From: Forsaken Codex
Lore: “Tether of Empathy” is a sacred spell derived from the ancient teachings inscribed within the Forsaken Codex. Within the cyclical world of Saṃsāra, abandoned souls are perpetually burdened by the weight of their emotional turmoil, yearning for connection, and understanding. The spell was gifted to practitioners by the ethereal guardians of the Silent Sanctum, who sought to alleviate the suffering of these tormented spirits.
The lore speaks of an ancient sage named Kalyani, renowned for her boundless empathy and compassion. She forged a connection with the souls trapped in Saṃsāra, guiding them towards the light of liberation. The Tether of Empathy was the culmination of Kalyani’s journey, an ethereal bond that allowed her to intimately share the pain and grief of forsaken souls, offering them solace and hope.
Use: “Tether of Empathy” is a potent yet demanding spell that can only be cast once per day due to its profound effects on both the caster and the forsaken soul. To use the spell, the caster must reach out with their heart and mind, invoking ancient incantations to create an ethereal tether between themselves and a nearby forsaken soul. Through this connection, the caster can merge their emotions with the soul’s, experiencing their pain, sorrow, and longing firsthand.
Roleplay: To cast “Tether of Empathy,” the level one character must channel their deepest sense of empathy and compassion. The roleplay aspect involves the characters extending their hands towards the forsaken soul, a shimmering, otherworldly glow enveloping their fingers as the connection forms.
The character may describe a surge of emotions flooding their senses—perhaps feelings of profound sadness, hopelessness, or a desperate yearning for release. As they share this emotional burden with the forsaken soul, their connection grows stronger, allowing the character to understand the root of the spirit’s abandonment and offer words of comfort and understanding.
Tactics: “Tether of Empathy” can be a powerful tool for roleplay and character development. In a narrative sense, it allows the character to forge deep connections with the world’s lore, as they gain firsthand insights into the struggles of forsaken souls and the cyclical nature of Saṃsāra. This understanding can influence the character’s motivations, guiding them on a path of compassion and perhaps even influencing their choices in the campaign.
In terms of tactics, the spell can be used in several ways. During encounters with hostile or malevolent spirits, the character might use the Tether to understand the spirit’s motivations and possibly negotiate for peaceful resolutions. Alternatively, they may employ the spell during moments of great emotional distress for allies, providing comfort and emotional support in times of need.
Stats, Skills, and Requirements:
- Level: 1
- Cost: Moderate to high amount of mana (or equivalent magical energy) to cast.
- Skill: The character must have a significant level of empathy and emotional intelligence to effectively create and maintain the tether.
- Tags: Support, Empathy, Connection, Abandonment, Emotion.
- Specific Stats (example for a traditional TTRPG system):
- Wisdom: 16
- Charisma: 14
- Mana (or equivalent resource): 25/30