A 18-Victory Professional Contractor played by ShadyTradesman in Maelstrom
He is 21 years old, lives in a mansion in New Jersey, and often appears as a fit, well-kempt young man with short hair and expensive brand clothing.
Preston Vincent Astor III lives in Maelstrom, a setting where videos of the supernatural go viral every day. His journal has 17 entries.
3 Alertness
1 Animals
4 Athletics
2 Brawl
2 Crafts
3 Culture
2 Drive
3 Firearms
3 Influence
3 Investigation
2 Medicine
2 Melee
6 Occult
1 Performance
1 Science
2 Stealth
1 Survival
1 Technology
2 Thievery
Open up a musky tome. Its pages flutter as it turns to a page it did not previously have: a description about the object right in front of you! The book will answer your questions about where the object was made, who by, and how it is used.
Exert your Mind and spend a minute to activate. Select a target Object within arm's reach. You must actively and obviously use An old musty tome to activate this Effect. At the end of your investigation, roll Intellect + Occult at Difficulty 6.
You learn all the following information about your target:
When a creature attacks Preston, his coat flutters and its stars and trim glow with magical energy, protecting him from incoming damage.
Usually wearing: https://ap.louisvuitton.com/eng-sg/products/flags-patchwork-bandana-denim-trench-nvprod1630240v
You gain the following benefits at all times. You must actively and obviously be using a full-body robe or long robe-like coat to gain the benefits of this Effect.
You have 6 Armor, which reduces incoming Damage. Armor from multiple sources does not stack. This Armor cannot be circumvented with Called Shots.
Preston reaches towards a surface and focuses. The surface opens into a pool of light that flows like a viscous liquid. Then, he reaches in and withdraws the item of his choosing, stealing it from somewhere in the world.
Exert your Mind and spend an Action to activate.
Choose an Object which could fit inside a large luggage bag (up to 75 liters). It must be Non-Alien and generic. You can create explosives, but they are limited in size to being no larger or more powerful than a satchel charge. You may create firearms.
Roll Perception + Occult to fabricate up to 5 copies of your chosen Object. The Difficulty is assigned by the GM and depends on the specificity of your chosen Object. Your created items no longer expire, and will last until they are destroyed.
Whip out your wand, point it at your foe and shout "Magic missile!" A bolt of bright, cold, octarine light whizzes toward your target. It's very Harry Potter until the missile actually hits. Then things get gory. When used as defelection beam, a lightning-like blast deflects an incoming attack.
Spend an Action to activate. Select a target within 45 feet. You must actively and obviously use A wand: a polished rod of metal or wood. to activate this Effect. Roll Intellect + Occult Difficulty 6. The target may contest by rolling to Dodge or Defend as a Reaction, Difficulty 6.
If the contested Outcome is positive, the target takes that much Damage plus 4. Armor is fully effective against this damage.
You may use this Effect to Defend or Clash in Combat, including against ranged attacks such as firearms.
This Gift's Cost is capped at 2 and cannot be increased further.
With a flourish of a sheet or robe, Preston wraps himself in a tiny bundle and disappears in a shower of sparks. He has been known to bring others with him as well.
Exert your Mind and spend an Action or Reaction to activate. You must actively and obviously use a sheet, blanket, cape, or robe to activate this Effect.
You phase out of reality for 4 Rounds. During this time, you cannot perceive or affect the outside world but may take mental and self-targeting Actions. You cannot move. Nothing can interact with you in any way.
When you phase out, you may bring up to 1 additional target in arm's reach with you. While phased out together, you may interact as if standing in an empty void that extends infinitely in all directions.
Preston waves several crystals and gems around the head of his patient while humming and chanting mystical words. The pox of the disease is pulled into the crystal, turning it black.
Exert your Mind and spend 15 minutes to activate. Select a Living target within arm's reach. This Effect cannot be used unless Disease must be caused by supernatural effect.. You must actively and obviously use Several crystals or gemstones. to activate this Effect.
You may cure any any diseases or poisons afflicting your target even if you have not diagnosed or fully understood it. You may cure diseases or poisons even if they are not treatable through modern medicine. During treatment, the malady you are treating does not progress or cause additional damage or other effects.
You may use this effect to sanitize a 15-foot radius, destroying all poisons, toxins, diseases such that they are inert and cannot affect any new targets
Preston withdraws a mirror, wiggles his fingers, and speaks a rhyme beginning with "mirror mirror." The surface of the mirror shimmers and shifts, showing what lies beyond. However, too much usage of the mirror can lead to narcissism and paranoia.
Exert your Mind and spend an Action to activate. Select a target Location within 500 feet. You must actively and obviously use a mirror to activate this Effect. Make a Trauma roll when you activate this Effect.
You may perceive things as if you were standing at that Location for the next five minutes. You must maintain Concentration to keep up the effect. You cannot perceive anything at your physical location while the effect is active.
Others near you may choose to observe what you are perceiving by the images appearing in the mirror.
Preston uses a staff to draw a magic circle on the ground around or adjacent to an object. He then raises the staff and shouts "Epsilon Omicron!" With a mighty zap, the circle opens up to a swirling portal, and the object is drawn inside. The ritual may be performed without an object to summon an object that was previously sent to the void.
Spend at least two Actions performing the following ritual: draw a circle around or adjacent to the target and shout "Epsilon Omicron!" to activate. You must actively and obviously use a staff to activate this Effect. You must maintain Concentration while activating this Effect, and it fails if you are interrupted.
You may withdraw an item from your stash, or add an item that is within arm’s reach to your stash. You may only stash targets which are in your possession, grappled, or otherwise controlled by you.
You may store any targets in your stash, each no larger than something which could fit inside an SUV (4,000 liters), and you may store up to 3 things at a time.
Animate targets may Resist being stashed.
By donning a pair of curly-toed shoes, Preston may walk on walls and ceilings.
You gain the following benefits at all times. You must actively and obviously be using Curly-toed shoes to gain the benefits of this Effect.
You may move easily and without a roll in any of the following situations.
When Preston dies, if he was wearing an amulet, his body magically disappears, leaving only his clothes. If anyone ever holds the amulet and says "Preston" 3 times in a row, he returns. After returning, Preston prefers wearing lighter colors and being more serious and objective-oriented.
Typically, Preston wears a large amulet inscribed with "Say Preston 3 times to unlock this amulet's power."
You gain the following benefits at all times. You must actively and obviously be using an amulet to gain the benefits of this Effect.
If you would take an Injury that would kill you, you don’t die. Instead, you survive in an Incapacitated state, though you appear dead to any means of detecting life. Your body leaves behind a token. You remain incapacitated until the following ritual is performed with the token: Hold the amulet and say "Preston Preston Preston".
If, while you are unconscious, your wound level rises above your rating in Body + twice your Intellect, or if you take an Injury with Severity greater than twice your rating in Intellect, you die. After you return, the Injury that would have killed you, as well as any Injuries sustained while Incapacitated, are healed. Battle scars obtained during this time remain.
Preston raises his arms, wiggles his fingers, and little sparkles fly out and woosh around the object in question. It shudders to life and follows his commands, including to do things it was not designed to do.
Exert your Mind (unless targeting a weapon or explosive) and an Action to activate. Select a Inanimate target within arm's reach which could fit inside an SUV (4,000 liters). You must actively and obviously use a pointed hat with stars and moons to activate this Effect.
Your target will become Animated indefinitely. You may choose to end the effect at will, as a Free Action. You can maintain a max of 4 targets animated at once.
Animated Objects have the following restrictions and capabilities:
Preston’s beard is an incredible focus of power. With it, controlling his spells is as easy as breathing, and he understands whether he is being targeted by outside influences.
You gain the following benefits as long as you have your beard.
Your Intellect rating is increased by 0. You may Exert your Mind to automatically gain an Outcome of 5 on any roll that uses Intellect (Cannot be used on combat rolls or Power activations).
If you are witnessed actively using this Effect, whoever sees it can make a Perception + Alertness roll at Difficulty 6. A complete success reveals the source of your power.
You also gain the following effects:
Preston withdraws his staff, spins it above his head and shouts "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" before driving it into the ground. A visible shockwave eminates from the point of contact, and all creatures he determines are ejected from the area and cannot approach. He may move slowly with the staff or leave it in position.
Exert your Mind and spend an Action to activate. You must actively and obviously use A staff to activate this Effect. Roll Charisma + Occult at Difficulty 6.
Create a repulsion field which extends out 45 feet from you in every direction, and lasts for the next minute. Any Animate targets within the field cannot move any closer towards you. If they were within 45 feet from you when you activated the effect, they are immediately pushed back to the edge of the repulsion field.
