Post by Ichibey on Sept 5, 2022 6:41:51 GMT
WISHES AND AESTHETICS
It's time to make a little wish and take a lyrical step!
It's time to make a little wish and take a lyrical step!
Now that you're about to enter into a Faustian contract with the cute little devils that are the Companions, you might be wondering if there's any particular way you should be wishing. You might also be wondering if you could just wish any way you like.
And of course, you're probably wondering how your wish will affect your gameplay. After all, the wish is the core of a Wishmaker's powers.
Well just follow this handy dandy guide on making your wish, and what it can do for your character.
WISH
The Wish is one of the most important concepts in Wishmaker character creation. Your Wish is the singular desire and event that led your character to becoming who they are today. Your Wish should say something about your character and what they value and aspire towards. It is always a sincere and heartfelt expression of something that your character wanted.
How that Wish was fulfilled depends on the Companions/GMs. Whatever it was, the feelings of that Wish determine both your Class and your Aesthetic.
While you have total freedom in how to word/express your wish, to make things easier we encourage players to structure their wish as follows.
“I Wish that I/A Loved One/Person/People of Interest might have [Something of Value].”
E.g,
“I wish that I could receive the strength to protect my friends!” -Hero, aesthetic Chivalry
“I wish that I could get that boy I like to fall in love with me.” - Narcissist, aesthetic Fairytale
“I wish that the orphanage that raised me would burn down forever.” - Outsider, aesthetic Elemental
AESTHETICS AND PERKS
Wishmakers fight with style.
Wishmakers fight with style.
The Aesthetic of your Wishmaker is both a term to describe their physical appearance and the general flavor of how their powers are expressed.
Much like their Wish, it reflects something about their character and the emotions that inform their personality and subsequent actions.
A person motivated by a desire to save their friends is more likely to manifest as a Wishmaker with Chivalric elements, for example, whereas one who wanted to get rich might instead have an Aesthetic of Splendor.
While how your character looks is completely a free choice, we strongly encourage players to choose Face Claims or create art of their character’s Wishmaker that can be at least broadly described as falling within one of the following Aesthetics.
Aesthetic is separate from Class and Wish, and merely arises from the emotional context. Each of the following broad categories gives examples for all 3 Classes as well as example wishes that might have created them.
If you have something wildly creative or very specific in mind that you feel does not easily fit into any of the following Aesthetics, please talk to the GM and we will be happy to help you choose or create your character’s Aesthetic.
Of course this isn't all for show, either. Each Aesthetic gets a single, permanent Perk that enhances the Wishmaker’s abilities. If you have a custom Aesthetic, speak to a GM about your Perk.
A given Aesthetic's Perk may be used by any Wishmaker with that Aesthetic, regardless of their class.
CHIVALRY
Chivalry is the theme of the warrior. Whether in an elegant Napoleonic uniform or clad in thick full plate armour, the Wishmaker with an aesthetic of Chivalry frequently expresses themselves in the ideal of the soldier, the knight, the cavalryman and the fantasy hero.
A common aesthetic among Heroes, it is not impossible to sometimes see a Narcissist or Outsider in chivalric mode- A Narcissist who wished to be the greatest swordmaster in the world, for example, or an Outsider who wished to truly and literally be Isekai’d into a fantasy, are most likely to find themselves as Wishmakers with the Chivalry aesthetic.
Wishmakers with a Chivalry aesthetic typically favour expressions of their power through their weapons and armour.
PERK
Chivalry is the theme of the warrior. Whether in an elegant Napoleonic uniform or clad in thick full plate armour, the Wishmaker with an aesthetic of Chivalry frequently expresses themselves in the ideal of the soldier, the knight, the cavalryman and the fantasy hero.
A common aesthetic among Heroes, it is not impossible to sometimes see a Narcissist or Outsider in chivalric mode- A Narcissist who wished to be the greatest swordmaster in the world, for example, or an Outsider who wished to truly and literally be Isekai’d into a fantasy, are most likely to find themselves as Wishmakers with the Chivalry aesthetic.
