Aether and Powers
Aether
Aether is a measure of energy pulled from ancient machines and mystic energies. It flows through everything on the Earth equally (despite the claims by the so-called experts in the City-University of Strata). Wardens, however, have a gift and curse: their Powers, which allow them to gather and harness Aether in unnatural ways.
Wardens start with a maximum of 3 Aether, and may expend it to use their Powers. Aether is restored by spending time on recovery.
Powers
A Power is a unique supernatural ability a Warden possesses.
After a Threat Roll, Wardens may use their Power to avert a threat. They must describe how their Power affects the situation, and may spend 1 Aether to increase a die’s result by 1 (as many times as they like).
When a Warden makes use of their Power to affect the world, consult the below chart. Add up all the relevant factors to determine the Aether cost (called Magnitude). If everyone is satisfied that the Magnitude is reasonable for the desired effect, mark off the Aether required and the effect comes to pass.
| Factor | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time | A couple seconds | A few minutes | Half an h our | Hours | A day | A week |
| Quality | Average, mass-market | Good, trained, well-made | Excellent, world-class, expert | Nigh-impossible, unbelievable | Miraculous, impossible, legendary | World-shaking, epic |
| Area | Within reach | A room | A house | A multi-story building | A city block | A town or city district |
| Range | 5 feet, a couple paces | 45 feet, a long hallway | 150 feet, a short block | 1000 feet, a long block | A mile or two, across town | Up to a dozen miles, between towns |
| Specific Targets | One | <10 | 10-30 | 30-50 | 50-100 | 100+ |
Bonus Aether
Some sources, most notably Techniques, grant Bonus Aether when a Power is used. No more Bonus Aether may be applied than the Aether being spent to use a Power (even if you have access to more Bonus).
If your character has +3 Bonus Aether when standing in water, and spends 1 Aether to use their Power, they have 2 Magnitude to work with. If they spend 2 Aether, they have 4 Magnitude; if they spend 3 Aether they have 6; if they spend 4 Aether they have 7.
Overcharged Aether
Overcharged Aether acts as additional free Aether, but does not activate Bonus Aether. If your character has +3 Overcharge when fighting to protect their friends, and spends 1 Aether to use their Power, they have 4 Magnitude to work with.
A Warden can take their time in exchange for Overcharged Aether. The time must be spent in uninterrupted preparation or labor, whichever is more appropriate; consult the Time component of the Magnitude chart for how much Overcharged Aether is gained.
Backlash
Some mechanics may cause Backlash when you use your Power. For each Backlash taken, pick from the list below without replacement. If the list is exhausted, the Referee will refill it.
- Inflict a Wound on a player character of the Referee’s choice.
- Destroy an item in your gear.
- Cause collateral damage beyond your expectations (the Referee will tell you what happens).
- Lose an important opportunity (the Referee will tell you what happens).
- The situation changes unpredictably (the Referee will tell you what happens).