You must maintain Concentration during this Effect.
When you activate this effect, you may designate any number of specific individuals to exclude from the Effect. Anyone designated in this way is unaffected by the repulsion field, and can approach you as normal.
After this Effect ends, you cannot move quicker than a walk (15 feet per Round) for one minute and suffer a -1 dice penalty for an hour.
Preston pulls his hat over his eyes and chants “hat of the magus reveal the magic to me!”
Exert your Mind and spend at least two Actions performing the following ritual: pull your hat over your eyes and wiggle your fingers in front of your face chanting “hat of the magus reveal the magic to me!” to activate. You must actively and obviously use cone-shaped hat with stars and moons to activate this Effect. You must maintain Concentration while activating this Effect, and it fails if you are interrupted.
You automatically detect all magical beings within 300 feet of you for the next hour. This includes any who come within range during the duration. You have a sense of how many valid targets are nearby and their direction, and you have a clear sense of both the distance and direction towards any detected beings. This information is accurate enough to use for aiming at them, at +1 Difficulty.
Preston raises his staff to the sky and there is a flash of distant lightning. A few seconds later, thunder rumbles menacingly, the lights flicker, there is a gust of wind, and Preston disappears at one location and appears at another.
The effect occurs at the source and destination simultaneously, though there is no sign he is the source (besides appearing/disappearing).
Exert your Mind and spend 2 rounds to activate. Select a Location within your line of sight. You must actively and obviously use a staff to activate this Effect.
You are transported directly to the chosen Location. You must wait an hour before activating this effect again.
Preston uses his magic wand to move shit that's far away. Sparkles appear at the tip of his wand and also on the object that he's manipulating.
You gain the following benefits at all times. You must actively and obviously be using A polished wood or metal rod (wand) to gain the benefits of this Effect.
You can interact with things that are within 75 feet without needing to physically touch them or be near them. Any rolls made for Actions taken in this way use a Mental Strength of 4 in place of your Brawn rating, a Mental Agility of 2 in place of your Dexterity, and otherwise use your own Attributes and Abilities.
Telekinetic actions have the following restrictions and behaviors:
A wave of golden-hued liquid energy explodes from the tip of the spear.
Spend an Action to activate. Select a target within 45 feet. Roll Dexterity + Melee Difficulty 6. The target may contest by rolling to Dodge or Defend as a Reaction, Difficulty 6.
If the contested Outcome is positive, the target takes that much Damage plus 4. Armor is fully effective against this damage.
You may use this Effect to Defend or Clash in Combat, including against ranged attacks such as firearms.
This Gift's Cost is capped at 2 and cannot be increased further.
If Kevin finds someone who he beleives is a true friend he will share with them a homemade bracelet with them telling them as long as they have this he will be beside them. When they grip the bracelet and call out for Kevins help his original character will appear from a rift in space which through for a moment you can see Ponyland.
Exert your Mind and spend at least two Actions performing the following ritual: Grip the bracelet and say "Kevin I need your help." to activate. You must maintain Concentration while activating this Effect, and it fails if you are interrupted.
Summon a single Kevin at your location. They will last for an hour, or until they are destroyed. They are controlled by the GM but will follow any commands you give. You may have at most 1 minion active at a time.
Minions have 4 Body and can make melee range attacks with 5 dice to attack and +1 Damage. Your minions can move 20 feet per Round as Free Movement, and double that when performing an all-out Sprint. They cannot dodge or Defend. They have dog-level intelligence, and cannot communicate back to you. Any Perception checks they make are rolled with 3 dice.
Kevins Friends call to him and ask him for his support. He steps from a portal behind them and lifts them up on his back and they ride him as he gallops forward bringing his friends to safety.
Exert your Mind (unless you win a coin flip) and spend at least two Actions performing the following ritual: They grip the braclet and shout "Kevin Help me." to activate. This Effect cannot be used unless This power can only to flee from danger. You must maintain Concentration while activating this Effect, and it fails if you are interrupted.
You can run at four times your normal movement speed for the next minute.
While running, you may climb, jump, and roll without breaking stride, but you are at 1/2 speed while doing so.
If you move faster than your normal move speed, the world around you turns to a blur, and Perception rolls are made at -3 dice.
