My current character created a supernatural type that I liked and figured i'd offer a template to those that would like to use it. (I started the same thread in the resources, but realized after that I wasnt supposed to start a thread there :X Asked for it to be deleted!) Please lemme know what you think and post your own!
SENTINELWhat is a Sentinel: Sentinels are Shapeshifting defenders of nature, they communicate with animals and act as a protector to animals and wild places against the encroaching humanity and developments.
What powers a Sentinel? A Sentinel is a sentinel from birth, and what factors play into it: whether it is genetics, some sort of force or power choosing candidates or some other method is unknown. What is known is that a prospective Sentinel usually grows up with an unswerving interest in animals and nature that general leads them into related fields. Often the Sentinels powers awaken when involved in a stressful animal-related event, a perspective Sentinel can go through life never having their powers awaken (and in this day and age, many do.) Those that follow the traditions of the Sentinel (if you can find them, as such individuals are exceptionally rare), refer to their source of powers as the 'Primal Wellspring.' It is important to know that this power source has no concious agenda and, once awakened, a Sentinel has access to their powers whether they uphold the 'Agenda' of the Primal Wellspring or not, (Though, the power itself helps mold them into the type of people that would uphold the Agenda.)
Historically? Some speak of Sentinels that existing during the times of Pre-history, at the time, these Sentinels most likely stood as mediators between the Child of Man and the Child of Beast, though the difference between the two was less pronounced as it is now. It is likely there were far fewer Sentinels at the time, and it is also possible that these Sentinels gave rise to many of the Shamanic traditions later in cultures.
As the March of Time continued on, the Child of Man moved farther and farther away from the Child of Beast, they began to try to master nature as opposed to live with it, an ever widening schism developed, and the Sentinels became less mediators and more guardians, soldiers in a war against the destruction of wild places and those that lived within them. It was during this period of rapid advancement and growth that we saw the most sentinels active at any time.
Eventually it became obvious that the Sentinels lost, much of this may have been with the help of the White Council and the Vampire Courts, and now in an era where nature is few and far between, and animals grow less and less common, awakened Senntinels have become more rare.
The Oath of the Sentinel. At some point in the distant past, A large portion of Sentinels began following an Oath, where this Oath originated is unknown to most if not any these days, but most assume a powerful and influential Sentinel developed the oath as he trained more of his people.
- Seek balance between the Children of Man and the Children of Beast.
- When threatened, you speak and stand for the Children of Beast and their Wild Places, the Children of Man have no end to those that stand for them.
- Act in respect with the Children of Man, act in your duty, but do not needlessly provoke the Child of Man.
- A Sentinel's conduct reflect on us all, do not dishonor our birthright in your actions.
Powers:[-1] Animal Speaker
[-4] True Shapeshifting
[+1] Beast only
[+1] Human form affecting:
[-3] Modular abilities (Minimum [-4] or [-5] Suggested)
[+0] Modular Stunts
[+0] Wizard's Constitution
Base Refresh Cost: 6 (suggested 7 or
TRUE SHAPESHIFTING Found in YS 177Beast Only [+2]Note: Discuss this cost with your GM, they may decide +1 is a more appropriate refresh refund.
Using your shapeshifting you can only assume the forms of natural animals, and they have to be animals you have seen. You can not assume the form of an inanimate object, nor can you assume the form of a human other than your natural appearance, and you most certainly cannot impersonate a person. You can't even impersonate a specific animal, though you can get damned close and most humans don't know the difference anyway.
MODULAR ABILITIES Found in YS 177Modular Stunts [+0]Your modular power points can be spent on buying stunts as well as supernatural powers, provided these stunts are in theme with your power and your GM approves them.
ANIMAL SPEAKER [-1]Skills Affected: Social
Known by animals. Animals notice you for what you are, they recognize you on some instinctual level and will readily come forward and contact you. This means animals will sense and find you more easily than other people, when all factors are equal. Animals get a +2 when trying to perceive or locate you.
Speak to Animals. You can speak and otherwise communicate directly with animals, without any need to perform thaumaturgy.
Seek the Beast. Animals seek you out, and it goes the other way as well – enough that you may use contacts to seek out information among animals. This is of course limited by what the animal has seen and can comprehend.
SOME BASIC SENTINEL NPC'SJason Marrow
High Concept: Newbie Sentinel
Other Aspects: Eco-terrorist with a new direction; Nature is worth dying for
SKILLS:
Great (+4): Survival, Craftsmanship
Good (+3): Burglary, Stealth
Fair (+2): Fists, Athletics, Conviction
Average (+1): Rapport, Scholarship, Intimidation, Investigation, Alertness
POWERS/STUNTS:
[-4] True Shapeshifting
[+1] Beast Only
[+0]Wizard's Constitution
[-1] Animal Speaker
[+1] Human form affecting:
[-4] Modular Abilities
[+0] Modular Stunts
Power level: Waist Deep
Notes: The Primal Wellspring's influence over Jason pushed him at a young age into Eco Terrorism, he joined a green extremist group that called themselves the Earth Army where he began engaging in terrorist acts against lumber companies and their logging activities and hunters.
His powers developed while defending a mother bear and her cubs from a group of joy-hunters looking for a thrill. As they closed in on her Den, he tried tos top him and things got physical, obviously unwilling to kill Jason, they none the less roughed him up and left him injured. He was within view of the den, and as he watched the hunters stalk towards the Den with their rifles ready, he felt something inside him snap and shift.
