Dynamic Knack - Skin of the Beast, contributed
by Pete Sears
The witch doctors speak of a place called the Valley of Echoes. It is here
that the cave of M'temba is located. Legends say that when M'temba left this
earth he went into the cave and joined with the black blood of the earth. Mystical
powers are imputed to those who immerse themselves in the black blood of the
earth but only if they are pure of heart.
Witch Doctors speak freely of this place for a number of reasons. (1) It is
very difficult to find the Valley of Echoes which is in the heart of the jungle.
(2) The Valley of Echoes is said to dangerous and haunted besides. (3) The cave
of M'temba requires 3 tests to enter the black blood of the earth, a test of
wisdom, a test of stamina, and a test of faith. (4) Supposedly, those who M'temba
adjudges corrupt die in horrible screaming agony.
In other words, there aren't exactly a lot of whites who go looking for it in
the first place and those who do rarely return. Those who do, earn respect among
the tribes for M'temba has judged them and they have passed.
Those who are wise in the ways of medicine also say that other tribes in other
parts of the world have learned the gifts of M'temba. Who are we to question
M'temba if he want to gift Aztecs and Indians with his wisdom. Each of them
learns medicine in a different way and may earn the gifts through visionquest
or through ritual. But they are the Gifts of M'temba. Never forget that.
Skin of the Beast ( level 3 Stalwart knack)
"Never mind how i will find the soldiers. Be ready to strike when I return.
They cannot hide from eyes in the sky."
M'temba's greatest gift is reserved for only those who are most pure in heart.
They gain the ability to take on the form of a beast and live as one with nature.
System: This knack confers an extremely limited form of Shapeshifting.
The Beastlord must spend Inspiration and then make a Stamina+Athletics roll
against +2 difficulty. (botches on this roll result in the beastlord temporarily
losing his intellect to his animal instinct.this may have lasting effect even
when he's reverted to human form.)
Success on the roll indicates that the Beastlord is able to take on the form
of an animal (this animal must be chosen when the knack is purchased and cannot
be changed. if you want to assume multiple animal forms you must purchase this
level 3 knack multiple times.) Look in the storytelling section for examples
of animal forms to take on. (the animal must actually be indigenous to the area
the beastlord comes from. Beastlords cannot assume the form of dinosaurs or
similarly tellurically augmented animals.
The transformation into the animal lasts until the beastlord wills it away (Again
roll Sta+Athletics + 2 diff) or until he loses consciousness (either through
bashing damage or going to sleep) If the beastlord suffers Lethal damage while
in animal form half of it will carry over into his human form. If he is slain
in animal form he stays dead.
While in animal form, the beastlord retains full possession of his intellect.
he may also use his Inspiration for dramatic editing and cliffhanging and various
other uses. however it should be noted that there are very few knacks that translate
across to an animal form. Most of these are physical in nature. (body of bronze,man
for all seasons, et al.)