Wishmakers with a Chivalry aesthetic typically favour expressions of their power through their weapons and armour.
PERK
Noblesse Oblige
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an At-Will action, reroll any Allied utility action on the previous turn that requires a dice roll, and take the better of the two rolls.
Uses: Once per thread
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an At-Will action, reroll any Allied utility action on the previous turn that requires a dice roll, and take the better of the two rolls.
Uses: Once per thread
FAIRYTALE
Fairytale describes Wishmakers whose powers manifest in a decidedly impractical and completely magical way. Dressed in frills and bows and ribbons with bright, vibrant and often feminine colors, the Fairytale aesthetic is bestowed onto those whose wish is not necessarily centered around power but around a strong, irrational or impractical desire.
A Hero who wishes to “save all my friends right now” without specifying a cause, a Narcissist who wants to “become a literal fairytale Princess”, and an Outsider who wishes that all her bullies be turned into cake are examples of when this might manifest.
Fairytale Wishmakers can have very strange and fanciful weapons and powers, from teapots that pour rivers of boiling tea to magical teddy-bear minions.
PERK
Fairytale describes Wishmakers whose powers manifest in a decidedly impractical and completely magical way. Dressed in frills and bows and ribbons with bright, vibrant and often feminine colors, the Fairytale aesthetic is bestowed onto those whose wish is not necessarily centered around power but around a strong, irrational or impractical desire.
A Hero who wishes to “save all my friends right now” without specifying a cause, a Narcissist who wants to “become a literal fairytale Princess”, and an Outsider who wishes that all her bullies be turned into cake are examples of when this might manifest.
Fairytale Wishmakers can have very strange and fanciful weapons and powers, from teapots that pour rivers of boiling tea to magical teddy-bear minions.
PERK
Happily Ever After
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an At-Will action at the start of Combat, roll 1d100 at a 50% chance. If it succeeds, you may negate the addition of Permanent Grief once your Grief Meter refills after using a Doppel. Success is determined like a Status Effect roll. Alternatively, as an At-Will action, reroll a failed Hex check at the start of a thread, be it in a Combat or non-Combat thread.
Uses: Once per thread
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an At-Will action at the start of Combat, roll 1d100 at a 50% chance. If it succeeds, you may negate the addition of Permanent Grief once your Grief Meter refills after using a Doppel. Success is determined like a Status Effect roll. Alternatively, as an At-Will action, reroll a failed Hex check at the start of a thread, be it in a Combat or non-Combat thread.
Uses: Once per thread
SPLENDOUR
Whatever you have darling, flaunt it. Splendour is the aesthetic of fashion run wild, clothing more impractical and absurd than anything that might come from a mere human fashion house. A Dress made of buckles, a gown that flows and ripples like water, hairstyles seemingly in defiance of the laws of physics, all these and more define the aesthetic of Splendour.
Splendour is pride, it is vanity, it is confidence, desire and lust. A Hero wanting to bless their family with riches, a Narcissist looking to become the world’s most beautiful girl, an Outsider who wants to have a literal Midas Touch, these are all examples of wishes that might create the aesthetic of Splendour.
A Wishmaker blessed with the aesthetic of Splendour will likely have the flashiest of weapons and powers, be it long ornate jewel-studded staffs or a coin-purse of endless gold coins to scatter and throw like projectiles.
PERK
Whatever you have darling, flaunt it. Splendour is the aesthetic of fashion run wild, clothing more impractical and absurd than anything that might come from a mere human fashion house. A Dress made of buckles, a gown that flows and ripples like water, hairstyles seemingly in defiance of the laws of physics, all these and more define the aesthetic of Splendour.
Splendour is pride, it is vanity, it is confidence, desire and lust. A Hero wanting to bless their family with riches, a Narcissist looking to become the world’s most beautiful girl, an Outsider who wants to have a literal Midas Touch, these are all examples of wishes that might create the aesthetic of Splendour.
A Wishmaker blessed with the aesthetic of Splendour will likely have the flashiest of weapons and powers, be it long ornate jewel-studded staffs or a coin-purse of endless gold coins to scatter and throw like projectiles.
