Monstrous Techniques

[Skoll Koryu]

SPOILER: Click to show

{Sinner's Cross Original Technique (Pre-Customization)}Technique Name: Sinner's Cross

Class: 4

Technique Type: Hell Technique

Usable By: All Hell Races – Akki, Nakabakki, Hason, and Saika

Technique Element: Varies

Technique Description and Effects:
We have all heard of the Quincy Cross of the Holy Quincy Empire, an item of reverence that no real Quincy would be without. Naturally, Hell cannot let such a beloved item go without being perverted, twisted, and corrupted into a dark mass that no longer resembles the original tool, and indeed, everything about it from its appearance to its nature have been completely altered by the Hell being that has taken it for themselves. The Sinner's Cross varies in shape by the user, though it will always resemble a small accessory, either a necklace, a bracelet, or an earring whose charm or symbols are customized by the user. Once this technique is created, this item will exist as a passive accessory with no natural effects until activated at a cost of 200 Reiatsu, which will then activate the ability inherent to it as a passive effect that lasts for five posts, at which point it must be refreshed to resume.

Unlike the Quincy Cross, which draws in Reiatsu particles for the user to manipulate, the Sinner's Cross is quite the opposite because it exudes spiritual energy. But the nature of this energy is what varies, once it is activated; it takes on the nature of the user's Aspect of Hell, and the way in which this manifests is chosen during the creation process for this technique. These effects are generally moderate in power, equal to no more than a Class 4 effect, and manifests in the form of an illusion or aura that radiates outwards from the bearer of the Sinner's Cross. For example, an Aspect of Fire might cause the air around the user to grow hotter, making victims sweat as they get too close and burn up more stamina, while an Aspect of Darkness might create an intangible wall of night around the user. This is determined by the technique's creator upon submission of the technique, however. The radius of this technique is equal to a number of feet equal to the user's highest Spiritual stat, though the effects will vary in effectiveness depending on the distance from the user (see drawbacks below.)

How to use technique:
Pour Reiatsu into the manifested Sinner's Cross, and let its effects flow out around the user.

Technique Drawbacks:
Naturally, this technique has its own drawbacks. For one thing, the effects of this aura can never be directly fatal, nor can they be significantly harmful, as appropriate for a Class 4 technique. In the examples above, an aura of flames can only create minor burns upon close contact, or an aura of darkness can still be penetrated by strong enough senses or a light source of sufficient spiritual strength. This technique only lasts for five posts before being refreshed, and like the Quincy Cross, the user must concentrate on keeping it active each post; if they do not focus, even as a side thought, on keeping it active while they are fighting, it will automatically shut off. As this is a constant effect, even passive posts taken while maintaining this effect count as combat posts.

The technique also loses potency the further out one is from the user; within the first 25% of the aura, measuring from the center outwards, the effects are at their full potency. For example, if an aura has a radius of 100 feet, then from the user to 25 feet outwards is at full potency. From 25% to 75% (i.e. with a 100 foot radius, from 25-75 feet away from the user) the effects of the aura are reduced by one-fourth of their potency. From 75% to the edge of the aura (i.e. with a 100 foot radius, from 75 to 100 feet away from the user), the effects are reduced to half of their normal potency.

Made By: Skoll Koryu

Reserved: Yes; Each Cross is unique to its creator, and cannot be taught.

Technique Name: Sinner’s Cross: The Beast Within

Class: 4

Technique Type: Hell Technique

Usable By: All Hell Races – Akki, Nakabakki, Hason, and Saika

Technique Element: None

Technique Description and Effects:
We have all heard of the Quincy Cross of the Holy Quincy Empire, an item of reverence that no real Quincy would be without. Naturally, Hell cannot let such a beloved item go without being perverted, twisted, and corrupted into a dark mass that no longer resembles the original tool, and indeed, everything about it from its appearance to its nature have been completely altered by the Hell being that has taken it for themselves. The Sinner's Cross varies in shape by the user, though it will always resemble a small accessory, either a necklace, a bracelet, or an earring whose charm or symbols are customized by the user. Once this technique is created, this item will exist as a passive accessory with no natural effects until activated at a cost of 200 Reiatsu, which will then activate the ability inherent to it as a passive effect that lasts for five posts, at which point it must be refreshed to resume. Unlike the Quincy Cross, which draws in Reiatsu particles for the user to manipulate, the Sinner's Cross is quite the opposite because it exudes spiritual energy. But the nature of this energy is what varies, once it is activated; it takes on the nature of the user's Aspect of Hell, and the way in which this manifests is chosen during the creation process for this technique. These effects are generally moderate in power, equal to no more than a Class 4 effect, and manifests in the form of an illusion or aura that radiates outwards from the bearer of the Sinner's Cross. The radius of this technique is equal to a number of feet equal to the user's highest Spiritual stat, though the effects will vary in effectiveness depending on the distance from the user (see drawbacks below.)

Skoll’s Sinner’s Cross takes on the form of a bracelet that is secured around his upper arm. This bracelet is made from what looks to be the sinews of a beast woven together into a thick braid, and strung with jagged, pointed teeth that surround the length of it. A single tooth, larger than the rest by a good margin, hangs in the front, the “cross” for the necklace. This bracelet is a symbol for Skoll’s aspect of Hell, Monstrosity, and its ability is appropriate to that theme, drawing out the monster from within all who are affected. Those who are afflicted know the pain and suffering that Skoll himself feels constantly, the pain of being an outcast, a monster to one’s own perception.

The Beast Within is a mix of physical, emotional, and mental illusions, depending on the afflicted individual’s proximity to Skoll. At its furthest range, from the edge to one fourth of the way in, the only illusion applies to appearance, or rather, the perception of appearance. Any victim within this range or closer of the Sinner’s Cross will find that every person around them, friend or foe and even themselves, has suddenly become monstrous to their eyes. Pointed, jagged claws, twisted wings, serpentine coils, scaled skin, forked tongues, ichor and ooze… all of these things transform the viewed into a monster. Only Skoll is left unchanged, but that is because, in his own eyes, he is already a monster. This is, of course, only a visual illusion. However, the sensations that the viewer feels upon seeing these things is very real.

It gets worse at the next step, from one-fourth of the way in to three-fourths of the way in. At this point, the emotional aspect of the illusion begins to kick in. The sight of a “monster,” is enough to begin to put fear into the victim, as well as loathing and disgust. This isn’t just those around them, either, but self-directed as well, as any view of self, even just seeing one’s own hands, shows a monster as well. This loathing is enough to cause one to cringe back, to be unwilling to approach a “monster,” fearing it even as they hate it. They may attack it, but doing so at close range is difficult, simply because of that revulsion aspect. Worse, that fear and loathing distracts them and creates paranoia, making it harder to focus and concentrate. Anything that requires focus to use is more difficult, now.

The worst of it, though, is the last step, from the three-fourths mark to the point where Skoll is standing. At this point, it’s not just physical or emotional illusions: it’s mental as well. Though up until this point the emotions and logic may be in conflict, with the rational mind telling the victim that they are just seeing illusions and not actual transformations, within this range even the mind is convinced. At this point, even logic cannot deny it: these are monsters, terrifying, real to the mind. These are hideous, twisted creatures. Who they were before didn’t matter; all that matters is what the victim sees now. Now, the victim is surrounded by monsters, and must deal with them accordingly.

How to use technique:
Pour Reiatsu into the manifested Sinner's Cross, and let its effects flow out around the user.

Technique Drawbacks:
Naturally, this technique has its own drawbacks. For one thing, the effects of this aura can never be directly fatal, nor can they be significantly harmful, as appropriate for a Class 4 technique. In the examples above, an aura of flames can only create minor burns upon close contact, or an aura of darkness can still be penetrated by strong enough senses or a light source of sufficient spiritual strength. This technique only lasts for five posts before being refreshed, and like the Quincy Cross, the user must concentrate on keeping it active each post; if they do not focus, even as a side thought, on keeping it active while they are fighting, it will automatically shut off. As this is a constant effect, even passive posts taken while maintaining this effect count as combat posts.

