Light Powers (FiD)

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Light is both physical and spiritual light, inspiring deeds of charity and benevolence. Light is opposed to Darkness.

Light is the power of ethics, inspiration, and enlightenment. It involves physical light, insight, and clarity. It gives meaning to the blind forces of Flux and Order, and drives away the darkness. Light powers serve to inspire, awe, and enlighten.

Light attacks are beams of coherent light, like lasers, lights words, and holy light. They are usually good against Darkness but may have problems against massive physical targets.

Light Power Effects Table

Action	Basic	Advanced	Master	Apex
Dice	—	Minimum 2d	Minimum 4d	Minimum 6d
Stress	Avoid fumble (2+).	Succeed (4+).	Full success (6).	Critical (2 sixes).
Attune	Light Lens Detect any power.	Light Lattice Dismiss any summon or power.	Celestial Call Call an angel from heaven.	Glorious Gate Open a path to heaven.
Command	Angelic Anger Intimidate with light.	Celestial Call Message angels, send messages of hope.	Angelic Authority Command angels as a superior.	Angelic Allegiance Bind angels to permanent service.
Consort	Radiant Raiment Imbue clothes and accessories with light.	Angelic Alteration Assume the form of an angel.	Celestial Conversion Turn a good creature into an angel.	Legion of Light Turn a host of good creatures into angels.
Finesse	Radiant Roam See regardless of the level of light or darkness.	Radiant Riposte Attack as a fine and potent weapon or give friends Radiant Roam.	Radiant Reach Manipulate light with precision.	Radiant Route Travel as a ray of light.
Hunt	Ethereal Eye Track strong good or bad intentions.	Radiant Ray Attack like a fine and potent laser rifle.	Dazzling Daybreak Create light as bright as a sunny day.	Celestial Cascade A fine and potent laser bomb.
Prowl	Halo Haze Become invisible in bright light.	Luminous Leap Travel as a ray of light.	Celestial Conveyance Crew Halo Haze and Luminous Leap.	Glittering Gate Crew teleport from light to light.
Skirmish	Luminous Lock Resist Harm from Light.	Luminous Lance Fine and potent melee attack.	Luminous Labyrinth Prevent scale.	Luminous Lash Attack all enemies in melee.
Study	Angelic Appraisal Name angels and powers of Light and Darkness.	Luminescent Lore Fathom angels and powers of Light and Darkness.	Radiant Recall Read the past events of Light.	Illuminated Insight Area Luminescent Lore then thrice Radiant Recall.
Survey	Angelic Awareness Sense physical and ethical Light and Darkness.	Gleaming Gaze Perceive from a light you know of.	Radiant Revelation Perceive a target from nearest light.	Illuminated Insight Gleaming Gaze from every light in an area.
Sway	Radiant Rapport You understand angels.	Luminous Lexicon Talk to angels. Sway to good deeds.	Seraphic Suggestion Suggestions to do good deeds.	Cricket Voice Create an active conscience.
Tinker	Celestial Crafting Work materials of Light.	Radiant Reshaping Shape Light like clay.	Radiant Creation Transmute light.	Radiant Replication Mass Radiant Reshaping.
Wreck	Gleaming Grasp Cut like a laser.	Radiant Ravage Burn like a laser torch.	Quiet Quench Silent Radiant Ravage to dust.	Heavenly Holocaust Radiant Ravage over an area.

Expanded Light Powers

Attune

Light is a high-utility version of Attune powers. You can detect, dispel, and dismiss any power and creatures tied to any power.

The consequences depends entirely on what happens around you when you do it. If a powerful creature resists being dispelled or dismissed, its at least risky. In a general melee against strong opponents, the situation becomes desperate. Having helpers and bodyguards improves position, and sometimes the situation is calm or a creature wants to be dismissed and the position is controlled.

Light Lens Detect any Power.

Light is the power of truth and Light Lens reveals Powers and creatures of any sort. This is so broad that it may be of less use than other similar powers, giving you information you are not interested in, but you can narrow the search to particular Power Forms as desired.

This is usually done to spot a spirit or a disguised creature. It can also help identify a creature's connection to powers, providing valuable insights into their nature. If you know several different powers, you can scan for all of them at the same time. Limited outcome suffices against a nearby creature you can clearly see. You need greater outcome against against a creature that is hidden or far away (standard outcome) or behind a wall (great outcome). This does not locate creatures and power effects, it merely shows they are present. The position usually starts controlled, with the usual consequence that you missed the opportunity and cannot try again until the situation changes.

Light Lattice Negate any power.

You can force any summoned creature to return to its plane of origin, force any kind of spirit to materialize, or to end the operation of an ability of any power.

Dispelling can be used as a defense against others' use of powers, or it can be used to break continuing effects. Dispelling is often used as a setup action to help another character in a situation when the opposition is using powers. This usually improves the position of the supported action and can work in addition to other setup actions. When used directly, the effect is usually limited unless the opponent is relying on powers for their safety. Against an opponent that uses Animal wings to fly or turned into a fish to breathe underwater you have a better base effect. When dramatically appropriate that a power is hard to dispel, often because it is the crux of the situation, this will not negate the power but instead give you a clue to what you need to do to resolve the situation.

Forcing a spirit to materialize is easy, but limited in range; if the creature can get away from you it can de-materialize again, only to materialize again if it gets close enough. Limited effect only works on spirits within reach. Standard effect covers an area based on your tier (p 220). Great effect reaches out to a range covered by tier (p 220).

Dismissing a creature is hard and usually requires great effect. A creature that has been wounded or otherwise weakened only needs standard effect. A creature that wants to be dismissed requires only limited effect.

Celestial Call You can call an angel from heaven. You never truly control angels, but they will do good deeds.

Angels come in all forms, some looking light elementals made of light, sometimes forming glowing glyphs or text. Others have animal, humanoid, or even mechanical forms. All are moral, and have intellect enough to judge morality, or even a supernatural sense for what is good.

Summons are Chohorts: Creatures you summon function as temporary cohorts — either an Expert or a Gang — with added Powers from their Form. An Expert is a skilled individual who can offer advice, Assist, or act independently. A Gang is a group (numbers based on your Tier, p. 221) that primarily provides Scale in combat and labor.

You can always summon a Gang of creatures one Tier below yours. Summoning a specific Gang or Expert requires knowing its unique identity — called a true name in mystical traditions. For a technomancer, this might be a type ID, blueprint, or genetic code. Learning a creature’s true name may require a flashback, or in complex cases, the research downtime activity or a reward from a score.

Summoning a Creature: The summoning itself is quick but dangerous. When you have time and resources, it is wise to use wards and Barriers, but in action this is usually impossible and you must face the risks. Having allies present for safety is advisable. Offering a creature gifts or services appropriate to its nature and power can be a literal Devil’s Bargain — accepting an additional consequence to gain an advantage.

Depending on your degree of outcome, a creature is willing to do different things:

• Limited Outcome allows you to ask questions of an Expert or demand a short period of physical labor from a Gang. They will not fight for you.
• Standard Outcome allows any service appropriate to the creature’s type, having it act in its typical role. Most creatures don’t mind fighting, but may have preferences about how they do it and what they do outside a fight.
• Great Outcome allows service outside the creature’s comfort zone, though not against its nature. Lengthy service — even within its comfort zone — also requires a Great Outcome, such as guarding treasure until it is stolen.

The position usually starts at Risky — the creature is compelled and may resist. Typical consequences, in ascending order of severity:

• General sulkiness
• Half-hearted efforts
• Demanding not to be summoned again
• Breaking things or demanding concessions
• Overly literal interpretations of your commands
• A test attack to assert dominance
• Deliberate sabotage of tasks
• A constant struggle to maintain control An angel may require you to promise future good deeds or to accept a quest or mission.
• An angel might pose moral questions that you need to answer or otherwise test your ethical resolve.

Glorious Gate You can create a physical connection to heaven.

This is only useful under exceptional circumstances. Heaven may accept pilgrims or refugees for a time, but not permanently.

There are things that are possible to do here that are not allowed in the regular world. Appropriate effects are reduced one step in difficulty, from advanced to basic, master to advanced, and apex to master. This opens the possibility of new super-apex powers that have to be negotiated with the game master. Such effects rarely reach outside the plane of origin, but if they affect creatures there the effect may remain when you return to the mundane world.

