Warning! Long Post!
Hello,
I have some apprehensions as to allowing too many synergy bonuses - the current system for Prowess works on a delicate balance in order to allow characters to gain progressively more practical applications of their skill over time - multiple synergenic bonuses could well topple the system and make for some pretty bizarre results. I would advocate the allocation of ONE synergy bonus called by the player that is appropriate to the proficiency being used, subject to GM approval - VVrayven's suggestion sounds good to me, as a guide as to what is acceptable is definately in order. Nevertheless, we are going to have to accept that synergy bonuses are always going to sound a bit gimmicky.
At the risk of being a spoilsport, I consider it important to complete one subject before progressing to the next - the carnal arts are not yet finalised for the draft mechanics, and their completion would help if it were satisfactory and soon. As such, all submissions and recommendations are welcomed - post whatever material is swimming around your head at the moment.
One of the things I had promised you was a write-up of the maneouvres I had formulated into the arts, which I dutifully post here. The majority of flavour text is rather sketchy - the rules are provided below chiefly for the mechanics’ sake, and many words are misnomers. For all those with suggestions, bear in mind that the Prowess requisites, names and techniques themselves are all fully malleable.
NB. A ‘partner’, for the purposes of the rules text, is anyone making a Prowess check against the character or receiving one back. Maneuovres that last until the character Climaxes (the majority) are also discontinued should the character undergo Ecstasy or break off sexual activity.
CARNAL ART MANEOUVRES - v.01
IMMACULATE FORMS OF THE MASTER
Before arising to become the Master of the Immaculate Forms, Weil-Hung lived a life of monastic seclusion, of quiet contemplation and iron discipline. It is against these principles that he rebelled - it is Weil-Hung’s dogma that life is best experienced by really living - sense achieved by sensuality. After a time of hedonistic travelling, he drew upon his martial prowess and sensual experience to found a school of martial arts that forms a very real war of the sexes.
3 Ranks Prowess - Mating Bull
May be activated as a free action. Allows character to apply their Str bonus instead of Cha when calculating their modifier for Prowess checks. This ability continues until the character Climaxes.
6 Ranks Prowess - Charging Ram
May be activated as a free action. Allows character to increase the effective size of a phallus they are penetrating someone with by half a size category for the purposes of the Size Matters rules. When the character reaches 12 ranks of Prowess, the size may be increased in such a manner by a whole size category. This ability continues until the character Climaxes.
9 Ranks Prowess - Gulping Heron
May be activated at start of character’s initiative pass. Allows character being penetrated to make extra Prowess checks in one round equal to their Str modifer on owner of said phallus. The highest score is taken to resolve the effect of these. This ability lasts for one round.
12 Ranks Prowess - Squeezing Boa
May be activated when a successful grapple check is made. Allows character to put foe into a pin in which they may make a Prowess check each round against foe, but inflict no damage. Any attempts to escape can be negated by a higher Prowess check by character, the effects of which are instantly applied. This ability lasts until the pin is released.
15 Ranks Prowess - Stinging Cobra
May be activated at start of character’s initiative pass. All unarmed attacks made during that round, if successful, deal no damage but instead allow an instant Prowess check to be made against the target (all appropriate modifers apply). This ability lasts for one round.
FLOWERS OF THE DECADENT BLOSSOM
This art was born from the hedonistic aristocracy of Sumfing Oranutha, the noble and the rich who turned their backs on the concerns of the real world in order to immerse themselves in a lifetime of relationships, affairs and, more often than they would like to admit, downright debauchery. The Flowers were their only cultural legacy, a carnal art suited to such a solipsistic life.
3 Ranks Prowess - Courtesan’s Finesse
May be activated as a free action. Allows character to apply their Dex bonus instead of Cha when calculating their modifier for Prowess checks. This ability continues until the character Climaxes.
6 Ranks Prowess - Love for Many
May be activated as a free action. The character halves penalties for making Prowess checks against multiple partners at once - that is to say that checks are at only -2 for each partner beyond the first. When the character achieves 12 ranks of Prowess, the penalty is removed entirely. This ability lasts until the character Climaxes.
6 Ranks Prowess - Secret Affair
May be activated as a free action. The character may make Prowess checks of an appropriate nature (GM’s discretion) against a partner that is clothed or even armoured (normally, making checks against a clothed partner incurs at least a -2 penalty; it is impossible to make checks against an armoured partner). No penalties apply to making checks against a clothed partner; the partner’s armour penalty applies to any checks made against them. This ability lasts until the character Climaxes.
