Zephyren collects blades almost obsessively, perhaps because they are some of the least detectable weapons. Or, he does it instinctively because a bird is never complete without its talons. In result, he's also the most proficient with blades.
On weapon usage:
People have guns (even in Canada, they're just quieter about it), but Zephyren legally cannot own one, and traveling with those can be such a pain for those with licenses anyway. He very much prefers a quieter option too. Also, blades are far more versatile (he wants to toss a bunch of vegetables in the air one day and try to slice them all). Never bring a knife to a gun fight? Think again.
On blade proficiency:
Fighting isn't the only thing Zephyren uses blades for. If anything he's rarely had to fight outside contracts; he mostly uses knives in the kitchen, and since he has been cooking from a very young age, there's no surprise that this is what he's the most comfortable with. In any video games, he predominantly uses a knife or sword. Don't ask how he's gotten through Resident Evil; let's just say he had to face a lot of corpses up close.
On bird talons:
Thankfully Zephyren has never been attacked by a bird, but from what he's read, talons can be really sharp. They have to grip onto things after all, even if it means they'd puncture their target.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are engaged in combat with knives and daggers.
+2 dice to all rolls with knives and daggers. You may Defend against firearm attacks from any range using knives and daggers.
You also gain the following effects:
This artifact is a Caduceus fashioned into a small necklace, or bracer. The person wearing it moves confidently and automatically when performing medical operations.
This artifact gives the wearer knowledge of medicine, and supernatural guidance on what is needed to do to maximize the chance of a good outcome.
This artifact must have a caduceus symbol. It is made by using an intensive ritual involving:
- an EMT field manual
- first aid kit
- a variety of medical symbols
- some famous icons and symbols
And imprinting from the shared meaning of these things a single effect.
This works particularly well on those with the murder or atrocities limit - definition of Innocents
You gain the following benefits as long as you are wearing this Artifact.
All Stabilizations you attempt are considered Proper Stabilizations.
You also gain the following effects:
...
You gain the following benefits as long as you are piloting any vehicle.
You receive +2 dice to any rolls to pilot a vehicle.
You also gain the following effects:
Saša seems to just shrug off most illnesses with little to no reaction.
The Akuloth is a tape-worm like creature that was fed to Saša's mother while she was still pregnant. The creature latched onto Saša's still developing spine, fusing with it. It is now functionally invisible, except for those who know what to look for during a surgery.
The Akuloth is able to shield Saša from illness and any other bodily ailments by consuming them.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
You get +2 dice to any Body resistance rolls you make. You also gain the following effects:
Character appears the same except for occasional, perceptable, "flickers" that occur every few minutes where the nanobots quickly rearrange and reform.
Every cell in your character's body is replaced with nanobots. They function exactly the same as the cells they replace but can also reconfigure themselves at will.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
You are permanently and visibly transformed: Nanobots. You are considered to be a Sapient, Living Computer when targeted. Your Dexterity is increased by 1.
Your body is adapted to surgery. You receive +3 dice on non-attack rolls related to surgery.
Your body provides you with the functionality of surgical tools. If used to attack, these "tools" use the same stats as a small knife.
You cannot ignore or decrease the effects of Stress for any social rolls you make.
The Goblin King was born with an additional supernatural layer to their perception, allowing them to see the true nature of things, as well as enhancing their natural perception of the world around them.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
Your Perception rating is increased by 1. You may Exert your Mind to automatically gain an Outcome of 5 on any roll that uses Perception (Cannot be used on combat rolls or Power activations).
You also gain the following effects:
The ninja is a master of a wide variety of martial weapons. They kill quickly and quietly.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are engaged in combat with melee ninja weapons.
+2 dice to all rolls with melee ninja weapons. You may Defend against firearm attacks from any range using melee ninja weapons.
You also gain the following effects:
This is a doctor who exists on the front lines. They're most at home working under stressful conditions when the stakes couldn't be higher.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
All Stabilizations you attempt are considered Proper Stabilizations.
You also gain the following effects:
Finally, the girls are fusing the way they’ve wanted to since they began Contracting, three and a half years ago. It took Grace’s left eye for them to try this, but the girls are now able to spend a week focusing their energy towards a Battle Scarred area and permanently replacing it with The Spirit’s ghostly flesh. The replaced chunks, eyes, arms, whatever may come, appear just as The Spirit’s: bluish and semi-transparent, but now function just as the respective physical flesh would.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
Any Injury you receive heals quickly, reducing its Severity by one level every 6 hours. Any Injuries you receive while this Effect is active do not deteriorate over time. However, any Battle Scars caused by such an Injury will remain unless it is Properly Stabilized as normal.
All Injuries you receive are considered Properly Stabilized. You may also choose to heal any Battle Scar on yourself that may not have been caused by an Injury. Doing so takes one day, and the Battle Scar affects you fully until that time.
Possession of this Power grants the following Battle Scar: any scars that heal this way leave the flesh in that area bluish and semi-transparent, causing you to be viewed as a freak by most people who see you.
As long as the ninja is carrying a weapon, their self-defense is almost subconscious. Subtle twitches and lighting-fast feints and parries using sword and scabbard can buy the ninja precious seconds to enact an escape plan or make the kill.
You gain the following benefits at all times. You must actively and obviously be using a sword to gain the benefits of this Effect.
You have 4 Armor, which reduces incoming Damage. Armor from multiple sources does not stack. This Armor cannot be circumvented with Called Shots.
Whenever your Armor reduces incoming Damage, you are immediately made aware of the source of the Damage. You may pinpoint their location for 30 seconds.
Any time your Armor prevents Damage, your Armor rating is temporarily decreased by 2. Whenever it goes five Rounds without preventing any Damage, it is restored back to its full value.
Driving rugged vehicles in a combat situation is second nature to the Soldier. They measure their shots and navigate obstacles with a subtle timing that doesn't affect the steadiness of their own or their passengers' weapons. Firing a few shots through the windshield or window while performing dangerous driving maneuvers is also no problem.
You gain the following benefits as long as Must be driving a rugged vehicle such as an SUV truck or armored car. and you are piloting any vehicle.
You receive +2 dice to any rolls to pilot a vehicle.
You also gain the following effects: