[Runequest] Objects of divine origin and influence on characters

[Robert Hoffman]

I think the item sounds great, but I do agree the third power does not seem
characteristic of Chalana Arroy who I always played as missionary types;
spreading the faith through their actions rather then using more deceptive
means to "press" followers into service.

I would adjust to the power to be a direct link to the faith and indirectly
motivate the player to considering the path of a healer;

+5% to listed skills for any heathen 
+10% to listed skills for Lightbringer, lay member
+15% to listed skills for Lightbringer, initiate
+25% to listed skills for Chalana Arroy, lay member
+40% to listed skills for Chalana Arroy, initiate
+50% to listed skills for Chalana Arroy, priest

...or some such.  I think as a player those extra skills would be motivation
enough.

Cheers,
Bert

-----Original Message-----
From: runequest-bounces at rpgreview.net
[mailto:runequest-bounces at rpgreview.net] On Behalf Of Peter Johansson
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 7:38 PM
To: runequest at rpgreview.net
Subject: [Runequest] Objects of divine origin and influence on characters

Hi!

I'm preparing tomorrows RQ-session and just created the object below in 
the style of Plunder. However, I thought I'd like some feedback before I 
hand it to the players. :-) Any comments on the two last powers - 
especially number 3 is especially welcome. Is it to "evil" handing them 
an object that potentially will turn one of them into a healer?

The idea behind the third power is that I have toyed with the idea that 
objects of divine origin could/should have an influence/impact on the 
person using it, but never really found a good way of doing it. The 
campaign is Glorantha based btw, but the discussion is more general than 
just for that setting.

_*Arroin's Soul*_

/Description/
A large red gem set in a gold pendant.

/Cults/
Associated: Chalana Arroy and other healing cults.
Friendly: Earth cults; Lightbringers; most other civilized cults.
Hostile: Chaos.

/Knowledge/
Automatic; Few

/History/
Yet another piece of blood spilt from the wounds of Arroin during God 
time, albeit larger than usual.

/Powers/
The gem is a powered Crystal and has three powers:
1) It is a Healing Focusing Crystal 5.
2) It bestows healing skills to the person attuned to the crystal. 
Anyone who is at least an initiate of Chalana Arroy, or any other 
healing cult, will have a 50% increase in the following three skills: 
First Aid, Treat Poison and Treat Disease. This knowledge is the result 
of a mystic/divine connection with Arroin himself. The 50% bonus does 
not count towards experience rolls (making it easier to learn the 
healing arts while attuned = easier to get a skill check and easier to 
succeed with the experience roll), and is lost as soon as the crystal is 
no longer attuned. Persons of all other cults attuning the crystal 
(including chaotic creatures since Arroin tried to heal even chaos) will 
get knowledge in the same three skills while attuned, but only with a 
25% bonus.
3) Because of the deep connection with Arroin himself, anyone who does 
not belong to a healing cult but is attuned to the crystal during Sacred 
Time, will get a sudden urge to join a healing cult and must make a roll 
of POWx5 to "save" from that destiny. If the roll is a miss, the person 
will make a decision to join a healing cult. This urge can be countered 
by unattuning the crystal, but such a decision is no longer made 
voluntarily by someone who has "made up" their mind (his or her friends 
could however force the person to unattune the crystal). Most priests of 
Chalana Arroy will however know about the effect of these artefacts, and 
if they realise that someone who comes to join them is attuned to such 
an object, they will explain to the person applying to join that they 
are under the influence of Arroin himself, giving that person a second 
chance to make a POWx5 to resist the urge. However, if the second role 
is missed, it is considered to be the free choice of the applicant to 
become a healer.

Value
At least 50 000 Lunars to a healing temple. Usually paid for in skills 
or healing, rather than money or valuables.

Cheers,

/Peter J


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