This can also be used to contact creatures too powerful to summon. This allows you to ignore tier when creating the gate, but gives you no power over the target. The creature may then use the gate to come to you, call you into its presence, send minions, or communicate with you at a distance.

Command

Angelic Anger Intimidate with light.

You can create Light effects such as a halo, aura, or staged light to heighten your authority, gaining leverage similar to a threat such as displaying a weapon. This can provide the authority needed to use Command to intimidate without actual threat of violence. If you are genuinely a servant of light, creatures of Light will recognize you as a figure of authority.

Celestial Call Message angels, send messages of hope.

You can communicate over long distances with angels or to send messages of hope. You must know the name of the creature you communicate with, or have met them in person. A message of hope is a message to lift spirits, morals, or encourage good deeds. This has no supernatural influence over receivers, they choose their own actions.

Angelic Authority Command angels as a superior.

Command angels, creatures of light, as if you were their superior and across language barriers. This does not remove existing loyalties, which can lead to conflicts if they already have a task or master. Angels won't do evil deeds. They might do neutral deeds if they see a chance of redemption or other a positive result, this can be used to trick them.

Angelic Allegiance Bind angels to permanent service.

You can bind angels to permanent service. They will generally stay in one location and act according to your instructions, like very loyal and literal-minded stooges.

This won’t work unless the task is one that aligns with the principles of light. The effect is similar to Angelic Authority but potentially permanent. An angel will not usually break free, but might disobey part of your instruction for the greater good.

Consort

Consort powers changes your form and later that of other creatures. Often Consort rolls are not actually made when you use the power to change your appearance or form, it is rolled when in the social situation and effect and position is decided at this critical point. This may give a bonus to effect or improved position or even allow an action that would otherwise be impossible. These powers might also be used as a set-up action for a later Consort roll.

Consequences might reveal your disguise, but only if the position is risky or desperate.

Radiant Raiment Imbue clothes and accessories with light.

Change your clothes and accessories by imbuing them with light. This can mask your identity or create fabulous outfits. Mask allows the creation of effects like halos and mandorlas or even a mask of diffuse light bright enough to conceal your identity. You do not physically change, you accessorize and change your outfit or add an aura. You can apply this to allies as an advanced effect.

Angelic Alteration Assume the form of an angel.

You assume the form of an angel. You need not assume the form of an existing creature, as long as the gamemaster agrees your new form makes a good angel.

Shapechange can work as a set-up action for a number of other actions but may penalize other things, as appropriate to your new form. When appropriate, your new form can use Basic and Advanced powers inherently without risking stress.

• Limited outcome you can transform into yourself like you would have been, had you grown up as the creature whose form you assume. Those familiar with you will recognize you.
• Standard outcome can make you a generic creature, very hard to recognize as yourself.
• Great outcome allows you to assume the shape and some of the personality of a specific creature you have studied.

Celestial Conversion Turn a good creature into an angel.

You can apply Angelic Alteration to a willing creature of good nature. The target can end the effect at any time.

Legion of Light Turn a host of good creatures into angels.

Transform a large number of good-natured creatures into a host of angels. This is where Consort becomes similar to an Attune Summon power effect. You transform a number of existing creatures and give them a task that they will perform with gusto, turning them into single-minded minions. Targets must be willing, Non-Sentient like animals, or just very minor figures in the plot, many tiers below you.

This is usually used to create a host of goons that they can be given bit parts as servants or laborers or fight and chase for you. Such goons are more useful for chasing and cornering targets than in actual combat.

Finesse

Exact control of physical light to move, fight, and control your environment. Finesse has little relation to spiritual alight, but Light attacks might still work better against creatures of Darkness.

Radiant Roam See regardless of the level of light or darkness.

You can move and see regardless of the level of light or darkness. Enables you to ignore darkness or blinding light. However, your vision remains sensitive to contrasts between light and darkness, which may allow creatures to hide from you unless the environment is uniformly dark.

This avoid penalties to effect or position in dark or blinding conditions.

Radiant Riposte Attack as a fine and potent weapon or give friends Radiant Roam.

The attack is similar in effect to a fine potent dueling sword or pistol. Light attacks are usually good against Darkness but may have problems against purely physical creatures. You can instead grant your crew the Radiant Roam effect.

Radiant Reach Manipulate light with precision.

