When Tethered, the Dead Line shifts temporarily into a more spectral form that allows it to float next to Charlie's physical body, surrounded by a ghostly aura.
The Dead Line saps away the vitality of those who attempt to touch it with malice in their hearts, threatening to tear the very souls from their bodies.
Charlie is merely a puppet for the Dead Line, one which hasn't yet achieved it's true form. Her experience as a puppet has given her a passion that she would never have felt otherwise.
Her true form, if she had never obtained a human body, is one which resembles the Conductor. A ghastly apparition with a pair of long-barreled revolvers instead of hands, wrapped in chains. (Think the Reaper from Persona)
The motto of The Dead Line, engraved by Charlie herself onto a small plaque in the conductor's compartment, is as follows:
"For as many paths as our passengers walk down, many rails we must lay down in turn."
This Artifact cannot be broken. If this Artifact is lost and in no one else’s possession, it finds its way back to its true owner during the next Downtime.
By default, the creator of this Artifact is its true owner. The true owner may formally bequeath this Artifact onto another person within arm’s reach, after which they are its true owner. If the true owner dies or is destroyed, their ownership ends. If this Artifact has no true owner, anyone may spend one day attuning to it to become its true owner.
Those who disrespect public transport cannot hold or use this Artifact. They take a Severity 1 Injury each Round they touch or possess of the Artifact. It cannot be prevented or healed by any means until one day after they relinquish possession.
This Artifact's true owner is always aware of the direction and distance to this Artifact.
Whenever this Artifact is unattended and within 300 feet of its true owner, it will fly back to them. When not held or stowed, it floats beside its true owner, moving with them. While within 10 feet, the true owner does not need to touch it to use it.
This Artifact's true owner must have it with them to have restful sleep. They cannot regain Mind or Source while separated from this Artifact.
Anyone who touches this Artifact will notice it warping their mind and may drop it. If they choose to hold or use it, they immediately receive the following Trauma: Nightmares: Turning into the Conductor - Your sleep is plagued with horrible nightmares. At the start of each Contract and each time you fall asleep, make a Self-Control roll. If you fail, you take one Mind Damage. If they lose possession of this Artifact, the Trauma heals over the course of the next day.
When in use the item seems to almost become part of the user as their skin begins to match the Xibalba Stone color and texture.
This Artifact cannot be broken.
If this Artifact is lost and in no one’s possession, it finds its way back to its creator during the next Downtime.
Anyone but this Artifact's creator must Exert their Mind to wear this artifact or activate any of its Effects.
This Artifact's creator must have it with them to have restful sleep. They cannot regain Mind or Source while separated from this Artifact.
The Cape is a dramatic, flowing garment made from a mysterious fabric that appears to be a blend of deep, shadowy black and dark crimson. The outer surface is silky smooth and reflective, glinting ominously in the light, while the inner lining is a rich, blood-red velvet that feels both warm and comforting to the touch. The collar is high and stiff, reminiscent of classic vampire attire, and it clasps at the neck with an ornate, silver brooch shaped like a bat with ruby eyes.
This Artifact cannot be broken.
If this Artifact is lost and in no one’s possession, it finds its way back to its creator during the next Downtime.
This Artifact's creator is always aware of the direction and distance to this Artifact.
This Artifact's creator must have it with them to have restful sleep. They cannot regain Mind or Source while separated from this Artifact.
Another rune etched upon the ring, the visual effect is limited but when someone places the ring upon their finger they feel a warmth emanate through their body.
The Ring of Tessivar is so named for the fact it holds a fragment of Eldriennes' very being. As such, she is always aware of it and those who hold it. This isn't without flaw though, for how can one rest if they are not whole?
This Artifact cannot be broken. If this Artifact is lost and in no one else’s possession, it finds its way back to its true owner during the next Downtime.
By default, the creator of this Artifact is its true owner. The true owner may formally bequeath this Artifact onto another person within arm’s reach, after which they are its true owner. If the true owner dies or is destroyed, their ownership ends. If this Artifact has no true owner, anyone may spend one day attuning to it to become its true owner.
This Artifact's true owner is always aware of the direction and distance to this Artifact.
If this Artifact is used by someone other than its true owner, its true owner is alerted and learns the user's appearance, direction, and distance at that moment. The true owner may use a single investigation Effect on them once at any range.
This Artifact's true owner must have it with them to have restful sleep. They cannot regain Mind or Source while separated from this Artifact.
Though impressively durable, the fact is his outfits are still as stylish and functional.
Even torn to shreds, it's value and craftsmanship is apparent.
The standard Suit has the following features:
Integral Armor: 2 pts to all locations, including shoes. Impermeable Gloves with mag-lock band for NBC seal.
Full Sensor Suite w/ Haptic Controls & Voice Commands: Biometrics, O2 Quality Sensor, Radiation Detector, Laser Detector, Bug Detector, GPS, Panic Button
Anti-Surveillance Infrared LED Suite: Will obscure the wearer from all low light devices.
Thermal Sink & Climate Control: Will absorb & block heat emissions to power electronics. Can use battery to heat interior for a limited time.
Headscarf: Transparent, NBC Resistant Material. Magnetic strips in the trim allow it to be sealed to the collar for an airtight seal when deployed
Belt: Unbreakable thread, hidden pocket - 2k in local currency
Hidden Pockets: Sleeves, Coat, Ankle
Sensible Shoes: Polycarbonate toe & puncture resistance, hermetically sealed backup battery in each heel.
AI Integration: can remotes access "Slick AI" with a command. Local systems firewall is in place.
Integrated Mobile/AI Assistant: Capable of making calls w/ end to end encryption w/ Triple integrity check (Anti-Sting Ray). Voice to Text translation.
Security Suite: Jailbreak NFC, Bluetooth, Infrared Transceiver, Proximity ID Sensor
This Artifact cannot be broken. If this Artifact is lost and in no one else’s possession, it finds its way back to its true owner during the next Downtime.
By default, the creator of this Artifact is its true owner. The true owner may formally bequeath this Artifact onto another person within arm’s reach, after which they are its true owner. If this Artifact has no living true owner, anyone may spend one day attuning to it to become its true owner.
This Artifact cannot be broken.
This Artifact's creator is always aware of the direction and distance to this Artifact.
The survivalist has depended on the Bug-out Bag for so long, they've formed a powerful bond with the pack. This bond renders the pack unbreakable, and grants the survivalist an understanding of what direction it's in at all times.
This Artifact cannot be broken. If this Artifact is lost and in no one else’s possession, it finds its way back to its true owner during the next Downtime.
By default, the creator of this Artifact is its true owner. The true owner may formally bequeath this Artifact onto another person within arm’s reach, after which they are its true owner. If the true owner dies or is destroyed, their ownership ends. If this Artifact has no true owner, anyone may spend one day attuning to it to become its true owner.
This Artifact's true owner is always aware of the direction and distance to this Artifact.