Shadowrun
Shadowrun Play => Character creation and critique => Topic started by: Mirikon on <07-21-11/2235:23>
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Apologies in advance if this is the wrong part of the forum. Thought I'd put out a custom tradition I made for an elf combat mage of mine, using the Street Magic guidelines. Comments welcome, and feel free to use this tradition if you like it.
Swordmage
1. Concept - Swordmages are students of both the art of magic and the art of the blade. They view magic in the same way they view the sword, an extension of their arm, and their killing intent made manifest. Spirits are the souls of warriors who have gone before them, which they summon forth to guide their blade in times of crisis.
2. Spirits - Swordmages call upon the power of the spirits of warriors who have gone before them. The spirits a swordmage summons tend to be focused on a certain aspect of what it means to be a true warrior. The Swordmage tradition is a possession tradition. Swordmage spirits appear on the astral as metahuman warriors, dressed in armor, wielding a blade of some sort. Mechanically, Swordmage spirits are identical to spirits of other traditions, except they have the Possession power instead of the Materialization power, and the Blades skill instead of the Unarmed Combat skill.
Combat: Spirit of Air
Detection: Guidance Spirit
Health: Guardian Spirit
Illusion: Spirit of Water
Manipulation: Spirit of Man
3. Drain - Willpower + Charisma
The way of the swordmage is the way of melding a person's body, blade, and magic all together, into one cohesive unit, and to retain the strength of personality to master the spirits who they bind within themselves.
4. Rounding Out - Swordmages tend to favor the Combat Mage archetype by their very nature. To the Swordmage, there is no difference between the discipline of the sword, and the discipline of magic. Any fool can wave a sword around, or throw fireballs at his enemies. But to the practiced user, the sword is an extension of the fighter's arm, killing intent made manifest. Likewise, to the practiced swordmage, a spell is simply his own will, his own personality made manifest in the world.
Swordmages do not deal in the showy trappings of other traditions. Their symbols, if they carry any, are simple, and without great artistry. The exception is in the blades a Swordmage carries. These will often be etched with elaborate designs and arcane runes. A swordmage's blades are more precious to him than a street samurai's gun, or the rigger's car. From the day they first begin training, a swordmage is rarely found without a blade within arm's reach. The blade is his greatest weapon, and his most certain defense.
Swordmages view the spirits of the world as powerful allies, and always treat them with respect, even those spirits from other traditions. In part, this is due to the fact that the way of the Swordmage is a possession tradition.
All Swordmages must take the Geas negative quality, to reflect the fact that they cannot cast spells at their full potential unless they have a bladed weapon in hand. To watch a swordmage in action is like watching a ballet. Every movement has its purpose, nothing is done unnecessarily. Every act either strikes at the foe, or prepares the swordmage for the next strike.
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Thematically, this tradition is full of flvour.
However taking a Geas at CharGen (especially involving a Physical object) can be a crippling blow, and I can't see any positive factor in the tradition to balance out this requirement.
Instead of making this an entire tradition, why not make it an advanced version of magic as taught by an Initiatory group (explained by whomever taught the PC about the magic, belonging to that group).
Also, have you considered making this a Mystic Adept build? This type of Magic lends itself to the Mystic Adept side of magic, as a blend between magic and physical skills is normally done by combination of Spellcasting and OPhys Ad. powers....
Also lets you get Metamagic powers such as Adept Centering, combined with things like Counterspelling (Shielding) which would be great for bouncing spells of your sword :)
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I might consider changing the Geas to be: the only Fetishes a swordmage is allowed to have must be swords. That way you're not required to Geas all your spells, there's still a smallish but not horrible shaftings flavor restriction, and you can fling fireballs with your sword if that's what floats your boat.
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Also, seeing as the Sword is going to be such a focal point (pardon the double pun), Street Magic has the rules for combining Focus types into a single object.
A combined Weapon/Power focus would be an awesome thing to watch....
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Well, I've never been a fan of the mystic adept, to be honest. I've got several mages and adepts in my portfolio, but not a single mystic adept.
