NOTE: Links broken in archiving process, but still hint at their ultimate destination.
The character's unique pattern energy is overwhelmed by the Sparks they control or trying to control. The character and all they wear or hold dissolve and are made "depthless". This is often misunderstood as death – but it is not. The character is dead for all intents and purposes – but there is no body, no trace. They may be recovered, but only through Dream Light from the realm of Radiance. The depthless character loses all bonds, cannot communicate or sense anything, and time ceases to pass for them. This can happen if a character's Pledged Essence towards Spark binding ever exceeds 50% of their Free Essence.
Dissonance factors reflect a different manifested reality than a character's normal, expected one. It happens in two ways – as a natural result of the differences in a character's native sphere as they travel to others, or when the barriers are torn between the current reality continuum and those of the spirit realms or the void – either change how a characters abilities manifest. The presence of great entities from the other planes cast dissonance around them naturally (or it can be evinced through abilities). Some natural properties as well as strange circumstances can also directly rend or alter the fabric of The Pattern, creating dissonance in areas. Dissonance manifests in any size setting – from an entire sphere to a mound of earth; the specific area of effect and strength will depend on the cause. Where possible to resist its effects, the resistance check and cycle of effect will be noted. Many places of a faith's sanctuary impose dissonance of those of negative harmony.
Leadership levels, Aura Sight and Omen Reading checks are affected by Dissonance level (positive or negative).
Negative Dissonant Pattern Levels
|
Level |
Label |
Negative Effects |
|
1 |
Misfortune |
A measures of Good Luck are negated & they are afflicted with Bad Luck (a flat amount or each cycle). |
|
2 |
Ailment |
Character's bodies are impaired, cannot perform Essence Flares, all care aspects are 0, & mystic powers require interruption checks |
|
3 |
Diminished |
The various pools of power (energy) are bled away & they are afflicted with malaise (a flat amount or each cycle). |
|
4 |
Drained |
Prevelance of aptitudes are lowered & they are afflicted with disorientation (a flat amount or each cycle). |
|
5 |
Reduced |
A character's essence is reduced by 4 & they are afflicted with a compulsion to leave |
Positive Dissonant Pattern Levels
|
Level |
Label |
Positive Effects |
|
1 |
Fortune |
Bad Luck is negated, and an additional use of Good Luck is gained. |
|
2 |
Wellness |
Physical bodies never suffer impaired, can perform a second Essence Flare per day, all care aspects are set to full, & mystic powers never require interruption checks |
|
3 |
Expanded |
The various pools of power (energy) are regenerate at 2x normal & and all malaise is ignored. |
|
4 |
Thriving |
A characters effective Rank is increased by 1 & all measures of disorientation are ignored. |
|
5 |
Completeness |
A character's essence is increased by an amount = CHA & they are afflicted with a compulsion to remain |