Thursday 29 July 2021

Know, Thyself (GLOG Class: Oracle)

 For Eikonokosmos. 


What is FATE?


The people of the Heptapolis seem to insist that FATE is a goddess, daughter of the Titan called Order. It is one of the many things that makes the learned in further parts of the world shake their heads and chuckle. 


Calling FATE a goddess is an insult. They are greater than that. 


The creation of the world was precipitated by the death of ALL, whose body became Blood, Horizon, Ocean, Earth, Order and Void, the six Titans. 


Was ALL’s death from Illness? Age? Suicide? No. 


FATE wields the knife. 


FATE, adamant-clad, weaves the threads of history. They decide all that will happen. Their will overrides that of Titans, Gods and Mortals alike. Sometimes, to shape things more precisely, FATE will bestow a mortal with the power of Prophecy. 


You are one such Mortal. 


THE ORACLE 

+1 AC or Save and +1 Prophecy Dice per Template. 

Starting Items: Tripod, Silk Chiton, Spindle, Shears, Tattoo of an Eye

Starting Skill: 1) Weaving 2) Oratory 3) Poetry 4) Politics 5) History 6) Deception

A - Prophecy, Forewarn

B - Meddle

C - Foresight

D - Weaver 


Prophecy Dice work like the average GLOG MD. 

Prophecy

You speak aloud a statement [sum] Words long. It will eventually come to pass. 


You gain +1 Word for:

  • Announcing you are an Oracle to all listeners.
  • Performing an hour-long ritual to appease FATE beforehand.
  • Presenting yourself in a manner which means you cannot be mistaken for anyone else - e.g., a weird piece of headgear, harpies harassing you, unique face tattoos, etc.
  • Being high off your fucking nut.


Two Caveats:  One - you don’t control the time-frame, and you can’t say when the thing will happen. Two - You cannot make a Prophecy about yourself. You are the cosmic mouthpiece, not the primary figure of the tale. 


You Will Die” is a completely meaningless Prophecy - everyone who your powers can affect will die in time. (Gods and Titans have the ‘privilege’ of getting their tribulations and destines straight from FATE).


You Will Die, due to Bees” carries a bit more punch, eh? 


In purely mechanical terms, if a result of a roll would fulfil one of your prophecies, that result happens, no roll needed. 


Be aware that prophecies are sometimes true in roundabout ways - bees chasing the victim of your Prophecy into a Drakon’s lair, say, rather than stinging them to death. 


I recommend writing down your prophecies so you can cryptically reference them as soon as anyone does anything. 



Knots

If you roll doubles when pronouncing a Prophecy, there is a contradiction with the words of Another Oracle, somewhere in the Kosmos.


Roll on the following Knot table (1d6):

  1. If someone is named in your prophecy, you must name someone else.
  2. If there is a verb in your prophecy, you must change it.
  3. If there is a noun in your prophecy, you must change it.
  4. You must add an adjective to one element of your prophecy.
  5. You must invert the meaning of one of the words in your prophecy.
  6. The person running your game adds one more word, wherever they feel like it.

Changes from Knots ignore the word limit of the original prophecy. 

If the prophecy is essentially the same after the Knot is resolved, you haven't fixed the conflict - so immediately roll two more Knots

Keep track of the original prophecy. 
You can restore it to the intended meaning by tracking down the Oracle that fucked your Prophecy up, and defeating them in a contest of wits or weapons. 


Forewarn 

FATE allows you to pull the strands every so often, as a reward. 


You can add [sum] to any roll you are present for - i.e., seeing the action which the roll represents. 



Meddle

And now, tangle those fools in the very same strands - tying round ankles and necks. 


You can now subtract [sum] from any roll you are present for. 



Foresight

The twitching of the strands gives you a preternatural sixth sense. 


You cannot be surprised, snuck up on, or ambushed. 


You may expend a Prophecy Dice to ask the person running the game - “What happens if I [x]?” and receive an honest, if possibly cryptic, answer. 



Weaver

You move through the tangled strands like a spider across its web. There is only one greater than you in this Domain. 


You can expend a Prophecy Dice to retcon actions into the game. 


I.e., the DM says, “well Aristomache, you’re unarmed, so-” and you smugly shake your head and say, well, actually… 


You cannot do this with the actions of others - only things you yourself could have reasonably accomplished. 


2 comments:

  1. Not being able to make prophecies about yourself is an absolutely inspired move, well played! Does Forewarn and Meddle have the same restriction?

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    Replies
    1. Ah yes, I imagine they would have the same restriction, yes.

      Thanks for the comment!

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