Special effects, or
SFX, are special talents your character possesses that give them the power to alter their dice pool or make changes to the fiction. There is no fixed list of SFX; each one is created for your character by combining a
Trigger, a
Cost and a
Benefit.
Triggers
A
Trigger is a fictional circumstance that has to be satisfied before the SFX can take effect, such as "
When you're outnumbered in combat," or "
When you slander your rivals in court."
Cost
The
Cost is the second part of the SFX, and dictates the price for your special advantage. Sample costs include:
- Spend a Plot Point (Always a solid choice for a cost.)
- Step down a Beneficial Die until you take a Recovery Action (usually an Attribute, Skill, Asset or Effect Die)
- Step up a Non-Beneficial Die (Usually a Stress or Complication.)
- Choose to do something risky or ill-advised ("When you walk right into a volatile situation situation and start causing trouble...)
- Create a d8 Complication (Relevant to the SFX being invoked.)
- The SFX can only be activated when you roll a Heroic Success (beat the Difficulty by 5 or more)
- Shut down a Trait (The relevant Attribute, Skill or Asset can't be used again until a Recovery action is taken.)
Benefit
The
Benefit is what you get for hitting that Trigger and paying the Cost. Sample Benefits include:
- Earn a Plot Point - (Very common.)
- Add a d6 to your Dice Pool for a roll
- Step up a Beneficial Die for a scene (Usually a Specialty or an Asset, like "Swords")
- Double a Beneficial Die for a scene (Usually a Specialty or an Asset, like "Swords")
- Step down a Non-Beneficial Die (Usually a Stress or Complication)
- Introduce a Non-Mechanical Story Detail ("Hey, I think I know that squire's brother!")
- Rename a Complication ("I'm not Sickened, I'm Angry!")
- Reroll a single die from a rolled dice pool (Any one die from your pool can be rerolled, including Hitches.)
- Create a d8 Asset for the rest of the Scene (You'll never get past my Defensive Duelling Technique d8!)
Sample Special Effects
Barbaric Rage - When you invoke the Blood Goddesses and let fury course through your veins, Double your Vigour dice for the rest of the scene. When the scene ends, take a d8 of Physical Stress from the exhaustion (if you have already been injured, this can step up existing damage, take you out of the scene or even cause Trauma!)
Dunefalli Duelling Technique - When you fight wielding a single weapon and no armour, spend a Plot Point to create a d8 Asset "Wall of Steel" that protects you from damage until the end of the scene. It can be used to deflect blows or absorb Stress like armour does.
Fuck This, I'm Gone - When you need to make a hasty exit to save your own skin, step up your Mental Stress and spend a Plot Point to Double your Running and Stealth dice for the rest of the scene.
Friends in Low Places - When you spend time in a den of sin or iniquity, Step up your Social Stress by one level to create a d8 Asset (Underworld Contacts) for the rest of the scene.
Bound to the Bottle - When you overindulge in revelry and debauchery, step up your Social Stress by one level and gain a Plot Point.
I Shall Not Leave Your Side - When you defend someone whose life you've sworn to protect, spend a Plot Point to create a d8 Asset (Vow of Protection) that is granted to your protected charge. This lasts until the end of the scene, so long as you remain within arm's reach of your charge.
Water off a Duck's Back - When you suffer Social Stress from someone's slander, lies and gossip, spend a Plot Point to reduce their Effect Die by one step.
Noble Privilege - When you flaunt the law and claim noble privilege as defence against reprisals, spend a Plot Point to double your Noble House's Reputation die against a Social attack against you.
The Harsh Light of the Six - When you hew to the doctrine of the Six Saints and the will of the Church to make decisions, at great personal cost or disadvantage to yourself and your fellows, gain a Plot Point.
Merciful to a Fault - When you strike down and slay a foe you could have otherwise spared, gain a Plot Point and step up your Mental Stress by one step.
