We're closing in on our first Stretch Goal - a bit of a pace tracker, really, to help us figure out how to run the campaign over the next month. We've got some really cool things lining up, so please continue to spread the word and let your friends and friendly gamers know about this project. It's a bit of a departure for the regular Scion stories (I think that's what makes it so cool!), so the more information we can share, the more interested potential backers may become.
If you haven't already watched the Scion panel from last month's Onyx Path virtual game convention, check it out! <Onyx Path Con 2024 - Scion Panel> The team talks about Mythic Shards a bunch!
And, for those who have already joined in to back, you'll be able to read the ENTIRE current draft manuscript of the book before the campaign ends, before any pledges are processed or payments collected. It's a Difficulty 0 roll with no complications.
The team doesn't just want backers to be able to read the manuscript - they want backers to be able to provide FEEDBACK as well! To that end, they've created a special Feedback Form for you to submit your comments after reading each section! Share your thoughts directly with the developers and writers and help guide the book through the next stages of editing and development!
OK, if you haven't had time to read it yet, or are thinking about joining but haven't quite yet made that move, here's a little preview from our first section, After the Fall, with some new Fatebinding conditions for your apocalyptic Scions.
New Fatebinding Conditions — Savior and Scourge
Survival fuels the core of Apocalyptic Fate. With humankind forced to focus on primary needs and much of civilization obliterated, Scions always find the chance to echo the primordial roles of heroes and supernatural beings as either Saviors or Scourges.
Savior and Scourge are two Conditions player characters can invoke in association to one of their existing Fatebindings. Either Condition reinforces the way Scions appear in the eyes of their Fatebindings, empowered by the willing decision to act in accordance with the reputation of Savior or Scourge.
Both Savior and Scourge share the following Condition rules:
Once per arc, Scion can link the Condition to a Fatebinding instance, defining themselves as Savior or Scourge for that Fatebinding until its Fatebound Condition’s (Scion:Hero, p. 197) resolves. The bonuses gained from the Savior/Scourge Condition’s activation apply if the Scion acts as embodiment of that role in the Fatebound’seyes, even if the Fatebound character themselves isn’t present or is a place, item, or community. Fate echoes those actions through the wasteland and strengthens the Scions no matter what.
The Savior and Scourge Conditions apply to the Fatebinding in relation to its Fatebound and Role Conditions. A given Fatebinding can’t be used to sustain both the Savior and Scourge Condition at the same time.
Once per session, the character can activate the Savior/Scourge Condition’s effects. Demigods and Gods gain further effects for each activation but must also pay additional costs (see below.)
The presence of their Fatebinding’s object in the scene doesn’t change the effects or costs of the Savior/Scourge Condition, no matter the Scion’s Tier.
Activating the Savior/Scourge Condition’s effects counts as invoking the linked Fatebinding’s role Condition, meaning the Storyguide can roll as usual to increase the associated Fatebound’s Condition Strength. This is in addition to the once per session use of invoke players can do.
If the linked Fatebinding’s Fatebound Condition duration would end, it persists at Strength 0 until the Savior/Scourge Condition resolves. A Strength 0 Fatebinding’s role Condition is “frozen”: players can’t invoke its nor suffer for its avoidance, Storyguides can’t compel it, but it can still resolve or become Imperiled. Players can invoke the Savior/Scourge Condition linked to the Fatebinding, which means its Fatebound Condition can regain Strength as detailed above.
The Savior/Scourge Condition resolves at the end of the current arc, when the linked Fatebinding’s role Condition is resolved, or when acting in opposition to the Savior/Scourge Condition’s nature. The latter resolution also converts the linked Fatebinding’s role Condition to another one of equal Strength that reflects the change in the relationship between the Scion and their Fatebound.
Savior
Saviors protect communities, bring hope to settlements, and cultivate life from destruction. A Savior defends, nurtures, and rebuilds.
Hero: Gain an additional number of dice equal to the linked Fatebinding’s Strength on a single roll where you follow the role of Savior. Scions with the Creator, Guardian, Healer, Hunter, Judge, Leader, Liminal, Lover, Sage, Warrior, Shepherd, Primeval, or Knight Callings also gain an Enhancement equal to the highest relevant Calling on the roll.
Demigod: You can gain 1 Legend through adoration and gratitude. If you do so, one of your Fatebindings becomes Imperiled. Then roll the Collateral pool, no matter the current rating.
God: You can imbue rather than spend to invoke your Legendary Title as a Feat of Scale when you act as Savior. If you do so, the Storyguide gains a pool equal to the character’s Legend they can spend to craft a complex Problem (Scion: God, p. 74) afflicting one of the character’s Realms — or the character directly if they have no Realms — exchanging ratings from said pool for the problem’s rating and Complications on a one-for-one basis.
Scourge
Scourge torment towns, deliver death to whoever dares to oppose them, and pursue their goals with no qualms about the pain and devastation they cause. A Scourge attacks, raids, and destroys.
Hero: Gain an additional number of dice equal to the linked Fatebinding’s Strength on a single roll where you embody the role of Scourge. Scions with the Hunter, Judge, Liminal, Lover, Trickster, Warrior, Adversary, Destroyer, Monster, Primeval, Tyrant, Outsider, or Knight Callings also gain an Enhancement equal to the highest relevant Calling on the roll.
Demigod: Gain 1 Legend through dread and intimidation. If you do so, one of your Fatebindings becomes Imperiled. Then add the linked Fatebinding’s Strength to the Collateral pool.
God: You can imbue rather than spend to invoke your Legendary Title as a Feat of Scale when you act as Scourge. If you do so, the Storyguide gains a pool equal to the character’s Legend they exchange on a one-for-one basis for Threat, Size, and Narrative Scale to craft a Goliath antagonist (Scion: God, p. 236) of any kind.
We'll be visiting all five shards in this book over the next 4 weeks. And maybe adding a sixth if we get enough support and interest... so please continue to spread the word and let's see what we can get up to with this project!
