer no ill effect from lack of food or sleep. Furthermore, the character is unaffected by infectious viruses, bacteria, chemical and biological poisons, toxins, and so on.
The benefit provided by Harmony is ambient and highly plot dependent: it does not normally protect the character from attacks or from direct forms of damage. Being able to withstand extreme heat and exposure to the blazing desert sun does not mean that a character is immune to a fire blast. A good rule of thumb is that if someone else is using it as an attack, the character is not immune to it.
Harmony does not need to be activated: it is always on, as long as the character is alert. For more details on the effects of the environment on a character, see Hostile Environments in the GM Resources chapter.
Healing
- Standard action
Healing is a close range (1 m) power which restores lost Endurance. The character with Healing may use a standard action to attempt a moderately difficult (DV 3) Medicine (Power Level) roll to heal the victim's injuries. If the character succeeds at this roll, then one Endurance is restored to the victim (or more, if using the optional margin of success rules).
Healing can remove diseases, pathogens, and poisons from the target. The character with Healing may attempt a moderately difficult (DV 3) Medicine (Power Level) roll to cure a single disease or purge a single toxin from the victim's system.
Illusion
- Standard action
Illusion is a short range (10 m) power which permits the character to create realistic three-dimensional phantasms, complete with all associated sensory accompaniment. An illusory lion will roar, illusory snow will feel cold and wet, and so on.
Creating a simple, immobile illusion (a wall, a bridge, and so on) requires a moderately difficult (DV 3) Deception (Presence + Power Level) roll. Creating more complex shapes requires a more difficult roll, with the difficulty set by the GM based on the complexity of the desired illusion. For example, a windmill, a lion, or other moving shape would require a remarkably difficult (DV 6) Deception (Presence + Power Level) roll, while a city square with moving cars, bicycles, and dozens of people would require an extremely difficult (DV 9) Deception (Presence + Power Level) roll.
While the illusions created by this power are completely convincing, they don't actually exist. The bite of an illusory dog will not break the skin, the touch of illusory liquid will not cause wetness, and an illusory bridge will not support the weight of anyone. The tactile aspect of an illusion will only be convincing if the contact is fleeting or feather-light: any significant physical interaction with an illusion provides an observer with a good reason to suspect that the apparition is not the genuine article.
Anyone who observes an Illusion and who has a good reason to suspect its true nature may attempt a Perception (Reason) roll against the creator's Deception (Presence + Power Level) roll. If the Perception (Reason) roll succeeds, the observer sees the Illusion for what it is, and may respond appropriately.
Instill Emotion
- Standard action
Instill Emotion is a short range (10 m) power which allows a character to influence a target's behaviour by controlling their emotional state. The character can only instill one emotion at a time in the target, but may instill in the target any emotion the attacker desires. To instill an emotion in the target, the attacker must succeed at a Mental Combat (Presence + Power Level) roll against the Mental Combat (Presence) roll of the target.
To break free of the Instill Emotion, the target must make a successful Mental Combat (Presence) roll against the Mental Combat (Presence + Power Level) roll of the attacker. If the target has not broken free of the Instill Emotion by the end of the scene, then they break free of it shortly thereafter.
Leaping
- Movement action
A character with Leaping can leap impossibly far -- more than a mere jump, but not quite flying. The distance the character may move with a Leap is equal to their Agility-based walking speed per round. If the character also has the esoteric power Acceleration, the character's Power Level is added to their Agility to determine their walking speed, and thus the distance they may move with a Leap. It is not possible to jump or leap using a double move (run) or all-out move (sprint), but with a running long jump, the character's ground movement is added to their long jump distance (effectively doubling their Leap distance).
Life Extension
- Constant
A character with Life Extension has mastered the use of esoteric energy to forestall the ravages of time. The character will never grow old or die from "natural causes", until they choose to do so. (Everyone does, eventually.)
Meditation
- Free action
Meditation accelerates the healing process and allows the character to recover from injury more quickly. Normally, an injured character may recover half of their lost Endurance (rounded down) by resting for about half an hour. After that, a character may only recover additional Endurance by getting a good night's sleep (or its equivalent, for characters who don't sleep). Barring some gruesome disfigurement, a character's Endurance will be completely replenished after a solid night's rest.
Meditation drastically reduces this recovery time: the character recovers half of the Endurance they have lost (rounded down) after they have had a chance to rest and recuperate for one full minute. After that, the character will regain the rest of their lost Endurance by meditating for about half an hour. Most characters with Meditation can even regrow lost limbs or damaged organs.
