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di immortales virtutem approbare, non adhibere debent

"Uh, actually...I was a heretic before it was 'cool'" -Hipgnostic

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    Templar Mediator

    Phill
    Phill


    Posts : 90
    Join date : 2012-04-27
    Location : Atziluth

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    Post  Phill Thu May 03, 2012 7:46 pm

    The faithful Templar are the elite mortal forces of the Church. There are only thousands of Engel, while there are ten times as many Templar. These brave men and women receive advanced martial training and tactical lessons so they can deal with the strange threats of the world After the Flood. Still, their skills are not what sets them apart from ordinary troops.
    The Templar are super human. Through the mysterious Mediator they can increase their physical capabilities far beyond the most impressive human maximums. It is known that Templar receive special diets and undergo ceremonies during their training and induction. Yet it is also known that they do not possess the nanotech hives or stolen Holy power that Engel have. The Mediator powers are certainly tied to faith and discipline; it is a universal truth that all Templar are steadfast, focused, and loyal to the doctrines of the Engeletic faith. They are the true Holy Army of the Church, and they reap benefits as such.

    The Secret
    ...

    Focus
    The Templar are faithful to the scripture of the Engeletic Church. Their Focus comes from their faith and it is based on religion. The core tenets of the Church are sound; they exemplify righteousness, charity, honesty, faith, kindness, and other high moral qualities. These concepts are viewed through the lens of the Church, and the Templar try to live up to these nearly impossible standards. Through that struggle and constant meditation they achieve the control necessary to change their bodies and use the Mediator. If a Templar loses their faith their body will destroy itself. Templar who are more advanced actually suffer worse than initiates, as their bodies are more and more out of natural equilibrium. Etienne Normand might very well turn to goo instantly if his soul turns away from the teachings of the Church.

    Bear in mind that the Church itself as an organization is not necessarily what the Templar believe in. They have the benefit of being separate from the major political wrangling of the Church bureaucracy, so their views on the corruption or indolence of the Church are not as bad as they could be. They keep the Faith; the spirit of the law, not necessarily the letter.

    Oddly, the Templar focus on the actions and principles of various holy figures unknown to the lay-people of the Church to activate their Mediator. This is a call back to the ancient Roman mystery religions. This does not interfere with their keeping of the Churches faith, but rather strengthens it. It sets the Templar above the normal soldiers, builds a loyal community that has special ties to itself, and subconsciously reinforces the fact that the Templar cannot stray from their focus. They must aspire to be better than their chosen holy figures, who are obviously not a normal part of the dogma. These Saints or Prophets are numerous, so while some Templar may Focus on Herakles for strength, others may Focus on Superman (Ok, I’m probably joking about that one). There are no mechanical differences between these two. The Templar are well educated in these matters, as it is a major part of their training. They enjoy a combination of philosophical and physical conflict to resolve disputes related to their favored Saints.

    Mediator Mechanics
    The Mediator are passive Skills that enhance the Templars normal abilities. There are 5 Mediator, named after the most common “Saints”: Herakles, Cyrus, Vimana, Iskander and Jesu. These powers link up with the normal skills of Might, Endurance, Athletics, Alertness and Resolve.

    To be able to purchase and use the Mediator a character must first have the appropriate normal skill at +5 or higher, then they can purchase the Stunt that opens the Mediator to them. After that, Mediator ranks are increased through Skill points, though they are not on the normal Skill ladder and are not subject to any of those related limits.

    Every rank of a Mediator skill provides an additional +1 to rolls of the linked skill. For example, a Templar with Alertness +6 and Iskander +3 would roll Alertness at +9. The maximum Mediator rank is +5.

    Templar may increase the application and power of their Mediator by applying more Stunt purchases to them.

    Herakles
    The Saint of Strength is a figure that was originally found by Templar serving in Roma Aeturna. The truly ancient buildings there held statues of fallen times from well before the Flood. Among these ruins they discovered the story of a man who was blessed by the gods, or was a god himself. He had strength beyond that of men, and he used it to accomplish labors of Good. The Templar that focus on this Saint and those like him are gifted with impossible might.

    Stunts

    Herakles – Introductory Stunt to unlock this Mediator. Provides Herakles at +1.
    Requires Might +5

    Labor – The strength of the righteous must be used to help the people. The Templar can apply their Herakles bonus to rolls for construction projects or community building that could benefit from massive strength.

    Champion – The tests of the Saint always involve besting monsters and villains. The Templar can apply their Herakles bonus to the damage of their close physical attacks.


    ANOTHER TEASER. More later.
    laylial
    laylial


    Posts : 44
    Join date : 2012-04-29

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    Post  laylial Fri May 04, 2012 1:57 pm

    Will there be any drawbacks? Negative aspects or penalties?

    Zabbaiel
    Zabbaiel


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    Post  Zabbaiel Fri May 04, 2012 4:02 pm

    All I see are "negative" aspects. The drawbacks to these powers are more significant than those of the Engel powers. Plus, I would say only Beoloth barely qualifies to use these powers.
    Phill
    Phill


    Posts : 90
    Join date : 2012-04-27
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    Post  Phill Fri May 04, 2012 7:23 pm

    There aren't any mechanical negatives or aspect requirements.

