Mare Infinitum
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Character Synopsis: Kierns Akers
Contents |
System
GURPS 4th Edition and the attendant Magic sourcebook.
Wave Mastery
Magic works according to Ritual Magic rules; the appropriate base skill is Wave Mastery (IQ/VH). Some form of Magery is required to be able to tap into the Wave, but as compensation, prerequisite penalties will be reduced. (Need to look at this.)
Magic-users are called many things across different cultures, but are frequently referred to as wavemasters by spaceborne cultures.
Setting
Physics of the Endless Sea
99% of the known universe is composed of ether, a transparent fluid that is neither water nor air, but similar to both. Ether and objects suspended in ether are not subject to the force of gravity; ether is also the medium in which the Wave flows most freely.
Other Properties of Ether
- Being suspended in ether is most like floating in the ocean - one feels buoyant, and can swim in any direction, but without gravity there is no sense of "up" or "down". Swimming in ether is easier than swimming in water; drag is negligible.
- Light, wave energy, and solid objects pass easily through ether, but air, flame, and fluid do not. Ether does not burn, and extinguishes flame; liquids pool in spherical shapes. Air drifts towards the nearest solid or semi-solid object, merging with that object's atmosphere.
- While an object suspended in ether is not subject to gravity from nearby objects, those which are large enough (a small sailing vessel or larger) will generate their own gravitational pull. Such objects will also maintain an atmosphere, though without a means of naturally refreshing the oxygen, atmospheres will become toxic over time.
- The interplay of ether and atmosphere results in a phenomenon called the ether horizon; think of it as the dividing line between air and sea, only the sea is above the air in this case.
- Ether is a potent soporific; ingesting even a few drops will cause extreme drowsiness.
- "Drowning" in ether results in the afflicted entering a state of suspended animation; they require no food or water, but will suffer strange and haunting dreams. Prolonged exposure inevitably leads to madness or death, but there have been incidences where people adrift in the ether for months have been rescued by passing ships and revived with no complications.
- Ether has two additional forms - etherium and ethecite.
- Etherium is solid or liquid matter which has absorbed a substantial amount of ether, usually over a long period; for this reason, it's almost exclusively found on planets and asteroids. Individual samples vary widely, but most forms exude a faint bluish-violet glow and feel warm to the touch.
- Etherium is primarily used as a fuel source; burning etherium releases wave energy, which can be challenged by wave engines (such as those in etherships). It can also be alloyed with other materials to produce manufactured goods with unusual properties.
- Prolonged exposure to unprocessed etherium can cause etherium poisoning, a malady which results in strange and uncurable diseases or mutations.
- Ethecite is crystallized ether, taking the form of translucent crystals with a bluish tinge and a characteristic heptagonal (seven-sided) cross-section. Due to its instability, pure ethecite is rarely found terrestrially.
- Ethecite can absorb incredible amounts of heat, flame, or wave energy, and has been observed to have other properties including sonic resonance, luminescence, and wave channelling. However, ethecite crystals are physically fragile, and prone to cracking or shattering - sometimes explosively - under even minor physical stress.
- To date, it is not possible to synthesize ethecite; all previous attempts have ended in disaster.
- Etherium is solid or liquid matter which has absorbed a substantial amount of ether, usually over a long period; for this reason, it's almost exclusively found on planets and asteroids. Individual samples vary widely, but most forms exude a faint bluish-violet glow and feel warm to the touch.
Species
Ursaren
Size Modifier 1; ST+6, IQ-1 (let's say), HT+2, Will+2 (to compensate for IQ); Blunt Claws, Sharp Teeth, DR 2 (Tough Skin), Temperature Tolerance 2 (Fur), Bad Temper (12), Talent (Outdoorsman). Total Cost: 77.