As for the geas, I've never found it to be a problem. It is not limited to a single sword, but to bladed weapons in general. And a combat mage who doesn't have a weapon to hand is in a bad spot regardless. But then, the character I use this tradition with tends to walk around with no fewer than five sharp pointies. Typical load-out is a katana weapon focus, two vibroblade swords, two cougar fineblade long blade knives, a survival knife, and sometimes a spear with a retractable haft. Oh, and a pistol for those situations where he needs ranged attacks and doesn't wish to use spells.
In play, the mages with this tradition have the tendency to be a kind of 'toggle' character, from what I've seen. It is a Possession tradition, and they usually have their spirits possess themselves. So you, in essence, 'toggle' from spellcaster to tank, until you initiate, and get the Channeling metamagic. Other good metamagic choices would include Ally Conjuration, Invoking, and Centering. The character I use this tradition with also typically uses the martial arts quality from Arsenal, as well as the Off-hand Training (Blades) and Two-Weapon Style maneuvers.
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Note that your spirits are going to be completely trashed if it ever comes to Spirit vs. Spirit combat, or astral combat of any sort for them -- since, after all, they do not have edged weapons with which to fight.
I agree completely with Charybdis; this tradition seems custom-made for the mystic adept. While mages can cast manabolts down their blades, and adepts can power their way through any defense, a mystic adept would truly be the fusion of the mystic and martial arts you seem to be going for with this tradition.
Understand also that though you will often have mages, whether pure or mystic adept, wielding a sword, few are going to be able to fully develop the sort of focus upon both that will be necessary for them to fully combine the two; there is just too much to develop and learn with magic to gain more than moderate competency with the blade, unless you are willing to completely ignore every other skill in the book -- at which point you're going to be hurting when it comes to getting jobs and selling gear, getting around, etc. etc.
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Make a Mystic Adept with karmagen, start Initiated with a Magic of 8, use 4 points for Increased Reflexes 2 plus some other powers of your choice, and use the remaining Magic for casting. Build evenly as the game progresses.
If you really want to be the swordmage without being a Mystic Adept, invest in making some of your blades sustaining foci.
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Can Adept's use focus'?
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An Adept can use a weapon focus. A MYSTIC Adept can use all foci a mage and an adept can use.
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Note that your spirits are going to be completely trashed if it ever comes to Spirit vs. Spirit combat, or astral combat of any sort for them -- since, after all, they do not have edged weapons with which to fight.
Incorrect. On the physical, the spirit would be at no more a disadvantage than any other possession spirit. As long as the vessel (which is often the swordmage himself) has a blade, or can get one, then the spirit has a blade for use on the physical. If the blade is also a weapon focus, then the blades skill will work just fine on materialized spirits. On the Astral, or any other metaplane, the Blades skill is just as useless as the Unarmed Combat spell, as the skill you'd use is Astral Combat, which swordmage spirits still have.
I agree completely with Charybdis; this tradition seems custom-made for the mystic adept. While mages can cast manabolts down their blades, and adepts can power their way through any defense, a mystic adept would truly be the fusion of the mystic and martial arts you seem to be going for with this tradition.
Understand also that though you will often have mages, whether pure or mystic adept, wielding a sword, few are going to be able to fully develop the sort of focus upon both that will be necessary for them to fully combine the two; there is just too much to develop and learn with magic to gain more than moderate competency with the blade, unless you are willing to completely ignore every other skill in the book -- at which point you're going to be hurting when it comes to getting jobs and selling gear, getting around, etc. etc.
You make sacrifices for specialization, yes. Every mage has different specialties, and different levels of advancement, depending on their tradition and focus. When I've made a mage following this tradition, I tend to start only having Pistols (Light Pistols) at 1(+2), and Blades (Swords) somewhere between 3(+2) and 5(+2), with Spellcasting at 5 and Astral Combat at 3. Out of the Conjuring group, I tend to focus on Summoning, usually not getting Binding and Banishing at all, or at lower ranks. However, I will admit that, when playing a character with this tradition, I tend to use swords and spells to deal with spirit threats, instead of Banishing and Binding. And, of course, diplomacy. Spells I usually pick are Manabolt, <Element> Bolt, Ice Slick, Increase Reflexes, Heal, Energy Aura, Astral Armor, Combat Senses, Orgy, Fashion, Mist, Makeover, <Element> Wall, etc. In other words, he has options for both mana and physical ranged attacks, and then the rest of the spells he casts are either buffs to use on himself or (possibly) others, battlefield control, and healing. Fashion and Makeover are included both as a way to become instantly prepared for a meet, whether it is in the Barrens or Dante's, and as an efficient way to change one's appearance in order to throw off pursuit, though some of the material from Attitude makes them redundant.
