Channeler Trait

[Thor]

Hey guys, this is a very rough idea for a new trait. I think it needs a fair bit of feedback and possibly some rule tweaking before it's good to go. Let me know what you think:

Channeler

Die Trait, 6 pts (Unnatural Ability +3, pitap +3)

This trait makes a character especially receptive to spirits, and allows them to offer up their bodies so that spirits may speak through them and the channeler's companions may question the spirit (for Revelation). To use the Channeler trait, a character must first enter a trance (Meditation test, Ob = Power of the spirit if Nameless, Ob = 6 if Named). When attempting to channel Named spirits, the player must roll on the Offering Wheel (from the Summoning chapter of the Magic Burner).

If the player exceeds the Obstacle on the Meditation roll, the questioner gains +1D to his test to obtain information from the spirit. If the player fails the Meditation test but gains at least one success, the player must engage in a Versus Will test with the spirit.

If the spirit wins the test, it may take control of the channeler's body for a certain amount of time. Roll a DoF. On a 1-3, the spirit controls the channeler for minutes. On a 4-5, the spirit controls the channeler for days. On a 6, the spirit controls the channeler for months. For the exact time, roll a second DoF. On a 1-2, the arc is 2X the spirit's strength (Will if the spirit is Named). On a 3-4, the arc is the spirit's strength (Will if the spirit is Named), and on a 5-6, the arc is 10X the spirit's strength (Will if the spirit is Named).

If the player gets no successes on the Meditation roll, he is unable to channel a spirit at that time.

If the player successfully channels a spirit, his companions may now use a Duel of Wits to extract information from the spirit. Nameless spirits are limited to information about their Domains.

[eruditus]

I think this rocks. its sorta like a controlled medium.

The only thing I would change is that i think it should include a Tax mechanism based on the Will of the spirit in question. It just seems to be part and parcel to the ability.

[Thor]

The only thing I would change is that i think it should include a Tax mechanism based on the Will of the spirit in question. It just seems to be part and parcel to the ability.

Fair enough. But don't you think that's pretty heavy, considering the already severe consequences for failing the roll? Especially since the Channeler does not benefit from Spell-Weaver (i.e., rolling skill + WILL)?

[csjames75]

Very interesting idea. I might use this in my own campaign. Thanks

[Thor]

Very interesting idea. I might use this in my own campaign. Thanks

Hey csjames75! Welcome! If you do decide to use it, let us know how it goes. It hasn't been playtested and was just kind of eyeballed when I created it, so you may want to warn whoever takes it and cut them a little slack.

[eruditus]

The only thing I would change is that i think it should include a Tax mechanism based on the Will of the spirit in question. It just seems to be part and parcel to the ability.

Fair enough. But don't you think that's pretty heavy, considering the already severe consequences for failing the roll? Especially since the Channeler does not benefit from Spell-Weaver (i.e., rolling skill + WILL)?

Hmmm, how about this... make the roll a Tax roll instead of a meditation roll (Med can help) and if the guy falls unconscious then the spirit takes over.