Spellcasting of Battlefield Magic in COHORS CTHULHU appears to result in mental damage to the caster - which is resisted with Courage+Morale.
Characters with the Talent “Numb to the Horrors” withstand such damage way better and thus can cast more spells. Will this be balanced by some - as yet - unknown feature beyond the increased complication range of Persuasion based tests of characters with this talent? Or should we prepare for many Mystics being cold and off-putting?
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Having looked through the preview of the full COHORS CTULHU PG, I’ve found a way to circumvent the “cold and off-putting Mystic” stereotype without sacrificing playability.
Here is an example based on the Talents PLATONIST and THE GODS ARE WITH US!:
Nectanebis Alexandrinos (Nakhtnebef of Alexandria) (he)
Aegyptus Occultist and Follower of Osiris (Mystic)
A learned philosopher-priest in his mid-twenties, Nectanebis (Strong of his Lord) had to leave the Temple of Serapis in Alexandria under some duress, as his ideas – he calls them insights – on the nature of the gods clashed with those of his fellow priests.
He is now an outcast from his home city and supports himself by taking work as a translator, but is more interested in seeking out lore regarding theology and the Dreamlands.
He intends to return to Alexandria vindicated, but knows this will take time and work.
Nectanebis is polite, well-spoken and charming, but clearly from a far away land. Some of the rugged and unfamiliar habits of those living in the frontier region make him uncomfortable.
TRUTHS:
i Aegyptus
i Dreamwalker
i Glimpsed, what Mortals Should not Know
i Otherworldly Vision
i Student of the Occult
i I Have a Secret
ATTRIBUTES:
Agility 6 Brawn 6 Coordination 8 Gravitas 10 Insight 10 Reason 11 Will 11
SKILLS AND FOCUSES:
Academia 5 (Linguistics, Philosophy, Religion), Medicine 2, Observation 3 (Instincts), Persuasion 5 (Charm), Resilience 3 (Discipline), Stealth 1
Languages: Greek, Coptic, Aramaic, Celtic, Germanic, Latin, Punic
Stress 14 Injuries 3 Armor 1 Courage 7
Caste: Outcast
Wealth 0
Personal Agenda: Claim Vengeance for having been expelled from the Temple of Serapis.
Background: Scholar
Characteristic: Dreamwalker. Wandered the Dreamlands already as a child, avoided its pitfalls and knows many of its dangers.
TALENTS:
THE GODS ARE WITH US! (P. 99)
FADE AWAY (P.150)
SAVANT (P.148)
PLATONIST (P.148)
MYSTICAL POWER (P. 152)
WEAPONS AND ARMOR
Gladius: (Melee Weapons), Reach 2, 4 Piercing 1, Parrying
Leather Armor
OTHER EQUIPMENT:
i Plain Traveling Clothes
i Ritual Vestments
i Ritual Tools (skill kit, p.165): It includes the basic needs for any occultist who wishes to perform a ritual. This kit has enough supplies to provide 3 bonus Momentum for buying d20s.
i Papyrus Scroll (skill kit, p.165): This papyrus scroll contains enough knowledge to provide 3 bonus Momentum for buying d20s.
i Devoted Small Snake (p.138) Uto, typically hidden in Nectanebis’ clothing. Its sensitivity to the occult and the otherworldly can sometimes aid in times of need.
SPELLS:
Power Rating: 4 (+2)
Spellcasting Attribute: Reason
Spellcasting Type and Tradition: Research
WARD OF ISIS (Bounty of Baldr, P.68)
EYE OF THOTH (Wisdom of Frigg, P.70)
Here is another example: a prophetess casting her PRESCIENCE spell before going to sleep, thus often reducing costs before the next day.
Diotima Epopte (she)
Greek Priestess of the Mysteries of Eleusis (Schemer)
Born in Athens from an old family of priests and politicians, Diotima was introduced to the Eleusian Mysteries early on and revers Demeter and Kore.
Diotima (Who fears God) is in her mid-twenties and has served the Mysteries and Athens all her life. Exhibiting a noble demeanor and observance, well-spoken and persuasive, Diotima has been able to solve most of the challenges facing her with quick wit and forceful personality. She has come to the Laurium region following visions she had during the Mysteries, and as an Epopt is well received by the Roman upper class.