PERK
Dazzling Glamour
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an At-Will action, roll two (2) dice for the success roll of any single Status Effect on an enemy, and take the lower result. Increase the success chance by +15% if the Status Effect is either Blind, Charm, Stun, Curse, or Doom.
Uses: Once per thread
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an At-Will action, roll two (2) dice for the success roll of any single Status Effect on an enemy, and take the lower result. Increase the success chance by +15% if the Status Effect is either Blind, Charm, Stun, Curse, or Doom.
Uses: Once per thread
REBEL
Many teenagers seek to defy authority or define themselves through sub-culture. For those whose Wish is born from that same desire to defy or to declare defiance, the Rebel aesthetic emerges. Punk rockers, goth chicks, japanese-style delinquents, even Gyaru girls might all be seen as magically empowered by the Rebel aesthetic.
A Hero who wishes for their friends to win the battle of the school bands, a Narcissist who wishes to never again have to listen to what any adult authority says, an Outsider who wants to paint the world black, are all examples of wishes that might have the aesthetic of the Rebel.
A Rebel Wishmaker might wield a magical guitar, an obsidian baseball bat, or power their friends and followers up with a magical syringe from the Menhera subculture.
PERK
Many teenagers seek to defy authority or define themselves through sub-culture. For those whose Wish is born from that same desire to defy or to declare defiance, the Rebel aesthetic emerges. Punk rockers, goth chicks, japanese-style delinquents, even Gyaru girls might all be seen as magically empowered by the Rebel aesthetic.
A Hero who wishes for their friends to win the battle of the school bands, a Narcissist who wishes to never again have to listen to what any adult authority says, an Outsider who wants to paint the world black, are all examples of wishes that might have the aesthetic of the Rebel.
A Rebel Wishmaker might wield a magical guitar, an obsidian baseball bat, or power their friends and followers up with a magical syringe from the Menhera subculture.
PERK
Tougher Than They Look
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an At-Will action, roll ten (10) Stacks for your Resistance instead of five (5), and choose the five (5) highest results. This can be at the beginning of the Combat Thread, or whenever rolling mid-battle to replenish your Resistance Stacks.
Uses: Once per thread
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an At-Will action, roll ten (10) Stacks for your Resistance instead of five (5), and choose the five (5) highest results. This can be at the beginning of the Combat Thread, or whenever rolling mid-battle to replenish your Resistance Stacks.
Uses: Once per thread
MECHANICAL
Not everyone who contracts with the Companions expresses their wishes as a child might. Some are analytical, precise. Their emotional cores are just as active, all the same, regardless of their introversion or neurodivergence. And it is from this core, this seeming effort to affect a rational change through an irrational contract, that creates the Mechanical aesthetic.
Clockwork-themed clothing pieces, Gear-studded spectacles, metallic and clunky limbs or weapons that vent steam, are all some of the many ways this aesthetic can express itself.
A Hero wanting their disabled friend to walk again, a Narcissist who wishes to never fail a test again, an Outsider who wishes for the world to run along more logical, clockwork lines- these are some who might find themselves taking on a Mechanical aesthetic.
PERK
Not everyone who contracts with the Companions expresses their wishes as a child might. Some are analytical, precise. Their emotional cores are just as active, all the same, regardless of their introversion or neurodivergence. And it is from this core, this seeming effort to affect a rational change through an irrational contract, that creates the Mechanical aesthetic.
Clockwork-themed clothing pieces, Gear-studded spectacles, metallic and clunky limbs or weapons that vent steam, are all some of the many ways this aesthetic can express itself.
A Hero wanting their disabled friend to walk again, a Narcissist who wishes to never fail a test again, an Outsider who wishes for the world to run along more logical, clockwork lines- these are some who might find themselves taking on a Mechanical aesthetic.
PERK
Mechanical Mind
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an At-Will action, reduce the success chance of a Status Effect roll that was inflicted on you by an enemy last turn by -10%. If this makes the status effect roll fail, you avoid the status effect. Reduce the success chance by -15% if the Status Effect was either Blind, Charm, Stun, Curse, or Doom.
