Fate Core Synthesis Draft

This is cross-posted from my other blog.


Working on the Sigils extra was like clearing a logjam: I was able to get a strong start on adapting Synthesis to Fate Core. I realize the common wisdom with creating Fate Core settings is "start with the skill list!", but in this case I felt starting from the other end was better. By working my way through the other Tribe 8 specific skills (Dreaming, Ritual, Sundering, Technosmithing) I'll have a much clearer vision of how to prune and shape the default skill list.
The direction I am going with Synthesis was something that the way Fate Core is written, and how various things are categorized, really brought into focus. The four actions provide a good framework for taming a freeform beast like Synthesis without having to delve into a lot of niggling little rules and modifiers. It helped me realize (for example) that bonuses for trances, extra time, ritual implements, etc. weren't a static thing but should be the result of the character doing something to create an advantage for themselves. The same thing will go for resisting effects; it's not automatic, the character needs to actually do something to get the bonus. Once again, Rob Donoghue's channeling "hack" helped tremendously in helping the rest of the pieces fall into place.
You can get the draft from Google Docs, and I will post regular updates as I tweak and refine it. 

Updated Conversion Doc

I've updated the conversion doc with some clarifications on Supplies and Barter. I've also revised the travel rules to include the Distance stress track and some clarifications, and included a method for exploration to use the new random exploration tables.

Zones revisited

Zones

There are three scales of zones: Personal, Location (Scene) and Campaign. Unless there is nothing really remarkable about a zone it should have a Defining Aspect and any other interesting Aspects as necessary. Zones can have three Abilities: Terrain, Resources, and Threat. Additionally, borders between zones can have a Border rating.

Each scale has a rough area that it covers and a default time increment, typically used to determine movement between zones.

Scale	Area	Time
Personal	One room	Round
Skirmish	Town, large complex, small geographic area	Scene
Campaign	City, large geographic area or feature	Hour

Terrain

The Terrain represents the area the zone covers, as well how easy the zone is traverse. Specialty Aspects will typically describe the terrain in some way such as Rubble, Dense Forest, Uphill, or Paved Roads. Personal scale zones are rarely larger than Size 1, instead the area should be broken down into more personal scale zones).

How long it takes to reach the next adjacent Zone is roughly equal to the zone's Terrain in time increments if there is no conflict or effort taken to travel faster. For example, a Terrain 3 campaign scale zone takes about 3 hours to get to any adjacent zone. If a character wishes to get to the next zone faster, they must roll a contest adding Agility (or Physical for units) versus the Terrain Rating. The time taken to travel to the next zone is reduced by the amount the roll succeeds to a minimum of one time increment. Failure means that it takes the same amount of time to traverse the zone. If the character is running, the amount that the roll succeeded is applied as a bonus to rolling against the Terrain of the next zone. Obviously the Specialty Aspect can be tagged to help or hinder travel, depending on its nature. During a conflict, trying to move unimpeded through a zone with a Terrain Rating may count as a supplemental or simple action, with appropriate penalties.

Resources

Resources represents the Difficulty of finding a specific type of materials within the zone. Any roll for finding materials for repairs, scavenging, etc. is against the Resources Rating, plus any other modifiers. Obviously whether a roll can be made at all that might utilize Resources is dependent on the nature of the zone and GM discretion - it’s hard to find anything in an empty room or a desert. Typically, Resources rolls can be made once per time increment. Specialty Aspects for Resources often reflect the type of resource that can be found or its quality, such as Fresh Water, Plentiful Scrap, or Untouched Convenience Store. Specialty Aspects likewise can be used for declarations, with the Resources rating used as the difficulty. For example, a character searching a zone with Resources 2 (Office Supplies) can make a roll every round to find things that typically might be found in an office. They can also make a Declaration and place the temporary aspect Letter Opener, then tag that aspect to invoke for a bonus or effect.

Threat

Threat is essentially the Intensity of an ongoing Environmental Hazard. There is something about the zone - it is on fire, filled with toxic gas, freezing cold, etc. Every time increment spent in the zone requires all units or characters to defend against a standard roll plus the Threat. Threat Ratings of 0 do not require rolls.Threat is typically defended against using Endurance, but depending on the nature of the Threat a different Ability might be used. Likewise, while armor is useless against most Threats there are occasions where it may be effective.

The nature of the Threat is typically expressed by its Specialty Aspect, and should be scaled accordingly. For example, a room might have Toxic Gas, while a scene might have Severe Air Pollution; and a campaign zone Environmental Damage. In the first and second cases, the characters are in more or less direct or constant contact with the Threat. In the third case, the Threat is something that may affect the characters if they are unlucky enough to come in contact with it. Threat can also represent an abstracted danger, especially for larger zones. For example, a campaign scale zone might have Threat 2 (Wolf Packs) to represent the likelihood that characters will be attacked and injured by wolves. A castle (scene scale) might have Threat 1 (Defenders on the Walls) to represent that anyone near the castle is likely to get shot at.

Borders 

Borders between zones can be assigned a Border Rating and a Specialty Aspect. Outside of a conflict, the Border Rating simply adds to the amount of time it takes to get from zone to zone safely. Not that while crossing a border in this manner the characters are still subject to any Threat from the zone that they are leaving (if applicable).

Within a conflict, or if the the border needs to be crossed without delay, the Border Rating serves as the difficulty that must be rolled against Agility (or Physical for a unit) in order to successfully cross into the next zone. The roll can be made as a simple or supplemental action. Failure means that the character does not cross the border. The Specialty Aspect may be invoked or compelled as appropriate to help or hinder crossing the zone.

For example, a character is in a burning house. The room that they are in has the Aspect of On Fire!, and there are intense flames blocking the exit with Border Rating 4 (Intense Flames). The character has +2 Agility but wants to make the odds better, so he performs a Maneuver to place the Aspect Wrapped in a Blanket on himself and then tags the Aspect, then spends a Fate Point and tags his Determined Aspect for another +2. He rolls a -1 for a total of 5. He is able to escape the burning building.

A combination of a Border Rating and Threat may make it so prohibitive to cross a zone that it is better to avoid it. For example, a group of Fallen characters need to travel from the Hunting Paths to No Man's Land. They have the option of trying to move through the fortified Joanite Seven Fingers or to go around. To avoid having to take multiple Threat, they could choose to move quickly through the Seven Fingers zone - this means an Agility roll against the Hunting Path's Terrain of 2, then another Agility roll against the Seven Fingers Border Rating of 6, then another Agility Roll against a Border Rating of 6. During this time, they would face a Threat 1 attack and a Threat 5 attack, with the possibility of not being able to escape the Seven Fingers and continuing to face Threat 5 attacks. Alternately, they can try to move quickly through The Discard Lands and the Rust Wastes with no Border Ratings - the odds are the journey would take longer, but the risks are a lot more manageable.

Playing with the Z'bri

I'm working on the Z'bri section of my adaptation, and in trying to present them as being highly individual - and reinforce not using cookie-cutter templates for them - I decided to come up with a distinctly Z'bri toned Aspect alphabet. I like the results.

“A” is for Appetite
What does the Z’bri have a penchant for? Small children? That moment when skin separates from muscle? Something more mundane like fear or rage?

“B” is for Bane

What is preventing the Z’bri from accomplishing its goals? What weaknesses does it have?

“C” is for Cabal

What groups or secret societies does the Z’bri have affiliations with?

“D” is for Dominion
What resources does the Z’bri have control of? What is its sphere of influence?

“G” is for Gifts
What is the Z’bri particularly good at? Does it possess any artifacts or other talismans?

“I” is for Impurity
What is the Z’bri not very good at doing? Does it have any handicaps?

“M” is for Machinations
What is the Z’bri plotting? What is their end goal?

“N” is for Nemesis
Who opposes the Z’bri? Who has the Z’bri opposed?

“T” is for Thralls
Z’bri don’t have friends, and their allies are only of convenience. Who does the Z’bri hold power over? Who can they force to come to their aid or take some action on their behalf?

P.S., for anyone that isn't aware the document is accessible from the link in the "Links" section of the right-hand sidebar. The document is a bit of a mess at times, and is subject to near constant editing. The initial sections on character creation, Synthesis, Technosmithing, etc. are pretty much complete - I just need to get the write ups of the various Synthesis Aspects done once I finish the section on the Z'bri. Going is slow sometimes because I have to hunt down references from three or more different books (for example, with the Z'bri I am looking at Tribe 8 1st edition, 2nd edition and Horrors of the Z'bri).

Power Sources

The River

The River (short for the River of Dream) is the power source for nearly all human supernatural powers in Vimary, from Synthesis to Technosmithing. As a Power Source, there are only a few requirements:

• The Awakened Advantage is required to purchase any Powers that have The River as their power source.
• Characters with the Dream Affinity Ability must purchase the Equilibrium custom stress track. Technosmithing does not require this.
• Powers that represent working with the The River must be associated with The River Power Source and used in conjunction with either the Dream or Technosmithing affinity ability.
• By default, characters may not have both the Dream and Technosmithing affinity ability at the same time.

Affinity Ability: Dream

The Dream Affinity Ability is used to activate the Synthesis power, as well as associated powers (renamed from Aspects to Rotes to avoid confusion).

Affinity Ability: Technosmithing

Technosmithing is used to activate a number of related Powers that tap into the humanity’s “Collective Memory” within the River of Dream.

The Seed

The Seed is the power source used for any abilities that have their root in the more visceral, physical, destructive side of reality. This includes all Z’bri powers. Powers which use The Seed as their Source have the following requirements:

• The Touched By the Seed Advantage is required to purchase any Powers that have The Seed as their power source.
• All characters that have Powers which use The Seed for their source must purchase the Equilibrium custom stress track.
• Powers that represent The Seed must be associated with The Seed Power Source and used in conjunction with the Sundering Affinity Ability.

Affinity Ability: Sundering

The Sundering Affinity Ability is used to activate all powers that have The Seed as a Power Source.

Equilibrium

Equilibrium is a non-renewable custom stress track. It represents how balanced the character is with regards to their spiritual and physical well-being.  It is determined as follows:

Willpower + Endurance + Affinity Abilities (Dream, Sundering, Technosmithing) + Other Modifiers

When a character takes a consequence from losing Equilibrium, this balance is disrupted. In the case of consequences taken while using a power with The River Power Source, they reflect becoming increasingly lost in the River of Dream. For powers with The Seed Power Source, consequences reflect becoming attached to the physical realm.

Equilibrium stress boxes clear at the end of the scene, but Consequences can only be removed through a combination of meditation, purification and ritual. For each consequence, the character must spend an amount of time and make a Willpower roll against a difficulty determined by the level of consequence.

Consequence	Time Required	Difficulty
Minor	10 minutes	2
Major	1 hour	4
Severe	4 hours	6
Extreme	12 hours	7

Sample Consequences

The River	The Seed
Minor Double Vision Do You Hear That? Who Touched Me? Attracts minor spirits Waking Dreams	Minor Stroke the furry wall Never felt this way that before
Major Large Reality Distortions The Crying of the Lost is Deafening (could be Severe) Haunted Attracts major spirits Walking Nightmares Can’t Sleep, They’ll Get Me Berserk rage	Major Can’t stop doing this Pain and pleasure, indivisible
Severe (P) Sleepwalker How Do I Get Out of Here Unable to Dream Thousand Mile Stare Sundered	Severe (P) Too much pleasure, too much pain Sensory overload
Extreme (P) Cannot Wake Up This Isn’t My Dream Anymore! Too Weak to Fight The Current	Extreme (P) Overtaken by the Seed Endless cycle of pleasure
Defeated (P) Swept Into the Sea of The Lost Lost With No Way Home	Defeated (P) Chained

Defeated results for backlash from a Power that uses The River as a power source mean that the character’s soul has been swept from their physical body into the River of Dream, losing all identity and knowledge of who they were. However, if the character cashes in all of their Fate Points it is possible for others to mount a rescue mission into the River of Dream and recover the character. Otherwise, the character’s physical body will die without being taken care of - once that happens, the character is permanently dead.