Additionally, the maximum Endurance of a character who is actively Meditating can't be reduced to zero by an environmental hazard such as dehydration, poison, or pressure. The character's maximum Endurance will always be at least one while they are Meditating, regardless of the hostile environmental conditions.
Mental Resistance
- Constant
A character with Mental Resistance is resistant to mental attacks and unnatural coercion. When making a Mental Combat defense roll, the character's Presence is doubled.
Mental Resistance does not need to be activated: it is always active, as long as the character is alert.
Object Animation
- Standard action
Object Animation is a short range (10 m) power which allows a character to animate and mentally control an inanimate, nonliving object. The action value (AV) of the Object Animation is equal to the character's Presence + Power Level. To animate and mentally control an object, the character must succeed at a moderately difficult (DV 3) Manipulation (Presence + Power Level) roll.
An animated object has the same actions as a normal character (free actions, movement action, standard action, reaction), and operates independently of the character that animated it. However, it will continue to perform the last instruction it was given even if that instruction no longer makes sense, as it has no will of its own. Giving a new mental command to an animated object requires a standard action.
The Brawn of the object is based on its physical structure and durability: as a rule of thumb, the Brawn can be based on the Brawn it would take to lift the object. The Agility and Presence of the object are equal to the Power Level of the character animating it. Animated objects are not actually alive or aware, so they have no Reason or Power Level. The specific details of the how the object moves and attacks vary depending on the object itself: an animated chair can walk, a carpet can slither, and so on.
The most massive object the character can animate is based on the character's Power Level.
| Power Level | Maximum Mass |
|---|---|
| 1 | 37 kg |
| 2 | 54 kg |
| 3 | 79 kg |
| 4 | 120 kg |
| 5 | 170 kg |
| 6 | 250 kg |
| 7 | 370 kg |
| 8 | 540 kg |
| 9 | 960 kg |
| 10 | 1,700 kg |
Override
- Standard action
Override is a short range (10 m) power which allows a character to communicate with and mentally control an android or other sentient machine. To communicate with and mentally control an android, the attacker must succeed at a Mental Combat (Presence + Power Level) roll against the Mental Combat (Presence) roll of the target.
Sentient machines under the influence of Override are not as effective as those whose wills are their own. Any roll attempted by a character under the influence of Override (other than trying to break out of it) incurs a penalty die, and a sentient machine under the influence of Override is not able to spend plot points on anything other than trying to break out of it.
To break free of the Override, the target must make a successful Mental Combat (Presence) roll against the Mental Combat (Presence + Power Level) roll of the attacker. If the affected machine succeeds at this roll, they may use their remaining movement action.
If a machine under the influence of Override is voluntarily released by the character who controlled them, the Override ends, and the machine affected by the Override will go on their way none the wiser. Similarly, if the machine has not broken free of the Override by the end of the scene, then they break free of it shortly thereafter.
Plant Control
- Standard action
Plant Control is a short range (10 m) power which allows a character to animate and mentally control plants. To communicate with and control all plants within range of the power, the character must succeed at a moderately difficult (DV 3) Manipulation (Power Level) roll.
Controlled plants operate independently of the character controlling them. Giving a new mental command to the controlled plants requires a free action. The Brawn and Agility of the plants is equal to the Power Level of the character controlling them. Animated plants have a very limited form of intelligence, with Reason and Presence of 1.
The effects of Plant Control last until the end of the scene.
Possession
- Standard action
Possession is a short range (10 m) attack which allows a character to seize control of a target, overriding the target's control and effectively making the target a passenger in their own body. Using Possession requires a Mental Combat (Presence + Power Level) roll against the Mental Combat (Presence) roll of the target. Possession is a short range (10 m) power, but once the target is possessed, they will remain possessed even if they leave this range.
While the character is using Possession on another person, their own body collapses into a trance-like state. A possessed character is not able to spend plot points (other than to break out of the Possession), but the possessing character can spend their own plot points while controlling a target. The target of Possession will not remember any actions they took while under the influence of the power. These memories may be able to be retrieved through the use of hypnosis, Telepathy, and so on.
To break out of the Possession, the target must make a successful Mental Combat (Presence) roll against the Mental Combat (Presence + Power Level) roll of the attacker. If the character succeeds at this roll, they may use their remaining movement action.
