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:
All of Mr. IJ's body becomes made of iron and he becomes stronger.
Exert your Mind and spend an Action.
You transform into Full Iron for 3 minutes. You have access to all of your Powers while you are Full Iron, and you can use your equipment. The Injuries and Battle Scars of your Alternate Form and your true form are tracked separately.
While transformed, your Brawn is increased by 1. Your Stress is reduced by 2.
If you are restricted, restrained, dazed, sleepy, or stunned, you may activate this Effect to break free or end the negative effect. You cannot free yourself by transforming more than once a minute.
Gungnir flits across Eddie's body, it's impossible edge tearing her skin in a thin line. The wound billows, blood like smoke, and in an instant consumes her: with a flash of Hell seen at the back of the eyes, Eddie is replaced with the form of the demon prince Baphomet, a creature of opposites combined: Human and beast, male and female, civility and monstrosity.
She usually wears this skin for the monstrosity bit more than the civility one.
Increase your sacrificial Injury's Severity by 1 and spend a Quick Action. You must actively and obviously use Gungnir to activate this Effect.
You transform into the demonic aspect of balance, Baphomet for 30 minutes. You have access to all of your Powers while you are the demonic aspect of balance, Baphomet, and you can use your equipment. Your Battle Scars, Injuries, and physical Liabilities are carried over between forms. Reverting from your Alternate Form cannot cause your existing Injuries to kill you. Instead, you remain Incapacitated.
While transformed, your Brawn is increased by 2. Your Stress is reduced by 2.
Your body is adapted to climbing. You receive +3 dice on non-attack rolls related to climbing.
You may end this Effect prematurely as a Free Action.
Anyone who witnesses you during this Effect's activation or for its duration will almost certainly be disturbed to see take on the aspect of a demon with burning eyes and a pentagram which bleeds burning blood on its forehead.
If you do not have a sacrificial Injury when you activate this Effect, take a new Severity-1 Injury.
Zephyren stares intensely at the target, whether or not they share eye contact, as though they'd explode if he looked for long enough. They don't. Instead, they feel an overwhelming heat wash through them, sapping all their hydration before their body could filter it out. Supernatural steam rises from their body despite the fact that this wouldn't physically harm them. They eventually pass out as their body uses up all its energy.
On heat exhaustion:
Zephyren's experienced it before, but at first he didn't understand what it meant or what it was supposed to feel like. He felt foggy - nothing really made sense, he couldn't register what was being said or what he saw or even count numbers. Simple tasks were overwhelmingly difficult as everything looked far too clear and bright, yet he couldn't see at all. At times he was on the brink of passing out. He couldn't even stand upright. His brain was getting cooked from the inside out. This gift won't necessarily harm someone the way real heat exhaustion would. It's... the one form of kindness he can give.
On glares:
He feels a shiver down his back whenever someone glares at him too intensely. It never ends well, so Zephyren's body instinctively prepares him for the worst. Sometimes it even feels as if he's shutting down completely, and it scares him. Yet here he is, doing it to someone else.
On sleep:
When was the last time Zephyren's had a good night's sleep? He's inclined to use this on himself each night just so he could quell the thoughts of everything he could've done. But that would be giving him an easy way out - this is something he has to deal with on his own, without the help of magic gained from fulfilling heartless jobs.
Spend an Action. Select a Living target within 30 feet. Roll Perception + Occult at Difficulty 6. Affected targets may resist by rolling Body at Difficulty 6.
If you succeed, your target becomes drowsy for the next 30 seconds, during which time they suffer an additional -2 dice Penalty to all Actions. At the end of their drowsiness, they fall asleep for Contested Outcome x 3 minutes.
Sleeping targets will not prematurely wake up on their own, but may still be woken up by sudden loud noises, being jarred or splashed with water, taking Damage, or similar rousing events. They will also awaken before dying of hunger, thirst, or suffocation. Drowsy targets always fall asleep, regardless of what happens while they are drowsy.
This Gift cannot have more than 3 Drawbacks, and its Gift Cost is capped at 2.
Regaining their powers of vitality and luck, the Cat seeps out their resonant powers to ease the suffering of those that serve. A true Goddess of the night.
If someone where to pick up the fact that Plum is using this effect, they would realise that their fur somewhat looks like an endless black void, with the faintest splots of stars and purple nebulas.
Spend 15 minutes. Select a Living target within arm's reach. You cannot target yourself.
You may cure any Non-Alien diseases, toxins, or poisons afflicting your target even if you have not diagnosed or fully understood it. You may only cure diseases which can be treated with modern medicine. During treatment, the malady you are treating does not progress or cause additional Damage or other effects. Your patient is required to Nightly Meditation dedicated to the Goddess Abirephoru (Plum) for 1 minute before they sleep for the next month. If they violate this rule, your treatment is immediately reversed.
