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:
Joshua understands the importance of a good maintenance routine. From oiling the calf skins of his drums to sewing tears in his coat to keeping his trusty caplock pistols clean, each of the items that the soldier carries is part of an intricate web of consistent upkeep. Like trusted friends, he knows that as long as he treats his equipment well, they'll never fail him in his moment of need.
He's more than willing to teach others his best practices. Amazing what can be done with a needle and thread, a rag, and a simple toolkit. Little bit of oil here, a shine there, he lays out the proper routine in plain English. As long as anyone follows his advice, their equipment can be as trusty as Joshua's.
What Joshua doesn't realize is the energies of the shattered Netherworld Portal has empowered this routine with his own latent resistance to entropy. Though he remains rigorous in his procedures (and insists others to do the same), the equipment that he's given close attention keeps itself in its best condition without any deliberate care.
As tales of Joshua's heroic exploits and good deeds continue to spread through the Netherworld and beyond, there are always people willing to lend him a hand. Even if lost, equipment maintained by Joshua will inevitably be picked up and brought back to him by a good samaritan, who will never request more than a song or two as repayment.
This Artifact cannot be broken.
If this Artifact is lost and in no one’s possession, it finds its way back to its creator during the next Downtime.
By channeling extra power into the rune he uses, Mike can control a vehicle in ways others simply cannot.
Mike's personal motorcycle (not Nightmare) has minor rune markings throughout, made on the parts as he rebuilt it from the frame up, though his augment runes only last while they are active and fade after.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are piloting a vehicle that you yourself built, or have an active upgrade rune on and you are piloting any vehicle.
You receive +2 dice to any rolls to pilot a vehicle.
You also gain the following effects:
Veins fizzing with adrenaline & amphetamine, Murdock relives the 'Nam in almost every firefight, unloading whole magazines with wild abandon.
You gain the following benefits as long as High on Speed and engaged in combat with firearms.
+2 dice to all firearms rolls.
You also gain the following effects:
Their body is shaped similarly to that of a sea snake, being elongated and covered in blue scales. At the end of their body is a large tail fin. Their skin is covered in light blue scales, and their torso is humanoid, with two arms, with hands are humanoid but have only four fingers with claw-like ends. Their face is humanoid but features fish-like attributes, including an anglerfish bulb on their forehead, fin-like appendages on their head, a fish-like mouth, and a second, smaller pair of eyes situated above the first pair.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
You are permanently and visibly transformed: Sea Naga. You are considered to be a Sapient, Living being when targeted. Your Dexterity is increased by 1 and your Perception is increased by 1.
While in Deep ocean, heat, cold, pressure, and other atmospheric hazards do not affect you, and dangerous local flora and fauna will not bother you unless you give them a reason.
Your appendages can reach an additional 30 feet.
Your body provides you with the functionality of night vision. If used to attack, these "tools" use the same stats as a small knife.
You cannot be mistaken for a normal human. You cannot always use standard human clothes, equipment, vehicles, and facilities, and when you can, you suffer an increased Difficulty.
The Severity of any Injury caused by evil, corrupted, or dark aligned weapons.(especially including weapons of Abyssal amethyst) is increased by 2.
Tyrion's non-human physiology grants him immunity to terrestrial diseases and resistance to ailments that he is not immune too.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
You get +2 dice to any Body resistance rolls you make. You also gain the following effects:
The ninja does not approve of guns; they prefer using the bow for its stealth and versatility.
You gain the following benefits as long as engaged in combat with wooden longbows.
You receive +2 dice to all rolls using wooden longbows. Reloading is a Free Action, and drawing your weapon does not require a Quick Action as long as it is on your person.
You also gain the following effects:
The detective has trained their eyes to notice the smallest of details.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
Your senses are enhanced in the following way.
This device is a piece of chrome the size and shape of the back of a spoon. When placed against the skin, small hypodermic needles sprout from the device and attach it to the user's bloodstream. There, it filters and releases lifesaving drugs into the bloodstream, granting complete immunity from contracting new diseases and added resiliency in all other cases.
WARNING: The immunizing drugs have been shown to reduce inhibitions in test subjects.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are wearing this Artifact.
You get +2 dice to any Body resistance rolls you make. You also gain the following effects:
The ninja is a master of a wide variety of martial weapons. They kill quickly and quietly.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are engaged in combat with melee ninja weapons.
+2 dice to all rolls with melee ninja weapons. You may Defend against firearm attacks from any range using melee ninja weapons.
You also gain the following effects:
The Werewolf’s body, long caught in the crossfire between human and beast, has developed a powerful coping mechanism. It draws upon the conflict, healing severe injuries in a matter of days.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
Any Injury you receive from a source other than silver or fire. heals quickly, reducing its Severity by one level every 6 hours. Any Injuries you receive while this Effect is active do not deteriorate over time. However, any Battle Scars caused by such an Injury will remain unless it is Properly Stabilized as normal.
You may Exert your Mind and spend an Action to reduce the Severity of one of your Injuries by 2. Does not affect Injuries suffered as an activation cost for Effects.
Injuries you receive from silver or fire. are increased in Severity by 1.