Defeated results for backlash from a Power that uses The Seed as a power source mean that the character has been locked in their physical form and is driven mad from the process.  The character becomes a mindless terror, unless another power is used to free it.

Powers - Synthesis and Technosmithing

New Meta-Power Advantages

Bundled Advantages

A group of Power Advantages may be bundled together. All of the Powers in a bundle must share the same Power Source; otherwise they retain their individual Activation costs and other attributes. A primary Power must be chosen for the bundle - this is usually, but not always, the most expensive Power in the bundle (in terms of either AP cost or activation). Unlike Linked Advantages, all of the powers are not activated in the same action; instead, the primary power must be activated first. Each additional Power within the bundle is likewise assigned a sequence that it must be used in. The bundle’s overall AP cost is reduced by 2 AP per additional Power in the bundle, but the cost of any individual Power has a minimum cost of 1 (i.e., you can’t bundle a 3 AP power and three 2 AP powers and get the bundle for free - the bundle’s cost would be 4 AP). The additional powers gain the Limitation X Must Be Activated to Activate.  Note that Powers within an Advantage bundle may not be Linked together, but primary Powers between two different bundles may be Linked.

Powers

Synthesis

Control (Reality Sub-Domains)
Power Aspect: Dream Magic
Power Source: The River
Affinity Ability: Dream
AP Cost: 3
Base Activation Difficulty: 4
Activation Time: Special (see blow)
Limitations: Subdomain (By Eminence), No Rotes

Synthesis is the ability to actively channel the River of Dream’s energy into the physical world, creating a melding of the worlds of flesh and spirit. It is a modified version of the Control Metapower (SoP pg. 153), allowing reality control within sub-domains called Eminences. Eminences represent concepts and spheres of influence within the River of Dream, and Synthesis  allows changing reality within these Eminences.  All existing uses of Control are possible with Synthesis, provided that the end effect can be described within the context of one or more Eminences that the character possesses.

Usage
In order to use Synthesis, the character states the effect and the activation difficulty is set. Typically, the user must enter a trance-like lucid dreaming state which is represented by using Focused Control (SoP pg. 159). However, if the player chooses they may add +2 to the activation difficulty to activate as a simple action; +4 to activate as a free action; or +6 to activate as a free action on someone else’s turn. The intent to activate using Focused control, as a simple action or as free action must be stated beforehand, and the decision to do so cannot be changed. Once the difficulty is set, the character pays a Fate Point per roll per the Focused Control rules. Failure to activate Synthesis results in backlash to the character’s Equilibrium stress track, also per the Focused Control rules.
It is possible to attempt to combine two Eminence Aspects  into one effect. A main Eminence must be decided on to drive the effect; the secondary Eminence restricts the secondary ability. The activation difficulty for the effect is increased by 2.

Rotes, as defined under the Control rules, do not exist. The concept of Aspects from Tribe 8 has been renamed to Rotes to avoid confusion, but fulfill the same role - formulaic applications of Synthesis that are defined, predictable and do not cause backlash when used. In effect, Rotes are individual Powers that have a common Power Source with Synthesis. See the section on Rotes below for more information.

Additional Modifiers

Fatimas: Due to their powerful presence in the River of Dream, Fatimas can make it easier or harder to use Synthesis at will. Any Fatima within one zone of a Synthesis user can increase or decrease their activation difficulty by up to 2. Modifiers from multiple Fatimas stack. So if Dahlia wants a Fallen character to use their Synthesis and sets a -2 activation difficulty, but Tera Sheba and Baba Yaga are both in the same zone and oppose it for +2 each, the net activation roll is increased by 2.

