Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1993 10:50:58 -0400 From: "Mike \"Kurgan\" Phillips" <[m s phil] at [BIRDS.WM.EDU]> Subject: mythus-l: The Warriors and Myrmidons of Mars And now, the Master of Warfare and Combat, heeeeeere's Mars! Known to the Greeks as Ares, he was excellent at hand-to-hand combat, and his preferred weapon was the spear (some people theorize that he was the epitome of maleness, and thus uses the spear). Many of these castings rely heavily on the JM's judgement of what personas are devout followers, and what battles are heroic. If the players are in disagreement, hear their arguments, they may consider this a significant battle in need of these blessings, and there is a lot of subjectivity to these judgements! Just don't let them lean too heavily on these, or they may not work. In some areas, the priests of Mars call themselves Myrmidons, although that word has connotations they do not like in other areas, where they are simply called Warriors. Grade I: ASSIST STRIKE CHARM Time: 1 CT per 10 STEEP Other Heka Costs: Area: One object R&D: Nil Distance: Touch Other: Nil E/F/M: This quick prayer to Mars to guide the strike will result in a bonus of 10 to the BAC for a single blow, which must be struck within the time limit of the Casting, and it must be struck by a weapon already consecrated to Mars. The Priest weaving the Casting must be the one striking the blow. SWIFTSPEAR CHARM Time: 1 CT Other Heka Costs: Area: One object R&D: Nil Distance: Touch Other: 25:1 additional CT's E/F/M: This battle charm will allow the priest of Mars to call upon Mars to assist him in battle by allowing him, once, a doubling of attacks for that single CT. The fighting must be done with a spear consecrated to Mars, and the Priest asking for the blessing must do the striking. With an additional expenditure of Heka of 25 points per additional CT, and the existence of some great need for this heroic deed, the Priest may extend this up to a total of one CT per 10 STEEP. Note that priests who rely on this charm overmuch may suddenly find Mars unwilling to assist them in this manner, as they are no longer enhancing their fighting ability and are instead replacing it with their god's might. Grade II: ENCOURAGE BATTLE CANTRIP Time: 1 BT per 10 STEEP Other Heka Costs: Area: One small group R&D: Nil Distance: 1 rod per 10 STEEP Other: Nil E/F/M: Like many other priests, the Myrmidons of Mars are able to encourage other personas to a tendency towards Mars' traits. In this case, they can encourage those who would otherwise seek a peacable agreement to attempt to resolve difficulties via battle. Resistance to the Casting is based on the SM category, as that indicates faith in oneself. True followers of Mars have no resistance, personas who are strongly pacifistic should be able to use the entire Spiritual TRAIT to resist. Once started, a battle would follow its normal course. UNBREAKABLE WEAPON SPELL Time: 1 BT per 10 STEEP Other Heka Costs: Area: One weapon R&D: Nil Distance: Touch Other: Nil E/F/M: The breaking of the trusted weapon has been the downfall of many fighters, and so Mars allows his priests to bless their consecrated spear in such a manner that it will not break regardless of damage done to it while this Casting is in effect. In fact, no damage is accrued to the weapon, even in the case of parrying! Before calling upon this Casting, however, the priest must be entering (or in) a battle of great and heroic proportions, one that has a serious impact if lost, otherwise the energy is still spent, but Mars does not grant the blessing. Grade III: SURESTRIKE CANTRIP Time: 1 CT per 10 STEEP Other Heka Costs: Area: One subject R&D: Nil Distance: Touch Other: Nil E/F/M: By means of this Casting, a priest of Mars will temporarily increase the non-missile Combat STEEP by 15, assuming that the subject is a devout follower of Mars and has performed heroic deeds in the past. If the subject does not meet these criteria, then the blessing may become a curse, at the JM's option. Note that heavy reliance on this Casting, like most of the others, will result in such blessings being withheld if they are replacing skill rather than enhancing it. Grade IV: BLOODLUST CHARM Time: 1 BT per 10 STEEP Other Heka Costs: Area: One subject R&D: Nil Distance: Touch Other: Nil E/F/M: This Casting has an effect similar to the Beserk casting described earlier (cf. priests of Thor), although it lasts longer. It may only be lain on a follower of Mars who has a warrior's attitude and approach. Grade V: BLESSING OF MARS RITUAL Time: 1 AT per 10 STEEP Other Heka Costs: Area: One subject R&D: Nil Distance: Touch Other: Nil E/F/M: This Casting is used to turn an otherwise middling warrior into a great warrior before a great battle is to be joined. Armies may hold special ceremonies to Mars on the eve of battle, but special soldiers and champions may seek this ritual before the clang of battle swallows them. It grants a +20 to the subject's BAC with his primary weapon, and it confers a bloodlust such that dazing does not normally occur (although the subject can still fall comatose). As with Bloodlust (and Berserk), the subject will be exhausted for a time equivalent to twice the length of the blessing. This Casting can be lain up to twelve hours ahead of time, and will activate only upon the first strike with the chosen weapon. I just hope all this work is finding a home in someone's campaign :-) If your players are surprised because that Priest wielding a Spear gets really nasty all of a sudden, let me know, I *love* it when my ramblings spark someone else's imagination! Mike Phillips [m s phil] at [birds.wm.edu] Tune in Next Time, we tackle..... ah, I'll let you find out when I'm finished ;-)