Possession of this Artifact causes the following Trauma to manifest over the course of a day: Inability to harm someone wearing one of Kevins Friendship Bracelets. If you lose possession of this Artifact, the Trauma heals over the course of the next month.
Kevins freinds now have the ability to reveal their inner Pony OC. He hopes this allows his freinds to delve deeper into themselves and find their own inner pony.
Exert your Mind and spend an Action to activate.
You transform into A Horse for one hour or until you choose to end the Effect. You cannot transform into a flying creature. See the Extended System text for stats.
While transformed, you cannot use any equipment (including Artifacts and Consumables), and you do not have access to any of your Powers. The equipment you are wearing does not transform with you.
Injuries and Wound Level are carried over between forms. However, transforming can never kill you; you merely remain Incapacitated until your Injuries are sufficiently healed.
While transformed, you may speak and use any Commune or Send Message Powers you posses.
While transformed, you are obviously unusual, unnatural, or alien, and the average person will take a special interest in you.
Kevin has begun crafting protection into his friends bracelets. The weilder of these bracelets now carry their own sword of equestria allowing them to slay evil and protect friendship wherever they are.
This Artifact can be used as a Sword/Axe. It is roughly the same size as a Sword/Axe but can be collapsed into Friendship Bracelet Sword Charm the size of a lighter and concealed. Collapsing or expanding it costs a Free Action.
Attack by rolling Brawn + Melee, Difficulty 6. Successful attacks deal 1 Weapon Damage +1 Bonus Damage. The target's fully effective
You also gain the following effects:
This pouch of diamond dust is enchanted to turn someone invisible! To use it, simply sprinkle the dust carefully over your head and body, then speak aloud about a time you wished you were invisible. Upon the story’s conclusion, the wish will be granted, rendering the caster completely unseeable.
Use up this pouch of diamond dust (unless you succeed on 1d10, Difficulty 7) and spend at least two Actions performing the following ritual: sprinkle dust over your body and say aloud a time you wished you were invisible. to activate. You must maintain Concentration while activating this Effect, and it fails if you are interrupted.
You and any clothes or equipment you are wearing are obscured from sight for the next hour. All attempts to detect you via sight fail. Detection attempts via other senses where sight would assist are rolled at a -2 dice penalty.
Entering Combat or being Injured will end the Effect. When the Effect ends, it is disabled for 1 day.
This pouch of diamond dust is enchanted to turn someone invisible! To use it, simply sprinkle the dust carefully over your head and body, then speak aloud about a time you wished you were invisible. Upon the story’s conclusion, the wish will be granted, rendering the caster completely unseeable.
Use up this pouch of diamond dust (unless you succeed on 1d10, Difficulty 7) and spend at least two Actions performing the following ritual: sprinkle dust over your body and say aloud a time you wished you were invisible. to activate. You must maintain Concentration while activating this Effect, and it fails if you are interrupted.
You and any clothes or equipment you are wearing are obscured from sight for the next hour. All attempts to detect you via sight fail. Detection attempts via other senses where sight would assist are rolled at a -2 dice penalty.
Entering Combat or being Injured will end the Effect. When the Effect ends, it is disabled for 1 day.
You may extend this effect to up to 1 other Animate targets, provided they remain in physical contact with you.
Trophies are special objects and equipment.
Examples of Trophies include healing potions, scrolls, sci-fi technology, or any supernatural item that was not created with The Contract's Gift system.
Because Trophies may have GM-created systems, they also record the Playgroup they were acquired in.
This pouch of diamond dust is enchanted to turn someone invisible! To use it, simply sprinkle the dust carefully over your head and body, then speak aloud about a time you wished you were invisible. Upon the story’s conclusion, the wish will be granted, rendering the caster completely unseeable.
Use up this pouch of diamond dust (unless you succeed on 1d10, Difficulty 7) and spend at least two Actions performing the following ritual: sprinkle dust over your body and say aloud a time you wished you were invisible. to activate. You must maintain Concentration while activating this Effect, and it fails if you are interrupted.
You and any clothes or equipment you are wearing are obscured from sight for the next hour. All attempts to detect you via sight fail. Detection attempts via other senses where sight would assist are rolled at a -2 dice penalty.
Entering Combat or being Injured will end the Effect. When the Effect ends, it is disabled for 1 day.
You may extend this effect to up to 1 other Animate targets, provided they remain in physical contact with you.
Preston has claimed one victory that wasn’t recorded on the site