So he isn't likely to get a job banishing spirits, or the like, but that is already a job that tends to draw other specialists. Most combat mages tend to be, well, combat focused, afterall, which is why I said that the tradition may appeal mostly to them, rather than, say, the occult investigator or the street shaman. When you're starting out, you can either be a specialist, and fill in the gaps later, or a generalist, and build into a specialty. Depends on your focus, just like the difference between riggers and hackers.
If you really want to be the swordmage without being a Mystic Adept, invest in making some of your blades sustaining foci.
I already do this. A force 2 Weapon Focus and a force 3 Sustaining focus, usually. The Sustaining focus usually means he'll just cast Increase Reflexes on himself before he goes out, and sustain it through the focus unless he has reason to deactivate it.
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Not bad at all, and it's certainly a tradition with history. Namely that of Gui Long (Dragon Spirit) Kung Fu, particularly it's focus on a technique called Chien Shu. It literally translates as "MetalTechnique". I think. Admittedly, my Chinese is extremely spotty, so I'm probably wrong. The problem with learning primarily via a Wade-Giles transliteration. There are 55 characters alone that are transliterated as "Shu", but I'm reasonably certain that it's 术 (朮, traditionally).
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Admittedly, my initial inspiration for the tradition was from some of the ideas in martial arts movies, especially the Jet Li movie Hero. I remember one scene from the movie, where they were talking about these swordsmen studying calligraphy because they believed that the control and movements you needed for calligraphy translated into what you needed to wield a sword. Other inspirations would include certain manga/anime series, but especially Ruroni Kenshin.
The idea was, if there are already martial arts traditions where they see a sword as an extension of one's arm, what would someone who practiced that tradition think about magic? And if there were spirits, wouldn't they take the form of swordsmen? The decision of which type of spirits to include was tricky. I knew I didn't want Fire or Beast spirits, though, but for different reasons.
Fire is the element that lends itself most easily to destruction, but a trained martial artist isn't about overwhelming power. They have power, certainly, but it is skill and precision that are typically more important.
Beast represents wild, uncontrolled power as well, which also doesn't fit well with the idea of a swordsman.
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Do not forget, though, that Fire is what we call inspiration and drive-to-succeed -- 'He sure has fire.' The desire and will to achieve is something that would do well with a Fire spirit, I think.
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True. But it is often too unfocused, and runs wild. Martial arts are about discipline and control.
Here's what my thinking was when I chose the various spirits:
Combat: Spirit of Air
Air is not as overwhelmingly powerful as fire, but it is a potent power. Since the tradition views spirits not as elementals or other such things, but as the spirits of ancient warriors, I looked at what air represented as an element, when applied to my (admittedly limited) knowledge of eastern philosophy. Air is the most fluid element. It can be calm as a gentle breeze, or strong as the hurricane. The thunderbolt strikes with great precision and power.
Detection: Guidance Spirit
The description of this spirit type in Street Magic tends to lend itself to the idea of them working in the Detection role. In the context of this tradition, I'm envisioning stealthy scouts, spymasters, and other such symbols.
Health: Guardian Spirit
I chose Guardian Spirits for Health because I thought they worked well as the stoic veteran of many battles, aiding the younger warrior, and protecting him and his allies from harm.
Illusion: Spirit of Water
Water distorts vision. Whether it is looking through the waterfall, seeing to the bottom of a pool, or spotting something through the heat-haze off the road, water can fool the senses. In addition, water is a fluid element, difficult to hit, and never quite where you thought it would be.
Manipulation: Spirit of Man
This was an obvious choice. Man is a master of manipulation, both of others and of the environment. Man can make plans, spring traps, set ambushes, and manipulate his enemies. This spirit would be seen in the light of a general or strategist, using the tools at its disposal to accomplish its mission.
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Just for reference, the five elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.