9 Ranks Prowess - Love of Many
May be activated at the start of the character’s initiative pass. By passing a Prowess check (DC 20), the character can apply two proficiencies they know at once (all circumstantial modifiers apply for each) against a single partner in a turn. Double their Prowess rank bonus for this turn if the check was successful. They may instead attempt to apply three maneouvres (Prowess check DC 30), four maneouvres (DC 40) and so on, in the nature described above. Should the Prowess check fail, they lose their rank bonus to Prowess for this turn. This ability lasts for one turn.
15 Ranks Prowess - Open Romance
May be activated as a free action. The character’s partner(s) and onlookers appear unconcerned about wordly matters, losing themselves in the act of passion. All penalties based on physical circumstances (such as location) and social circumstances (such as prior commitments and relationships) are ignored until they Climax. Should the character break off from the act of passion, the effect will also end.
TECHNIQUES OF THE HALFLING HARLOT
Legends state that the Art of the Halfling Harlot is as old as the profession, which, being the oldest in the world, makes its origins hard to trace indeed. The Art flourishes within the halfling prostitution community, passed down to young escorts as an essential survival skill as much as anything else; outsiders are free to learn it, but its limited application means that they seldom ask.
3 Ranks Prowess - Accomodation
May be activated before testing for damage under the Size Matters rules. The character automatically passes their Fortitude saves to minimise damage under the Size Matters rules. This ability continues until the character Climaxes.
6 Ranks Prowess - Relaxation
May be activated as a free action. Allows character to increase the effective size of one of their orifices by half a size category for the purposes of the Size Matters rules. When the character reaches 12 ranks of Prowess, the size may be increased in such a manner by a whole size category. This ability continues until the character Climaxes.
6 Ranks Prowess - Selflessness
May be activated at the start of a combat turn, when in a situation where both partners are making Prowess checks against each other. For the remainder of this turn, the character may get a bonus of up to twice their Con bonus to their Prowess rolls - all Prowess checks made against the character this turn receive an equal penalty. This ability continues until the character Climaxes, although the penalties taken can be changed each turn.
9 Ranks Prowess - Suffering
May be activated before taking damage as part of sexual congress. For the purposes of any partners or onlookers with the Sadism fetish, treat the damage as the maximum possible incurred (maximum value for damage rolls, treat Fort saves as if they were failed, and so on), regardless of how much is actually dealt. This ability continues until the character Climaxes.
15 Ranks Prowess - Melodrama
May be activated as a free action. All partners and onlookers gain the Sadism fetish until they Climax - should the character break off sexual activity, the effects of this maneouvre ends.
TRICKS OF THE GREAT IMPROVISO
The sad demise of the gnome known only as the Improviso (and, since, the Great Improviso) was recorded less than a hundred years ago. The legendary arcanalist walked the world dabbling in the sensual arts, and his desire to acquire undisclosed knowledge is equalled only by his urge to pass it on - the Naughtie Works of the Improviso has since been etched in more than a dozen languages and circulated across the Great Wheel. For those who can afford the time to study it and the intellect to understand it, the Naughtie Works provide many useful nuggets of information.
3 Ranks Prowess - Imagination
May be activated as a free action. Allows character to apply their Int bonus instead of Cha when calculating their modifier for Prowess checks. This ability continues until the character Climaxes.
6 Ranks Prowess - Adaptability
May be activated as a free action. The character halves penalties for making Prowess checks against creatures of a different Type - that is to say that such checks are at only -2. When the character achieves 12 ranks of Prowess, the penalty is removed entirely. This ability lasts until the character Climaxes.
6 Ranks Prowess - Improvisation
May be activated as a free action. The character may apply their Prowess bonus to the use of any proficiency, regardless of whether they are proficient in it or not. This ability lasts until the character Climaxes.
9 Ranks Prowess - Subtlety
May be activated at the start of the character’s initiative pass. A single Prowess check made during the turn is so subtle that the partner must make a Sense Motive check (DC: Prowess check result) to notice that they are doing so. This may be used to make Prowess checks against a partner that consents to basic bodily contact - should they pass their check, however, they snatch away and the effect of the Prowess check is negated. This ability lasts for one Prowess check made by the character.