Premonition
- Reaction
Premonition permits the character to sense danger and avoid being surprised, even if there is no way for the character to see the attack coming. To perceive a source of danger, the character must succeed at a moderately difficult (DV 3) Perception (Reason + Power Level) roll. If the Premonition roll is successful, the character gains a bonus die on their defense roll against the attack. Premonition is a reaction: a character with Premonition may attempt to predict as many attacks as they like, as often as they like.
The character may also be able to see into the future, or "read" the destiny of items and people by touching them. Seeing into the future is never completely reliable: this aspect of Premonition is primarily a roleplaying power under the control of the GM.
Probability
- Free action or reaction
A character with Probability can influence the odds, playing fast and loose with the laws of chance. Probability does not allow the character to break the laws of physics or make impossible things happen, but a character with Probability can make unlikely events likely and likely events unlikely.
Using Probability requires the player to describe a favorable or unfavorable circumstance and how that circumstance might have come about. If the GM agrees that the circumstance is possible (however unlikely it might be), then the GM will decide how this unlikely event impacts the character. The simplest way to translate this favorable or unfavorable circumstance into game terms is to grant a bonus die if the circumstance is favorable for the character attempting the task or to impose a penalty die if the circumstance is unfavorable for the character attempting the task. The use of Probability could also influence events in a less straightforward manner, and the GM should encourage players to be creative with the power. Each use of Probability should be roughly as useful as a bonus or a penalty: significant, but not game-breaking.
Probability can be used as a free action or as a reaction: a character with Probability may attempt to influence the odds whenever they like. During each game session, the number of times the character can influence probability is equal to the character's Power Level. Probability may be used to influence a roll either before or immediately after the roll has been made.
Rapport
- Standard action
Rapport is a short range (10 m) power which permits the character to communicate with inanimate objects in ways that people normally can't. For example, a character with Rapport may communicate with buildings and other artificial structures, non-sentient machines, non-sentient plants, paths and roads, and rocks and stones. To communicate with an inanimate object, the character must succeed at a moderately difficult (DV 3) Diplomacy (Presence + Power Level) roll.
Inanimate objects, not truly being sentient, do not generally lie or withhold information. However, being able to speak to something does not grant it any additional powers, such as movement. A building might be able to tell you where the vault is, but it can't unlock the vault for you.
The character can see into the past, viewing or "reading" the history of items and objects by touching them. Seeing into the past is never completely reliable: this use of Rapport is primarily a roleplaying power under the control of the GM.
Reflection
- Reaction
During their turn, or as a forced action, a character with Reflection may use a psiblade or psistaff to reflect a successful ranged single-target attack back at the attacker. To reflect an attack, the character must make a successful Close Combat (Brawn + Power Level) roll against the original Ranged Combat roll of the attacker.
If the Reflection roll fails, the character is struck by the attack, as usual. If the roll succeeds, the character with Reflection may use a free action to make a Ranged Combat (Agility + Power Level) roll against the original attacker. A character who is using their action to reflect attacks may continue to attempt to reflect attacks until they take their next turn.
Selective Gravity
- Movement action
Selective Gravity allows the character to move at their normal ground speed along walls, ceilings, and other surfaces as if they were level. The strength holding the character to the surface is equal to their Brawn. If the surface is slippery or unstable, the GM might require the character to attempt a moderately difficult (DV 3) Athletics (Agility) roll to keep from sliding or falling.
Selective Gravity can be activated with a free action.
Sensory Deprivation
- Standard action
Sensory Deprivation is a medium range (100 m) power which renders the target unable to see or hear. Attacking with Sensory Deprivation requires a successful Ranged Combat (Power Level) roll against the Ranged Combat (Agility) roll of the target, or the target's Ranged Combat (Agility + Power Level) roll if the target has Ambient Awareness. A successful Sensory Deprivation attack renders the target unable to see and unable to hear. If an attacker can't see the defender, the attacker incurs a penalty die. Conversely, if a defender can't see the attacker, the defender incurs a penalty die.
To recover from Sensory Deprivation, the target must use a standard action to make a moderately difficult (DV 3) Perception (Reason) roll. If the character succeeds at this roll, they recover from Sensory Deprivation and may use their remaining movement action.
If the target has not recovered from Sensory Deprivation by the end of the scene, then they recover from it shortly thereafter.