Create focused light or atmospheric light effects to set the mood. You can trigger light-sensitive devices such as photocells and laser sensors to replicate the functionality of a laser communications device you are familiar with. Usually used as a set-up. Consequences are likely partial results, really bad consequences might actually ruin the mood or create undesired an effect.

Radiant Route Travel as a ray of light.

Turn yourself, your crew, mounts, and vehicles into rays of light. In this form you can travel through clear air and vacuum almost instantly. You travel in straight lines to the extent of your line of sight and can do so repeatedly. You can do nothing else while in light form.

Hunt

Track, attack, and unleash devastating barrages with the power of Light. As you advance, the scope of your attacks becomes greater, allowing you to control significant areas and cause widespread destruction. At short range, this can be dangerous to you and yours.

Ethereal Eye Track strong good or bad intentions.

You can see and track creatures with strong good or bad intentions.

Track based on the moral disposition and emotional state of your target. Creatures displaying strong goodness or malevolence are easier to track, as are those in violent or vengeful moods. Casual strollers cannot be tracked this way, nor do they conceal the track you are following.

Consequences mainly involve losing the trail, serious consequences potentially leading to getting lost, falling into traps, or walking into an ambush.

Radiant Ray Attack like a fine and potent laser rifle.

Perform precise, long-range attacks using light. Effective against creatures of Darkness but may have limitations against purely physical beings.

Dazzling Daybreak Create light as bright as a sunny day.

Dispel all forms of darkness, including those created by Darkness powers. Does not affect other Darkness effects. Control the light to diffuse it, preventing blinding and minimizing shadows for better visibility, or intensify it like sunlight, potentially causing temporary blindness.

Celestial Cascade A fine and potent laser bomb.

Similar to Radiant Ray, but massive, can both overcome scale and hurt many enemies at once. Be careful with collateral damage.

Prowl

Sneak, move, and even teleport with stealth and agility. Consequences in a controlled position are often the loss of time because you have to lie low. More serious consequences might give opponents some information, possibly making them more alert or giving them clues to what you are doing, or you might stumble and take some minor injury or end up in a tricky spot.

Halo Haze Become invisible in bright light.

Allows you to hide in places you ordinarily couldn't. Functions similarly to other attempts to use Prowl to avoid notice.

Luminous Leap Travel as a ray of light.

Momentarily transform into a ray of light to teleport to a visible location. Works best in bright light; in darkness, it's quite visible. The required effect varies based on visibility: distant or murky locations require greater outcome, while limited outcome suffices for close and well-lit areas. You can teleport through transparent walls and Barriers as long as they let light through.

Celestial Conveyance Crew Halo Haze and Luminous Leap.

You can allow allies you can clearly to use Halo Haze and Luminous Leap. This uses your stress, but each ally uses their own Prowl action.

Glittering Gate Crew teleport from light to light.

You and allies can teleport from one brightly illuminated area to another. This is regional travel within the same city or region. Can be used to escape nearly any situation, though finding a suitable location in unfamiliar or hostile territory is unlikely. A fumble might leave you in a similar but different location, potentially placing you in danger.

Skirmish

Engage in close combat and create opportunities with the power of Light. This uses the normal combat rules typical to consequences.

Luminous Lock Resist harm from light.

Absorb Light energy. This allows you to ignore most harm from dangerous light and radiation, making you immune to such environmental effects and to resist such harm. You increase the effect of Skirmish rolls for endurance in such environments. Roll Skirmish to resist such Harm. 1-3: No reduction. 4-6: Reduce Harm by 1 level. Critical: Reduce Harm by 2 levels. As a Master power, you can protect an ally for a score; as an Apex Power, you can protect your crew. Targets roll their own Skirmish dice.

Luminous Lance Fine and potent melee attack.

An attack similar to a fine and potent laser pistol or laser sword. Light attacks are good against Darkness but may have problems against purely physical creatures.

Luminous Labyrinth Prevent scale.

Create distractions and obstructions that prevent the enemy from benefiting from numbers/scale. Otherwise as Luminous Lance.

Luminous Lash Attack all enemies in melee.

Prevents opponents from using scale and allows you to strike multiple targets. Otherwise as Luminous Lance.

