Murders Spells

Background: Perhaps someone I loved was deeply injured by magic at some point, or perhaps the person injured was me. Or has a more philosophical question driven me, one that asks when and where magic should be used, and for what purpose, exactly?

Appearance: I embrace my murderous self in whatever way feels right to me. It might be hidden marks on my skin for every bit of magic I have eternally ended, or it might be something more bold, displayed for all to see.

Character Arcs: The following character arc ideas are particularly appropriate for those who murder magic.

✦✦ I discover a bigger, badder spell to destroy other spells. (New Discovery.)

✦✦ I have long dreamed of stripping magic from one particular being from my past, and I finally achieve that goal. (Revenge, Defeat a Foe.)

✦✦ I travel to a place where magic is born so it can teach me a great deal about the ways it lives and dies. (Explore.)

Path to Joy: The following events may bring me Joy.

✦✦ The first time I destroy a large spell that otherwise would have brought despair or injury to myself or my loved ones.

✦✦ I gain an ally in my journey, someone who truly understands my life’s purpose.

Path to Despair: The following events are likely to cause me Despair.

✦✦ I fail in my attempt to murder a spell.

✦✦My own magic dies or is thwarted for some reason.

Forte Abilities: I have access to the following abilities, as long as I start with the first one and then select more, following the path indicated and spending Crux to do so.

MYSTICAL KNOWLEDGE

Level: 2

If someone casts a spell near me, I know its nature and level.

Depletion: 0–4 (check each hour)

Color: Blue

FORBIDDING TOUCH

Level: 3 (+1 die)

With a touch, I make it impossible for a being to cast a spell in the next round. They can take any other action on their turn.

Color: Blue

LITTLE DEATH

Level: 4 (+1 die)

I hold my action and, just as a faraway foe is about to cast a spell, I cast this counterspell at them, destroying their spell before it reaches the intended target as long as its level is less than or equal to the level of this ability.

Color: Red

RAVIN

Level: 5 (+1 die)

I reach out and negate the power of a magical object, such as an ephemera object, an object of power, and so forth.

Depletion: 0 (check each round)

Color: Gold

RUIN AND ROT

Level: 5 (+1 die)

On the round after someone casts a spell, I plant an undetectable seed of sorcerous corruption on them. The next time the person attempts to cast the same spell, the corruption causes their own magic to inflict 1 Wound on them. Otherwise, the spell works as it should.

Color: Red

SPELL SLAYER

Level: 7

I call forth a unique thoughtform creature that hovers next to me. With cleaver-like appendages, it slices at incoming spells. The next three spells that would do me harm are destroyed before they can take effect.

Color: Invisible

DEATH CYCLE

Level: 7 (+1 die)

When one thing dies, another sometimes steps in to take its place. When I hold my action, I can destroy a spell from a nearby caster and replace it with one of my own of the same level or lower. (Both spells must also be of this ability’s level or lower.) For example, if someone casts Dark Noise to inflict damage on me, I can change that spell to Memory of Moths to add to my knowledge, because the spells are the same level.

Color: Gold

EXALT IN DEATH

Level: 8 (no cost)

Affecting magic is more than a pastime; it’s a passion. Any spell with the Metamagic facet costs me 1 less Sorcery to cast. Further, every time someone nearby experiences magical flux, my Sorcery pool refreshes automatically.

Color: Gold

TORN ASUNDER

Level: 8 (+2 dice)

I hold my action and, just as a faraway foe is about to cast a spell on me, I cast this counterspell at them, destroying their spell as long as its level is less than or equal to the level of this ability. Further, I rip their spell apart down to its very essence, ensuring that the caster cannot cast that same spell against me until the sun next sets or rises, whichever comes first.

Color: Red

AVAUNT

Level: 9 (+2 dice)

I designate a large area in which all magic is temporarily declared dead. For one hour, no magic is allowed within the area. Spells cannot be cast, incantations and long-form magic cannot take place, and so on. The boundaries of the area are not clearly visible to my foes but can be seen by my allies.

Color: Gold