Uses: Once per thread
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an At-Will action, reduce the success chance of a Status Effect roll that was inflicted on you by an enemy last turn by -10%. If this makes the status effect roll fail, you avoid the status effect. Reduce the success chance by -15% if the Status Effect was either Blind, Charm, Stun, Curse, or Doom.
Uses: Once per thread
SHADOW
Some children don’t merely wish to Rebel against society, but against the world itself. Having retreated into their own fantasy worlds, from loneliness or other darker causes, they now have the opportunity to make a difference to the boring, mundane world of light and order.
Black, spiky, grey, studded with skulls, long flowing robes- all of these are hallmarks of the Shadow aesthetic. It is not necessary for the wish to have been “evil” or morally compromised to manifest this aesthetic, only to be born of a place of a particular kind of emotional distance, a particular perspective tinged by loneliness, sadness, isolation, or desperation.
A Hero desperately wishing to bring someone back from the dead, A Narcissist wanting to rule over their school as a genuine lord of darkness, An Outsider who wishes to truly become an “Outsider” and stop being human- all of them will manifest with the aesthetic of Shadow.
Not all Shadow aesthetic Wishmakers wield scythes, but it is certainly a popular choice. Others like chains, evil-looking swords and the usual villainous powers.
PERK
Some children don’t merely wish to Rebel against society, but against the world itself. Having retreated into their own fantasy worlds, from loneliness or other darker causes, they now have the opportunity to make a difference to the boring, mundane world of light and order.
Black, spiky, grey, studded with skulls, long flowing robes- all of these are hallmarks of the Shadow aesthetic. It is not necessary for the wish to have been “evil” or morally compromised to manifest this aesthetic, only to be born of a place of a particular kind of emotional distance, a particular perspective tinged by loneliness, sadness, isolation, or desperation.
A Hero desperately wishing to bring someone back from the dead, A Narcissist wanting to rule over their school as a genuine lord of darkness, An Outsider who wishes to truly become an “Outsider” and stop being human- all of them will manifest with the aesthetic of Shadow.
Not all Shadow aesthetic Wishmakers wield scythes, but it is certainly a popular choice. Others like chains, evil-looking swords and the usual villainous powers.
PERK
Umbrous Aura
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an At-Will action, roll 1d100 for a 50% chance to negate the next single action with any kind of Healing effect to be used by your enemy of choice. Success is determined like a Status Effect roll.
Uses: Once per thread
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an At-Will action, roll 1d100 for a 50% chance to negate the next single action with any kind of Healing effect to be used by your enemy of choice. Success is determined like a Status Effect roll.
Uses: Once per thread
ELEMENTAL
A rarer aesthetic, born out of the most primal wishes and the ones with the most direct connection to expressions of the natural world. Fire, earth, water, air, ice, wind, lightning, metal- whatever the primal element, it defines and influences all aspects of Wishmaker's wardrobe and power. Flame-rimmed hood, a staff of ice-like crystal, a suit of armour carved out of rock- these are all examples of the primal Elemental aesthetic.
The wishes that give birth to such flavour are often equally direct and specific- a Hero wanting enough water to quench the thirst of their whole village, a Narcissist wanting fire to consume their enemies, an Outsider who wishes to become one with the wind- these are just some of the many direct ways an Elemental aesthetic might be invoked.
PERK
A rarer aesthetic, born out of the most primal wishes and the ones with the most direct connection to expressions of the natural world. Fire, earth, water, air, ice, wind, lightning, metal- whatever the primal element, it defines and influences all aspects of Wishmaker's wardrobe and power. Flame-rimmed hood, a staff of ice-like crystal, a suit of armour carved out of rock- these are all examples of the primal Elemental aesthetic.
The wishes that give birth to such flavour are often equally direct and specific- a Hero wanting enough water to quench the thirst of their whole village, a Narcissist wanting fire to consume their enemies, an Outsider who wishes to become one with the wind- these are just some of the many direct ways an Elemental aesthetic might be invoked.
