Appearance

Gods who have Epic Appearance are the most beautiful, and the most hideous of the Divine. Ranging from appearing like the gentle light of dawn, being as horrifying as death itself, to being rotting and disgusting. These Gods and Goddesses are often treated differently than their others, with the terrifying being ostracized, and the beautiful being fought over, or admired from afar. The Scions who take up these mantles must be aware that the beautiful among them will draw attention, even if it is unwanted, and the hideous will terrify even their own Band.

These Knacks are taken from the great folks at Gotham by Night, but we hope to rework many of the Knacks, and add some powers that augment the other social abilities of the Scion.

Terrifying Knacks

AURA OF DREAD

Cost: 2 Legend

Dice Pool: Appearance + Presence (v.s MDV)

Type: Miscellaneous

When a Scion activates this Knack, their hideousness, or otherwise frightening appearance radiates out from around them, others taking notice, and, in fear, moving away from the Scion. Mortals will attempt to get away from a Scion with this Knack active, and Legendary Beings will need to spend a point of Willpower to approach if the activation roll overcame their MDV.

This power may only be used by beings with negative Epic Appearance.

DREADFUL MEIN

Cost: 1 Legend

Dice Pool: Appearance + Presence (v.s MDV)

Type: Miscellaneous

Prerequisite: Aura of Dread

With a snarl, an evil look, or just something as simple as eye contact, a Scion with this Knack may focus all of their stomach churning might on the target, attempting to have them flee. The Scion must spend a point of Legend and attempt to overcome the target's MDV with the activation roll. If they are successful, the target must try to flee them until the next sunrise, lashing out if the Scion has put them in a spot where they can't run any more.

This power may only be used by beings with negative Epic Appearance.

DO NOT WANT

Cost: 3 Legend

Dice Pool: None

Type: Miscellaneous

Prerequisite: Aura of Dread

So horrifying, beings don't want to approach the Scion to hurt them. The idea of making some sort of physical contact, even if it be through a weapon such as a spear, causing their skin to crawl and their mind to scream in rout. When a Scion activates this power, they may use their Epic Appearance as a substitute for their Epic Dexterity when calculating their Dodge DV against melee attacks.

This power may only be used by beings with negative Epic Appearance.

WALKING NIGHTMARE

Cost: 5 Legend and 1 Willpower

Dice Pool: Appearance + Presence (v.s MDV)

Type: Miscellaneous

Prerequisite: Dreadful Mein

As before the Scion was able to focus their horrifying appearance on a single being, they may now lash out indiscriminately at all around them with their intimidating appearance. All beings around the Scion when they activate this power have their MDV checked against the activation roll. Every being who's MDV falls short is immediately effected by the power of Dreadful Mein. When doing this to a group such as an army, the commander may roll Charisma + Presence to attempt to rally their troops rather than having them use their MDV, having to gather more Successes on this roll than the Scion did.

This power may only be used by beings with negative Epic Appearance.

LOATHSOME PRESENCE

Cost: 5 Legend and 1 Willpower

Dice Pool: Appearance + Presence (v.s MDV)

Type: Miscellaneous

Prerequisite: Walking Nightmare

Now able to flick on and off the ability to horrify audiences, a Scion may pay the cost to activate this power for the Scene. It functions as Walking Nightmare, but is constantly on until the Scion dismisses it, causing all those who they approach to attempt to flee.

This power may only be used by beings with negative Epic Appearance.

Divine Appearance Knacks

BLINDING VISAGE

Cost: 1 Legend

Dice Pool: Appearance + Presence (v.s MDV)

Type: Miscellaneous

A Scion with this Knack can show their true splendor, or horror to a number of targets equal to their Epic Appearance Dots for just a split second. If the activation roll overcomes their MDV, they immediately go blind. Mortals are blinded for the Scene, but Legendary Beings are only blinded for five Ticks.

BEDAZZLING IMAGE

Cost: None

Dice Pool: None

Type: Persistent

Prerequisite: Blinding Visage

So stunning is the appearance of the Scion that others find it difficult to concentrate, and their confidence failing them when they try to influence her. She may substitute her Appearance for her Intelligence/Wits (without any successes from any Epic Attributes) when determining her MDV against sentient creatures.

DISORIENTATING COUNTENANCE

Cost: None

Dice Pool: None

Type: Persistent

Prerequisite: Bedazzling Image

The Scion with this knack is so visually impressive - whether divinely beautiful or tortuously ugly - that those attempting to affect her mentally are at a disadvantage from raw distraction. The Scion many now add her successes from Epic Appearance when determining her MDV against sentient creatures.

DIVINE SPLENDOR

Cost: 2 Legend

Dice Pool: Appearance + Presence (v.s MDV)

Type: Miscellaneous

Prerequisite: Disorientating Countenance

Now in total control of their Divine appearance, a Scion with this power can reveal their true form, normally hidden away by their flesh. In a flash, they reveal their Divine body, mortals all struck down, turned to ashes in the presence of this awe inspiring Divinity, and Legendary Beings who have their MDV breached by the activation roll are blinded for the rest of the Scene.