This Effect is not obvious, and the only sign you are using an Effect is the cat will loaf up on someone and purr. If someone suspects that an Effect was used, they must roll Perception + Alertness, Difficulty 8 to pick up on your Tell.
You may use this effect to sanitize a 15-foot radius, destroying all poisons, toxins, diseases such that they are inert and cannot affect any new targets
This Gift's Cost is capped at 2 and cannot be increased further.
"I keep this photo of mum and dad in my pocket, without it i feel weak. The doctors say its substance B that makes me strong, but if you ask me: It's substance dead parents that brings me my strength. I exert the guilt of not saving them onto the object or the foe, and they collapse under it. They can't handle it like i can. Some say its a gift, but if i could go back to being that 5 year old boy again with alive parents and no strong, I'd do it in less than a heartbeat. Because my heart barely beats anymore, neither do my parent's hearts: they're dead."
You gain the following benefits as long as you have your picture of your dead Parents.
Your Brawn rating is increased by 3. You may Exert your Mind to automatically gain an Outcome of 5 on any roll that uses Brawn (cannot be used on combat rolls or Effect activations).
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:
The Witch wiggles her fingers at her broomstick, and it leaps from the ground with a whoosh of wind. She may then hop on and fly around. It’s so fun, she often finds herself cackling uncontrollably.
Exert your Mind and spend an Action. You must actively and obviously use a broom to activate this Effect. This Effect remains active for two hours.
As long as you are conscious, you are immune to falling Damage and may hover in place mid-air. Additionally, you may glide as you fall, traveling 35 feet horizontally for every 10 feet you fall. While gliding, you fall at a minimum speed of 10 feet per Round.
You may ascend into the air and fly using your mind. Your Free Movement is Mind x5 feet/Round, including vertically. You cannot Dash. When sprinting, roll Mind and add your rating in Mind plus 1 to the outcome, multiply by 5 to find your sprint speed. Your encumbrance limit is 10 lbs per point of Mind.
You are subject to the following effects while gliding or flying:
Any successful musician knows the value of a good roadie. The musician calls for a roadie, and one will promptly arrive. The roadie doesn't talk much, and they aren't too bright, but they can sure haul gear.
After a couple hours of work, the roadie will retire to smoke and get some sleep.
Exert your Mind and spend an Action.
Summon a single Sapient roadie at your location. They last for two hours or until they are destroyed. They are controlled by the GM but will follow any commands you give. You may have at most one minion active at a time.
You may only use this Effect once per day.
The mutant's arms swell to an incredible size, forcing them to lope around like a gorilla. This allows them to throw heavy objects great distances, including those unfortunate souls who find themselves in their way.
Unfortunately, they have difficulty with small objects and often destroy the things they touch by accident.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
Your Brawn rating is increased by 1. You may Exert your Mind to automatically gain an Outcome of 5 on any roll that uses Brawn (cannot be used on combat rolls or Effect activations).
Possession of this Power grants the following Battle Scar: You are muscled like a gorilla and have a slight muzzle and animal facial features.
You also gain the following effects:
Perform the Five Point Technique via a series of quick pressure point hits on the target’s chest. As you do, channel your chi and speak a condition involving the number five. If the target cannot stop you from performing the technique, their heart will take a direct hit when they fulfill the chosen condition.
Exert your Mind and spend an Action. Select a Living target within arm's reach. Roll Dexterity + Brawl Difficulty 6. The target may contest by rolling Body, Difficulty 6.
If the Contested Outcome is positive, the target takes that much Damage plus 2. The target's Armor is completely ignored.
When you activate this Effect, instead of occurring immediately, you may choose to delay its effects until the target takes a particular Action. For example: "when they fire a gun" or "when they swim in deep water."
Instead of dealing Damage all at once, the Injury caused by this Power starts at Severity 1 and worsens at the rate of one level per Round until it reaches the Severity it would have otherwise been.
The Ninja is a master at blending in to any crowd or organization. If they can find complete privacy, they may channel their ninjutsu to temporarily create the illusion of any outfit or uniform they desire. The new clothes shimmer into existence over their existing garb over the course of a minute of meditation.
Exert your Mind and spend a minute.
You become disguised in a manner of your choosing. The disguise lasts for two hours, or you may end it early at will.
The new appearance must have a similar sex, age, and race to your own. You cannot significantly change your height and weight. Your disguise cannot directly mimic an existing person. You may change the appearance of your outfit. A disguise cannot affect your Attributes or other stats.
You may roll Charisma + Crafts to attempt to make your disguise Beautiful. If your Outcome is 6 or higher, non-Effect Charisma rolls where your good looks could help are rolled at -2 Difficulty. If you fail or botch, you are ugly instead, and non-Effect Charisma rolls are made at +2 Difficulty.
You cannot alter the appearance of your flesh and blood.