A custom move I am tinkering with.
A bit of background, in my campaign, most demons need to keep open a portal to the lower realms to sustain themselves, and when they are killed, sometimes the portals collapse into gemstones. I wanted to make a move for using these to draw on otherworldly power, how does this seem?
When you release the power of an astral ruby, say what you intend to do, and roll +Cha, on a 10+, choose 1, on a 7-9, choose 2
* You owe the demon realm’s master a debt.
* You take 1d8 damage, ignores armour, from the magical backlash
* You unleash a non-hostile demon, who will do what he pleases
On a miss, the demonic power does whatever it damn well pleases.
I like it so far, but kinda want a mechanic for me to say “Theres not enough power in that gem to do that, you’ll get a limited effect”. any suggestions?
Interesting idea, but you should add a few more options. Also think it should be whatever stat you’re using to have the demon do as you say. So if you’re trying to intimidate it you use strength for example. Or use logic to explain how it would benefit from helping you, roll int. ect.
“There’s not enough power, so the effect is limited” sounds like a good 7-9 option.
how about the 7-9 option being
* You owe the demon realm’s master a debt.
* The power has unintended side effects
* You unleash a non-hostile demon, who will do what he pleases
* Theres not enough power, so the effect is limited
seems good
josh savoie Would also add, the barrier between realms weakens. A nice, I don’t want to suffer now, but if I abuse it it’ll be much worst, option is always nice.
I don’t think the moves needs more options; three seems fine to me. As a 10+ is chose one and a 7-9 is choose two, having only three options really helps define what fictionally happens when one of these soul gems is used.
I’m not a fan of the trigger though. Is using an astral ruby meant to be like an old school Wish spell? Cause it looks like I can literally do anything with that gem.
Chris Stone-Bush I’ll second that last bit. “Release the power” is basically meaningless without some idea of what that power actually does.