The technique also loses potency the further out one is from the user; within the first 25% of the aura, measuring from the center outwards, the effects are at their full potency. For example, if an aura has a radius of 100 feet, then from the user to 25 feet outwards is at full potency. From 25% to 75% (i.e. with a 100 foot radius, from 25-75 feet away from the user) the effects of the aura are reduced by one-fourth of their potency. From 75% to the edge of the aura (i.e. with a 100 foot radius, from 75 to 100 feet away from the user), the effects are reduced to half of their normal potency.

For Skoll in particular, his Sinner’s Cross has two major weaknesses: the first is that it is less effective against those who are not ruled by fear or who live in the darkness. Those who have a Lack of Fear at 2 or higher can reduce the effects of the second stage, making it far easier to maintain their calm and not react negatively to the images around them. Those with a Dark Aura of 75 or higher are similarly able to resist the darkness, unafraid of the shadowy figures within. A Lack of Fear at 3 or a Dark Aura of 90 or higher will grant a similar reprieve even at the worst stage, removing the mental acceptance and simply giving a weaker version of the emotional fear. Even better, a Dark Aura of 100 makes the victim completely immune to this technique. The other drawback is that this is a visual illusion; without sight to trigger the emotional or mental responses, this technique does not even begin to take effect. This also happens when a victim has an Illusion Resistance of 3, completely negating this technique, while an Illusion Resistance of 2 will simply reduce the effects by a single tier. Finally, this technique does not affect those of a higher Class than the user.

Made By: Skoll Koryu

Reserved?: Yes

SPOILER: Click to show

{Tempered Sin Original Technique (Pre-Customization)}Technique Name: Tempered Sin

Class: 4

Technique Type: Hell Technique

Usable By: Hell Races – Akki, Nakabakki, Hason, Saika

Technique Element: Spirit/Other

Technique Description and Effects:
One talent that many Hell beings have is making use of their Aspect of Hell; some do it through their Release, while others use techniques such as the Sinner's Cross to make their sin into a weapon that debilitates the foe over time. This is another facet of weaponizing the user's Aspect of Hell, and it is channeled through a conjured weapon formed with Soulfire Forge. When this technique is used, the weapon it is channeled through visibly changes to take on a form suited for the Aspect of Hell that the user possesses. This will always be a noticeable and visible change to the appearance, marking it as a different weapon.

This adds an additional effect to the weapon that is chosen upon learning this technique, which must be passed as a custom for each individual user. This effect is initially equal to a Class 4 technique's power; the Aspect of Regret could create a sense of fear and doubt in the foe upon striking successfully, while the Aspect of Rotting could begin to make flesh melt away at the location hit. However, this technique also merges with Soulfire's natural ability to spread through the spirit and corrupt it, replacing the pain and burning with the twisted effect that their Aspect of Hell grants to this weapon. As this plague spreads at the rate listed in Soulfire Forge, its effects grow in size. By the time the corrupted flame possesses the entire body, an Aspect of Regret can paralyze a foe with self-doubt and remorse, while the Aspect of Rotting could literally slough the victim's flesh away from their body. In the long term, these effects can be very powerful.

How to use technique:
Channel one's Aspect of Hell into a Soulfire weapon, and alter it to take on the nature of one's sin.

Technique Drawbacks
First, this requires the Soulfire Forge technique to be Mastered and active to even combine it with the user's Aspect of Hell. Second, the spread of this corruption is still treated much like the spread of Soulfire in the original technique; the effects will spread roughly six inches in all directions per post, though a foe with a higher spiritual stat than the user's highest spiritual stat will be able to reduce it to a mere inch in all directions per post. Possessing a 25% advantage to the user's highest spiritual stat will allow the corruption to be halted, contained to the spot in which it initially hit. This also can be halted by an ally; an ally possessing the required resistance stats can also halt or even negate the effects of the corruption by spending an amount of Reiatsu equal to the difference between the victim's highest spiritual stat and the threshold they aim to meet (for example, if the victim has 400 RS and the enemy has 500 RS, then halting the corruption would require 625 RS, requiring a cost of 225 Reiatsu to make up the difference as long as the ally has 625 or higher RS).

In addition to these resistances, each custom Tempered Sin form must have resistances and drawbacks to match the effects, much like any other technique. Finally, this technique costs 150 Reiatsu to use.