    I suspect that Taylor thinks they're negative because they force Templar to be meditative and faithful on specific things. That's just RP.

    Mediator don't interfere with Potestates. The SECRET on how they work is actually not set in stone yet, but it won't be preventative regardless of the outcome.

    As for their use, I'm writing them as though there was another game out there with Templar as PCs. It helps me balance them to themselves, not to you.

    I will point out that since Vimana is tied to Athletics, any boost from that would increase your dodge. Similarly, the increase from Iskander for Alertness increases your initiative and declaration abilities.

    That's even before the stunts, which have yet to be written!
    laylial
    laylial


    Posts : 44
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    Post  laylial Mon May 07, 2012 6:51 pm

    When do they become optional?

    edit

    Are the powers available right now?


    Last edited by laylial on Tue May 08, 2012 1:54 pm; edited 1 time in total
    Zabbaiel
    Zabbaiel


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    Post  Zabbaiel Tue May 08, 2012 10:33 am

    Phill wrote:There aren't any mechanical negatives or aspect requirements.

    I suspect that Taylor thinks they're negative because they force Templar to be meditative and faithful on specific things. That's just RP.

    I put negative in quotes for a reason. I never believe that any RP attachment to a power set is a bad thing, but you HAVE to view it as such when you are talking about mechanics because of the language of the subject. Players (in general) have a bad habit of reaching for mechanical bonuses without any thought of how those bonuses are manifested storywise or if they should even have them. If you don't consider the story ramifications of these powers as some sort of "mechanic" then it really cheapens the plot in my opinion. You might as well have gotten the powers from playing some magical hobo flute.
    Phill
    Phill


    Posts : 90
    Join date : 2012-04-27
    Location : Atziluth

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    Post  Phill Wed May 23, 2012 6:42 pm

    Some more Mediator.

    Yes, they are available to take, but you need to talk to me about it first. Accessing the Templar powers requires immense focus and a certain world-view. See Taylor's posts for the reasons why this is important to play up and discuss.

    That said, BEHOLD!


    CYRUS
    The Immortal Leader is a legend from the time before even the False Church of the Pre-Flood days. It was said that a mighty empire rose up in the lands around Jerusalem and past Egypt. At the head of this hegemony was a mighty king, both wise and indestructible. Templar have found records of the Immortal assaulting the pagan lands of Greece, freeing the Semites of Abraham, and crushing the Sun God of the River. The lessons of the Immortal are those of patience; his divine life allowed him to be without fear and ignorance. Templar who focus on this Saint and other figures like him are likewise invincible.

    Stunts

    Cyrus – Introductory Stunt to unlock this Mediator. Provides Cyrus at +1.
    Requires Endurance +5

    No Mortal Man – The Immortal Leader is above the concerns of a normal soldier. The Templar may reduce all physical stress received from direct attacks by his Cyrus rank, to a minimum of 1. This reduction is not Armor and cannot be pierced. Reduction from Armor occurs as normal after the reduction. Indirect stress from environmental hazards is not affected.

    Mind of Ages – The patience of an Immortal can be applied to all noble pursuits. The Templar can apply their Cyrus bonus to Leadership or Artifice rolls for long-term planning. Additionally, the Templar extends their natural lifespan [which is an average of 50 years nowadays] by 5 years for each rank of Cyrus they possess. This extension mimics the prime of their life, so they remain healthy and strong during that time.


    ISKANDER
    The Great Conqueror is a myth with a startling history. Some the other Mediator have focus figures that are similar to each other. Iskander does not. The legend of the Great Conqueror is always the same. There was a young man who was so skilled in the arts of war that he could not be defeated. This was not achieved through Strength, or Fortitude, Speed, or even the Love of his men. The Iskander saw all and knew all. He fought with the Sword of the Mind, and he conquered the world. Templar who focus on this Saint can see all battle possibilities before them, making them unbeatable.

    Stunts

    Iskander – Introductory Stunt to unlock this Mediator. Provides Iskander at +1.
    Requires Alertness +5

    Aristotle – The Great Conqueror sees the true weaknesses of his enemies. All things are connected to him, and affecting one can easily affect another. The Templar now produces Overflow from destroying any target, not just Minions. Additionally, all Overflow the Templar causes is increased by their Iskander bonus.

    Gordian Knot – As all things are connected, so can they be manipulated. The Templar gains the amazing ability to affect his enemies with utterly unpredictable attacks, often using the environment. Any attack the Templar produces through revealing Aspects or hazards has its damage increased by his Iskander bonus. Additionally, the Templar can add his Iskander bonus to Investigation (or Nature, Science, etc at the GM’s discretion) for the purpose of Declaring such Aspects or hazards for attack.

    Phalanx – Templar who fight with Iskander are nearly impossible to surprise. They can be surrounded or ambushed, yet they always know exactly how to counter such tricks. The Templar may add their Iskander bonus to rolls made to resist hostile Maneuvers like stealth attacks, ambush, misdirection, disarmament, and similar tactical impediments. Additionally, they inflict additional physical stress equal to Iskander on attacks against enemies that suffer from such weakening Aspects or conditions.
    laylial
    laylial


    Posts : 44
    Join date : 2012-04-29

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    Post  laylial Fri May 25, 2012 12:03 am

    Excellent. I will be in the ludus if you need me.

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