Shadow Walk
- Movement action
Shadow Walk permits a character to use a movement action to travel from one point to another without traversing the intervening space. The distance the character may travel before re-appearing is equal to their Agility-based walking speed per round. If the character also has the esoteric power Acceleration, the character's Power Level is added to their Agility to determine their walking speed, and thus the distance they may move with a Shadow Walk. The character may run or sprint using Shadow Walk. A character using Shadow Walk may carry with them whatever they can carry, based on their Brawn. This may include equipment or even other characters.
A character using Shadow Walk cannot re-appear inside of a solid object, nor into any area that is completely enclosed in a force field or other energy shield; other than this, objects in the physical world generally have no effect on a character using Shadow Walk. If a character using Shadow Walk unknowingly attempts to re-appear inside of a solid object, they lose half of their Endurance (rounded down) and are shunted to the nearest unoccupied space, or the Shadow Walk attempt fails entirely, at the GM's discretion.
Stasis
- Standard action
Stasis is a short range (10 m) attack which prevents the target from moving, thinking, or taking any actions other than trying to break out of it. Attacking with Stasis requires a successful Mental Combat (Power Level) roll against the Mental Combat (Presence) roll of the target. If the attacker succeeds at this roll, then the target becomes unable to move or even think. While affected by Stasis, only a moment seems to pass for the target, but after they break out of it, they are aware that something unusual has happened, and that they have "lost time". The Brawn and Agility of a character under the effects of Stasis are zero for the purpose of defense rolls.
To break free of the Stasis, the target must use a standard action to make a successful Mental Combat (Presence) roll against the Mental Combat (Power Level) roll of the attacker. If the defender succeeds at this roll, they may use their remaining movement action.
If the character has not broken out of the Stasis by the end of the scene, then they break out of it shortly thereafter.
If the character already has this as an alien trait, there is no additional benefit to purchasing this power.
Suggestion
- Standard action
Suggestion is a short range (10 m) attack which allows the character to influence a living creature's behaviour, forcing the target to obey the character's command. To influence a living creature's behaviour, the character must succeed at a Mental Combat (Presence + Power Level) roll against the Mental Combat (Presence) roll of the target. Giving a new mental command to the target requires a free action. Suggestion is a short range (10 m) power, but once the Suggestion is successful, it will remain so even if the target leaves this range.
Characters under the influence of Suggestion are not as effective as those whose wills are their own. Any roll attempted by a character under the influence of Suggestion (other than trying to break out of it) incurs a penalty die, and a character under the influence of Suggestion is not able to spend plot points on anything other than trying to break out of it.
To break free of the Suggestion, the target must make a successful Mental Combat (Presence) roll against the Mental Combat (Presence + Power Level) roll of the attacker. If the character succeeds at this roll, they may use their remaining movement action.
If the character has not broken free of the Suggestion by the end of the scene, then they break free of it shortly thereafter. The target of Suggestion will not remember any actions they took while under the influence of the power. These memories may be able to be retrieved through the use of hypnosis, Telepathy, and so on.
Telekinesis
- Standard action
Telekinesis is a medium range (100 m) attack which permits a character to grapple a character or object without touching it. Attacking with Telekinesis requires a successful Ranged Combat (Power Level) roll against the Ranged Combat (Agility) roll of the target. Grabbing inanimate objects with Telekinesis is generally automatic, unless the GM wants to make it difficult for some reason.
If the attacker's roll is equal to or greater than the defender's roll, they may choose to cause one point of Endurance damage to the defender (or more, if using the optional margin of success rules), or they may restrain the defender. A restrained character is not helpless, but they can't use normal movement until they break free of Telekinesis. Attacking a restrained character is easier, and a restrained character's attacks are easier to avoid: a restrained attacker incurs a penalty die on all attack rolls, defense rolls, and skill rolls while restrained by Telekinesis.
The maximum mass the character can lift with their Telekinesis is based on the character's Power Level.
| Power Level | Lift | Throw (25 kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 37 kg | 1 m |
| 2 | 54 kg | 1 m |
| 3 | 79 kg | 2 m |
| 4 | 120 kg | 2 m |
| 5 | 170 kg | 4 m |
| 6 | 250 kg | 5 m |
| 7 | 370 kg | 8 m |
| 8 | 540 kg | 11 m |
| 9 | 960 kg | 20 m |
| 10 | 1,700 kg | 35 m |
- Throw (25 kg) indicates the farthest distance that a character could throw a compact object weighing 25 kg. To see how far a character can throw heavier objects, subtract the Power Level required to lift the object from the character's total Power Level. Look up the difference in the "Brawn" column: this indicates how far the character can throw the object. For example, a character with Brawn 8 could throw an object weighing 60 kg (such as a cooperative slender human) up to 5 meters.