Made By: Skoll Koryu

Reserved?: Yes; Any Hell character may learn this technique, but that form of it is reserved to the person who creates it.

Technique Name: Tempered Sin: Cerberus

Class: 4

Technique Type: Hell Technique

Usable By: All Hell Races – Akki, Nakabakki, Hason, and Saika

Technique Element: Spirit/Other

Technique Description and Effects:
One talent that many Hell beings have is making use of their Aspect of Hell; some do it through their Release, while others use techniques such as the Sinner's Cross to make their sin into a weapon that debilitates the foe over time. This is another facet of weaponizing the user's Aspect of Hell, and it is channeled through a conjured weapon formed with Soulfire Forge. When this technique is used, the weapon it is channeled through visibly changes to take on a form suited for the Aspect of Hell that the user possesses. This will always be a noticeable and visible change to the appearance, marking it as a different weapon.

This adds an additional effect to the weapon that is chosen upon learning this technique, which must be passed as a custom for each individual user. This effect is initially equal to a Class 4 technique's power; the Aspect of Regret could create a sense of fear and doubt in the foe upon striking successfully, while the Aspect of Rotting could begin to make flesh melt away at the location hit. However, this technique also merges with Soulfire's natural ability to spread through the spirit and corrupt it, replacing the pain and burning with the twisted effect that their Aspect of Hell grants to this weapon. As this plague spreads at the rate listed in Soulfire Forge, its effects grow in size. By the time the corrupted flame possesses the entire body, an Aspect of Regret can paralyze a foe with self-doubt and remorse, while the Aspect of Rotting could literally slough the victim's flesh away from their body. In the long term, these effects can be very powerful.

Skoll’s Tempered Sin is usually used with throwing knives but is available with other bladed weapons. The hilt of the weapon takes on the form of a canine head, its maw open, and the blade emerging from it becoming jagged and uneven, like a flame bursting free of those hellish jaws. The crossguard of the weapon takes on the shape of two more heads, fitting the name of the Tempered Sin: Cerberus. Named after the three-headed guard of Hell, Cerberus doesn’t take after its name only in appearance, but shows itself in the effects as well.

When an enemy is struck by a Cerberus weapon, they immediately feel dizzied as the Soulfire takes effect. When their dizziness passes, the victim will suddenly have all five of their senses doubled. This is not an increase to the stat itself, but rather, multiple perceptions of the same senses. The victim will see things in two different directions, hear things in two different directions, feel them in two different directions. What’s behind could be heard from one side as well as the back, for example, or a touch on the right shoulder could be felt on the back of that shoulder or on the front of the left. A very disorienting technique, it makes it difficult to concentrate and focus when it is hard to tell which set of senses is in the correct “direction,” as two different sets of input makes it hard to differentiate.

It gets worse as it spreads. As Cerberus spreads through the body on the back of the spreading Soulfire, the number of perceptions increases. For every major body part that the flame has spread to – major being the limbs, torso, and head – the number of perceptions increases by one. This means that by the time the entire body is swallowed by the Cerberus Soulfire, they are receiving seven different sets of sensory inputs, leaving them so unable to tell which is the true input and which are the split copies that distract and split focus as the victim tries to comprehend what they are sensing.

How to use technique:
Channel one's Aspect of Hell into a Soulfire weapon, and alter it to take on the nature of one's sin.

Technique Drawbacks:
First, this requires the Soulfire Forge technique to be Mastered and active to even combine it with the user's Aspect of Hell. Second, the spread of this corruption is still treated much like the spread of Soulfire in the original technique; the effects will spread roughly six inches in all directions per post, though a foe with a higher spiritual stat than the user's highest spiritual stat will be able to reduce it to a mere inch in all directions per post. Possessing a 25% advantage to the user's highest spiritual stat will allow the corruption to be halted, contained to the spot in which it initially hit. This also can be halted by an ally; an ally possessing the required resistance stats can also halt or even negate the effects of the corruption by spending an amount of Reiatsu equal to the difference between the victim's highest spiritual stat and the threshold they aim to meet (for example, if the victim has 400 RS and the enemy has 500 RS, then halting the corruption would require 625 RS, requiring a cost of 225 Reiatsu to make up the difference as long as the ally has 625 or higher RS). In addition to these resistances, each custom Tempered Sin form must have resistances and drawbacks to match the effects, much like any other technique. Finally, this technique costs 150 Reiatsu to use.

