More Carnal Arts updates, this time for Techniques of the Halfling Harlot and Tricks of the Great Improviso. Note that in the case of the latter, I've introduced the concept of "exotic proficiencies", which I'm offering up for consideration as a slight expansion of the core mechanics.
Exotic proficiencies are mostly for flavor and individuality. They function as standard proficiencies of the same category (oral, penetrative, toys, etc.), but confer +1 Gratification point per discrete climax (ie, not for each round of extended climax). The downside to their use is a partner's potential aversion to trying strange, possibly "unnatural"-seeming new techniques. For any prospective sexual partner, the character faces a 1 in 4 chance that the partner has a Fret associated with exotic techniques, making their use impractical. (The character himself may have such a Fret, which also precludes him from taking any exotic proficiencies unless that Fret is somehow nullified.)
If the team likes this addition and considers it minimally disruptive of the rules while adding extra flavor and variety, we can put a bit of effort into describing a few example exotic proficiencies for each category.
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.
3 Ranks Prowess - Readiness
The character ignores situational penalties to become Aroused. Alternately, the character may expend one use of this ability to become Aroused as a free action. This ability is instantaneous.
6 Ranks Prowess - Relaxation
y 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 actively 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.
9 Ranks Prowess - Obedience
May be activated as a free action. The character gains limited prowess (apply 1/2 Prowess ranks) in any proficiency a partner instructs the character to perform. This ability continues until the character Climaxes.
12 Ranks Prowess - Histrionics
May be activated as a free action. When engaged in sexual activity, the character makes Prowess checks against all sexually compatible persons within visual/audible range, rolling results on the Mental Arousal table. If the character is actively making Prowess checks against a partner, she adds that Prowess check to the additional one and applies the result to the Mental Arousal table. This ability continues until the character Climaxes.
12 Ranks Prowess - Resistance
The character rolls twice to resist contracting sexually transmitted diseases, taking the higher of the two results.
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 will also end.
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.
3 Ranks Prowess - Erotic Lore
The character gains two Exotic proficiencies. A character may take this Art multiple times, gaining two new proficiencies each time.
6 Ranks Prowess - Quick Study
May be activated as a free action. Each round after the first that the character uses a particular Mental proficiency against a partner, the character gains a cumulative +2 to the Prowess check, up to a maximum bonus equal to 2x the character's INT bonus. The bonus is lost if the character switches proficiencies. 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.
9 Ranks Prowess - Improvisation
May be activated as a free action. The character may apply their Prowess bonus to the use of any non-exotic 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 before beginning a Prowess check using a Caress proficiency. The character making the check is so subtle that the recipient 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, provided they remain within 5ft for the course of the extended round - should they pass their check, however, they snatch away and the effect of the Prowess check is negated. This ability lasts for one extended round.
12 Ranks Prowess - Mind Games
May be activated after making a Prowess check against a partner. Unless the partner can resist (See Table 1-05: Resisting Horniness), they are fooled into becoming ever more passionate and their physical Arousal spawns 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, and may not be willingly stopped by the character performing the maneouvre.
12 Ranks Prowess - Instruction
May be activated as a free action. The character may spend one round instructing a partner in the use of a non-exotic proficiency. The partner gains the use of that proficiency -- against the character only -- for the duration of the encounter. At 15 ranks of Prowess, the character may instruct partners in the use of exotic proficiencies.
Exotic proficiencies are mostly for flavor and individuality. They function as standard proficiencies of the same category (oral, penetrative, toys, etc.), but confer +1 Gratification point per discrete climax (ie, not for each round of extended climax). The downside to their use is a partner's potential aversion to trying strange, possibly "unnatural"-seeming new techniques. For any prospective sexual partner, the character faces a 1 in 4 chance that the partner has a Fret associated with exotic techniques, making their use impractical. (The character himself may have such a Fret, which also precludes him from taking any exotic proficiencies unless that Fret is somehow nullified.)
If the team likes this addition and considers it minimally disruptive of the rules while adding extra flavor and variety, we can put a bit of effort into describing a few example exotic proficiencies for each category.
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.
3 Ranks Prowess - Readiness
The character ignores situational penalties to become Aroused. Alternately, the character may expend one use of this ability to become Aroused as a free action. This ability is instantaneous.
6 Ranks Prowess - Relaxation
y 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 actively 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.
9 Ranks Prowess - Obedience
May be activated as a free action. The character gains limited prowess (apply 1/2 Prowess ranks) in any proficiency a partner instructs the character to perform. This ability continues until the character Climaxes.
12 Ranks Prowess - Histrionics
May be activated as a free action. When engaged in sexual activity, the character makes Prowess checks against all sexually compatible persons within visual/audible range, rolling results on the Mental Arousal table. If the character is actively making Prowess checks against a partner, she adds that Prowess check to the additional one and applies the result to the Mental Arousal table. This ability continues until the character Climaxes.
12 Ranks Prowess - Resistance
The character rolls twice to resist contracting sexually transmitted diseases, taking the higher of the two results.
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 will also end.
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.
3 Ranks Prowess - Erotic Lore
The character gains two Exotic proficiencies. A character may take this Art multiple times, gaining two new proficiencies each time.
6 Ranks Prowess - Quick Study
May be activated as a free action. Each round after the first that the character uses a particular Mental proficiency against a partner, the character gains a cumulative +2 to the Prowess check, up to a maximum bonus equal to 2x the character's INT bonus. The bonus is lost if the character switches proficiencies. 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.
9 Ranks Prowess - Improvisation
May be activated as a free action. The character may apply their Prowess bonus to the use of any non-exotic 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 before beginning a Prowess check using a Caress proficiency. The character making the check is so subtle that the recipient 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, provided they remain within 5ft for the course of the extended round - should they pass their check, however, they snatch away and the effect of the Prowess check is negated. This ability lasts for one extended round.
12 Ranks Prowess - Mind Games
May be activated after making a Prowess check against a partner. Unless the partner can resist (See Table 1-05: Resisting Horniness), they are fooled into becoming ever more passionate and their physical Arousal spawns 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, and may not be willingly stopped by the character performing the maneouvre.
12 Ranks Prowess - Instruction
May be activated as a free action. The character may spend one round instructing a partner in the use of a non-exotic proficiency. The partner gains the use of that proficiency -- against the character only -- for the duration of the encounter. At 15 ranks of Prowess, the character may instruct partners in the use of exotic proficiencies.
