Rather than aiming for brute force, each strike is executed with a controlled finesse that speaks to a deep understanding of the human anatomy. The blade seems to caress the air as it arcs through a mesmerizing series of loops, spins, and thrusts. With each movement, Machida's eyes remain fixed on his opponent's form, as if reading the very essence of their being.
"Itamae style: Usugiri" draws inspiration from the precision and finesse displayed in the traditional Usugiri cutting technique employed by Itamae. Just as the Itamae utilize their delicate knife skills to create thin, precise cuts in delicate ingredients, Machida applies a similar philosophy to his swordplay, but in a combat context.
The connection becomes evident in the way both techniques emphasize control, accuracy, and respect for the subject. In Usugiri, the goal is to cut ingredients so finely that their natural flavors are preserved, demonstrating the chef's skill in enhancing the essence of the food. Similarly, Machida's approach is not to inflict severe harm but to precisely incapacitate his opponent while minimizing undue suffering.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are engaged in combat with melee weapons.
+2 dice to all rolls with melee weapons. You may Defend against firearm attacks from any range using melee weapons.
You also gain the following effects:
Fortuna's continuously playing slots for a while. After about 15 minutes the incredible happens! She wins it big! The Jackpot! Again!
Fortuna's not aware she's manipulating the slot machines with just the right timing of button presses and lever pulls. She thinks she's just lucky...
Spend 15 minutes. Select a Device within arm's reach. Does not work on Alien technology. This Effect cannot be used unless it is used on slot machines. Roll Charisma + Thievery, with the Difficulty set by the GM depending on the security of the system you are hacking. Sapient targets can resist by rolling Mind at Difficulty 6.
If you succeed, you may issue a single command to the targeted system. This command must have a specific outcome or be a request for specific login credentials. The command you issue must be within the machine's current capabilities. For example, you cannot order a standard security camera to grow legs and walk around.
When targeting non-computer devices, you may operate switches, buttons, dials, levers, and latches.
Your hack cannot be discovered by system administrators or firewall software for a number of hours equal to your Outcome on the initial roll.
This Gift's Cost is capped at 2 and cannot be increased further.
Kayleigh focuses on her charm, and her presence vanishes, both from others ability to hear her footsteps and from the world's ability to detect her weight. Gravity itself seems to forget about her as she sprints.
Kayleigh is learning how to lie to the world about her physical presence, and in doing so she's beginning to learn how to carve her own fate. Both for herself, and for a little friend.
Her wooden charm is, in her eyes, simply a memory of a meditative moment which she uses to channel her ability. However, the myriad spirits which follow the Kitsune's journey intently would disagree as they offer her their strength.
You gain the following benefits at all times. You must actively and obviously be using a carved wooden charm of a frog to gain the benefits of this Effect.
You may move easily and without a roll in any of the following situations.
Filler
Exert your Mind and spend an Action. Select a Sapient target within arm's reach. If a target does not consent to the transfer, you must roll Mind at Difficulty 6 to use the effect on them. They can resist by rolling either Body or Mind at Difficulty 6, depending on what you are attempting to transfer to them.
You may choose one each of as many things as you like from the following to transfer from your target to yourself, or from yourself to them:
Anyone who witnesses you during this Effect's activation will almost certainly be disturbed to see fill.
Whenever you transfer an Injury, it's Severity increases by 1. Whenever you transfer Mind damage or Traumas, the recipient takes an additional Mind damage.
Possession of this Power grants the following Battle Scar: fill and fill.
Possession of this Power grants the following Trauma at all times: fill and fill.
Tam lets out a breath, and closes her eyes for a moment. When she opens them, her fingers are twitching, making small motions in the air as if she's writing. As she finishes, she's formed, in her mind, a mental map of the surrounding area, and she can visualize what's in it.
Exert your Mind and spend one minute. You must make a Trauma roll when you use this Effect. Its Difficulty cannot be reduced by any means.
You may perceive things through sight within 75 feet of you with perfect clarity as though there were no walls or obstacles blocking your view for the next 30 minutes.
This Effect is not obvious, and the only sign you are using an Effect is twitching fingers. If someone suspects that an Effect was used, they must roll Perception + Alertness, Difficulty 8 to pick up on your Tell.
You may perceive through up to 15 feet of material. The Difficulty of all Perception rolls made through a wall are increased by 1 per wall.
The witch, tired of tribulations, is acutely aware of the value of your own ass: her powers of observation have been sharpened to a supernatural level, transforming her natural mistrust of people and situations into an incredible shield of situational awareness. She picks up on subtle shifts in behavior, tone, and atmosphere, spotting threats before they fully materialize. While others may call it paranoia, Maggie knows better. Her instincts are rarely wrong, and this heightened awareness keeps her one step ahead. In her world, survival depends on seeing the unseen, and with this power, she’s practically untouchable.
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:
The Ninja's incredible dedication to their discipline grants them supernatural dexterity and agility.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
Your Dexterity rating is increased by 1. You may Exert your Mind to automatically gain an Outcome of 5 on any roll that uses Dexterity (Cannot be used on combat rolls or Power activations).
No terrestrial animal dares defy the will of the beastmaster. The beastmaster exerts their dominance over an animal by locking eyes and giving a primal cry. The creature immediately becomes docile and eager to please.
Exert your Mind and spend an Action. Select a Creature within 20 feet. This Effect cannot be used unless the target is a terrestrial animal.
For the next day, you may issue specific commands to your target which they will be compelled to follow.
Your commands can be complex and multi-layered, though they must still be specific. You cannot make them obviously endanger themselves or violate their instinct for self-preservation. The effects of the command will fade after a day has passed.
Sapient targets can resist by rolling Mind at Difficulty 6.
The mystic channels and communes directly with another person's spirit, allowing the two of them to freely exchange both physical and mental wounds between each other.
Exert your Mind and spend a minute. Select a Sapient target within arm's reach. Your target may Resist to cancel the transfer.
You may choose a single instance of one of the following to transfer from your target to yourself, or from yourself to them:
Whenever you transfer an Injury, it's Severity increases by 1. Whenever you transfer Mind damage or Traumas, the recipient takes an additional Mind damage.
After you finish activating this Effect, you cannot move quicker than a walk (max 15 feet per Round) for one minute and suffer a -1 dice penalty for an hour. Exhaustion’s penalty and duration stacks with multiple activations.
The mutant has gained some control over their genetic instability, allowing them to trigger a mutation at will. When the need arises, their flesh warps and twists, and a new mutation manifests that is suited to whatever obstacle the mutant happens to be facing at the time.
Spend 30 minutes. You may only target yourself. The target can easily Resist.
You may add one augmentation to your target. Each augmentation counts as a Battle Scar and can have exactly one of the following Effects:
This Gift's Cost is capped at 2 and cannot be increased further.
Your alteration "heals" over the course of the next month, after which it is fully cured.
While transformed, the Werewolf can leap great distances, climbing structures and closing the gap to their prey.
Exert your Mind and spend an Action. Select a Location which is at most 75 feet away horizontally or 15 feet away vertically. This Effect cannot be used unless you are in werewolf form.
You jump to the chosen location. If the landing is precarious, the GM may call for a roll to land safely. You will never take fall damage from successfully landing a jump made with this Effect.
You may opt to trade your free movement for a Super Leap if you are jumping less than 50 feet or if you are closing a gap to an opponent and spend your Action on an attack.