For Cerberus, the affliction can be mitigated with a high Instinct. By possessing 200 or more Instinct, the victim can sift through and interpret the multiple sensations so that they can determine the real one. This amount increases by 50 for each additional sensation that they are receiving. This also will not work on victims who are higher in Class than the user.

Made By: Skoll Koryu

Reserved?: Yes

[Kyomei Kuchiki]

Looks good to me! 1/2 approved

[Skoll Koryu]

Bumping this after a week of no response.

[Johnwaluigi]

Sorry this took so long to get to. While I'm happy to give this my 2/2, I'd just like to mention that there are some other Skill/Aura combinations that resist Skoll's "Sinner's Cross" technique that you haven't stated explicitly. Illusion Resist, naturally, should be equivalent to Lack of Fear here. Calm Mind and Strength of Will, as well as high Light Aura are also combinations that would work. I realise that it's impossible to state all of these in drawbacks, but I would like to mention them here. Tempered Sin: Cerberus looks fine to me, as do the two base techniques.

[Skoll Koryu]

Base techniques do not need to be graded. They already exist, and are just listed for the sake of baseline.

As for drawbacks, Light Aura already specifically states that LA100 is immune to nightmare/fear effects, so that does not need to be stated. As for Calm Mind/SoW/Illusion Resist - Illusion Resist is okay, but when you stack five different resistances, two of which are highly common, you end up making a technique that literally does not have the ability to function. Illusion Resist is fine given that this is strictly an illusion, but as for Calm Mind, it actually wouldn't apply here. You may not jump back in revulsion, but that doesn't stop you from attacking the target once you believe that you have multiple new "enemies" around you. This shouldn't need to be explicitly stated. Strength of Will also has nothing to do with this, except maybe allowing the user to approach the monstrosities, something that also doesn't explicitly need to be said. Strength of Will doesn't help you just "break free" because you concentrate. It's supposed to give you willpower to push forward when you normally cannot do so.

Sorry if this comes off as argumentative, just explaining my points. XD; I will add Illusion Resist in there, however.

[Johnwaluigi]

Oh, my apologies.

Well, I meant less that they would be totally effective in negating the technique, and more effective in dealing with certain aspects of it. However, I feel listing all those in drawbacks would be counterproductive - I trust your judgement to be able to deal with these using a case-by-case manner. My example would be the final paragraph of your technique effect/description:

"The worst of it, though, is the last step, from the three-fourths mark to the point where Skoll is standing. At this point, it’s not just physical or emotional illusions: it’s mental as well. Though up until this point the emotions and logic may be in conflict, with the rational mind telling the victim that they are just seeing illusions and not actual transformations, within this range even the mind is convinced. At this point, even logic cannot deny it: these are monsters, terrifying, real to the mind. These are hideous, twisted creatures. Who they were before didn’t matter; all that matters is what the victim sees now. Now, the victim is surrounded by monsters, and must deal with them accordingly."

I would say that Calm Mind would be able to deal with that sort of mental illusion, but it wouldn't be able to "remove" the illusions themselves. Strength of Will, I will agree with your reasoning.

[Skoll Koryu]

Calm Mind at best would keep the user from freaking out and going "OMG MONSTERS KILL KILL KILL!" The only aspect of the illusion it would do any good against would be the emotional aspect of fear and revulsion; they'd still feel these things, but they'd be less reactionary. Once more, that's simply an aspect that would be handled by the victim themselves, as opposed to it being a direct technique drawback; how they respond would be on the player and the consideration of their skills.

...And I'm still sounding argumentative, gah. Sorry. ^^;

[Johnwaluigi]

I know, that's what I meant. I just wanted to make sure that you were aware of that - given that the technique produces such a wide range of illusions, some aspects of it could be resisted with skills other than the ones listed in the drawbacks.

I'm happy to give this a 2/2, on that understanding.

[Skoll Koryu]

Fair enough! Thanks for bein' patient.