He screamed, and his scream turned into a roar, as his body flowed and he came charging at them, the form of an angry bear. Since that time Jason has used his new abilities to further engage in eco-terrorism, though he killed the three of the four hunters that day, he does his best to not kill anyone when its not neccessary. He is still new to his powers and has no one to teach him, so his powers grow slowly through trial and error.
prefered forms: As his first form, Jason defaults to a Bear when expecting alot of physical trouble, though he has learned to use a common blackbird or squirrel for his spying.
Bear
Skill Shuffle: high priority skills: Athletics, Fists, Might and Endurance.
Modular Abilities: Claws [-1] and No Pain, No Gain (Endurance, stunt)
Blackbird:
Skill Shuffle: high priority skills: Stealth, Athletics, Alertness, investigation.
Modular Abilities: Wings [-1], Diminutive Size [-1]
Squirrel:
Skill Shuffle: high priority skills: Stealth, Athletics, Alertness, investigation.
Modular Abilities: Diminutive Size [-1] Spider Climber [-1]
Aaron Kiljoy
High Concept: Twisted Sentinel Hunter
Other Aspects: Another head for my collection; I know beasts
SKILLS:
Superb (+5): Survival, Guns
Great (+4): Endurance, Stealth
Good (+3): Weapons, Athletics
Fair (+2): Fists, Resources, Alertness
Average (+1): Craftsmanship, Presence, Burglary, Intimidation, Contacts
POWERS/STUNTS:
[-1] Killer of Animals (Fists Stunt)
[-4] True Shapeshifting
[+1] Beast Only
[+1] Human form affecting:
[-5] Modular Abilities
[+0] Modular Stunts
[+0]Wizard's Constitution
[-1] Animal Speaker
Power level: Submerged
Notes: The Primal Wellspring's influence over Aaron pushed him into an interest in animals, but a strong family tradition of hunting warped that within him. his obsession with animals and nature grew, but it was colored by his desire to hunt.
A big game hunter in Africa, he was stalking a Lioness when she in turn was stalking him back, he found himself with his back against the wall, so to speak as she moved in for the kill. As the Lion stalked in he felt a savage power built within him and as the Lion leapt, Aaron charged her and within seconds an angry Crocodile latched onto the lioness with its vicelike jaws until the life bled from her.
From that moment on, Aaron used his abilities and natural affinities with animals to stalk and hunt the most dangerous of prey. He would find them more compliant to him, intuitively trusting, and he used that in everyway he could to further his career and latest kill.
Prefered forms: Since gaining his powers Aaron has learned the thrill and joy of murder by tooth and claw and also enjoys the thrill of varying his methods. He prefers aggressive beasts like great cats, Elephants, Crocodiles and others.
Lion
Skill Shuffle: high priority skills: Athletics, Fists, Might and Endurance.
Modular Abilities: Claws [-1]; Inhuman Strength [-2]
Crocodile:
Skill Shuffle: high priority skills: Intimidation, Fists, Might and Endurance.
Modular Abilities: Claws [-1]; Aquatic [-1]; No Pain, No gain (Endurance Stunt)
Gorilla: he enjoys the Gorilla for its ability to use tools and enjoys using powerful heavy melee weapons when a Gorilla
Skill Shuffle: high priority skills: Might, Endurance, Fists, Weaponry
Modular Abilities: Inhuman Strength [-2], No Pain, No Gain [-1]
Tenoch
High Concept: Ancient Aztec Sentinel
Other Aspects: I remember the fall of the Aztec Empire; The Oath of the Sentinel; Master of the Primal Wellspring
SKILLS:
Fantastic (+6): Survival, Presence
Superb (+5): Athletics, Alertness
Great (+4): Discipline, Conviction, Contacts
Good (+3): Weapons, Fists, Lore
Fair (+2): Resources, investigation, Stealth
Average (+1): Craftsmanship, Scholarship, Intimidation, Deceit, Rapport, Empathy
POWERS/STUNTS
[-1] I, Sentinel (Rapport, Stunt: +2 to to the First Impression trapping when interacting with animals)
[-4] Sponsored Magic: The Primal Wellspring
[-1] Marked by Power: The Primal Wellspring
[-4] True Shapeshifting
[+1] Beast Only
[+1] Human form affecting:
[-8] Modular Abilities
[+0] Modular Stunts
[+0]Wizard's Constitution
[-1] Animal Speaker
Power level: Punched a Shark in the Nose (18 Refresh; 55 Skill Points)
Notes: Cut and Paste oops.
Prefered forms: Cut and paste oops
Panther mostly used for his combat form especially when stalking or stealth is part of the plan
Skill Shuffle: high priority skills: Athletics, Fists, Stealth.
Modular Abilities: Claws [-1]; Inhuman Strength [-2], Inhuman Speed [-2], Echoes of the Beast [-1]
Andean Condor: often used to investigate or survey an area, also used for fast travel.
Skill Shuffle: high priority skills: Alertness, Survival, Investigation, Athletics
Modular Abilities: Claws [-1]; Wings [-1]; Echoes of the Beast [-1]; Inhuman Speed [-2], 1 stunt for speed, manuverability or eye sight dependant on need.
Anaconda: Another often used combat form
Skill Shuffle: high priority skills: Might, Endurance, Fists, Athletics
Modular Abilities: Supernatural Strength [-4], Aquatic [-1], Grappler (Might Stunt)
Sponsored magic: Primal Wellspring, To be defined