Controlling Knacks

CENTER OF ATTENTION

Cost: 1 or more Legend

Dice Pool: Appearance + Presence (v.s MDV)

Type: Miscellaneous

With a snap, a Scion may draw the attention of all those in the Scene onto themselves, as a distraction, as an attempt at mass seduction, or just to have everyone pay attention to them. They may make the activation roll, and every being in the Scene who's MDV falls short has to immediately focus on the Scion who activated this power, all other actions taking a -4 Dice penalty. This power lasts for one minute per Dot of Epic Appearance per point of Legend spent.

This power may only be used by beings with positive Epic Appearance.

COME HITHER

Cost: 1 Legend

Dice Pool: Appearance + Command (v.s MDV)

Type: Miscellaneous

Prerequisite: Center of Attention

Able to cause a surge of memory in any being who has seen the Scion before, they may pay the cost, and attempt to overcome the MDV of their target. If they are Successful, their target, someone who must have seen the Scion before, immediately has their mind filled by the Scion, becoming entirely enthralled by the idea of finding the Scion. This power lasts for a day, with the target seeking the location the Scion was when they used this Knack until the effect ends.

This power may only be used by beings with positive Epic Appearance.

MEET ME BACKSTAGE

Cost: 1 Legend

Dice Pool: Appearance + Command (v.s MDV)

Type: Miscellaneous

Prerequisite: Come Hither

By sending a message to their target, be it a text, a picture, a Skype call, or anything of the sort, and asking them to meet the Scion in a specific location, they may influence their target with their wondrous appearance. They may spend the cost to attempt to overwhelm their target's MDV. If they are Successful, this power functions just as Come Hither does, except the Scion may chose the location their target wishes to travel to.

This power may only be used by beings with positive Epic Appearance.

Shapeshifting Knacks

DETAIL VARIATION

Cost: 1 Legend per change

Dice Pool: None

Type: Miscellaneous

Having limited control over their appearance, the Scion with this Knack may make subtle changes by spending one point of Legend per change they wish to undergo, though all these changes have to be inside the human range, so no blue skin or neon pink hair.

UNDENIABLE RESEMBLANCE

Cost: 5 Legend per feature

Dice Pool: None

Type: Miscellaneous

Prerequisite: Detail Variation

Even larger control in their appearance, a Scion with this Knack may make drastic changes to their body. Changing their sex, their fingerprints, their DNA, or even become a perfect imposer of another being. Though, this being must have equal or lesser Epic Appearance than they do, and any being with higher Epic Perception than they have Epic Appearance is not fooled at all.

TAILOR MADE

Cost: 1 Legend

Dice Pool: None

Type: Miscellaneous

Prerequisite: Detail Variation

Scions with Epic Appearance tend to end up missing their clothes more often than other Scions, leaving this power as incredibly important to them. With a snap of their fingers, the Scion may appear fully dressed in the most mundane, to the most fantastic clothes. From mud stained rags, to a gown woven from sunlight interwoven with Roc feathers.

This power may never be used to create armor.

UNUSUAL ALTERATION

Cost: 2 Legend per feature

Dice Pool: None

Type: Miscellaneous

Prerequisite: Undeniable Resemblance

Now even things outside the human range are possible for Scions. Able to grow multiple limbs, blue skin, hair like fire, antlers, hooves, and other such Divine appearances for two Legend per change. These changes are permanent until they are removed for the same cost, but they give no dice bonus, or any other sort of bonus asides from being useful in Stunts.

Perfection Knacks

DOIN' FINE

Cost: None

Dice Pool: None

Type: Persistent

So utterly perfect in appearance, nothing may ever change it. Almost something akin to a universal constant, a Scion who has taken this power may never appear any less wondrous than they are. Their body is not caked with mud, there is no visible signs of wounds when they have been hurt, no scars appear on their body, everything is absolutely perfect. Though, this power does not effect any clothes they are wearing.

This power may only be used by beings with positive Epic Appearance.

STAR POWER

Cost: None

Dice Pool: None

Type: Persistent

Prerequisite: Doin' Fine

Perfection doesn't even come close to describing the Scion. Their clothes are never worn, scuffed, or marked. Their hair is never anything but perfect, wind not tossing it. They immediately dry when they step out of the sea, unless they would look better soaked.

This power may only be used by beings with positive Epic Appearance.

GAME FACE

Cost: 2 Legend

Dice Pool: None

Type: Miscellaneous

Prerequisite: Star Power

Now able to wield their perfection like a weapon, a Scion who activates this power radiates perfection and wonder. After acctivating this power, a Scion may chose to use their Epic Appearance rather than their Epic Dexterity when calculating their Dodge DV. Beings effected by this power can't conceive to be able to bring themselves to alter the appearance of such perfection with bullet holes, bruises, or crackling fire.