Serfs: The Activation difficulty of a Synthesis roll is increased by 1 against Serfs due to their tainted nature. If Z’bri are within one Zone as the Serfs, use the Z’bri’s modifier instead.

Squats: Synthesis users can invoke or compel a Squat’s Disconnected from Dreams aspect for free to get a bonus or reroll on the Synthesis effect.

Z'bri: Synthesis use within the same Zone as one or more Z’bri automatically receives a +2 to the activation difficulty, due to their Awakened By the Seed Aspect. This modifier does not stack when multiple Z’bri are present.

Spin

Spin on a Synthesis activation roll results in one of the following, in this order of preference:

• If applicable, the duration of the effect increases a number of steps equal to the margin of success (i.e., 3 over the activation difficulty lasts one hour, 4 lasts a day).
• If applicable, any appropriate attributes of the effect (size, potency, Edge, etc.) are increased by 2.
• Some beneficial side effect, such as an Aspect related to the effect being placed on the zone, occurs.

Example Eminence Effects

Eminence	Example Effects
Capriciousness	Confuse someone’s senses. Cause someone to “misbehave”.
Inspiration	Instantly solve a puzzle. Discover the purpose of an item.
Illusion	See through an illusion. Alter the appearance of a person, place or thing.
Motion	Substitute for a physical ability. Change how an object moves (faster, slower, more difficult to move).
Mystery	Hide or find an object. Unravel or create a secret or puzzle.
Shadow	Extinguish all of the light sources in a room. Nudge someone toward or away from a dark act.
Empathy	Sense another’s feelings. Make someone feel an emotion.
Life	Make a plant grow faster. Sense the health of a subject.
Freedom	Breaking physical or mental restraints (chains, locks, bars, mind control, etc). Incite a group to free themselves from their oppressors.
Recognition	Identify an artifact’s origin and powers. Make someone recognize a truth, person, place, etc.
Bravery	Sense another’s fear. Grant a bonus to a group of people.
Vengeance	Reveal who has committed a wrong against the character. Strike someone that has wronged the character harder.
Devotion	Gain a bonus to a mental defense roll. Instill devotion in people to each other or a cause.
Fury	Temporarily remove all Consequences. Increase Strength or Size.
Conviction	Resist being made to break or deny beliefs. Convince someone to take up a cause.
Unity	Determine the connections between people. Grant bonuses when a group acts together.
Conflict	Cause two people to distrust one another. Sense conflict in someone.
Sensuality	Immobilize someone with a look. Confuse or heighten someone’s senses.
Truth	See through an illusion or lie. Force someone not to lie.
Wisdom	Substitute for Knowledge ability. Locate an item or person.
Death	Commune with spirits. Make an inanimate object decay very quickly.
Fate	Read a prophecy. Get a glimpse of someone's immediate future.

Technosmithing

Technosmithing is the name for a group of Powers that all use the The River as a Power Source but the Technosmithing Affinity Ability instead of Dream.

Homeopathy

Heal
Power Aspect: Law of Similars
Power Source: The River
Affinity Ability: Technosmithing
AP Cost: 2
Base Activation Difficulty: 4
Activation Time: Simple Action
Modifiers: Strenuous (0)

You can heal living things by using small portions of whatever has injured a person, or elements that are sympathetic to the nature of the injury (i.e., using fire or something hot to treat a burn). You may downgrade one Physical consequence by one step.

Horizon of Light

Teleport Self
Power Aspect: Quantum Teleportation
Power Source: The River
Affinity Ability: Technosmithing
AP Cost: 3
Base Activation Difficulty: 5 + Sympathy Modifiers
Activation Time: Simple Action
Modifiers: Transfer(-1)

By touching a computer, telephone, or other device connected to the communications grid you are able to instantly teleport to a point on the grid. You must declare where you wish to transport yourself to prior. In addition to normal Sympathy modifiers, the following modifiers to the activation difficulty apply based on the conditions of the communications grid between you and the destination.

