Downside Format
Name: The name of the Effect.
Bonus Points: The bonus XP you get choosing a Temporary or Permanent version of the Downside. This counts against the XP cost for purchasing the Ability.
Description: Details about the Downside and what it does.
Energy Cost
Bonus Points: Temporary (100)
Upon a successful activation roll, the character must also spend one or more points of Shaper Energy to power the Ability. One point of Shaper Energy is required each time this Downside is taken.
Focus
Bonus Points: Temporary (50)
The Ability relies on one or more foci to work and if you can’t use your focus, you can’t use your Ability. Foci may be physical (like wands, rings or technological devices), verbal (like spoken commands or chanting) or somatic (requiring hand gestures). Each time you take this Downside you may only select a single focus.
Hideous Appearance
Bonus Points: Temporary (50), Permanent (100)
There is something unsettling or unnatural about your appearance that causes revulsion in others. You suffer a -40 penalty to any attempts to charm or persuade others (except when intimidating or commanding others) when your appearance is a factor.
Restriction
Bonus Points: Temporary (50)
There is a restriction placed on using the Ability. Examples include:-
- Only being able to use the Ability underground
- The Ability only works against undead
- An Effect has less versatility (for instance Create Illusion can make the Target invisible and nothing else)
Unusual Diet
Bonus Points: Permanent (100)
You may consume food and drink like others of your species, but it doesn’t benefit you at all. Instead there is something else that you must feed upon to gain sustenance that is considered unusual. In the case of normally harmful substances, you suffer no ill effects from their consumption. Examples include:-
- The blood of the living
- Electricity or a normally toxic substance
- Fear or Lust
Removing Downsides
Under normal circumstances Downsides cannot be removed once an Ability has been learnt. However, there may be times when the GM determines that it is permissible under certain conditions. For example, a wizard may well be able to overcome the need to use foci when casting a spell after spending time using the Ability and gaining enough points in the Aptitude determined by the GM. In contrast to that removal of a more severe Downside may require the character to seek out a rare or expensive cure and may very well be the basis of an adventure itself.
Generally speaking, the more severe the Downside, the more difficult it will be to remove. In addition to any story elements, the character must also spend XP equal to twice the cost of the Downside.