15 Ranks Prowess - Mind Games
May be activated after making a Prowess check against a partner. Unless the partner can resist (DC: Prowess check result), they are fooled into becoming ever more passionate and their physical arousal spurns mental horniness - an Aroused partner also becomes Horny, a Peaked partner also becomes Lustful, and a Climaxed or Ecstatic partner also becomes Delirious. These effects last for as long as the status conditions do.
LORE OF THE TANTRIC ANCIENTS
Ancient tomes write of the wisdom of a monastic order from ancient times, whose control of body echoed through to a discipline of the mind and purity of spirit. Those few wise individuals that perpetuate the teachings of the tantric ancients welcome new pupils, knowing that with mastery over the body equal control over one’s destiny can be attained.
3 Ranks Prowess - Joy of the Spirit
May be activated as a free action. Allows character to apply their Int bonus instead of Cha when calculating their modifier for Prowess checks. This ability continues until the character Climaxes.
6 Ranks Prowess - Humble the Mountain
May be activated after character has been aroused to Climax. Although all usual effects of the Climaxed state are applied, no sexual fatigue is incurred. Characters undergoing an ecstatic state instead incur fatigue as if they had merely Climaxed. Once the character attains 12 ranks of Prowess, even the fatigue of an Ecstatic state can be dismissed entirely. This ability is instantaneous.
6 Ranks Prowess - Dam the River
May be activated after a Prowess check is made against the character. Allows the character to automatically succeed in the Fortitude save to resist arousal. This ability is instantaneous.
9 Ranks Prowess - Climb the Mountain
May be activated after character has been aroused to Climax. The check result of the partner is modified to the minimum required to induce an Ecstatic state - apply all effects of this normally. This ability is instantaneous.
15 Ranks Prowess - Swim the River
May be activated at the start of a character’s initiative pass. For this round, the character suffers no ill effect (adverse status conditions, penalties or Concentration checks) for any arousal they possess. Where relevant, bonuses still apply, as do penalties from horniness and sexual fatigue incurred. This ability lasts one turn.
ART OF THE IMMORTAL NYMPH
The greatest and most glamorous of courtesans pass around a group of postures, techniques and mindsets that serve only to enhance their natural charm. Only those demonstrating professionalism in attitude and prowess are deigned suitable to acquire such knowledge - the Art is seldom acquired outside of the Courtesans’ Guild.
3 Ranks Prowess - Encapsulating Touch
May be activated after making a Prowess check. For one turn, the partner against whom the check was made automatically fails any Concentration checks incurred because of arousal. This ability is instantaneous.
6 Ranks Prowess - Dreamlike Presence
May be activated as a free action. Passionate exploits with the character take on a surreal edge - any partner or onlooker halves (round down) one penalty incurred due to differing sexual alignment or frets (character’s decision). Should the character acquire 12 ranks in Prowess, one penalty may be totally negated instead. This ability lasts until the character Climaxes.
6 Ranks Prowess - Beatific Presence
May be activated as a free action. When performing a striptease, exotic dance or similar proficiency with penalties to rise partners above an Aroused state, those penalties are negated, as even the form of the character is enough to induce massive pleasure. This ability lasts until the onlookers Climax.
9 Ranks Prowess - Irresistable Touch
May be activated after making a Prowess check. The character’s partner is not allowed their Fortitude save to negate the effects of the Prowess check - any other saves in place (such as the Will save for someone with Iron Celibacy) still apply, however. This ability is instantaneous.
15 Ranks Prowess - Monumental Presence
May be activated after a session of sexual activity. The bonus attitude change resulting from the Very Social Art rules is irrevocable - although their fundamental attitude may become more unfriendly (or even hostile), the sweet memories ensure that the attitude modifer from their time together still applies. This ability is permanent.
Small additional rule: Circumstances may arise where a person being penetrated is not reciprocating any attention - they are busy with someone else, for example. In such an instance, a ‘default’ Prowess check is made using their Charisma modifer and circumstantial modifiers but no Prowess bonus against the penetrator - this does not count as any action on the part of the penetrated, nor does it impose a penalty on other Prowess checks made.
Well, that just about sums it all up. As ever I appreciate any recommendations and contributions you can put forward - all feedback is useful. With all of your help, we can progress ever onward in our great Plan of Things To Do (last defined by VVrayven)!
DbS
, etc etc. This allows a skill synergy bonus from said skill when making checks (+2 for 5 ranks, +4 for 25 ranks and so on). Whilst certainly colourful, this approach is awkward in that we may have difficulty coming up with a skill to match every proficiency.
