Back again... I hope the holidays were good for one and all.
I've written up a custom power for this one. I'd love any feedback or criticism. Also, if discussion of this power is more suited to the Custom Power thread, let me know and I'll move the discussion over there (or moderators please feel free...).
Living Threshold [-4]
Description: Whether through the actions of a Sponsor, the will of an Elder Power, or simply the alignment of the stars at their birth, the Character is a living channel for the energies that power Thresholds. Magic simply ‘grounds out’ upon contact with their body, eroding until it effectively ceases to be.
Musts: Must have a High Concept that directly relates to this power or its’ source.
Skills Effected: Conviction (determines the Strength of the Character’s natural Threshold); Discipline (may increase the Strength of the Character’s natural Threshold under very certain circumstances); Fists/Martial Arts/Might
Effects: This Power has the same four key functions as a standard Threshold. The Character’s Threshold Level is equal to the Character’s Conviction +2.
A Block
The Character serves as a freestanding block that does not need to be maintained, with a Threshold Level that opposes any and all effected Supernatural Actions. As a Block, it sets a minimum difficulty for the Success of those actions. The Character may also actively attempt to block Spells or Supernatural effects by interposing his/her body, or opposing them directly with Unarmed Attacks. Use either Athletics or Fists (as appropriate) vs. a Target of the Spell’s Complexity. If contact with the spell occurs, resolve it as either a Block or Suppression, depending on the Strength of the Spell or Effect.
A Target
More powerful creatures/spells may be able to assail the Character’s Threshold Level and damage it directly. In such a case, the Threshold Level may be treated as a Stress Track (one box per level, with consequences a possibility). The Threshold Level drops as it takes Stress hits. It recovers at a rate of 1 point per sunrise/sunset, or as determined by the GM. Any Attack must bypass the Block aspect of the Threshold prior to the results being determined. Depending on the nature of the Attack, and subject to GM approval, the character may elect to take physical stress in place of reducing the Threshold Level.
A Suppressor
Spell Effects and Supernatural Abilities will erode or completely disappear when they come in direct contact with the Character. In this case, all affected abilities and spell effects lose a number of shifts equal to the strength of the Threshold. If the spell affected has multiple parts to it, how the shifts are spread around may be determined on a case by case basis as decided by the GM, with input from the Character. In the case of attack abilities, this most often manifests as a reduction of the damage bonus provided, acting as a penalty to the actual attack roll only after the damage bonus has been reduced to zero. If it isn’t clear how to reduce an ability, then these reduction shifts might be spent on improving opposing effects and efforts.
A source of Harm
Creatures of pure spirit and other supernatural entities are particularly vulnerable to contact with the Character. They take damage from any physical contact with him/her, facing an attack equal to the Threshold’s strength during every exchange. Even Mortal Spellcasters will suffer as their magic is forcibly assaulted. Few creatures manage to hang around long in the face of such conditions, especially when their defensive abilities offer no protection whatsoever against these attacks. Depending on the creature type, some might be allowed to use a Conviction defense to resist.
Any creature affected by a Threshold suffers from Unarmed Attacks or direct physical contact with the Character as per the chart below:
Creature Type Weapon Level (round down)
Mortal Spell Casters Threshold Level/4
Fae, etc… Threshold level/3
Ghosts, BC Vamps, Demons Threshold Level/2
Outsiders (Threshold Level /2) +1
Consequences should be adjusted depending on the situation or creature type.
For those affected creatures with Toughness Powers, this Character’s Unarmed Attacks should qualify as the appropriate ‘Catch’ in terms of bypassing their resistance only (although certain creatures may take additional damage, as though the ‘Catch’ was being fulfilled). A successful Grapple or a situation where sustained physical contact cannot be avoided results in damage at the full Threshold level. This effect is directly related to a creature’s relationship with a Threshold, and can easily affect creatures that are incorporeal or insubstantial.
Notes
The secondary effects that this produces (Do magically enhanced senses accurately detect the character or is there a ‘void’? Do supernatural creatures feel uncomfortable in their presence? Do evocation effects such as flame or ice have any effects? What happens if he/she travels in the NeverNever? What happens in the presence of powers such as Bless this House? ‘Healing’ of the Threshold Level may be an option worth exploring…
Does the power stack with Lethal Weapons or Claws?) should be discussed with the GM ahead of time... Unless it’s more fun to just find out in game.
The Character should not be able to take any other Supernatural Abilities without specific GM approval and a damn good story (although most Mortal Stunts should be no problem), and the ability to receive beneficial magic such as healing should be viewed with extreme prejudice. The ability to receive healing or other beneficial magic should also increase the cost to -5 or higher.
This Power is intended to be as much of a pain as a boon.
This ability is not effected by Thresholds, natural or otherwise.
