What I’ve been working on lately (in lieu of my novel, it’s true): a Black Jewels Trilogy hack for Lady Blackbird. From the back of the first novel:
Seven hundred years ago, a Black Widow witch saw an ancient prophecy come to life in her web of dreams and visions. Now the Dark Kingdom readies itself for the arrival of its Queen, a Witch who will wield more power than even the High Lord of Hell himself. But she is still young, still open to influence-and corruption.
Whoever controls the Queen controls the darkness. Three men-sworn enemies-know this. And they know the power that hides behind the blue eyes of an innocent young girl. And so begins a ruthless game of politics and intrigue, magic and betrayal, where the weapons are hate and love-and the prize could be terrible beyond imagining…
To roll for Birthright Jewel strength, roll 2d6-2 and consult the following chart:
To roll for Offering strength, roll 2d6 and consult the following chart:
The darkest jewels are only available to Blood making their Offering to the Darkness. Ebony and Twilight’s Dawn are not used for player characters.
As reservoirs for one’s power, the birthright and offering jewels add one die to your pool for each level. For instance, a Rose to Opal-strength witch would have a total of eleven dice in her standard pool, while a Green to Gray-jeweled Black Widow would have nineteen at her disposal. Yes, you will need that many, given the power and the difficulty of the Blood and their Craft, and the restriction on recharging their jewels (requiring time, as opposed to mere refresher scenes).
Setting-specific castes and races and their associated specialties. Each applicable trait or tag adds one die to your pool.
Blood
Blood Sings to Blood, Craft, Prestidigitation, Protocol, Psychic Thread, Ride Wind, Shield, Vanish, Witchfire
Black Widow
“Attend!”, Heal the Mind, Hourglass Coven, Illusions, Insight, Poisons, Psychometry, Snake Tooth, Tangled Web, Visions, Twisted Kingdom
Warlord Prince
Aggressive, Bluff, Claimed, Cock & Swagger, Cold, Combat Trained, Domiant, Fast, Fearless, Honor, Loyal, Killing Edge, Predatory, Protect, Obey, Overkill, Rut, Serve, Sexual heat, Territorial, To the Death, “Your will is my life”
Queen
“Attend!”, Court, District, Endure, Heart of the Land, Leash, Moral Center, Precious, Protective, Province, Ruler, Self-sacrificing, Territory, Triangle
Aristo
Affluent, Arrogant, Charisma, Dance, Deception, Etiquette, Favors, Flattery, Friends in High Places, Lineage, Pillow Talk, Privilege, Protocol, Resentment, Secrets, Seduction, Sense Motive
Eyrien
Fighting Sticks, Fly, Hunt, Long-lived, Marksmanship, Membranous Wings, Proud, Pissing Contests, Warrior-born
Dea al Mon
Children of the Forest, Delicately pointed ears, Fierce, Hunt, Knives, Isolationist, Marksman, Stealthy, Tribal
Feel free to comment with suggestions of your own.
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