This power may only be used by beings with positive Epic Appearance.

Influencing Knacks

LASTING IMPRESSION

Cost: 1 Legend and 1 Willpower

Dice Pool: Appearance + Presence (vs MDV)

Type: Miscellaneous

So wonderful or horrifying they stick in the mind of being who observe them, a Scion with this power may pay the cost to attempt to overcome their target's MDV. If they are Successful, their target begins to think of the Scion in every moment of idleness, thinking of them as they wash the dishes, or sharpen their sword. For Scions with positive Epic Appearance, their target gains a point of Willpower, while those with negative cause their target to lose one. Additionally, their targets either gain a bonus to all Art, Athletics, and Integrity rolls equal to their Dots of positive Epic Appearance, or if they have negative Epic Appearance, their target takes a penalty of equal proportions to all Animal Ken, Command, Politics, and Presence rolls.

This power lasts for one whole day.

INESCAPABLE VISION

Cost: 1 Legend and 1 Willpower

Dice Pool: Appearance + Presence (vs MDV)

Type: Miscellaneous

Prerequisite: Lasting Impression

With a glance, a Scion can chose to infect the mind of a target with constant images of the beautiful or horrifying Scion. If they overcome the MDV of the target, they begin to see every being who is the same sex as the Scion as the Scion, causing great distress. Beings so effected take -4 dice to all actions, and if they need to try to discover who someone of the same sex as the Scion they take a -4 Autosuccess penalty to the roll. While in this state, beings are unable to regenerate Willpower.

This lasts for one day for Legendary Beings, but it lasts until the Scion dismisses the effect for mortals.

SERPENT'S GAZE

Cost: 1 Legend

Dice Pool: Appearance + Presence (vs MDV)

Type: Miscellaneous

Prerequisite: Inescapable Vision

So wondrous, the Scion may lock eyes with their target, and freeze them in wonder, or fear. Beings who have their MDV overcome immediately become inactive, and can do nothing but stare at the Scion, though the Scion is given the same penalty of not being able to look away from the target, needing to maintain eye contact. As soon as the target is harmed, however, the Knack's effects end.

COMPELLING PRESENCE

Cost: 1 Legend per target

Dice Pool: Appearance + Presence (vs MDV)

Type: Miscellaneous

Prerequisite: Serpent's Gaze

No longer bound by previous constraints, the Scion may activate this power to bind as many targets as their Autosuccesses from Epic Appearance if they pay one Legend per target with the effects of Serpent's Gaze, though without the need to maintain eye contact.

Appearance Manipulation Knacks

MY EYES ARE UP HERE

Cost: 1 Legend

Dice Pool: None

Type: Miscellaneous

A master of their appearance, a Scion may withdraw their wondrous appearance from the sight of all those around them, a necessary action when around some Gods and Goddesses. For the rest of the Scene after they acctivate this power, the Scion appears to have 3 Appearance and no Epic Appearance, though this effect ends early the moment they make an Appearance roll.

VISAGE OF THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE

Cost: 3 Legend

Dice Pool: None

Type: Miscellaneous

Prerequisite: My Eyes are up Here

Some Gods and Goddesses are known for being both hideous and at other times beautiful. These Deities wield this power, able to pay the activation cost and swap over all of their Dots of one for the other, and then able to pay the cost again to change it back. Though, it must be kept in mind that doing something such as this will likely make gaining Fates to one or the other more difficult than gaining them to being horrifying or beautiful.

MASK THE DIVINE

Cost: 1 Legend

Dice Pool: None

Type: Miscellaneous

Prerequisite: My Eyes are up Here

The perceptive beings of the world are able to smell the Ichor in the veins of Gods and Goddesses, knowing from where they hail for the smell and sounds bound into their blood. With this power, a Scion may dismiss these things, losing the scent and sounds associated with their Pantheon, not appearing as Divine to any uses of Scent the Divine.

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

Cost: 5 Legend and 1 Willpower

Dice Pool: None

Type: Miscellaneous

Prerequisite: Visage of the Great and Terrible

As they can change, mercurial, between the states of appearance, a Scion with this power may exist as both at once. They may pay the activation cost, and select what every being in the Scene sees them as, either in positive or negative Epic Appearance, or even as having none as if they had turned My Eyes are up Here on.

CHAMELEON

Cost: 2 Legend

Dice Pool: None

Type: Miscellaneous

Prerequisite: Mask the Divine

From being able to conceal their Divine scent, the Scion is now also able to change this scent. By paying the cost, they may take on the scent of another Pantheon, or take on the scent of anything else they chose, even if it is of an abstract concept, such as fear, hope, summer, Entropy, or war.