Study

Study and analyze objects and creatures of Light to gain insight and knowledge. The effect required depends on range, limited outcome for touch, standard outcome for line-of-sight, and great outcome to reach a target you know of or have some link to, but cannot see.

Position varies depending on the situation. In a safe or secret location, the position is controlled. In the midst of conflict or when under pressure, the position becomes desperate.

Angelic Appraisal Name angels and powers of Light and Darkness.

This gives precise mundane information, but not supernatural or exceptional abilities like those of powers.

Luminescent Lore Fathom angels and powers of Light and Darkness.

You learn the powers and abilities of something you use Angelic Appraisal on. This gives you information on powers and other obscure or occult information and the rules for them.

Radiant Recall Read the past events of Light.

Learn events related to creatures or powers of Light or Darkness. Reveals previous owners or encounters of the target and significant scenes from its history, focusing on events of interest to you.

Illuminated Insight Area Luminescent Lore then thrice Radiant Recall.

Provides a detailed view of events involving Light and Darkness in the area, pinpointing locations of interest like bases and power nodes. You can then use Radiant Recall on three targets.

Survey

Unhindered sight in any natural light condition, from blinding sun to starlight. Perceive and locate angels, devils, and power effects of Light and Darkness. The outcome you need depends on the target's concealment.

• Limited outcome finds those hiding behind cover and in far places you can only barely see.
• Standard outcome can look behind walls and into hard cover.
• Great outcome can look into far-away places and spots you had no idea existed.

Angelic Awareness Sense physical and ethical Light and Darkness.

You can sense strong good and evil intentions as well as physical light and darkness. This is a basic spotting power, selectively sensing things related to your power. You can choose to detect all such intentions, those directed towards you, or those directed at a specific creature or group you know well.

Gleaming Gaze Perceive from a light you know of.

Shift your perception to a glowing object you know is there and sense as if you were physically there, while still maintaining awareness of your actual location, though dimly. A glowing object for this power and Radiant Revelation includes things that transfer or direct light, such as a window, lens, or mirror. Anything in direct sunlight qualifies.

Radiant Revelation Perceive a target from nearest light.

Similar to Gleaming Gaze but allows you to focus on a specific creature or position. Choose a location or creature. Gain sensory perception from the glowing object nearest to it. Automatically directs towards the best vantage point provided by a glowing object. This is typically close enough to observe the target. Fails if no suitable viewpoint is available.

Illuminated Insight Gleaming Gaze from every light in an area.

You perceive from all glowing objects at once over a wide area. Enhances your senses impossibly, akin to being multiple individuals spread across the scene. Creates a comprehensive mental image of the area, revealing numerous details simultaneously. It's challenging for targets to hide unless they are aware of the need to conceal themselves.

Sway

Communicate, mesmerize, and manipulate creatures of light and later in any type of creature. Position and effect are determined normally, depending on the situation and your relation to listeners. Because light is an ethical power, Sway Light does not allow mind control, but you can influence others in more subtle ways.

Radiant Rapport You understand angels.

You can and gauge the mood and motivations of angels and understand what they are saying. This does not allow you to be understood.

Luminous Lexicon Talk to angels. Sway to good deeds.

You and allies can communicate with angels. This allows you to use the Sway action with full effect, overcoming cultural and linguistic barriers as long as you are speaking to angels or trying to convince people to do good deeds. You are persuading, not speaking with authority.

Seraphic Suggestion Suggestions to do good deeds.

Implant suggestions in the minds of any type of creature to make them do good deeds. This is an enhanced Sway attempt, allowing you to implant suggestions that will trigger under conditions you set. The power remains subtle until the suggestion is activated. The target will not remember being swayed, and if you succeed, you can give them instructions that will activate later in a specified situation.

Suggestions cannot be absurd to the target and must be likely to bring beneficial effects. Typical suggestions include avoiding harm or performing minor sacrifices for the benefit of others.

Cricket Voice Create an active conscience.

Create an active conscience that will alert the target when they are about to do evil. The Cricket Voice's morality aligns with a mix of yours and the target's, leaning towards goodness without being entirely alien. If the target follows the Cricket Voice's advice, they will gradually improve their behavior. To commit a decidedly evil action, the target must resist, which silences the Cricket Voice for the rest of that score. Repeated resistance weakens and eventually dissipates the Cricket Voice.

