40 lines
No EOL
4.1 KiB
Markdown
40 lines
No EOL
4.1 KiB
Markdown
Ahhh, now I fully get the vision—and it’s brilliant.
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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:
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• Relic Points = like marks, used to “unlock and evolve” the relic’s powers.
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• Culture Trees like Mentralian will naturally feed into this, but any culture with a relic tradition could do the same.
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Here’s the Mentralian Kingdoms Culture Tree revised with Relic Point abilities integrated:
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Mentralian Kingdoms Culture Tree (with Relic Integration)
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Tier 1 (Mentralian 1+)
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Choose one:
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• Knight’s Bearing – Gain +1 die to Persuasion or Command when acting in accordance with the knightly code (loyalty, mercy, discipline, resolve).
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• 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.
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• Relic Claimant – You are tied to a minor ancestral relic (weapon, banner, seal, or heirloom):
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• Grants +1 die to Spirit or Persuasion when you invoke its legacy.
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• You gain 1 Relic Point and may begin building your relic through the Relic Subsystem.
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• Tourney Spirit – Gain +1 die to Melee or Performance during formal competitions, duels, or tournaments.
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Tier 2 (Mentralian 2+)
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• Oathbound Favor – Once per session, call in a minor favor from your knightly order, vassal house, or liege.
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• Scion of Tradition – Reroll one failed die per session when invoking ancestral or heraldic rights in negotiations.
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• Relic Steward – You gain 1 Relic Point and may advance your relic’s Tier:
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• Once per session, you may ask the GM one cryptic question through the relic’s ancestral connection (past deeds, omens, threats).
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• Your relic now manifests subtle magical properties (e.g., spirit warding, inspiring allies).
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• Council Whisperer – Gain +1 die to Persuasion or Deception when influencing political assemblies (High Council, ducal elections).
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Tier 3 (Mentralian 3+)
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• Noble Web – Declare a major contact within a ruling house willing to offer significant aid (resources, information, protection) at a political cost.
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• Knightly Commander – Allies fighting under your command gain +1 die to Combat rolls for 1 scene when you spend 1 APR coordinating them.
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• 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).
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• Bardic Network – Call upon a bardic agent once per session for covert information, rumor dissemination, or sabotage.
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Tier 4 (Mentralian 4+)
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• 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.
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• Ordermaster – Call upon the Knights’ Orders for decisive intervention; they will lend elite champions or resources to your cause for one mission.
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• Relic Ascendant – Gain 3 Relic Points and raise your relic to its highest Tier:
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• Once per session, you may channel its full power to automatically succeed at a Melee or Spirit-based challenge.
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• Its legend is now widely known: enemies treat you with +1 Bond level of fear/respect, but its notoriety can also draw dangerous attention.
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• Council Kingmaker – Once per session, decisively sway a vote or High Council decision through your influence network.
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How This Feeds the Relic Subsystem
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• Relic Points are awarded at Tiers 1, 2, 3, and 4 if you take the relic-related ability.
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• These points are then spent in the Relic Subsystem to choose the relic’s evolving powers (damage boosts, spirit wards, visions, lore, unique abilities).
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• Other culture trees (Annwyn, Pharosian, Shogunate, etc.) could also have relic-granting abilities to broaden access.
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🔥 Should I:
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• Lock the Relic mechanics as a full subsystem next (define Relic Tiers, point costs, powers)?
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• Or continue building the next Culture Tree (Temerian Empire) and weave Relic Point hooks into that one too? |