Condition of grid	Modifier
Nearly perfect	-1
Mildly damaged	0
Halfway destroyed	+1
Mostly destroyed	+2
Completely blocked	Impossible

Ignite

Imbue Object
Power Aspect: Spontaneous Power
Power Source: The River
Affinity Ability: Technosmithing
AP Cost: 2
Base Activation Difficulty: 4
Activation Time: Simple Action
Duration: Scene
Modifiers: Strenuous (0)

You can power any device, regardless of its power source or condition. The device gains the Aspect Powered(P). This effect lasts for one Scene; Spin on the activation roll increases the duration of the effect. Failure to activate Ignite cause you to take Physical stress equal to the amount the roll was failed by, as the device malfunctions, catches fire or even explodes.

Interface

Machine Submersion
Power Aspect:
Power Source: The River
Affinity Ability: Technosmithing
AP Cost: 2
Base Activation Difficulty: 4
Activation Time: Simple Action
Modifiers: Strenuous (0), Possession (+3), Limitation: Possession only applies to reading data and storage devices (-2)

You can interface directly with electronic devices such as computers, smart phones, etc. Once this power is activated you get a +3 bonus to use the device, and may use Technosmithing for rolls to use it. In addition, you can extract data from any storage media attached to the device without powering the device on. Failure to successfully activate Interface results in you taking Mental stress equal to the difference between the activation difficulty and the roll, as feedback from the interface interferes with your brain function.

Jury Rig

Power Aspect: Makeshift Crafting
Power Source: The River
Affinity Ability: Technosmithing
AP Cost: 2
Base Activation Difficulty: Fate Point (Special)
Activation Time: Extended Action
Duration: Special

You can create any mundane device, vehicle or even weapon without using Resources, instead using any available spare parts. The difficulty for Jury Rigging the item is 1+ the item’s cost. Once the cost is determined, you begin an Extended Action by making the activation roll and paying a Fate point. Each roll takes two hours, and after 8 hours your rolls will be restricted by your endurance. Once the activation difficulty is met, the item gains the aspect Jury Rigged(P). It will work for a number of intervals of the time table equal to the amount the activation roll succeeded.  For example, if a Keeper is Jury Rigging a Cost 3 item and rolls a 6, the item will work for an hour. Spin generated on the activation roll means the item will work permanently unless it is damaged. Once you have successfully activated Jury Rig on an item, all future rolls to Jury Rig the same item have a +1 bonus until you succeed in getting the item to work permanently.

Failing to make the activation roll either because of interruption or inability to pay the Fate Point before the difficulty is met results in you taking Physical stress equal to your total roll versus the activation difficulty. This stress represents the item dangerously malfunctioning, catching fire, or even exploding.

Psychoanalyze

Mind Wipe
Power Aspect: Pseudo Neurology
Power Source: The River
Affinity Ability: Technosmithing
AP Cost: 4
Base Activation Difficulty: 6
Activation Time: Simple Action
Duration: Special
Modifiers: Strenuous(0), Memory Edit (+1)

You are able to edit another person’s memories. See the description of Mind Wipe in Strands of Power, pg. 95 for more details.

Remembrance

Cognizance
Power Aspect: Collective Memory
Power Source: The River
Affinity Ability: Technosmithing
AP Cost: 2
Base Activation Difficulty: 6
Activation Time: Simple Action
Duration: Scene
Modifiers: Limited Access (Knowledge) (-1), Themed Access (Items)(-1)

You temporarily gain the knowledge of how to work any device, gaining the aspect Cognizant of X(P), where “X” is the area of knowledge. Spin on the activation roll grants a +1 bonus to any attempts to repair or Jury Rig the item. Failing the activation roll results in a -1 to any roll using the item for as long as you possess it.