Tinker

Manipulate, shape, and create physical light. While the ethical aspect of light is still present, Tinker has the least ethical Light effects.

• Limited Outcome solves an immediate problem, then ends. A tool to repair something, a weapon for one fight, a bridge to quickly cross.
• Standard Outcome lasts for the duration of a score. Lasting construction, repair, or item.
• Great Outcome is semi-permanent. This does not make permanent kit, but it can make permanent effects to the setting, repairs, construction.
• Something larger than a human, very complex, or of higher Quality Level than your Tier or Lifestyle increases the needed Outcome.

Position depends on the tranquility of your workspace and if you are working on something dangerous in itself.

For long-term projects, Tinker powers can substitute for missing tools, but that is all they do until you can Fabricate.

Position depends on the tranquility of your workspace and if you are working on something inherently dangerous.

Celestial Crafting Work materials of Light.

You can craft light, lamps, lasers, and holiness as if you had the appropriate tools and protective devices. Common things you emulate are lenses, mirrors, and prisms. You can repair and recharge "holiness" items have Light powers and possibly other powers made to fight evil and planar invaders. A common type of light items are light crystals that glow without fire or fuel.

Radiant Reshaping Shape Light like clay.

You can shape light, lasers, and holiness as if they were of clay, and they will retain their new shape for some time even if they would normally not. Allows you to give what is normally instant effects a duration. This surpasses normal crafting, letting you manipulate light as if it were solid or a liquid, storing light in an object, or perfectly absorbing light. This facilitate the construction of traps or devices, avoiding the need for extensive equipment.

Radiant Creation Transmute light.

Conjure light from nothing or transmute materials light and material of a power you know. You don't need tools to build complex fine and potent items from light. You can create light from nothing. This is like Radiant Reshaping, above, but needs no raw materials. This lets you make fine and potent items from light.

With multiple powers, you can transform light into material linked to another power you know. This allows intricate transformations where a metal sword can be transmuted into Light and still work as a sword, or a wooden door can be changed to air so you can walk through and the door then returns to normal.

You can send, intercept, and interpret radiation light used for communication, such as like radio and light, requiring limited outcome for open communication to great outcome for advanced military codes.

Radiant Replication Mass Radiant Reshaping.

You can mass-produce objects made of light and create large structures like ships or buildings that normally require a workforce and facilities. In long-term projects involving construction or crafting, Radiant Replication makes many dozens of items with the same effort as one item, but with a stress cost.

Wreck

This is more about using light to wreck than about wrecking light. Use Light to destroy, dismantle, and obliterate objects and effects of the Barrier and Darkness powers.

Wreck Light can destroy physical manifestations of Barrier, Darkness, and Light. In most cases, wrecking a power effect destroys it in its entirety. This is only a small part of all effects, but Barrier in particular has many physical effects that Light can destroy. The reason Barriers are vulnerable to Light is that they are made to be transparent. It is possible to create a barrier impervious to light, but that would be a black shell impenetrable to light, thus making those inside blind.

The position depends on the situation. A quiet workspace is controlled, the general hustle of adventure risky, dealing with a fight, massive crowds, or dangerous construction is desperate.

Gleaming Grasp Cut like a laser.

Cuts like a laser and chases darkness away. This power is like a laser torch, noisy and leaves a twisted object in place.

Radiant Ravage Burn like a laser torch.

Gleaming Grasp that can smash some power effects. Works as a fine potent sledgehammer in combat. This is where you can start to wreck physical manifestations of the powers of Barriers are vulnerable to Light. Such effects can be smashed as if they were wood. To do this, you must be able to visualize the effect as a material object. This works for visible effects like walls, glowing points, or spheres of darkness but not against dark moods or ephemeral barriers.

Quiet Quench Silent Radiant Ravage to dust.

Radiant Ravage, and destroyed targets silently disappear or are reduced to a fine dust. Barriers and Darkness power effects destroyed this way simply fade and leave no trace at all, and don't even alert their creators that they failed.

Heavenly Holocaust Radiant Ravage over an area.

Light causes destruction, and Heavenly Holocaust does the same over a large area, but the material destruction is limited to common vandalism, like smashing stuff with a hammer all over the area. Against physical manifestations of Barrier, Darkness, and Light this has more dramatic effects.