Tectonics

By Kabael (kabael@tiac.net)

Description

All difficulties are equal to the local shroud, unless otherwise stated. Each level can be used both in the Skinlands and Shadowlands, and in the Shadowlands the difficulty is 5+level of effect. Of course, some powers would be limited in the Shadowlands; there is not much water or other fluids there.

* Body of Wind

Using this basic power, the wraith becomes used to creating a body out of materials and interacting with the physical world. On a roll of Intelligence+Tectonics, the wraith can collect a quantity of air under his command. The effective dexterity equals the wraith^s own, but strength is limited to 1 dot, as is stamina when dealing with endurance. Any strong wind or big fan will disperse the wraith^s wind. The body lasts for a number of turns equal to twice the number of successes. This effect costs 1 Pathos.

** Form of the Fluid

The wraith is now able to control liquids to a limited extent, requiring a roll of Manipulation+Tectonics. Strength is now limited to 2, as is Stamina, but Dexterity is again the wraith^s own. The total height of the fluid shape is limited to a human-like shape or the approxamite volume of a human 1 foot in height for every point of willpower the wraith has. The duration is 1 turn per success rolled. This is again 1 Pathos.

*** Movement of Wood

Not really limited to wood, the level 3 ability allows the wraith to collect bits of trash and refuse about him into a body, including things such as sticks and twigs and plastic, but nothing as strong as metal or stone. This requires a roll of Stregnth+Tectonics. Strength and Stamina max out at 3, but Dexterity does not. Maximum height is Willpower+successes in feet. Duration is 1 turn per success. Movement of Wood costs 2 Pathos.

**** Shape of Steel and Stone

The wraith can now warp and shape his surroundings into a body, not needing to use only loose objects. Rolling Stamina+Tectonics, the wraith can shape steel, stone, or similarly hard objects into whatever bodily shape desired. Strength and Stamina are not limited, but Dexterity cannot exceed 3. Height is equal to Willpower+success+Stamina. The form lasts 1 turn per success and costs 3 Pathos per use.

***** Energy Existence

The culmination of Tectonics, the wraith no longer needs physical obejcts for a body; he can now manipulate energy into a cohesive form. Electricity, fire, magnetic fields, anything is possible. The one wraith who tried the harness the power of the atom was never heard from again however, not even in the whispers of spectres. This power requires Wits+Tectonics to succeed. Strength is effectively 0, and Stamina is equal to the wraith^s, but usable only in resisting factors that would influence the energy chosen. Electricity would provide the ability to shock like lightning, fire would burn, and magnetic fields can attract suitable metals. Any damage caused by the form is the same as the mundane version. This effect lasts for 1 turn every 2 successes and takes 4 Pathos to activate.