Breaking Free Of Telekinesis
To break free of the Telekinesis, the restrained character must attempt a Close Combat roll using their Agility or Brawn (whichever is greater) against the attacker's Ranged Combat (Power Level) roll. If the restrained character has Telekinesis, they may use their Power Level for this roll. If the restrained character's roll is equal to or greater than the grappling character's roll, the restrained character has broken free of the Telekinesis, and they may use their movement action for that turn. Alternately, the attacker may release the restrained character at any time, without using an action.
Hurting A Held Target
If the attacker wishes to exert telekinetic strength in an attempt to hurt the restrained character, they must use an action to make another Ranged Combat (Power Level) roll against the restrained character's Close Combat roll, using the restrained character's Agility or Brawn (whichever is greater).
Moving A Held Target
A character with Telekinesis may move what they are holding with the power. If the attacker wishes to move or throw the held character, the distance an attacker may move the defender is based on the Power Level of the attacker and the mass of the restrained character. First, look up the mass of the defender or object to be moved in the "Lift" column (rounding to the nearest mass value), and find the corresponding Power Level for that mass. Subtract that from the Power Level of the attacker, and look up that resulting value in the "Throw" column. This is how far the attacker can move or throw the held character.
Telepathy
- Standard action
Telepathy is a short range (10 m) attack spell which permits a character to communicate directly with the mind of another person. However, if the willing target of Telepathy also has Telepathy, the maximum distance between the two telepaths is effectively unlimited.
To communicate directly with the mind of an unwilling person, the character must succeed at a Mental Combat (Presence + Power Level) roll against the Mental Combat (Presence) roll of the target, or the target's Mental Combat (Presence + Power Level) roll if the target also has Telepathy. With a successful attack roll, the attacker may mentally communicate with the target and may read their surface thoughts. If using the optional margin of success rules, the attacker may read the target's memories if the attacker achieves a margin of success of 3 or more (each memory viewed requires a separate roll). To break free of the Telepathy, an unwilling target must make a successful Mental Combat (Presence) roll against the Mental Combat (Presence + Power Level) roll of the attacker.
To communicate directly with the mind of a willing person, no attack roll is needed. With a willing target, the telepath may mentally communicate with the target and may read their surface thoughts and (if the target consents) their memories. A willing participant may end the telepathic contact at any time.
Torment
- Standard action
Torment is a short range (10 m) attack which inflicts "stunning" damage. Attacking with Torment requires a successful Mental Combat (Presence + Power Level) roll against the Mental Combat (Presence) roll of the target. If the attacker succeeds at this roll, then the target's Endurance is reduced by one (or more, if using the optional margin of success rules). Torment ignores all normal forms of protection such as armor and Force Field. However, Torment is completely ineffective against non-living objects, even if they are sentient.
Damage from Torment is temporary. Record it separately; it all comes back after the fight is over, when the character has had a chance to rest and recuperate.
Ward
- Constant
Ward permits a character to use their psiblade or psistaff as protection against most normal single-target attacks aimed at the individual character. The defense value (DV) of a character with the Ward power is equal to their relevant defense attribute (Brawn for close combat, Agility for ranged combat) plus the rating of their psiblade or psistaff. As always, this does not stack with armor, energy shields, or other forms of defense -- only the highest defense value applies.
Ward does not need to be activated: it is always on, as long as the character is alert and has a psiblade in their possession.
New Powers
You might not find the power you want in this chapter. After all, the page count of this book is limited, while your imagination is not. If the power you want is very similar to one already listed, the easiest thing to do is just change the name and description slightly, and get on with the game. Talk to the GM and the other players about it, and see if they agree. If they do, your problem is solved.
On the other hand, not everything that works in a story works in a game. It's entirely possible to create an invisible power that can attack anyone, anywhere, at no risk to the character -- but where's the fun in that? If the power you have imagined is significantly more powerful than anything in this chapter, then maybe you should go back to the drawing board.
Villain Powers
Powers can sometimes work quite differently for villains than it does for heroes. For example, a character with Possession will rarely be able to maintain their control over a target for very long, but a villain might have an NPC under their control for weeks or even years. Story-based powers can accomplish things that are simply beyond the capabilities of player characters. However, do not overuse this technique, or the players will grow tired of it.