Zephyren finds that he has developed sharper senses, causing him to become more high-strung. It's nearly torturous. His perception of the world is almost inhuman, as if he's adopted the qualities of an animal. A bird, perhaps?
On birds:
Zephyren has an almost abnormal fixation on bird metaphors. He thinks almost exclusively in them sometimes, but of course he wouldn't say it out loud. Sources are unclear on where he got it from, but it may have started from his Chinese given name. After Googling what it meant, he had gone into a deep rabbit hole looking at bird lore. He probably hasn't ever gotten out.
On perception:
He's always been perceptive, more so than others, much to his dismay. In the past he was the first to get bad vibes from a situation and walk away. Some part of him wonders if it's just a difference in opinion, but he knows that it usually isn't just that. The gap has only gotten bigger, and it really doesn't help quell his apathy for people.
On overstimulation:
It has always been a drawback; even having someone raise their voice at him was sometimes enough to send him into a spiral. (Not that the volume of one's voice had much effect, as opposed to the tone or expression.) He would immediately go into fight-or-flight, and every little thing would anger him to no end. He hates it. He knows this is why he doesn't like interacting with people, and he knows it's on him to control, but he would also like to be cut some slack. Every night he can hear the neighbours down the hall doing the devil's dance when no one else can. It's terrible.
On indifference:
Zephyren's solution is to shut himself into his little mindscape, behind layers and layers of disassociation. This is why he may appear quite unaware despite his sharp senses. It's the only way he can escape the noises in his head, as rude as it is to completely ignore people around him. Though, if you came close enough, he'll snap out of it immediately, albeit irritatedly.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
Your Perception rating is increased by 1. You may Exert your Mind to automatically gain an Outcome of 5 on any roll that uses Perception (Cannot be used on combat rolls or Power activations).
Possession of this Power grants the following Trauma at all times: Phonophobia: When you hear an unexpected loud noise (such as a police siren passing by) or enter a loud environment, roll Self-Control to avoid entering a fight-or-flight response.
You also gain the following effects:
Zorro is well prepared and always a step ahead of them filthy crooks
You gain the following benefits as long as you are in a fight or drawn into a dangerous situation leading into a fight.
Your Perception rating is increased by 0. You may Exert your Mind to automatically gain an Outcome of 5 on any roll that uses Perception (Cannot be used on combat rolls or Power activations).
You also gain the following effects:
Ollie Rhoades has seen some shit.
You gain the following benefits as long as you have your eyes.
Your Perception rating is increased by 1. You may Exert your Mind to automatically gain an Outcome of 5 on any roll that uses Perception (Cannot be used on combat rolls or Power activations).
Possession of this Power grants the following Trauma at all times: Glimpses of the Abyss: When you fail a Mind resistance roll, you must make a Self-Control roll to not spiral into your own knowledge and receive a vision. If you succeed on a coin flip, this vision is helpful. Otherwise, you are incapacitated with terror for 1d4 rounds.
If you are witnessed actively using this Effect, whoever sees it can make a Perception + Alertness roll at Difficulty 6. A complete success reveals the source of your power.
You also gain the following effects:
Maddox knows when she is being watched, and her witch blood allows her to see through disguises.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
Your Perception rating is increased by 1. You may Exert your Mind to automatically gain an Outcome of 5 on any roll that uses Perception (Cannot be used on combat rolls or Power activations).
You also gain the following effects:
Zero was born suspicious. He came into the world squinting at the doctor like the man owed him money, and it’s only gotten worse from there. Every twitch, every hesitation, every half-second delay in someone’s response—it all feeds into the ever-spinning gears of Zero’s mind. This isn’t just paranoia; it’s a razor-sharp instinct honed by experience and necessity. Zero notices what others dismiss—the too-clean alley in a dirty neighborhood, the nervous twitch of a dealer whose product’s been cut wrong, the way a room’s energy shifts just before someone pulls a gun. When he walks into a place, he clocks every exit, every blind spot, every potential weapon. He knows when he’s being watched. More importantly, he knows when he’s being set up. Maybe it’s supernatural. Maybe he’s just seen too much. But whatever it is, when Zero mutters, “I don’t like this, not one bit,” smart people listen. The dumb ones? Well, they find out why he was right the hard way.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
Your Perception rating is increased by 1. You may Exert your Mind to automatically gain an Outcome of 5 on any roll that uses Perception (Cannot be used on combat rolls or Power activations).
You also gain the following effects:
Angela's ego likely does not allow her to let things go by. As such, she has a terrifying track record of knowing what people are up to without their knowledge.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
Your Perception rating is increased by 3. You may Exert your Mind to automatically gain an Outcome of 5 on any roll that uses Perception (Cannot be used on combat rolls or Power activations).
You also gain the following effects:
Years of scouting in dangerous areas has left the survivalist hyper-vigilant. They are impossible to catch in a trap.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
Your Perception rating is increased by 1. You may Exert your Mind to automatically gain an Outcome of 5 on any roll that uses Perception (Cannot be used on combat rolls or Power activations).
You also gain the following effects: