Ever lusted after an ability? Be careful what you wish for… the Mimic seems to be able to mirror abilities they have directly witnessed, and for a short while, wield them as though they were their own! While exciting, this ability is tempermental, and the replacted magic is never quite as strong as the original. Perhaps these wolves are doomed to live in the long shadows cast by others…
TIER RATING
This is a tier three ability.
STAGES
IN ALL STAGES REFER TO THIS TERMINOLOGY:
The user of the mimicry ability is described as ‘the mimic’
The user of the ability the mimic is copying is described as ‘the source’
The ability the mimic displays after absorbing the source is described as ‘the copy’
STAGE 1: Beginning stage
The mimic struggles with completely uncontrolled bursts of magic, influenced by any magic user in close proximity, regardless of ability tier.
In this stage, the mimic duplicates the stage 1 effects of the source ability they are in proximity to. The mimicry only lasts for a minute before it fades, leaving the mimic fatigued and disoriented. After this, the mimic is unable to absorb another source for 3 full days.
In cases where stage 1 description requires a particular trigger to activate, the trigger will not apply: e.g. mimicry of Shieldwolf will result in a shield projection, even if there is no danger to trigger it. In this way, the mimicry is uncontrolled and unpredictable.
In all stages, the mimic cannot use the copy ability on the source user. Consider each interaction and decide if you need a third party on which to display use of the copy ability.
STAGE 2: Intermediate
Acquired by completing three pieces of artwork or roleplay that relate directly to your ability
In the second stage, the Mimic now begins to duplicate the stage 2 effects of any magic user in close proximity, regardless of tier and regardless of the source’s stage (for example, if the source is in stage 1 of development, and the mimic stage 2, the mimic will still display stage 2 effects).
In this stage, any restrictions from the source ability apply to the mimic as well.
The activation of a copy of an active ability (a source ability that can be activated at will) does not have to be immediate. The copy can remain ‘dormant’ for a maximum of half a day, and therefore could be displayed at a later time, when any required trigger is met.
The activation of a copy of passive abilities will be immediate, as the mimic cannot choose to activate or deactivate them.
In this stage, use of the copy ability is still considered passive - from a narrative perspective, if you have the mimic absorb from A, wait an hour, and then use copy on B, assume the use of the copy was accidental and unintended, NOT that the mimic chose to use it.
After the copy ability has been used, the mimic is unable to absorb another source for 2 full days.
In all stages, the mimic cannot use the copy ability on the source user. Consider each interaction and decide if you need a third party on which to display use of the copy ability.
STAGE 3: Master
Acquired by completing a further three pieces of artwork or roleplay that relate directly to your ability.
In the final stage, the Mimic now begins to duplicate the stage 3 effects of any magic user in close proximity, regardless of tier and regardless of the source’s stage (for example, if the source is in stage 1 of development, and the mimic stage 3, the mimic will still display stage 3 effects).
In this stage, any restrictions from the source ability apply to the mimic as well.
The mimic might not display the copied ability right away. The copy can remain ‘dormant’ for a maximum of 1 full day, and therefore could be displayed at a later time, when any required trigger is met.
In this stage, use of a copy active ability can now be active, in that the mimic can choose to deploy them at will.
The activation of a copy passive ability gives the mimic 24 hours of the passive ability at stage 2. The mimic cannot deploy them at will.
After the copy ability has been used, the mimic is unable to absorb another source for 1 full day.
In all stages, the mimic cannot use the copy ability on the source user. Consider each interaction and decide if you need a third party on which to display use of the copy ability.
OVERALL RESTRICTIONS
This ability is passive in that the user cannot choose who to mimic. They will naturally absorb a fragment of magic from any ability in a 4 metre proximity. If they are in a group setting along with several magical characters, they will absorb the ability belonging to the character closest to them in terms of distance.
Mimicry has no affect on the individual they are mimicking, and they will not be able to feel that their ability has been copied.
The mimic cannot use their absorbed ability against the root they absorbed from - e.g. they cannot enthrall the enthraller; they cannot take the original form of the changeling; they cannot draw strength from the negative emotions of the shadow empath; and so on.
A mimic can only mimic one ability at a time. If they encounter a wolf with two abilities, you may decide between the players which one the mimic will absorb.
In all stages, the copy ability has one use, and is then discarded. This is true both for passive and active abilities.
In stage 3, the mimic can store their last-absorbed copy magic for up to 1 day, or until they come into contact with another magical ability, at which point the power of the newcomer will replace the previous one. No one power will remain in place forever, and the mimic cannot copy the same ability in succession (e.g. mimic a changeling, wait a day, then mimic a changeling again). The mimic inherits all the restrictions of the ability they absorb, with the exception of in stage 1 as indicated in the stage descriptions above.
Changing quickly between abilities by way of multiple proximity based absorption's in succession will cause a character to feel symptoms similar to motion sickness, possibly resulting in vomiting and in rarer cases, collapse.
Mimicry cannot mimic barren, as this is immune to magical influence, or soul bond, as this requires two parties. Mimic also cannot mimic from another mimic.
Generally, the mimic should not be overpowered, nor played as the master of all magic. They are simply able to reflect and repeat the powers of others.