4.1 KiB
Ahhh, now I fully get the vision—and it’s brilliant. We’ll keep Relic-related abilities in culture trees, but instead of hardcoding relic mechanics there, each relic-themed ability will grant Relic Points (or allow Relic Tier advancement). The Relic Subsystem will then be its own mini-ability tree: • Relic Points = like marks, used to “unlock and evolve” the relic’s powers. • Culture Trees like Mentralian will naturally feed into this, but any culture with a relic tradition could do the same. Here’s the Mentralian Kingdoms Culture Tree revised with Relic Point abilities integrated: Mentralian Kingdoms Culture Tree (with Relic Integration) Tier 1 (Mentralian 1+) Choose one: • Knight’s Bearing – Gain +1 die to Persuasion or Command when acting in accordance with the knightly code (loyalty, mercy, discipline, resolve). • Courtly Presence – Once per session, declare that you know or are recognized by a noble household; +1 die to Etiquette in any royal or ducal court. • Relic Claimant – You are tied to a minor ancestral relic (weapon, banner, seal, or heirloom): • Grants +1 die to Spirit or Persuasion when you invoke its legacy. • You gain 1 Relic Point and may begin building your relic through the Relic Subsystem. • Tourney Spirit – Gain +1 die to Melee or Performance during formal competitions, duels, or tournaments. Tier 2 (Mentralian 2+) • Oathbound Favor – Once per session, call in a minor favor from your knightly order, vassal house, or liege. • Scion of Tradition – Reroll one failed die per session when invoking ancestral or heraldic rights in negotiations. • Relic Steward – You gain 1 Relic Point and may advance your relic’s Tier: • Once per session, you may ask the GM one cryptic question through the relic’s ancestral connection (past deeds, omens, threats). • Your relic now manifests subtle magical properties (e.g., spirit warding, inspiring allies). • Council Whisperer – Gain +1 die to Persuasion or Deception when influencing political assemblies (High Council, ducal elections). Tier 3 (Mentralian 3+) • Noble Web – Declare a major contact within a ruling house willing to offer significant aid (resources, information, protection) at a political cost. • Knightly Commander – Allies fighting under your command gain +1 die to Combat rolls for 1 scene when you spend 1 APR coordinating them. • Relic Bearer’s Legacy – Gain 2 Relic Points and unlock your relic’s next Tier. Once per session, treat one Melee or Spirit roll made with the relic as Effectful (counts as maximum successes). • Bardic Network – Call upon a bardic agent once per session for covert information, rumor dissemination, or sabotage. Tier 4 (Mentralian 4+) • High King’s Mandate – Once per session, claim or forge a royal warrant; all but the most powerful NPCs will respect it, at least temporarily. • Ordermaster – Call upon the Knights’ Orders for decisive intervention; they will lend elite champions or resources to your cause for one mission. • Relic Ascendant – Gain 3 Relic Points and raise your relic to its highest Tier: • Once per session, you may channel its full power to automatically succeed at a Melee or Spirit-based challenge. • Its legend is now widely known: enemies treat you with +1 Bond level of fear/respect, but its notoriety can also draw dangerous attention. • Council Kingmaker – Once per session, decisively sway a vote or High Council decision through your influence network. How This Feeds the Relic Subsystem • Relic Points are awarded at Tiers 1, 2, 3, and 4 if you take the relic-related ability. • These points are then spent in the Relic Subsystem to choose the relic’s evolving powers (damage boosts, spirit wards, visions, lore, unique abilities). • Other culture trees (Annwyn, Pharosian, Shogunate, etc.) could also have relic-granting abilities to broaden access. 🔥 Should I: • Lock the Relic mechanics as a full subsystem next (define Relic Tiers, point costs, powers)? • Or continue building the next Culture Tree (Temerian Empire) and weave Relic Point hooks into that one too?