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Just for reference, the five elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.
If we're going for a purely Eastern approach. But my read on the tradition in the OP was that it was a broader, modern tradition that drew elements from numerous martial traditions with spiritual leanings.
Personally, while I like the idea, I think that it might be better represented by a properly themed character instead. There are numerous approaches and philosophies that could meld spellcasting and swordplay, but some would be distinctly Eastern, some Western, and others beside. For example. my own people's Mau Rakauo would lend itself well to the concept, especially with regards to a Taiaha. But our Tohungas would use the following spirits:
Combat - Man; Detection - Fire; Health - Water; Illusion - Air; Manipulation - Plant.
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Who gets Heart?
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Indeed. I wasn't going for a distinctly eastern approach, especially since the character I originally designed the tradition for is from Tir Tairngir.
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Thanks for the Idea :D
After I've made an elfen Swordmage and told a friend of mine about it. He's also going to create one (a Female Swordmaster ) and the next Convention we'll visit we'll be playing a Pair of Elfen Swordmages from the Duchy of Pomorya ;D
with an Elfish Dance
Medicineman
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Thanks for the Idea :D
After I've made an elfen Swordmage and told a friend of mine about it. He's also going to create one (a Female Swordmaster ) and the next Convention we'll visit we'll be playing a Pair of Elfen Swordmages from the Duchy of Pomorya ;D
*grins* Wow. I would so want to be there, just to destroy you. ;)
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Thanks for the Idea :D
After I've made an elfen Swordmage and told a friend of mine about it. He's also going to create one (a Female Swordmaster ) and the next Convention we'll visit we'll be playing a Pair of Elfen Swordmages from the Duchy of Pomorya ;D
*grins* Wow. I would so want to be there, just to destroy you. ;)
You better don't or fear the Wrath of Pomoryan Nobility, German Swordmaster School/Tradition and Pomoryan Secret Service united ! ;D
with a Resourceful Dance
Medicineman
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I tremble in my boots.
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... wait, I don't wear boots. :P :)
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Why not a T'skrang Swordmaster? :P
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Why not a T'skrang Swordmaster? :P
Because it costs too much Points to Surge ;)
and he wouldn't be more elegant than an Elf ;)
HougH!
Medicineman
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Why not a T'skrang Swordmaster? :P
Because it costs too much Points to Surge ;)
and he wouldn't be more elegant than an Elf ;)
HougH!
Medicineman
A T'skrang is every bit as Charismatic as an Elf...
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Why not a T'skrang Swordmaster? :P
Because it costs too much Points to Surge ;)
and he wouldn't be more elegant than an Elf ;)
HougH!
Medicineman
A T'skrang is every bit as Charismatic as an Elf...
It's cost a lot of points to play a 4th world T'skrang in the 6th world. For one thing, you need to Surge to give them back their arms and legs. (Hint: T'skrang are around in the 6th world. Look for the only intelligent reptile.)
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Why not a T'skrang Swordmaster? :P
Because it costs too much Points to Surge ;)
and he wouldn't be more elegant than an Elf ;)
HougH!
Medicineman
A T'skrang is every bit as Charismatic as an Elf...
It's cost a lot of points to play a 4th world T'skrang in the 6th world. For one thing, you need to Surge to give them back their arms and legs. (Hint: T'skrang are around in the 6th world. Look for the only intelligent reptile.)
Dragons? :P
Rasmus
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Nagas, I believe.
But yes, I am happy to inspire others to awesomeness.
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....
But yes, I am happy to inspire others to awesomeness.
After I've told another Player, She'll be doing one more Elfin Swordmaster too.
A female Tit Na Nog Elfin Swordmage with Claymore Sword (or Maybe a Daiklave ? But I Think I'd better talk to her or else she'll drift towards an Anime Version of Swordmage.... ?)
Nevertheless, We 'll be attending Dreieich (a Con near Frankfurt) with 3 Elfish Swordmages (one Male with Rapier & Main Gauche (me) one with Katana & Wakizashi (Female) and a 3rd (Female) with Two Handed Sword) ....Poor GM ;D
He who dances on Top of an Avalanche
Medicineman
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After I've told another Player, She'll be doing one more Elfin Swordmaster too.
