pg 16

pg 12

Recruits to Faction Paradox are usually given the title ‘Little Brother’ or ‘Little Sister’. This is a gateway trait allowing you to take other Faction Paradox traits.

Included in the trait is either of the following-

• Owed Favor (Minor). The Faction is pleased to grant favors to people... except their payments tend to come with strings attached. For those familiar with the books, look at Valentine's attempts to obtain Red Uranium. He held no official status with the Faction, but they were still happy to assist him in getting the substance... sort of. To ask a favor of the Faction is to put yourself in their debt.
• Alternately, the recruit may take 'psychic training' or 'indomitable' to reflect the basic teachings of rituals for summoning spirits to protect your mind from outside influences. These could include techniques as simple as reciting the mantra I use as my signature over and over again, or other more tangible rituals... Psychic training could reflect an awakening of Time Active biodata and allow for small feats... recognizing psychic paper for instance, or an awareness that a loa is present.

The Shadows That Cut are the signature weapon of the Faction. When a Cousin is inducted, some undergo ‘the binding ritual’ which bonds a weapon to their shadow. The weapon cannot be lost except in circumstances where shadows cannot exist (i.e. Absolute light or absolute darkness). The shadow moves independently of the owner, and use Resolve rather than Strength as the determining attribute for damage. Because it is a shadow, it can exploit the smallest chinks in the armor of a victim, and so ignores any normal armor bonus. Forcefields and natural armors still protect. For example, using a shadow weapon against a cyberman would be ineffective, but a Sontaran, who wears his armor, is vulnerable. Note that anyone taking this trait may not take the No Shadow bad trait. At the minor level: Any standard hand to hand weapon, such as a sword, spear, knife, or axe can be bonded to the shadow of the Cousin. It does standard damage for the weapon type At the major level: A ranged weapon may be bonded to shadow. These weapons never run out of ammunition. Alternately, someone may opt to bind something other than a weapon to their shadow. The player should work with the Gamemaster to determine what special effects these items might have. For example, Godfather Morlock has a pair of spectacles bound to his shadow that allows him to inspect the DNA of anyone he looks at. At the special level: Certain very rare items may be bonded to the user, that allows access to an unlimited number of weapons. Each weapon may be discarded and a new one drawn without undergoing the whole bonding ritual. Thus far, the only item known that allows this is The Grandfather’s Knife.

Functions as the Carrionite Special Trait ‘Word Based Magic’ (See page 97 of the Gamemaster's Guide.) Bear in mind that it is not ‘magic’ per se, but an advanced science based on words, gestures, and symbols. Faction Ritualists can perform rituals in Faction Shrines to travel through time, bond weapons to shadows, and other similar feats.