PERK
Cosmic Force
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an At-Will action, roll two (2) dice for the success roll of any single Status Effect on an enemy, and take the lower result. Increase the success chance by +15% if the Status Effect is either Drain, Freeze, Acid, Burn, or Poison.
Uses: Once per thread
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an At-Will action, roll two (2) dice for the success roll of any single Status Effect on an enemy, and take the lower result. Increase the success chance by +15% if the Status Effect is either Drain, Freeze, Acid, Burn, or Poison.
Uses: Once per thread
BEASTIAL
Similar to Elemental, this aesthetic comes from when the Wishmaker’s wish intersects with the world of Flora and Fauna. Whether wishing to save all the animals in the pet shop, wanting to own their own zoo, or hoping to become a Werewolf, wishes that touch on animals or plants often give these people a spectacular wardrobe and set of powers.
From the obligatory cute bear onesie to tiger-striped bikinis, from actual magical claws to a prehensile tail, becoming a Beastial Wishmaker is surely almost worth the price.
PERK
Similar to Elemental, this aesthetic comes from when the Wishmaker’s wish intersects with the world of Flora and Fauna. Whether wishing to save all the animals in the pet shop, wanting to own their own zoo, or hoping to become a Werewolf, wishes that touch on animals or plants often give these people a spectacular wardrobe and set of powers.
From the obligatory cute bear onesie to tiger-striped bikinis, from actual magical claws to a prehensile tail, becoming a Beastial Wishmaker is surely almost worth the price.
PERK
Feral Strength
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an At-Will action, select a single attack on your current turn that counts as a hit on your target. Add bonus damage equivalent to the highest resulting die of that attack's damage roll. For example, if from rolling 3d6, you get 2, 4, and 5, add +5 damage.
Uses: Once per thread
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an At-Will action, select a single attack on your current turn that counts as a hit on your target. Add bonus damage equivalent to the highest resulting die of that attack's damage roll. For example, if from rolling 3d6, you get 2, 4, and 5, add +5 damage.
Uses: Once per thread
RELIGIOUS
Once a particularly powerful and common aesthetic, the long, flowing white robes of nuns, mikos and holy warriors are no longer seen so often as the garb of the Wishmaker.
In this more skeptical and cynical age, few contractors make a wish from a well of deep and sincere spirituality. But perhaps that says more about the Companions than the children making their Wishes- it takes a particular kind of charisma to convince a child that making a wish will make them an Angel, rather than a slave to a Devil.
Nonetheless, from time to time you will see someone with glowing angel wings, a crown of lights, a sword of holy fire, or some other regalia deeply associated with human religion, mythology and the divine.
These are Wishmakers who truly believe, whether it is in themselves, their God, or some other, mystic force.
A Hero who wants the faith of their despairing family restored, A Narcissist who wishes to be known as the most virtuous of them all, and an Outsider who wishes that all prayers might be answered are some examples.
PERK
Once a particularly powerful and common aesthetic, the long, flowing white robes of nuns, mikos and holy warriors are no longer seen so often as the garb of the Wishmaker.
In this more skeptical and cynical age, few contractors make a wish from a well of deep and sincere spirituality. But perhaps that says more about the Companions than the children making their Wishes- it takes a particular kind of charisma to convince a child that making a wish will make them an Angel, rather than a slave to a Devil.
Nonetheless, from time to time you will see someone with glowing angel wings, a crown of lights, a sword of holy fire, or some other regalia deeply associated with human religion, mythology and the divine.
These are Wishmakers who truly believe, whether it is in themselves, their God, or some other, mystic force.
A Hero who wants the faith of their despairing family restored, A Narcissist who wishes to be known as the most virtuous of them all, and an Outsider who wishes that all prayers might be answered are some examples.
PERK
Divine Aura
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an At-Will action, roll 1d100 for a 50% chance to increase by 50% the effectiveness of one of the following:
Uses: Once per thread
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an At-Will action, roll 1d100 for a 50% chance to increase by 50% the effectiveness of one of the following:
- One of your allies' next Healing actions
- Your next Healing action
Uses: Once per thread