Shapers are those rare and gifted (or cursed) beings that have points in the Shaping Attribute and therefore have access to a pool of Shaper Energy.
Effects of the Shaping Attribute
As mentioned in Character Creation, Shaping is the connection between the character and creation itself. Shapers are literally able to break, bend and manipulate the world around them via Extraordinary Special Abilities (see Special Abilities).
Shaping increases the maximum rating of the other Primary Attributes. For instance, the normal human maximum for Primary Attributes is 10. If a human has Shaping 2, they can increase their Primary Attributes through experience to 12.
Shapers have a longer lifespan than others of their species even without using Extraordinary Special Abilities. Assume they live an extra 10 years for every point in the Shaping Attribute.
Shaper Energy
Shapers have a pool of energy at their disposal equal to their level of Shaping. Characters may spend points of Shaper Energy to do some amazing things.
- Add their Shaping Attribute to the TN of one roll they are attempting.
- Subtract their Shaping Attribute from the TN in an opposed roll when they are defending.
- Re-roll a failed test.
- Instantly regain 1 point of Health (either Physical, Social or Mental) to recover from 0 Health.
- Power a Special Ability or Shaper Device.
Shapers recover their full store of Shaper Energy after resting for at least an hour.
Sources of Shaper Energy
The most obvious place for a Shaper to turn for a source of Shaper Energy is themselves, but what if their well has run dry, or they just need more power to pull off something truly spectacular? In that case Shapers can look to external sources of energy to give them a little boost.
Portal Pieces
Solidified Shaper Energy crafted into the form of a coin. They are highly valued, not just for their rarity, but also for their special properties. Each Portal Piece generates and stores 1 point of Shaper Energy per day. Shapers can draw from this energy and use it just like their regular pool of Shaper Energy.
Some machines have been designed to use Portal Pieces as a renewable power source and due to the convenience of their form and shape, it has given a whole new meaning to the term ‘slot machine’.
Blood and Sacrifice
Shapers have long known that there is power in sacrifice. Sacrifice itself does not have to mean taking the life of another, but can be something as simple as offering up a prized possession or fasting for a day. When the sacrifice is an inanimate object or requires some form of personal endurance (like fasting) the Shaper is able to draw on 1 extra Shaper Energy Point.
Shaper Energy is the stuff of creation and that includes life itself. There is great power in fresh blood as a result and that often leads to morally corrupt Shapers to using blood sacrifice. For every point of Physical Health lost by the victim, the Shaper gains 1 Shaper Energy. Shapers have been known to inflict injuries upon themselves for extra power.
It should be noted that some Shapers are able to draw power by sacrificing the mind and spirit of a victim instead. Psychic vampires feed directly upon the emotions and cause Social Health damage for instance. The GM and other players are encouraged to use their imagination.
Sensing Sources of Shaper Energy
Shapers are able to detect sources of Shaper Energy not mentioned under Blood and Sacrifice above. To do so they must pass a Very Hard (TN 10) Shaping + Perception roll. The TN is increased by 10 for every point of Shaper Energy currently available (so not the maximum available) in the target.
For instance, a Shaper trying to sense another Shaper that has a current pool of 3 Shaper Energy points will have a TN of 40 to do so.
If the source has a lot of Shaper Energy points (10+), then even non Shapers will sense something is different about the object or person. Hairs on the back of the neck may stand on end, skin will get goose bumps, or people may just get a bad feeling about a person or place. Perhaps the shadows are a little darker and ominous, or candles burn more brightly, or the air may crackle with barely suppressed power? The GM should embellish the description to suit the situation and to add flavour.