Shamans channel the magic created as the forces of the world collide with each other. This chaos creates a steady stream of friction and energy that the Shamans can tap into and channel through their staffs. By weaving those energies into runes held on their staffs they channel those forces into constructive shape. The runes absorb the energy from conflicting forces until the shaman releases that power in devastating displays of might.
- Casting Style: Staff Spell Foci, Spells are delivered with weapon swings, never thrown
- Strengths: Mind Effects and Damage
- Weakness: All spells must be spell struck, limited spell choice
- Casting Method: Ritual Staff Carving
- Foci: Staff
- In-Play Verbals: No
- Soul Mark: No
- Book/Text Prop: No
Like the other styles of magic that tap into elemental forces Shamans understand the need for balance however rather than seeking to maintain that balance or to control it they understand the simple truth of this world. There is no balance. Power swings from one extreme to the other and back again. All that humans can hope to do is provide a controlled release for that power when it grows too great.
Some shamans may physically carve runes into their staff that is normally for mundane show. What is important is the slow and methodical tracing of the runes by the shaman’s will directly into the core of their staffs.
A Shaman's Tale
Callum sat by the fire, carving a new line of runes and shapes. Pain spoke to him, along with Sorrow about the evil he must face in the morning. Callum ignored them, as he often did. They were excellent teachers, as the dead went, but distractions he could not afford so close to finishing.
As he applied the final rubbing of ash into the wood, a deep red flame raced up the runes. It was done. The lesson he had to teach tomorrow would be harsh and potentially deadly, but fools often needed such teaching. And maybe then, he could get a good nights rest without having some vision of bandits and killers on the road ahead.
Placing the new staff on the ground, Callum decided that tonight he would sleep with his mind protected from the powers of the anguished and place an ancient looking sculptured branch into his bedroll. Old power would shield him and hide him for a time.
And tomorrow would come, and lessons given – and if he survived, new students to find.
Cost Summary
| Shaman Tier | Pre-Req | Activation Cost | Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st, 10XP | — | 5XP / Activation | Battle Runes 1; Spell Flux, 8XP each |
| 2nd, 10XP | 3 Activations | 7XP / Activation | Counterspell, 10XP each |
| 3rd, 15XP | 6 Activations | 10XP / Activation | Battle Rune 2 |
| 4th, 15XP | 10 Activations | 13XP / Activation | |
| 5th, 20XP | 15 Activations | 15XP / Activation | Battle Rune 3 |
Casting Costs
- Basic Spells: 1 Mana per spell cast
- Complex Spells: 2 Mana per spell cast
- Master Spells: 3 Mana per spell cast
Staves
Shaman staves must be a legal boffer-safe staff as outlined in the by the rules for weapons. Each staff can support up to eight runes.
A shaman may only have one staff, and the creation of a new focus takes 5 Minutes (this includes attuning to if you wish).
Runes
Shaman runes are represented by a ribbon, cloth, tape or materials that is safe to use on a combat active weapon and has drawn pictographs placed on them. It needs to be no more than 36″ long and 3″ wide. We recommend attaching the ribbon to the middle of the grip area. Each rune should take up about 9″ of space with the spell name on the back of the ribbon. We also allow certain tapes to be stuck to the staff if it can be done without affecting the safety of the weapon.
Ribbons representing runes can be changed out if a Shaman wishes to alter the mix of spells on his staff. Runes may be changed at any time but in order to do so the Shaman must remove all the enchantments from the staff and begin weaving them all over. There are no partial attempts with a shaman. There is no removing only one spell. The path of a shaman is the path of all or nothing. If one rune needs to be changed then they all do. If one rune needs to be activated then they are all activated.
Shamans have a limited number of times the runes on their staff can be activated each day. Once active the runes on the staff will remain charged with magic until all the runes have been used. Each rune empowers one spell and each spell must be delivered as “spellstrikes”. As such all spells must be delivered through direct melee combat instead of ranged combat like most mages.
Learning New Runes
Runes are not something that can just be found and immediately used. Each rune must be studied and internalized so that the Shaman understands the deepest truth of the rune they will inscribe.
Runes may be found in play, copied from other Shamans, and researched like most any other spell however it takes time and effort to have the Rune truly committed to memory. Shaman’s have a secondary character card that lists the runes they have personally mastered and can inscribe. This spell list may be added to in play with the supervision of a plot member or it can be memorized between games once you discover new runes. This does not require the use of a BGA however must be recorded on the checkout form.
No more than one rune can be learned per BGA period and no more than one rune can be learned during a single event.
Battle Runes
Battle Runes are special runes that remain active once staff Activations is spent. They are typically minor battle magics which recharge as a “per combat” effect.
Normally battle runes do not take up more space than any other rune however it is possible for extremely rare or powerful battle runes to require such elaborate inscription work that they would require a larger area, up to the entire staff, to maintain. The only limit of what you can place on your staff is space and size of the runes.
- Battle Rune Activations at Tier 1: Once per combat you can use each battle rune once per combat
- Battle Rune Activations at Tier 3: Twice times per combat you can use each battle rune once per combat
- Battle Rune Activations at Tier 5: Three time per combat you can use each battle rune once per combat
Shaman Rune Examples
Lighting Strike
By using the power of Air the shaman is able to charge their staff with intense power
Element: Air
Effect: 1 Spell Strike Lightning Shard 3
No Passage
By Focusing a full staffs activation through this rune the caster may generate a wall of ice that last as long as the caster holds his position. The wall is exactly as long as the staff so if the staff is not able to create a full barrier the enemy can walk around it. This rune may only be used once per staff activation and consumes another staff activation.
Element: Water/Ice
Effect: Activate Magic Ice Wall
Brush of Juniper
With a brush of the Staff, the Shaman may heal the the injured by drawing on the Earth and Water that flows through all living things.
Element: Elemental
Effect: Magic “Heal Wounds 2”
Tears of Pain
By tapping into the Pain of the spirits of the world, the Shaman can teach those who decided to fight against them a strong lesson.
Element: Shadow
Effect: 1 Spell Strike Shadow Torment per combat
Twisted Roots
The Shaman can channel minor bits of power to cause roots or other obstacles to catch an opponent’s foot temporarily immobilizing them.
Element: Earth
Effect: 1 Spell Strike Snare Foot per combat
Frostbite
The Shaman can channel minor bits of power to channel a quick snap of winter through their staff causing minor damage.
Element: Ice
Effect: 1 Spell Strike Ice Shard 1 per combat
Inspiration Images
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