TRUTHS
I Greek
i Dreamwalker
i Otherworldly Vision
i Politician
i I Have a Secret
ATTRIBUTES
Agility 9 Brawn 6 Coordination 6 Gravitas 11 Insight 9 Reason 9 Will 11
SKILLS AND FOCUSES
Academia 4 (Linguistics, Religion), Fighting 2, Observation 4 (Instincts), Persuasion 4 (Charm, Deception), Resilience 2, Stealth 1, Tactics 1
Languages: Greek, Aramaic, Celtic, Germanic, Latin, Punic
Stress 13 Injuries 3 Armor 1 Courage 2
Caste: Noble
Wealth: 3
Personal Agenda: Uncover Secrets. You set out to learn the secrets of everyone you encounter.
Background: Politician
Characteristic: Dreamwalker. Wandered the Dreamlands already as a child, avoided its pitfalls and knows many of its dangers.
TALENTS
SOCIAL NETWORK (P.103)
ENVY AND ATTENTION TALENT (P.124)
PRACTICED LISTENER (P.130)
LINGUA ARGENTEA (P.150)
OCCULT DABBLER (P.152)
WEAPONS AND ARMOR
Dagger: (Melee Weapons), 2 Piercing 1, Hidden, Subtle
Sword: (Melee Weapons), Reach 2, 4, Parrying
LInothorax: +1 Armor resistance (included above)
OTHER EQUIPMENT
i Several sets of plain traveling clothes and a set of fine clothing
i A small personal library of chosen volumes and reference materials
i A symbol of authority as an Epopt
i Devoted Pet Tomcat (p.138) Aiólos. His sensitivity to the occult and the otherworldly can sometimes aid in times of need.
i At the beginning of each adventure, you gain +2 requisition points (see Making Requisitions, page 167) for your group to spend on equipment.
SPELLS
Power Rating: 3
Spellcasting Attribute: Will
Spellcasting Type and Tradition: Dabbler
PRESCIENCE (P.72)
Here is a true Germanic tribal Völva - but making her playable required some study and a lot of renaming of Talents:
Ingirun (she)
Völva of the Chatti (Mystic)
Ingirun (Secret of Fertility) wandered the Dreamlands all her life, and the insights she gained there were both useful and suspect to her people. So she was banished by the other Wise Ones of her people for some time. For this she bears their leader Bundi a strong grudge.
She intends to return to the Chatti vindicated, but knows this will take time and work.
Ingirun is quite an imperious woman leaving strong impressions on Germanic people, but still needs to adapt to others.
TRUTHS
i Dreamwalker
i Germanic Tribe - Chatti
i Glimpsed, what Mortals Should not Know
i Otherworldly Vision
i Student of History
i I Have a Secret
ATTRIBUTES
Agility 6 Brawn 6 Coordination 8 Gravitas 11 Insight 11 Reason 9 Will 11
SKILLS AND FOCUSES
Academia 5 (History, Religion), Medicine 2, Observation 3 (Instincts), Persuasion 3 (Intimidation), Resilience 3 (Discipline), Survival 1, Stealth 1
Languages: Germanic – Chatti, Latin, Celtic
Stress 14 Injuries 3 Armor 1 Courage 7
Caste: Outcast
Wealth 0
Personal Agenda: Claim Vengeance on Bundi, return to her people.
Background: Scholar – kind of. She says Priestess
Characteristic: Dreamwalker. Wandered the Dreamlands already as a child, avoided its pitfalls and knows many of its dangers.
TALENTS
CORE TALENT: QUIET WISDOM (P.112)
BESTIARIUS (P.150) - not really. She calls it BEAST FRIEND
RUNECASTING (P.112)
PLATONIST (P.148) – kind of. She calls it SIGHT OF WODAN
MYSTICAL POWER (P. 152)
WEAPONS AND ARMOR
Axe: (Melee Weapons), Reach 2, 3 Vicious
Oaken Staff (Melee Weapon), Reach 3/2, 2/3
Leather Armor
OTHER EQUIPMENT
i Plain Traveling Clothes
i Ritual Vestments
i Ritual Tools (skill kit, p.165): It includes the basic needs for any occultist who wishes to perform a ritual. This kit has enough supplies to provide 3 bonus Momentum for buying d20s.
i Leather bag with runestones
i Leather Scroll with Runes (skill kit, p.165): This scroll contains enough knowledge to provide 3 bonus Momentum for buying d20s.
i Devoted Hunting Hawk (p.214) Bighir. His sensitivity to the occult and the otherworldly is also helpful.
SPELLS
Power Rating: 4 (+2)
Spellcasting Attribute: Insight
Spellcasting Type and Tradition: Traditional, Runic
CURSE OF LOKI (P.69)
RAVENS OF WODAN (P.70)
WISDOM OF FRIGG (P.70)
Thanks for this. Just started and one of my players ran into the issue where she wanted to be persuasive but also wanted to be good at magic.