A female Tit Na Nog Elfin Swordmage with Claymore Sword (or Maybe a Daiklave ? But I Think I'd better talk to her or else she'll drift towards an Anime Version of Swordmage.... ?)
Nevertheless, We 'll be attending Dreieich (a Con near Frankfurt) with 3 Elfish Swordmages (one Male with Rapier & Main Gauche (me) one with Katana & Wakizashi (Female) and a 3rd (Female) with Two Handed Sword) ....Poor GM ;D
Careful, your Freudian slip is showing. I admit that in my mind the swordmage is definitely running second fiddle to a dedicated adept with some Magic Resistance ...
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Shure he is, But I like playing Chars with style (even ,if in this case, it may be Style over Substance)
and I think I (and the second Player) have enough experience (both generally with RPG and Shadoowrun especially) to ....Back up the Style with some "Tricks of the Trade" so we won't be on the losing end if competion appears.
I own so many effective Chars (all with their own Style) that its a kind of ....trying out something new
(its difficult to say it in english..... :-\ )
with a Dance in a Hurry
Medicineman
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Nagas, I believe.
T'skrangs are Nagas?!?
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Nagas, I believe.
T'skrangs are Nagas?!?
Oh, god.
No, T'skrang are not Nagas; they are a very variant metavariant. Elf, only reptilian and cool. Weldûn was meaning to suggest a way to create a PC T'skrang (poorly, IMO) and Mirikon was answering Rasmus' comment about dragons being the 'only intelligent reptile'.
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Nagas, I believe.
T'skrangs are Nagas?!?
Oh, god.
No, T'skrang are not Nagas; they are a very variant metavariant. Elf, only reptilian and cool. Weldûn was meaning to suggest a way to create a PC T'skrang (poorly, IMO) and Mirikon was answering Rasmus' comment about dragons being the 'only intelligent reptile'.
I know what a T'skrang is - played one in ED1 (still have the free CD FASA made somewhere, too) - hence my surprise at the Naga comment.
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I've found, when playing this tradition, that style and substance can be had in equal measure. Certain play styles have different mileage, naturally. But I've found that this tradition allows me to nicely fill the combat mage role, and using a spirit to possess yourself can give you a major edge when facing mundane enemies. Use a spirit with the Energy Aura power, and suddenly bringing a sword to a gunfight means you're cutting soldiers in milspec armor in two. Follow up with initiation to get the Channeling metamagic, and you're golden.
Of course, that is a trick you want to use sparingly, or you may get all kinds of attention you don't really want.
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I used to have this "Ace in my Sleeve" for Krakatoa my mystic Adept Hawai'ian Lawyer. Troll Close Combat expert and a Plant Spirit Level 6 in Great Form.I never used though !
Question:
what about Watcher that go with a Possesion Tradition ? are they somehow Special ?
(Ok they're all ....kind of Special ;) )
He who dances like possessed
Medicineman
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I used to have this "Ace in my Sleeve" for Krakatoa my mystic Adept Hawai'ian Lawyer. Troll Close Combat expert and a Plant Spirit Level 6 in Great Form.I never used though !
Question:
what about Watcher that go with a Possesion Tradition ? are they somehow Special ?
(Ok they're all ....kind of Special ;) )
He who dances like possessed
Medicineman
Lawyer?!? :o
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Yes Lawyer for Metahuman rights (his Specialisation. and ...whats it called ;Favorable Terrain Courtroom)
Krakatoa can not only beat You up, he can also sue You
He who Dances wit Ally McBeal and James Spader
Medicineman
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Yes Lawyer for Metahuman rights (his Specialisation. and ...whats it called ;Favorable Terrain Courtroom)
Krakatoa can not only beat You up, he can also sue You
He who Dances wit Ally McBeal and James Spader
Medicineman
Nice combination!
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A watcher in a possession tradition still has to possess something if they want to get on the physical plane. I tend to use cats, rats, birds, and other small animals that people wouldn't notice in the city.
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A Watcher can't get on the physical Plane
They've always been and always will be Astral.They can Manifest (like a projecting Mage) but they can't materialize
I was just wandering If they have a kinda special Ability,but I doubt it now
With a Dance in Astral Space
Medicineman