Lore

History and Lore of the Will-Shaper - by T.A. Saunders ©2010 v1.5

The Mechanics of a Will-Shaper's Powers

Each affinity is associated with one of three Realms: Elements, Mind and Metamorphic. Realm of the Elements covers manipulation and utilization of the four natural elements, Realm of the Mind covers all psychic powers, such as ESP, telekinesis and domination and the Metamorphic Realm covers being able to change one's physical state in some manner, such as shape-shifting. The aforementioned examples are not the limit of each Realm, but rather cite the most common expressions they manifest within people.

Will-Shapers can never gain another affinity. The natural attuning a Will-Shaper has to a particular realm cannot be changed save through a direct divine act of a deity, though no such divine act has ever been performed. However it is possible to become so skilled within a particular Realm that the Will-Shaper exerts almost no effort at all and uses only fractional amounts of their willpower. These Will-Shapers are masters and can accomplish incredible feats with their talent and make it seem almost effortless providing they are working within their Focus.

The powers of a Will-Shaper also have a limited range, relative to the Realm; a Will-Shaper with an affinity with the Realm of Elements could create a tidal wave to smash an enemy ship, if they were aboard another vessel nearby, but could not produce that same tidal wave if they were on the shore, far from the conflict. A Will-Shaper with an affinity for the Realm of the Mind could see weeks, perhaps months into the future, but could not see years or decades into the future. This theoretical range can increase somewhat with skill, but will never cover vast stretches of time, space or reality.

There is also no real list of Will-Shaper feats, since they are all based on the will of the Will-Shaper. If a Will-Shaper with a Realm affinity of Elements wants to produce a wall of flame around themselves, they simply choose to do it and concentrate. These feats largely must have concentration to maintain, though with skill and practice, less and less concentration is needed to maintain a particular feat. It is possible to break the concentration of a Will-Shaper in much the same fashion one breaks the concentration of a wizard, by simply hitting them hard enough, though the prepared Will-Shaper will be generally ready for this. Powers of Will-Shapers can be blocked with Iradium, an alloy combining Starmetal with common lead.